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- Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that has personal meaning to you?
Yes, I do. My favorite Bible verse is Lamentations 3:21-25. And if you read the whole chapter you’ll see why even more.
My favorite Bible story is the story of Joseph, for I can associate with how brothers (and sisters in my case) can disown you or treat you in a way that suggests that you are not part of the family, and how God uses all those bad experiences not only for His glory but also to lift us up and to bless others in the process.
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- What piece of the Compassion program had the biggest impact on you and your life? (Fellowship with Christians, having access to medical care, meals that were provided, educational opportunities, or something else?)
Gosh, it’s really hard to pick one program that had the most impact because all of them played a major role in my life as I was growing up, but the one that comes to mind was the Thursday Bible study I used to attend when I was 9 years old. It was here that I was exposed to the word of God, which gave me a chance to give my life to Christ (my best decision ever) and equip me with the basic foundation for the Word of God and fellowship with others – something I still treasure to date.
By the way, I can’t forget the meals (which tells you I love to eat … Ha!) coz honestly, this was the only place where most of us children from the slums had the chance to enjoy three meals a day.
And yes, educational opportunities, because I wouldn’t be where I am were it not for the chance to go to school.
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- Are there things Compassion could do to improve their service to young people and families?
Give more opportunities for many more young men and women to join the program, which in a way comes back to the issue of more sponsors, which are you and me.
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- Do you have any tips for sponsors, having been through the process from the sponsored child’s perspective? Was there anything your sponsor did that was especially memorable or meaningful for you?
Tips for sponsors:
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- Please write those letters. You have no idea the impact those letters have. Well, maybe you do. 🙂
- Pray for your children. They face a lot and battle with a lot.
- If possible and God wills, try and visit your sponsored child. It will be like a dream come true for them.
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Memorable moments:
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- My first letter from my sponsor. (Unfortunately, this was during my time in the Leadership Development Program). By the way, I had that letter framed and it now occupies a prominent place on my bedroom wall, but don’t tell anyone … Ha!
- The other most memorable moment was a visit by my sponsor, which to date is still one of the best days of my life.
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- Where do you get your secretaries?
Most of them actually volunteered. I guess they saw I will be a very important person in the future and they want to position themselves strategically. Ha! If you want, Kelly, you can also send in your application, and I can see what can be done. 😉
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- What is God teaching you personally right now?
Good question. The need to slow down, stop running and just let go and let God.
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- As you think back, are there children that were right there alongside you in the Compassion program whose stories have not unfolded as successfully as yours? Are there children who received the same loving care and benefits of sponsorship who have not thrived and overcome?
Yes, and sadly to say, many.
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- If so, what do you think was the difference? What are the factors affecting whether a child in Compassion’s program will succeed and overcome?
It’s really hard to point to just one thing, coz it’s a combination of many factors. But one thing that comes to mind (and from experience) is the environment you live in, the people that you surround yourself with and the “voices” that you listen to.
Most of the kids in the slum grow up in an environment that screams “you can’t make it,” “you will never amount to anything,” and if they aren’t careful they can end up believing this. That’s why one of the answers I gave as a tip for sponsors is to pray for your children and to write those letters to remind them to listen to the “voice of truth.”
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- What are your hopes for the future?
Many, but one thing is for sure: Take a chance on many more lives the same way my sponsor took a chance on me.
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- Paper or plastic?
Paper
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- Do you happen to like chocolate?
Is that a question or a test? 🙂