This post is written by my lovely wife, Allison. She had tears streaming down her face for a good portion of our day today. I thought it would be beneficial for her to share a story with you all.
Today, I was moved by a dream. As about ten of us sat in a dark room with a dirt floor and no open windows, Samuel and Paul’s mother, Martha, told us about a dream that her daughter had several years earlier. She told her mother that in her dream she had seen a helicopter flying over the city of Nairobi. When the helicopter landed she was informed that her brother Samuel was going to be sponsored through Compassion International.
Martha didn’t think much about the dream. Her son Paul was already sponsored through Compassion, and it is pretty rare for more than one child per family to be a part of the program. However, the staff at their project recognized Samuel as a child who was in great need of sponsorship. At the age of three he was not able to stand up or speak, due to his lack of a proper diet. The staff wanted to do something to help and were able to get him a sponsor through Compassion’s Intervention Program. A short time later Samuel was sponsored, by a woman named Cassie. Through this sponsorship Samuel has been able to learn to speak and go to school, and the staff has been able to work with his family on providing the proper nutrition.
I was overwhelmed by God’s awesomeness. I cried. In this tiny village in Kenya, he had invaded a young girls dreams with the hope of a better future for her brother. He showed up and provided for Samuel who was malnourished and developmentally delayed. The staff has worked at getting him proper medical treatment and trying to get him back on track with his peers.
God Loves Samuel and today I fell in love with him to.
With love,
Allison
12 Comments
I need to start reading your posts at the end of the work day. I’m a man so I don’t cry (in public) I’m so happy for Samuel and for both of you being able to experience this.
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What a thought to ponder, “In this tiny village in Kenya, he had invaded a young girls dreams with the hope of a better future for her brother.” It’s thoughts like that that remind me of what a small view of God I still have. He is so much more than I will ever hope or imagine. Thanks for the reminder of what an amazing God we serve.
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Seriously, your blog has made me more aware of Compassion and I am going home tonight and getting my children involved in choosing a child to sponsor. Thanks for sharing Allison.
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gina says:
March 5th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@Debbie {50centlove}, I have been thinking of doing this also. What a great way to teach our children compassion for others.
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Allison, thank you so much for sharing this story. You are such a beautiful person and capable of such great love. I’m so thankful that you were able to join Ryan on this trip and share with the world your perspective. Some people made comments about wondering why spouses were invited along… You and Ryan are an incredible team, of course you would take this journey together, that’s the only way I could see this play out. Ryan is the voice and you are the heart…You are capable of moving people with your love of God, thank you for being such an inspiration, not only to Ryan everyday, who shares his voice with the world, but to all of us who know you… I’m praying and thinking of you both while you are gone. Love you.
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What a blessing this post is to me and I know that people will be moved to sponsor a child because of it. I know that I am. Thank you for caring for children around the world!
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I have a question. Does the monthly sponsor fee of $38 go directly to the family or to the organization? Do they receive cash money or just the ability to attend a school and hear God’s word?
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stephanie says:
March 6th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@Montgomery, the money is pooled by the center your child is at and goes to fulfilling the physical, social, and spiritual needs of your child. and $38 is only half the deal - your letters are even more important!! definitely check out compassion.com because there is a lot of information there that can answer all your questions.
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I am a mother and this just breaks my heart.
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That was beautiful Allison.
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Allison!,
I just read your blog and i am completely amazed. I am Cassie, the kid who sponsors this beautiful child, and your story is simply remarkable. Its truly a blessing to encounter things like this at the age of fifteen. I can’t thank you enough for what you do. It’s people like you that change the world every single day. This story gives me hope for what our powerful GOD can do. I keep getting signs like this, that at first i thought were coincidental but in reality they are beautiful works of GOD. Anything is possible with HIM. Its the fate of all our destinies. Thank you for sharing your truly breath taking story, and most of all thank you for loving Samuel.
love always, Cassie ps. if you have any pictures i can see of Samuel that would be awesome!!!
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stephanie says:
March 6th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@Cassie, have you seen this Compassion blog?:
http://www.bradruggles.com/2010/03/05/the-power-of-one-2/
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Thank you so much for sharing your experiences in Africa with us (your readers). I wanted to let you know that I was moved to sponsor a child through Compassion as a result of reading your blog today (and the Holy Spirit’s prodding, no doubt).
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Going to Kenya is an experience that I will never ever forget! The children tear your heart out with their beautiful smiles and you just want to hug them to death!
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I read your blog and just sponsored a child - Snider, age 7, in Kenya. She was (no longer!) on the Priority List. Thank you for all you do. I am so looking forward to getting to know Snider and her family.
In Spirit,
Barbara
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