Today i want to talk about our sponsorship of a young
Christian woman in Uganda. She tragically lost her parents at a very young age.
Nothing has come easy for her and was just starting her university education
when her sponsor died and she was left with nothing, no food, and barely a roof
over her head. So close, but so far away from what she needed.
Her needs came to my husband and me through a good friend of
mine who has visited Uganda and will be returning to the area where she lives.
We prayed over the situation and asked God for revelation. My heart always
yearned to go somewhere like this, but since being diagnosed with an illness
now many years ago, this dream would have to be fulfilled in another way.
We talked about all of our blessings and gifts from God. We
thought about how our children needed so much help to finish their education
and how God got us through each financial need in our lives. It also occurred
to us how her needs were so much greater than some of the things we were doing
this year.
So we committed to helping her and immediately it felt right
because the blessings started to flow BOTH ways. She reminded us how basic
needs can be taken for granted when you are given more than enough. Food,
shelter, clothing, bedding, schooling are all things she needs to be successful
in life, but most of all, she has expressed to us how she now has the feeling
of belonging and that someone cares about her.
That taught us this relationship is personal, not just financial! It was
priceless that we were immediately taught that everyone needs to feel they
belong and is more basic than a lot of things, isn't it?
Helping someone like our African daughter, (who now calls us
mum and dad :) ) runs way deeper than a financial commitment. God immediately
filled our hearts with love for her.
Please do not miss this awesome opportunity God has waiting
for all of you. Commit to just one person or even a family. We opened this
opportunity to our small Bible study group that meets throughout the year, so
this doesn't have to be something you would take on by yourself. Also, it could
also be a wonderful experience for your whole family.
Start praying about what God would have you do for His
people in Africa. Remember you can't help everyone all the time, BUT you can help
someone some of the time.
Blessings, Dan and Julie De Young
USA
