A Sponsor Meets His Kids

March 10, 2012

John, left, and Aloyce, right

Today I write as a sponsor.  I had the privilege of spending part of the morning with two children I sponsor.  The first is John, whose family lives near Arusha, Tanzania.  We met at the Church of God in Arusha.  My wife and I first sponsored John when he was in the 3rd grade in 2002.  Today, he is seventeen, and in the third year of high school.  He has grown so tall!  The last time we met him was about five years ago.   He has really shot up since then.  He is doing well in school, and he is active in the church.  The longer we talked, the more he told me about his family and his school.  As out time came to a close and it was time to pray together, he grabbed my hand and didn't let go even after pray was done.  His hug was long and strong.  What a great kid he is, and what an honor to be a part of his life!

The second boy, Aloyce, is sponsored by a small group that my wife and I are part of in Indiana.  Our group has sponsored him since 2003.  He has just finished the fourth year of high school, and is awaiting his appointment to a school for his final two years.  He did execptionally well on his exam, scoring at a high level.  We learned also that at age 20, he is also the worship leader at the church.  He pulled out a CD that he had cut at a studio of original songs that he has written and sung.  He played one of his songs and sang along with it for us.  That a fun surprise.  I didn't know he had this additional talent.  It was so gratifying to see and learn of his leadership already in the church.  His family lives in another part of the country, and cannot afford to keep him in school, so his sponsorship, coupled with the hospitality of a family in the church who allow him to live with them, make it possible for him to be in school.  I can't wait to get home and show our group the video of Aloyce singing and giving a short message of "thanks" to the group.

What an emotion-filled morning!  But I highly recommend it.  Plan to visit your sponsored child.  You'll be glad you did!