Never too young

In the USA, beavers are an animal that lives in and out of water, builds and lives in a dam, chops down trees with its bare teeth, and has a tail that it uses as a rudder. In the UK, Beavers are a little version of Cub Scouts and go from age 6 – 8yrs old.

In October this year I am leading a team of young people to India on a CRED trip, to work in a school for under-privileged children in rural Andhra Pradesh. One of the team members, Kiran age 14, helps at his local Beaver Scout colony, and when they heard that he was going to India the Beavers decided they wanted to do something to help.

Each year they do a sponsored walk, and this year they decided that the money raised would go towards something needed by St Josephs school in India, and just a few days ago I got an e-mail saying that they have raised over £500 – that’s a lot of money for little legs to raise!

I contacted Janaki, the founder of the school and our key liaison person, and told her about the money and asked what it would be spent on. The Beavers were hoping it could be on something specific so that we can get photos when we are there in October, and not just teachers' salaries etc – a bit too abstract for 6yr olds to get excited about!

So imagine my delight when I heard back that the school had just in the past few weeks been praying about how to try and fund some crucial bits of furniture that they need: a few desks for the children to replace some damaged by a storm, some computer desks to replace those previously rented and taken back by the owner, and some shelving for the staff room to allow the staff to have a more efficient working environment. And the cost for those items: £470!

For Janaki and myself, and all others in the mix who believe in God, this is clearly an answer to prayer. For those who don’t have the same beliefs – well they see it as perfect timing; but maybe it is also a little bit of food for thought, when they hear Janaki praising God for His provision.

For the Beavers who walked their walk and raised the money – it is proof that you are never too young to make a difference to the lives of others!