Meeting Our Sponsored Child
More than a decade ago, I nervously walked across the parking lot to attend my first short-term trip meeting. It felt strange to be doing it alone. Now, I’ve been to Kenya 9 times with Kensington, and have led 7 trips.
My first trip was in 2012, and it was mind-blowing to see Elijah and our other sponsored boy in the flesh.
Elijah was a bright child and his mom wanted him to go to school, however, culture dictated that the firstborn son’s role was to tend the animals, so his father refused. His parents eventually separated, and Elijah’s grandmother took him to live at the children’s home. There, he was able to attend school and quickly caught up to his peers academically.
Here were the two boys whose pictures I saw hanging on my refrigerator every day. They were easily recognizable from the crowd with distinct features. For an instant, everything went out of my head and I couldn’t even remember their names. “I’m your sponsor,” I shared through an interpreter. They were shy and knew very little English then.
Over the years, my husband and my son have also been able to visit Kenya. At first, we could barely communicate as Elijah eagerly ran to point out different places and things that were part of his everyday life there. Eventually, we were able to talk at length about all sorts of topics, both in person and via letters.
His parents eventually reconciled, and his father saw the wisdom of sending Elijah to school. He became a leader in the community advocating for education for both the boys and girls among other fathers.
We’ve watched Elijah grow from a shy, skinny young boy to a leader among his peers and a true scholar. Supporting NoChild and kids like Elijah and traveling with teams to continue investing in relationships with the children in the homes, has become a large part of our family’s commitment to serving the “least of these.”
Elijah is currently finishing his third year at university, studying to be a high school science teacher.
Our own kids now sponsor children of their own, knowing how impactful it was for both the child and the sponsor.
Elijah has brought us such joy and delight. We’ve been privileged to have a small part in supporting him with our prayers, letters, love, and finances, changing the course of his life, and those of the high school students he will one day teach.
Partnering with NoChild has significantly changed the trajectory of our lives as well as that of kids like Elijah that we have been blessed to sponsor over the years
If you’re with us in believing that no child should die from hunger and disease, check out Kensington’s own sponsorship program which has brought food, healthcare, education, and the hope of Jesus to more than 4,500 kids in Kenya, India, and Nepal. Visit nochild.org now to find a child waiting for the love of a sponsor.