I just completed my second year as president of this great organization called World Vision United States. Living in Seattle for these two years has given me a new appreciation for something most of us take for granted: sunshine. There is an illness, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with symptoms of sadness and depression, caused by the lack of daylight common in these northern latitudes during the winter months.

Although I don’t have SAD, I am saddened and disheartened by another kind of darkness: the many effects of poverty around the world. This year I traveled to five continents and eight countries. In each, I witnessed the grinding poverty that crushes human spirits, stealing people’s vitality, self-reliance, and hope.

The Scripture in Isaiah 58:10 says, “Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as day” Isaiah 58:10 (NLT). While those who are victims of poverty and injustice often find themselves surrounded by darkness, so too, do we when we fail to light a lamp and hold it out to them. But when we give of ourselves, we become lights that scatter the darkness and lift the human spirit.

A Radiant Example
This year in Peru I met a remarkable woman whose life radiates light.Virginia Huaman works as a nurse for World Vision. As a child,Virginia was unwanted and abused. She never felt love until she committed her life to Christ. For Virginia, "to be working for World Vision is an act of God.This is not a job; this is my service."

In His service, Virginia cares for 1,500 children, trying to visit them once each month as the weather permits. She is unmarried and lives in a remote area, forgoing the comfort of the city and opportunities her nursing skills could offer. From her base high in the Andes, she treks to villages, sometimes climbing to 13,000 feet with nursing supplies on her back.With no possibility of returning the same day, she often sleeps in the cold or on hard dirt floors at night before making the trip home.

Virginia loves these people and knows them all by name. In her passion to follow Christ, she has poured herself out to serve others.Virginia embodies Mother Theresa’s statement: "It is Christ in his most distressing guise -- serve."

World Vision Shines the Light of Love
This type of commitment brings me to my knees and makes me so proud to be a part of the World Vision family. For 50 years through its generous donors and faithful staff, World Vision has been shining a light that brings hope to people mired in hopeless situations. Every gift you share -- each light -- makes a difference in communities around the world like the one where Virginia works.

I thank you again, in this our anniversary year, on behalf of millions of children and their families for your faithfulness and generosity in helping us shine the light of God’s love through-out the world.



Rich Stearns