Toktonbek Rakhmanov manages a unique fac 

sadness when Cody developed a mysterious seizure

tory. The facility employs 30 of some 10,000 known

disorder.

blind persons in the country of Kyrgyzstan. Judging

 In the beginning, I questioned why this

from the dilapidation and age of the machines, the

would happen and even questioned my faith a lit 

plant had its origins in the era of Kruschev, or even

tle,  said Tammy Mauldin from her crib side post at

Stalin. Jobs are needed as Kyrgyzstan struggles to

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

move into a market economy. 

Cody, 4 months old, has been a patient there for all

In a country where the per capita income is

but the first few weeks of his tenuous life.

some $500 per year, the plight of the developmen 

Even as she lives a parent's nightmare, the

tally disabled is especially vexing. This is where

Kenosha, Wis., mother says she is thankful for a

LCMS World Relief and Human Care makes every

strong, steady source of comfort Chaplain Jim

effort to participate. And so, some 30 blind workers

Greear.

are now fully employed because a modest LCMS

 He keeps our spirits up and helps us know

World Relief grant provided the simple raw materi 

God is with us,  Tammy Mauldin said of the pas 

als they needed to produce canning jar lids, filters

toral caregiver who visits Cody's room daily. 

and brushes. And our missionaries have

the opportunity to regularly share the

Gospel with these people on the margins

of the Asian world even as they are

assisted toward self sufficiency.

I could tell you a thousand more 

stories just like this. Because of the 

generous donations of individuals and

congregations, LCMS World Relief and

Human Care is able to provide millions of

dollars every year in direct support for

people facing crises and intense need. 

We do this work for simple, yet pro 

found, reasons. 1 John 3:16 18 says,  This

is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ

laid down his life for us. And we ought to

lay down our lives for our brothers. If any 

one has material possessions and sees his

brother in need, but has no pity on him,

how can the love of God be in him? Dear

children, let us not love with words or

tongue but with actions and in truth.  

We thank you for your generosity!

But more than that, we thank Christ for

Chaplain Jim Greear, left, enjoys artwork created by Brooke Lawson,

you!  This service that you perform is not only 

a patient at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

supplying the needs of God's people but is also

(Children's Hospital of Wisconsin/David T.Watson)

overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  

(2 Cor. 9:12). In this day when our Synod is chal 

Sometimes, Greear says, his presence is more

lenged by so many things, we rejoice in what I am

important than his words.  There have been times

convinced is a growing commitment to expressing

when I thought I did very little for a family, but

faith in Christ by loving the neighbor in need. 

they will get back to me and thank me for being

 Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, executive director

there,  says the former school teacher who entered

LCMS World Relief and Human Care

the chaplaincy in 1995.  All I may have done was

share coffee or put my arm around someone. 

Chaplain comforts in tough times

With families whose youngsters are long term

patients, Greear often builds relationships through

The joy Tammy and Ryan Mauldin felt at the

hours of talk and prayer. Lutheran theology, the

birth of their second son soon turned to fear and

chaplain says, helps him offer hope. 

Photo: Children's Hospital of Wisconsin/David T.Watson

(41) FEBRUARY 2003

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