I have a new girl in my life. Her name is Francoise. She has the biggest brown eyes and a smile that takes up half her face. I had walked by the GO! (Global Outreach) Ministry cart in the church lobby several times seeing that face on a brochure, thinking “what a cutie!” But I was usually in a hurry to do something somewhere, so I didn’t stop.
Then last week, the words that were written above the beautiful face almost yelled at me – “get involved – sponsor a child today.” And I did. I have already received a first letter from
beautiful little Francoise, from Takwe, Rwanda, the community with whom my church St. Anthony on the Desert recently partnered. She told me about her family, how fortunate she is to have a mother and a father, two brothers and a sister. She’s in the 5th grade and loves mathematics and studying their national language. I thought she sounded just like any average little girl; then I read on. She also lives in a mud block house with a dirt floor, suffers from malnutrition; and her community has no sewer system, electricity or running water. Their only water source is dirty and an hour’s walk away. OK, maybe Francoise is not like the children that I know…
I have to admit that the first letter I wrote to Francoise was a difficult one indeed. How do I tell her about my life, my blessed life, with family and friends who fill my days with joy, the opportunities that I have? She wants pictures of me and my family and my house so that she can know me better. Part of me doesn’t want to do this. Part of me is so utterly embarrassed and ashamed to have this little smiling girl halfway around the world wanting to know all about me so we can share our lives together. I have so much, too much. Certainly nothing deserved, just blessed.
As I sit and look at the beautiful beaming face of little Francoise, I read the banner under her picture. “Make a difference…one child at a time.” So this is the beginning, the beginning of my life shared with Francoise. Can I end poverty? Not by myself. Can I make a difference in the life of Francoise Iradukunda? Absolutely. What a blessing.
Then last week, the words that were written above the beautiful face almost yelled at me – “get involved – sponsor a child today.” And I did. I have already received a first letter from
beautiful little Francoise, from Takwe, Rwanda, the community with whom my church St. Anthony on the Desert recently partnered. She told me about her family, how fortunate she is to have a mother and a father, two brothers and a sister. She’s in the 5th grade and loves mathematics and studying their national language. I thought she sounded just like any average little girl; then I read on. She also lives in a mud block house with a dirt floor, suffers from malnutrition; and her community has no sewer system, electricity or running water. Their only water source is dirty and an hour’s walk away. OK, maybe Francoise is not like the children that I know…I have to admit that the first letter I wrote to Francoise was a difficult one indeed. How do I tell her about my life, my blessed life, with family and friends who fill my days with joy, the opportunities that I have? She wants pictures of me and my family and my house so that she can know me better. Part of me doesn’t want to do this. Part of me is so utterly embarrassed and ashamed to have this little smiling girl halfway around the world wanting to know all about me so we can share our lives together. I have so much, too much. Certainly nothing deserved, just blessed.
As I sit and look at the beautiful beaming face of little Francoise, I read the banner under her picture. “Make a difference…one child at a time.” So this is the beginning, the beginning of my life shared with Francoise. Can I end poverty? Not by myself. Can I make a difference in the life of Francoise Iradukunda? Absolutely. What a blessing.
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