Here are some of the faces and thoughts from the Imagine No Malaria Student Advocacy Days event, held March 4-6 in Washington, D.C.

"Imagine No Malaria it's not a moment but it's a movement." - Khadija Ibrahim

"I am highly engaged on how I am going present the information to my Congressman." - Ben Buckeye

"I hope to share much of this information to end malaria." - Kaitlyn Sellers

 

"I am glad to be part of the effort to help with malaria prevention." -Amanda Foote

"My outer look is not what qualifies my inner look" - Ninaflore

"Malaria is one of the most serious human health issues facing humanity, yet through holistic approaches, can be eradicated." - Ian Arturo

"It has been an exciting moment for me, as I joined college students all over the nation to discuss issues bout malaria most especially in Africa." - Ande Emmanuel

"We really enjoyed the opportunity to speak for children who can't speak for themselves." - Chris Novak and Katie Harmon

As I was drinking my apple juice today I noticed that the bottle reads 100% juice.  THAT’S GREAT, I thought.   That is until I started reading the fine print.  “100% Juice, apple juice.  From concentrate with other natural flavors and ingredients.”   One thing that I’ve learned is that you have to read the fine print.  In our society the fine print is where the truth lies so be careful.  Luckily, there’s no fine print with God.  God’s love is unconditional,  his mercy abounds without qualification, and his grace is given before we even realize that we need it.

How can we eliminate the fine print from our lives?

I personally believe that if we were give without questioning, serve without a reward, and love without ceasing that we would live a life without fine print.  Imagine No Malaria  is your opportunity to give, serve, and love our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Have you taken one of those opportunities?

“For he says, ‘At the right time I heard you, and on a day of salvation I helped you.  Listen, now is the right time!  Now is our day of salvation!”  -2 Corinthians 6:2

The Meaning of the Cross

Luke 22:41-42 “Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.’”

Do you believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, could have chosen not to be the mother of the Lord? Have you ever thought about that question? It will tell you some-thing about your theology to play that question through. I believe Mary could have said no to God. People do that. God was asking a lot. But Scripture relates that this was not the choice she made. When she heard from the angel what God wanted her to do, Mary said “Yes.”

In the same vein, we can theorize that Jesus also had a choice. He knew his death was near. He knew he had been betrayed and he likely knew soldiers were on the way to arrest him. On that evening, Scripture tells us Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemene and prayed. He prayed fervently that he might be spared the agonizing death that lay before him. I believe he could have fled. He could have fought. Instead, Jesus accepted the way of the cross. Death on the cross was a choice to which Jesus said Yes.

Life is made of choices. Sometimes they are difficult; it is the nature of the amazing freedom that God has entrusted to each of us. God calls us to the way of love, but we have real choices. We can say No. That is the nature of love. True love does not coerce. We are not God’s puppets.

This is why God has called us to live lives of faith even when we know faithfulness will lead to difficulty. The cross of Christ is all about Jesus’ example of faithful love over-coming fear. 1 John 4:18 tells us “perfect love casts out fear”. In his hour of decision Jesus overcame his fear. He did not run. He did not call for an army of followers to rise up and fight, even though many were waiting for him to give the word. Jesus chose the way of love. Love is more powerful than any army. The cross is a picture of perfect love. Love that refuses to quit loving. Love that won’t give up.

Prayer: Loving Savior, we praise you for your constant love. Even when we fail to live up to your example, even when we turn away or flee in fear or respond with vio-lence, you never give up on us. You always wait and hope and pray that we will choose to turn back to you. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so.

Rev. Clayton Childers, Virginia

Freedom

Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

During Vacation Bible School, our leader gave everyone who entered the sanctuary a black bracelet that looked like a prison chain.

Then, she began announcing things she had done that were hurtful. She spoke of actions to which the children could relate, like screaming at their parents or fighting with friends. With each sin she mentioned, she added a bracelet to her body. Soon, these sins covered her with chains.

Slowly, she went to the large wooden cross that was standing by the altar. She told the children one day she heard the good news of Jesus, that God loves us all, and wants us to live life in all its goodness, both here and now, and in the world beyond. It was then that she accepted Christ as her savior. With tears pouring down her face, the teacher said, “In that moment, Christ didn’t just take one of my sins away.” She let her arms drop and the chains rushed to the floor beneath the cross. “He took them all. I was set free. He can set you free, too.” She then invited us to lay our chains at the foot of the cross.

