His name means “borne of God.” Like most all the old testament prophets, Amos preached impending doom because of Israel’s injustices. You see, God does not give his children a pass when they are disobedient. He doesn’t turn a blind eye. He gives a standard for them to live by - a plum line, if you will. They were blessed to be a blessing and they were to love as they were loved. They were to remember that all of humanity is “borne of God” and each person should be treated as one of God’s children. It matters not where you are from or any social construct of identification. It is plain and simple, everyone “borne of God” deserves the same treatment - Each given a chance to flourish, and an opportunity to live. 

My church and I have been partnering with Helping Children Worldwide since 2018 and, by all accounts, I have witnessed both Mercy Hospital and the Child Reintegration Center seek to give those “borne of God” a chance to really live. 

On a previous trip to Bo, Sierra Leone, in 2019, I was on a village outreach effort with Mercy, when it was quickly discovered that a two-year-old boy named Amos was suffering from a significant hernia from birth. He wasn’t eating, not gaining weight, and always in pain. To be honest, he looked emaciated and vulnerable. He looked as if he was soon to perish from such a treatable condition. However, as soon as the Mercy staff discovered the issue, Amos was taken care of regardless of his parents' ability to pay. 

Other than knowing that Amos was treated for his hernia, I knew nothing more; that was until this past week. A team of 8 people from Church of the Lakes came to Bo to engage in our ministry partnership. On March 24th, three years later, I found myself on a different village outreach effort and overheard someone from Mercy Hospital talking to a woman, whose boy was at her side. They spoke of his health and how well he was doing since he was last seen. To me he looked like a very healthy, happy, and strong five-year-old boy. 

Here’s where the story gets so good! Unbeknownst to me, I was surprised when I discovered that this was the same Amos I saw from 3 years ago! It was an incredible sight to behold! My soul sang! It was literal transformation that took place! 

“Borne of God” was made whole and given a chance to live. I couldn’t have been more pleased. I couldn’t have been filled with more joy! Words alone cannot express the gift that moment was for me. 

The work of the medical outreach team reminds me of the words found in Amos 5:24, which declares, “But let justice roll on like a river; righteousness like an ever flowing stream.”

I see this happening through the work of Helping Children Worldwide, Mercy Hospital, the Child Reintegration Center, and every partnering church. Friends, justice and righteousness wins every single time when those “borne of God” are treated like the children of God that they truly are. 

May we together continue, with God’s blessings, to seek out and save the lost (Luke 19:10). In Jesus’ name may we continue to “preach good news to the poor, grant liberty to the captives, recover the sight of the blind, set the captive free, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). For, O “borne of a God” there is no better day than today to reach out and fulfill the call of our God, one Amos at a time. 

Blessings,
Reverend Jared D. Priset