ago two board members of what has since become Cheerful Givers, Inc. spent several days visiting an orphanage in Myanmar (formerly Burma), which borders China, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos in Southeast Asia.
There are about 55 children in the orphanage at any given time, ranging from infants to teenagers. The two visiting board members came away with a desire to provide food for these children, who pray and rely on God for their daily food. This food consists of rice, some vegetables, and occasional meat when funds allow.
There are many other needs at the orphanage including healthcare, sewage problems, clothing needs, and education. There is a small sewing workroom on the premises, where some of the older children, as well as others from the surrounding community, make certain textile products such as T-shirts, bags, etc. Initially, Cheerful Givers Inc., under the name, Burma Bags of Hope were selling these here in the U.S., but with only moderate success.
In 2014, the Board of Cheerful Givers Inc. decided to change the method of fundraising to direct contributions and have since established Gideon’s Army. In the Biblical account of Gideon, we learn that God called a man named Gideon to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, who were as “…numerous as locusts” and continually destroyed the crops of Israel and slaughtered their livestock.
Under God’s direction, Gideon selected a band of only 300 soldiers and routed the Midianites with only trumpets, pitchers and candles. You can read the full account of God’s victory on behalf of Israel in chapters 6 and 7 of the Book of Judges.