by Brooke MartinChild Sponsor and 2016 + 2018 BHM short-term missionary  Karim and his sponsor, Brooke Martin | Photo by Alli K Photography I didn't know... I didn't know when we were obedient to God's call to sponsor a child that our monthly donation would be more than just helping a child and their family. I didn't know when Jacob and I prayed for the Lord to show us which child He had in mind, what other plans He had in store. For almost two years, we've sponsored Karim. We've enjoyed letters, a Facetime call, Facebook Messenger conversations. We've prayed for him and loved him from the other side of the world. We longed for the day when we could finally meet. I didn't know when the day actually came, what would happen to my heart. I didn't know that he would take a boda taxi all the way to Katanga slum and track me down so he could meet me earlier than I expected, that he would have a birthday gift for me, that he would be so much taller than me, and that it would make my heart feel the way it did when I finally got to give him a hug. I also didn't know that he would ask me if it was okay to call me mom and Jacob, Papa, and if Bella and Layla could be his sisters, and if he could change his last name to Martin. I didn't know when I bought him a milkshake that it was the first one he'd ever had, or that he would be sick when I got to Uganda, and I would be able to check his head for a fever and make sure he had medicine. I didn't know when we were obedient to sponsor that we would gain a son. I didn't know when we were obedient to sponsor that we would gain a son, that it would hurt so bad to leave. He gets to go to his first prom, and I wanted to leave more than money for it. I want to be there to help him pick out a suit and take pictures of him with his date. I didn't know when I hugged him for the last time at the airport, if he knows how much I really love him and how much it hurt to say goodbye. I didn't know if he realized how much I wanted him to get on the plane with me and come home to our family. __________ Thank you, Lord, for showing me what I didn't know before. Thank you for Karim and for his presence in our lives. Father, help him feel our love for him from across the ocean. Protect him and grow him closer to you, Lord. Thank you for your goodness and mercy. Amen.
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by Alli KennedyBHM 2018 Short-Term Summer Missionary Esther  Esther | Photo by Alli K Photography there is a school Where hundreds of children greet our group with warm affection at the last classroom I desperately try to hold back the flood of tears that have been rising to my eyes And for a moment I don’t hear anything I just see her Dancing and smiling Freezing in time “Alli, can you spot your child?” Our translator Jackson asks I nod excitedly and point at her Her eyes light up and we both run towards each other kneeling into an embrace She places her little hand in mine never letting go  Alli & Esther | Photo by Alli K Photography we ride to Katanga her only response to my hundreds of questions along the journey a shy little “yes” When we arrive She leads me through beaten dirt paths As if to say “let me show you my home” as she pulls me along She looks back at me with bright eyes and a grin from ear to ear with two little teeth missing from the bottom she is the contrast of beauty In this hell In this slum with a river of sewage rising from rainfall  Katanga slum | Photo by Brooke Martin walls start closing in as Esther leads me To her home Her grandmother greets me and welcomes as many of us that can fit into her home her house is the size of my bathroom only a curtain separating the bed from the living area She tells me Esther’s mother cannot care for her because of the mental challenges she faces she has been taken advantage of several times of so no one knows Esther’s father her grandmother is aging  Alli meets Esther's family | Photo by Alli K Photography Their only hope has been through sponsorship For Esther’s school, clothes, water, and food and in that moment I feel peace But I also feel absolutely horribly helpless I want to save her from the hell she lives in I want to take her into my arms and run away to safety I want her to know love I want her to know the love of my Father it takes everything in me to not break in that moment  Esther & Alli | Photo by Alli K Photography We walk to lunch holding hands My friends swinging her in between us She sits with us and laughs and laughs Her sweet giggles bringing joy to everyone around the room Her dances inspiring claps and videos She makes silly faces at us Her goofy personality on full display  Alli & Esther | Photo by Alli K Photography She asks for my water and tries to drink it All at once I stop her for breaks This is probably the most water she’s ever had to drink at once. My heart sinks I try to hide my tears from her Beneath a smile but it’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.  Esther tries juice | Photo by Alli K Photography We walk along back to her home I know our time together is short But to her little mind, this lasts forever. This is it. This is the end of her suffering. and I can’t take that from her I just can’t.  Esther & Alli | Photo by Alli K Photography When we reach the bus, I get on my knees to meet her eyes and her smile fades Like she knew the dream I was about to steal away from her Jackson tells her she has to go home and we’re leaving for the day I can see her little heart drop. she lets go of my hand I coax her back into my arms and she stands still “Hey, I love you sweet girl” I whisper to her A blank stare haunts me From eyes that had shined so bright I step away from her and wave she turns her back to walk home and as her little feet carry her away from me the dust churns as we drive away. She fades into the horizon of Katanga. I shatter.  Alli & Esther in Katanga | Photo by Alli K Photography Esther is just one of many children that live in Katanga with a story like this. Sponsorship can be the only hope for some children to go to school and to have meals and clean water. A year ago, a post from my friend, Waverly McCall, convicted me of how much I was spending on food and extraneous items when I could be changing the life of a little girl in Uganda. I never thought in a million years I’d be able to meet her and cherish her for even a short time. She has rocked my whole world and shown me how to love in a way I never knew how. If you are interested in sponsoring a child and forever changing his or her future, please check out Benjamin House Ministries and the wonderful things they’re doing in Uganda. |
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