While I put my chain down, I thought about my freedom and what it cost. How was I using this freedom for the glory of God? I wasn’t using it to heal the sick. I wasn’t making a difference to those who needed to see God’s love the most.

Within months, I found my way to use this amazing freedom to reach out to those in need. Through Imagine No Malaria, I was able to take part in a God sized dream – to eliminate a disease as a source of death in Christ’s name.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the ability to serve you in a way that extends your love to those around us, even to people we may never have a chance to meet. Please Lord, help us to use our freedom to bring you glory. Amen.

Leia Danielle Williams, Arkansas

Justice, Mercy and Humility: A Reflection on Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 (NIV) The Lord has shown you what is good, o man, and what does he re-quire of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Justice: We are called to do justice and not just to believe in justice or study justice.

Malaria was eliminated in the United States in the 1950’s. Since that time there have been few major advances in either the prevention or treatment of malaria. The best vaccine we have yet developed is only 70% effective and just made it to human trials last year! Why is it that 60 years after malaria was eliminated in the United States, a mother, father, brother or sister loses a beloved child to this disease every 45 seconds? Have we forgotten to do justice?

Mercy: We must love mercy; we must be living demonstrations of God’s mercy. But what does this mean?

In his book Change the World Rev. Mike Slaughter, the pastor of one of the largest churches in Methodism, had this to say about mercy: “Mercy is closely related to grace – receiving what one doesn’t deserve or hasn’t earned… a gospel worldview begins with the premise that God accepts me, demonstrated through the redemptive offering of his Son on the cross, in spite of my brokenness and failures. Because of God’s mercy and grace, I am accepted and now free to work at being the person God created me to be. Mercy is the generous demonstration of indescribable grace!”

Through programs like Imagine No Malaria, we are showing our love of mercy. Per-haps that mercy hasn’t been earned, but the Lord calls us to reflect the love of Christ to those near and far so that “they will know we are Christians by our love.”

Humility: To walk humbly with our Lord means to accept that this life really isn’t about us. It’s about God. To serve with humility means to serve as Jesus served—without expectation for self-gain—to the sinners, the tax collectors and a whole host of others whom we might wish weren’t included in our neighborhood. To serve with humility means to look for Jesus in every person you meet, humbly accepting that you are no better than the least among them.

Imagine No Malaria seeks to make it not about us, but about God. How can we live into his will for his kingdom? How can we look for Jesus among the children of Africa? How can we humbly walk with the Lord through the streets of poverty, seeking to do the Lord’s work?

Prayer: Father, there is much work to be done in your kingdom. How might I be a part of it? How can I act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you? Lord, thank you for the precious gift of your Son. Through his death on the cross you have shown your grace and mercy, offering redemption to all, even me. Show me, Father, the path that leads to you and how I can let others know my love for you through word and deed. Amen.

Laura Meengs, Michigan

Caring for Each Other

Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not.”

Outside my office window there was a nest for a Canadian goose. The mother sat there quietly and patiently day after day, waiting for the natural process and spring birthing of young.

We grew quite friendly as she watched me work at my desk and I engaged in a morn-ing review of the status of the coming young. As I closed my office door each evening, she looked longingly at me as if to say, “Are you leaving me here alone?” I confess it was quite a daily routine to watch as she protected and provided for her small ones.

Now I understand a little bit more about the scripture references to Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem and weeping for the unwillingness of the people to accept his lordship.

Jesus said, “How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not.” Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34

Are we weeping over the lost and wandering ones? Are we brooding, protecting and nurturing the ones who can’t find their way? Are we gathering with loving patience those who need the fresh assurance of rebirth?

May we once again long and pray and patiently hold on for the re-birthing that is needed in the churches and communities where we serve.“

I thank God upon every remembrance of you,” is what St. Paul said to the church, when he wrote in recognition of their faithfulness to the gospel and their hospitality and care for him personally.

I thank God today for you:

For your life given in covenant and service; for your labor of love and your message of hope given out in acts of kindness; for your vision to meet the needs of many and minister his grace; for your family and those whom you embrace as family; for your daily, steady working so that life is improved for someone.

I thank God for you, because you are important to the kingdom of God.May God bless you abundantly today, for he is good; His love endures forever.

Rev. Bramwell Kjellgren, Pennsylvania

Guest Author: Rev. William Hastings of Harrisville UMC, Harrisville, PA

In October 2010 Emily Hayes was given a challenge by her pastor during the children’s message at church. The challenge to all of the children present was to lead the church into the support of the Imagine No Malaria Campaign of the United Methodist Church. The pastor challenged the children by given each one $1 to then take and increase and return it for Imagine No Malaria.

