"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead" (James 2:15-17).
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."(James 1:27).
A MESSAGE FROM TOM WARD, SR., FOUNDER OF SAY YEBO
In May of 2005 I had the privilege of visiting Loskop, South Africa. I was in the company of 60,000 South African Zulus, but my time and attention were directed toward a brand new orphan village. While there I witnessed immense poverty and devastating need. But I also observed and participated in laughter and celebration—a unique experience, especially given the daunting number of children in South Africa affected by the AIDS pandemic that continues to sweep the African continent. You may have heard the statistics…
- AIDS has killed over 20 million worldwide, with the majority in Africa.
- Because the majority of deaths occur in the young and middle adult population, AIDS leaves in its wake a destitute population of children and elderly.
- As many as 14 million children currently under the age of fifteen have lost one or both parents to AIDS, with the majority of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
- By 2010, in sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 18-25 million children—more than all the children in the United Kingdom, will have lost at least one parent to AIDS.
- Less than 10 percent of children orphaned and made vulnerable by AIDS are receiving some kindof help.
These numbers are overwhelming, almost unfathomable. But I saw hope first hand. While in the orphan village in South Africa, I met dozens of orphans who were cared for by wonderful Christian people who are showing Jesus’ love in every village. These orphan communities in sub-Saharan Africa are rescuing the innocent children and widows of this crisis and meeting not just their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs as they teach them God’s Word and plan for their lives. This model works and has the potential to care for hundreds of thousands of orphans and widows while also contributing in a huge way to the surrounding community.
Upon returning home from Loskop, South Africa, I began saying, “Yebo!” to everyone. Yebo is the Zulu word for Yes. I have been a pastor for many years and my vision to reach the lost is greater than ever. I am overwhelmingly committed to teaching everyone who claims the name of Jesus Christ the word Yebo. I want the Christian community to Say Yebo, to say YES, to helping the orphans in Africa who are in urgent need of care. I believe with all my heart that God has turned the HIV/AIDS pandemic into the greatest opportunity the church has ever seen to reach people for Christ. Do you realize that we, as a church, can change the face of Africa in a single generation? Jesus said, “…Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). We must answer the call now!
