REV. ADAMS Following God's call overseas

Times have changed in critical ways over the past months. We grieve with those who have lost loved ones through acts of terrorism, we pray for our military, we long for peace. Yet, in the midst of this world scene, the church -- the community of faith -- continues to hear God's call to reach out to the brokenhearted, the sick, the homeless and the poor.
For two weeks in May 2005, I will be making my 13th volunteer-in-mission trip to orphanages in the former Soviet Union. The Rev. David Joachim, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Boardman, and I will take a group from our area to spread joy, hope and love, and deliver humanitarian aid.
Since the fall of communism, the former Soviet Union has struggled to care for its people, especially its children, and rebuild its communities. One important resource for the Russians has been volunteer teams from the United States who assist with the rebuilding of schools, hospitals, clinics, churches and orphanages.
Children in Russia
One area I feel called to serve is with abandoned children in Russia. Children who have been placed in orphanages because parents cannot or will not provide a home for them. It is heart wrenching to see children who know they have living parents, but who also know they cannot live with those parents because they are unwanted.
There is pain and need all over our world. We cannot solve every problem. But we can do what God has enabled and called us to do - to love and care for those in need.
A mission volunteer named Jerry Aeker wrote in his book, "Partners With the Poor": "There is no substitute for face-to-face encounters with people who are struggling for survival at the margins of society. Here is where it is possible to begin to understand the connection between poverty and its causes. The next step is to find ways to empower people for change and transformation."
While there is a great deal of activity in our country which captures our attention, we can also serve friends, who were once our enemies, in another country who welcome us and need our assistance. Volunteer-in-mission teams provide not only desperately needed items to those who live with very little, they provide the most important gift of all, the gift of hope and the knowledge that someone cares.
XThe Rev. Kathryn T. Adams is Director of Protestant Campus Ministry at Youngstown State University.