One Child at a Time

Last week on the blog, I issued a challenge to find sponsors for children in Uganda who had lost theirs. I challenged anyone who is reading this blog to consider it, as well as going out and challenging others you know. I prayed that God would open people's hearts to impact the lives of these children.

I'm so thankful today because a family has stepped up and chosen to help. This family told me the decision came after a trip to Walmart. They went to buy potting soil and flowers for the garden at their home. When they saw that the total cost for the materials came to $26 something happened in their hearts, and they knew that they had to sponsor a child. This family already sponsors a child through AMG, as well as children from other programs around the world. They are not an insanely wealthy family with money to just throw around wherever. They just ordinary people who believe in God's amazing provision.

When I asked why they chose to sponsor through AMG the mother replied, "Because we can see that AMG is bearing fruit. AMG is making a difference. There are hungry children all over the world. We could give our money here or there, but with AMG they are also fed the Word of God. They come to know the hope of Jesus. If we can do something to help children know Jesus, then we want to do it."

Wow. My heart is soaring right now! This family gets it. They understand the impact they can have on one child's life, a child like Solomy.

Solomy was born prematurely with a crippled leg at a medical facility that was not equipped to provide for her needs. As she grew, she was still unable to walk and instead made her way around by dragging herself through the dirt. Our good friend, George Miller (who you may remember is the one who started us with AMG sponsorship) began to sponsor her after meeting her on an AMG mission adventure. He began telling her story and raised money for her to receive medication, physical therapy, and a wheelchair.

At age 11, Solomy was finally able to begin attending school. In a very short amount of time, she went from crawling around in the dirt to walking with the help of a walker. After some much needed (but impossible for the family to afford on their own) medical care, doctors believe that Solomy will be able to walk on her own by the end of this year.

There are so many children who, if just given a chance, would surely thrive. We see and hear stories of so many children with great potential, but don't have the proper nutrition or medical care and can't go to school, and in turn they cannot fully achieve the great things God has planned for them. Every child has the right to eat at least one meal a day, to receive an education and medicine when they are sick.

But, unfortunately, without some outside help these children aren't even afforded what we consider basic human rights. Without some outside help, children like Solomy don't have a chance.

If it weren't for this sponsorship, Solomy would still be crawling in the dirt. She wouldn't know the wonders of learning to read and write. She wouldn't know what it's like to feel the wind brush her face as she walks.

The Bible says, "If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need, but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." - 1 John 3:17-18.

I'm not trying to guilt anyone into sponsorship. We must choose where and how we will focus our love to make a difference. Today I am simply conveying pure, Biblical truth. Jesus gave us an example of love when He gave His life for us, and He tells us we must be willing to do the same. This doesn't mean we need to go around looking for ways to die for other people, but we do have to be willing to give up the parts of our life that are important to us - luxuries, time, money.

It is $28 a month to sponsor a child. If you feel God tugging at your heart, I pray that you will email us at housers4uganda@yahoo.com. You have a chance to take part in an amazing story that will change a child's life, as well as your own.

Very few of us can change the world millions of dollars at a time, but each of us can change this world for good one child at a time.

- Aly