All Because of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

The stifling heat of summer makes you feel constantly moist; banana, coconut, and mango trees bearing fruit treasures on every corner; drenching monsoon rains swelling the enormous muddy rivers; dark skinned, brown eyed, black haired people everywhere giving you their “Salaam” (greeting of Peace); Not a mountain nor foothill in sight; This is obviously not Colorado. Brightly painted rickshaws ringing their bicycle bells day and night; Muslim men with cotton Punjabis, tupi’s on their head, and long beards going to offer prayer; Women with beautiful but gaudy colored shalwar chemises shopping in the marketplace; and everywhere the mingled smell of spicy curry simmering, exotic flowers blooming, and rotting garbage: This is clearly not Boulder.

We wake each morning to the sounds of the Azzan (Muslim call to prayer) saying “Allah hu Akbar”, and though they proclaim “God is Great”, they know not the greatness of His love for them in sending his Son to be the ransom for sin. They think that Jesus is just a prophet not the Messiah, Saviour, Redeemer, and King. They offer their good works of Confession, Prayer, Alms, Hajj, and Fasting, hoping that when they die, Allah will look favorably on them. Yet, always there is fear and uncertainty, and the question in their mind, “Have I done enough to please Almighty Allah?”

Bangladesh population: over 160 million in the size of the state of Arkansas and Dhaka the capital city houses over 10 percent of those people. The country is 85% Muslim, and less than 0.5% profess Jesus Christ as Lord. Poverty, crime, corruption, and natural disasters all contribute to the slow development of this country. For many, the condition seems hopeless. But for the university student the spark of optimism and hope for change cannot be extinguished easily.

1 Timothy 4:12 "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

This is a verse I like to quote to the university students of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in order to challenge them to believe in God, trust in God, and as a result produce positive change in their culture and country. Without the foundation of belief in the true God, the culture will crumble. By reaching out to the future leaders of this culture we hope to have maximum impact on this country racked by sin and corruption. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

In 2008, the Meese family came to these precious Bengali people to help bring the message of hope, peace, and joy they are missing, and the Good News that God loves them and has provided a sufficient sacrifice for their sins. We are grateful for the sacrifices of so many who have given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, we challenge you to continue giving sacrificially as well as praying and going.