This week's blogging assignment for Compassion Blog Month is to write a letter to God. I decided to write two letters. Both are written from the perspective of a child in Uganda—one before she learned about Compassion and the other after being in the Compassion program for several years. Some of the details were inspired by the story of our first Compassion child, Gloria.
Dear God,
It’s me, Maria, again. I’m almost 13 now. Do you know that means I will be a teenager soon?! I was thinking about that letter that I wrote you when I was seven and had just come to this village. I was so scared then. A lot sure has happened in the last six years!
Probably the best thing that’s happened to me was getting in the Compassion program. I’m so glad they came to our village! I go to the project several times a week and I’ve made a lot of friends. The teachers tell us stories from the Bible. It’s where I learned about You.
Compassion has changed everything for my grandmother and me. We’re never hungry and the church put a well in with clean water. And we don’t worry that the army is going to come and take me anymore.
Oh, and God, do you know my sponsors? They’re the best! They write me letters every month and tell me they’re praying for me. They pay for me to go to school and make sure that my grandmother has money to buy my school uniform. I didn’t do very well in school last term. I was afraid I would disappoint them, but they told me that they loved me and just wanted me to do my best. I’m going to work harder next term. They send me wonderful gifts too. I usually get a new dress for my birthday and there’s usually enough money for me to get some candy too.
God, it’s hard to believe that I didn’t even know them six years ago and now I love them so much. I feel like they are my American Mom and Dad. And I know they love me, too, because they take care of me. And they tell me they love me all the time.
God, thank you so much for Compassion! I’m especially glad that I’ve learned so much about You. It sure is nice to know that you’re real and that you care about me too.
Maria
Praise God for the way Compassion is changing the lives of children and families around the world! But many children around the world aren't so fortunate. They still struggle with hunger, fear, poverty, and loss. But Compassion's goal is to "release children from poverty in Jesus' name." With the help of men, women, children, families, and churches, they are doing just that—one child at a time—totaling over 1.1 million child sponsorships. The goal for Compassion's Blog Month is to find sponsors for an additional 3,108 children. So far, 837 children have new sponsors since the beginning of the month! Praise the Lord!
Will you take a few minutes and pray for sponsors for these waiting children? Ask God to turn their stories of hunger, fear, poverty, and loss into stories of hope, peace, and fullness in Jesus Christ.
