Page 86 - Wayne County

n 2004 a massive earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed over 230,000 in India. Many survivors migrated inland, and there was widespread hunger and poverty - few were left untouched. The need was great.

A little girl - no more than 3 - nestled between two cars outside a fast food restaurant. As patrons left the restaurant and threw their leftovers in the trash, she scuttled over; climbing into the trash can, pulling out the empty boxes, to return to her hiding spot among the cars where she would eat what she found. Amos Moses - a resident of Jesup, traveling in India when the tsunami hit - withdrew his recent college graduation gift - a camera - from his bag, and began to document what he saw of the destitution - the uprooted lives in transition - the desperate need. Moved to the soul, Amos’ photography would no longer be merely a way to capture images of beautiful people, but an instrument to capture the raw, gut-wrenching truths of homelessness and hunger, and open the eyes of the world. Amos’ gift would serve a greater purpose. Amos’ story begins with his father, J.D. Moses. Amos and his wife, Jennifer, refect on the events as though it was yesterday, and this was the frst telling - with wonder in their voices, “The cast system of India totally dictates who you become. There is no hope for breaking free of the lower casts but Jesus.” J.D. - due

in part to his abusive father - had lost all hope and had planned to take his own life. The memories of a long-past Sunday school message crossed his mind: God’s love, forgiveness, and hope suddenly became real. Reconciling with his family, he enrolled in seminary to study for the ministry, but when his father was found dead due to a lightning strike, J.D. was burdened with the need to care for his eight brothers and sisters. Due in part to need, his orphan ministry had begun and shortly after, he married.

Inviting eight more orphans to live with them - sixteen not counting J.D. - his home in essence had become an orphanage and children’s home, and the path of his life was set. Founding Bethel Children’s Home, J.D. modeled his faith after that of the great missionary George Mueller. J.D. sought no outside assistance apart from seeking God’s help through prayer. Very shortly, God came through. Amos’ mother, a nurse, worked at a hospital in Bangalore. One evening, when her husband was visiting, the couple met an American named Grady Lee, who took an immediate interest in their work there, and arranged for them to visit his church in Denver, Colorado. This connection turned out to be monumental: the church assisted with the purchase of land to raise crops for feeding the children, and connected them with other churches interested in