Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. — Proverbs 31:8-9
Abogar = to advocate for, to speak on behalf of, and to intercede for. At the heart of who we are as a nonprofit organization, (advocating for children who are orphaned, living in the streets, and youth at risk throughout Latin America) is the purpose of speaking up for these children, bringing attention to their needs and situations, and inviting others to become involved in the efforts to mitigate their desperate situations. We must speak up. We cannot be silent.
Speaking IS a part of advocacy… while it is not the totality of all that we do, it is and will continue to be a large part of what we do. I (Jesse Rivers) remember being a little kid and having no way to speak up for myself, and having no one who wanted to speak up for me. I remember the helplessness that I experienced in the many moments of violent and horrific abuse. I remember my insides screaming out for someone to care, to come to my rescue, to help me, hold me, love me, and free me from the desperate situation. I wanted someone to speak up for me, to intervene, advocate on my behalf, and help me!
My own past causes me to have a very deep heart for these children of Latin America, who at this point in time do not have people speaking on their behalf. There are many great organizations that are trying to reach many of the children there, but unfortunately there are not enough people, ministries, or resources available yet. We speak to seek others who also have deep hearts for these children, and may be willing to become involved in their lives.
While our speaking up for these children is a main aspect of who we are at Abogar International Ministries, it doesn’t stop there. We also are about action! We are looking to continue forging partnerships with great Christian organizations already working with these children there in Latin America; as well as churches, businesses, and people who are like-minded to God’s heart and mind for these children. We look to not only be acting as a voice for the Body of Christ, but also as hands and feet. We are about investing in Christian home environments, education, life skills, opportunities to develop career abilities, and to foster a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. While we are so young as an organization, and face some realistic limitations of finances, resources, and personal; we still have our voice, and we are working hard to speak up for these kids!
- 10,000,000+ children who are orphaned throughout Latin America
- 40,000,000+ children who live in the streets
Can you help them? Can you be involved in speaking up for their needs? Can you go even further and help out financially, so that we can reach more of them? Do you have talents or resources that would help us reach these children? Check out our needs and ways to support us at http://abogarim.org/support/, and ask God if/how He would have you participate with us! But if the only think you can do is speak up for them, then by all means SPEAK UP! Speaking up for the poor, orphaned, oppressed, and needy is a part of advocacy, and a major part of God’s heart for His creation!
