House of LOVE

 Robert and Sheikha Baidya (Right), a Bangladeshi couple, have had a dream for eight years. They live in Dhaka, Bangladesh amongst the Bihari refugees who were left in Bangladesh (previously known as East Pakistan) after Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan. Their ministry is to these Bihari children living in the slums surrounding their apartment complex. They teach bible lessons and provide food and other necessities to refugee children who live in a home with one small room and their family of often 15. Some of these children are forced to survive on their own on the streets, stealing food and being forced to become "grown-ups" when they are barely old enough to attend school. We were told heartbreaking stories of neglect, abuse, disease, and broken families.
Eight years ago God told Robert and Sheikha to start a children's home to care for Bihari children from the slum. Since then the vision has stirred within them as they have prayed, envisioned, and planned how to take in these children. As they shared the dream with us this summer and as I interacted with the Bihari children and saw the conditions they lived in, I couldn't help but catch their dream. I could see in them a readiness, a maturity and a seriousness about the burden God had given them as they shared their heart with tears in their eyes. I believe they will start a children's home and help change the lives of many of these kids with the love of Christ!

There is just one problem. Money. This couple lives by faith, trusting God will provide thier every need for ministry in the midst of a nation that does not believe in support. They have small ways to raise money such as making peanut butter from scratch and selling it for $3 a jar, but it just doens't cut it. They need the support of America to make this dream happen and even that seems impossible. That's where you and I come in. As the church, it is our responsibility to support each other and serve the God-dreams of our brothers and sisters, no matter where they are in the world. If you feel the Lord burdening your heart to support this dream and these children please email me (holly.liedstrand@gmail.com) and I will give you information so you can support them. 

Written by my friend and travel partner-

Shawna Jerch