One child took her dollar and bought poster board and made a sign and collected donations outside the local bank. Another couple children bought brownie mixes and made brownies and sold them between Sunday school and church the next week. Out of the $10 handed out by the pastor approximately $270 was raised. Halleluyah! But it was not done.

Emily Hayes – a third grader at Portersville Christian School – had a different plan for her dollar.

Emily Hayes is working to eliminate malaria by "Imagining the Music"

Emily has been working hard for the last several years learning how to play the harp. Emily decided it would be quite special if she could get a piece of music, learn to play it and get sponsors to donate for her to play it.

Emily wrote to the company that she purchases her harp music and supplies through and asked if she could buy a piece of music for $1 in support of Imagine No Malaria. The company said they would not take her dollar, but instead sent her an entire book of music in support of her efforts. This then inspired Emily and she asked her mother if she thought they could take the music and ask some of her fellow harp students and their instructor if they would be willing to give a concert with a free-will offering in support of Imagine No Malaria. He mother thought it was an ambitious, but wonderful idea.

After consulting with the pastor, considering time schedules (Emily was playing with the Butler Symphony at their Christmas concert), and looking into the school calendar it was decided to have the concert on Palm Sunday evening April 17^th at the church at 6pm. After further consideration Emily decided that others may want to be involved as well so she began talking with others and inviting them to be a part of the concert.

The church now has approximately 16 different performers ranging from harpists to vocalists, choirs, and bands all coming together to share in music and raise money for Imagine No Malaria. All of this because a young lady was challenged to take a dollar and make something happen for children living and dying on the other side of the world from a preventable disease.

Emily has inspired many with her upcoming, “Imagine No Malaria – Imaging The Music” concert. She decided two weeks ago to approach some local businesses as well and see if they would give some donations for a silent auction as a part of this night.

Emily has shown that a 10 year old girl can truly put her faith to work and effect many lives if they have the desire. Not only that, but at last check she still has yet to find anyone to take her dollar.

In Matthew 18:3-4 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

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The bite of malaria doesn’t have to kill.  But, only if you stop it.

Anger

Mark 11:15-17 “And (Jesus) entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; 16and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’”

Anger is an appropriate emotion at the proper and time. We see this here in the example of our Lord. Jesus become justifiably angry as he witness the corruption of the temple and its holy purpose by those who gaining wealth by abusing those coming there for worship. We can only imagine the shock of the people as he begins to snap his whip and flip over the tables of the money changers, spilling their coins all over the stone floor. Can you see the animals baying and scurrying about as he continues to crack his whip? It would be an understatement to say that Jesus was angry: he was furious!

How then can we help but be angry in the face of massive death from malaria in Africa. On average, a child dies of malaria every 45 seconds. Is it because there are no medicines to treat this illness? No. It is simply because these children do not have a chance to receive the care they need. They live in the wrong area – there’s not a clinic nearby. Or if there is a clinic – the clinic does not have the needed medicine. Or if there is a clinic, and it has the medicine, their family cannot afford to buy it. So children are dying. How is it we live in a world where this is acceptable? No child should be sentenced to die of a preventable, treatable illness – not now! Yet, this continues to be the case.

In light of this, anger is the only appropriate response!

Prayer: Help us, O God, not be afraid of the anger we feel. Children are dying, its right to be angry. Help us harness that fury for good, so that others will see our passion and know that it represents the anger you feel as well.

Rev. Clayton Childers, Virginia

ACTION DAY!

It’s time to make a list. Grab a pen and some paper, and write down all of the items you can buy with just $1. Not very long, is it? You can buy a soda, a candy bar, something off of the dollar menu at a fast food restaurant, or something at the dollar store. These days, you can’t even buy a cup of coffee for just one dollar!

Consider this: you can save 100 lives with less than $1 a day. That certainly seems a lot more valuable than a can of soda, doesn’t it? Less than $1 a day (just $28 a month) pledged over three years will impact 100 lives in Africa, and help to eliminate deaths caused by malaria.

Prayerfully consider today if you can impact 100 lives. If you decide to make this commitment, go to ImagineNoMalaria.org to make your pledge (or another gift).Second, every time you spend one dollar today (or two dollars, or three…) stop and pray for a child in Africa. Pray for their health and pray that they are safe from malaria today.