goosebumps ran up my arms in spite of the balmy african air. five of us sat at our dinner table, intensely focused on the story a man named vincent shared with us.
vincent is a graduate of compassion’s leadership development program. through the leadership development program, hundreds of students each year are energized, mentored and strengthened in their faith as they prepare for lives of leadership in their churches and communities. [read more here].
the twenty-something-year-old grew up like many uganda children. his father had married several times, and he lived with his father, step mother, and step brothers and sisters. when he was just a small boy, he worked in order to earn money to pay for his schooling. and he worked hard. his parents would never let him play and rarely speak.
“they suppressed me,” his quiet voice said.
on the weekends, he would visit the compassion project.
“it was the only time i was encouraged. instead of suppressing me like i was at home, they let me play. they let me learn. and i knew i would get a good meal on project days.”
someone asked, “so, if you never were sponsored, what would be different in your life today?”
he quickly responded, “if it wasn’t for compassion, i wouldn’t have found jesus.”
the story doesn’t end there. because vincent found jesus, his step mother, his sisters and brothers also found jesus.
your $32 does so in tangible, day-to-day ways. but beyond food, medical care, and support, your $32 presents the gospel to thousands and thousands of children.
in the last 12 months, over 102,000 children have entered in to the sweet, life-giving relationship with their father.
over 102,000 children have been wrapped in arms of peace and hope.
you can’t put a price tag on that.
but you can give a child a chance to hear about someone who loves him more than he could ever ask.
or imagine.
and for you, all it takes is a simple click. a simple click here.
please.
allow god to work in you and use what he has given you to make an ETERNAL difference in the life of a child, and quite possibly the lives of his family…today.
Comments
10 responses to “UGANDA: if it wasn’t for compassion, i wouldn’t have found jesus.”
OK. That’s the snapshot that made it into the scrapbook.
what reason more could someone need to support compassion than that!
beloved children know Christ!
love and prayer from ky…
Love the picture! Anne…I’ve been sharing every day with my wife about all the blogs, and the experiences you are having. We just visited the Compassion website and my wife instantly feel in love with 6 year old Edwin Wandera from Uganda. So, he’s now sponsored by Kyle & Joanna Stickens from McKinney, Texas! (Tears of joy!) If you see him, tell him hello and give him a big hug for us. :)
Finding Jesus… Now that’s investing in the Kingdom.
Your words are doing that too: stirring hearts, changing lives, making a difference.
Thank you…
Anne thank you so much for blogging and sharing your experiences in Uganda with the world. I have found your trip to be very inspiring. I already sponsor 3 kids through Compassion, but now I want a fourth from Uganda. I cant wait to see how God uses this in the days,weeks,years, to come!! Blessings!!!
You blog, I bawl.
Oh, that the world may know Jesus!
Thank God for Compassion, and the millions of others who have shown the compassion of Christ, as missionaries, teachers, doctors, co-laborers for the Gospel.
I am wrecked, my vision shaken, my heart challenged to rethink my life.
that is so incredibly awesome.
what an incredible way for those who don’t feel called to go other places but still want to help.
awesome. :]
are you all going to nicaragua by chance?
102,000! I am overwhelmed with the potential!
cool cool story. we’ve signed up to sponsor two kids – one for each of ours. i’m sure many more have and will sponsor as a result of y’all’s blogging efforts. thanks to you and the others for posting your experiences over there
Your post and others in the same genre (about the trip) made me want to sponsor a child, but it was that photo right there that clinched it for me. I let my 2 older kids pick out one child each and they are excited!