So right now, Scott and I are young...traveling a lot and we're definitely not ready for kids yet. At least not until we get back on US soil! So...while we're not having children yet...there's one very very important on in our lives that we love and adore like he was our own. His name is Isaac Damoi and he lives in Gulu, Uganda. Isaac is about 7 years old now and we have been supporting him through World Vision for 2 years now. :) This little man is precious! We write back and forth to him as often as we can...he loves to draw us pictures. :) Mostly of huts. :) Just incase you're not familiar with it, World Vision is a Christian organization that is dedicated to taking care of and working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. I've never been more proud to be a part of an organization. 87% of the donations that World Vision receives goes toward supporting these children & their families. Scott and I have seen, through Isaac, how World Vision has helped him. Isaac is a "Hope Child." Meaning that he lives in a community that has been severely affected by the HIV/AIDS virus therefore he is at risk. A huge threat where Isaac lives is a threat on the children there. Each day, many children are kidnapped by the LRA or the "Lord's Resistance Army" and forced to either become child soldiers where they will be brainwashed to kill or choose to die a slow & painful death. Children as young as 5 years old are kidnapped and forced to join this force. Isaac wrote to us in his last letter: "During January, we had the last funeral service of 22 people in our village....three of our family members were killed and [burned] by the LRA." I can't imagine the world this little boy lives in. Despite the fact that his family members were brutally murdered, despite the fact that he is surrounded by the AIDS virus, despite the fact that he in a third world country and cannot imagine all of the luxuries that we, as Americans/Europeans enjoy and take for granted every day...this little boy is proud, he is full of joy, and he loves the Lord. He also loves to sing, tell stories, he has good grades in school....and he LOVES to play football with his friend, Simon.
Some things are just very very important to me. It has been a HUGE blessing to support Isaac each month. The difference that occurs when you sponsor a World Vision child is indescribable. Literally ALL it takes is $30 a month and a little effort to write a letter every now & then. But when you make the relationships with these children, you want to do so much more that the $30 feels like the absolute least you can do. Scott and I are determined to visit Isaac in Uganda one day. :)
If I could encourage you to do ANYTHING...PLEASE think about sponsoring a child from World Vision. Maybe you have a family and it would be something your children would like to do...to have a pen-pal. Maybe your children are gone and you would like to support another one in some way. Maybe you don't have children and never plan on having them...take the money that you would spend on a nice dinner out once a month and use it to support a child, like our Isaac. I just...when I think about how much we have...how much we take for granted. And what do we do with it?
So...at least visit World Vision's website & pray about sponsoring a child. Maybe even a "Hope Child" like Isaac. :) http://www.worldvision.org/
Matthew 18:5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."
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