In 2009 I started attending Fox River Christian Church. That first Christmas season is when I learned about “My Gift for Jesus.” I always wanted to sponsor a child, but never really acted on it. I dabbled with giving and then made the decision during the Christmas of 2014 that I needed to be serious about this. I decided that our family would sponsor 2 children as we have 2 children at home. I selected a little boy and a girl.
Kiligesho
Rukia
I was so happy when I learned that I could be connected with them via Fox River's on-line database and could write letters to them. Early in 2015 I began writing Kiligesho and Rukia. Kiligesho is still quite young so when I got his response it was written by the teacher and very special. Rukia is older, in 7th grade, so she was able to respond herself. I cannot describe the joy I felt getting a response from her and knowing just how much my contributions mean to her.
In July of 2015 I had the privilege of traveling to Kenya with our High School Ministry team. On our first day visiting the schools I was able to meet Rukia and she immediately embraced me. I knew it was her by that beautiful smile! Over the course of our stay there I was able to spend quite a bit of time with her by my side. We had conversations about what life was like before and after coming to our school. Rukia lives in one of the more rough villages and life is very hard for her there. Before coming to Crossroads Academy she didn’t eat well at all and said she felt there was no hope for her life. Her parents do not make very much money and so her neighbors often pay to send her by bus or taxi to school. If they can not afford to send her on any day then she can’t come.
Stephanie and Rukia meet for the first time in Kenya.
Many of the children that come into the schools there are very malnourished to the point that their hair is actually falling out in clumps.
What our church does for the children of Kenya is so very special. While not every one of you will be able to meet the child in the picture that you choose, know that you are helping to change their future in a huge way. Without our help, they would not have an excellent education. Without our help, many of them would starve to death. Without our help, many of them would never know the love of Jesus Christ and be able to enter into an eternal relationship with our Savior!
I can not express the gratitude that I have for each person who gives as I was able to see first hand what an amazing impact this has on their lives.
This is a sample of the love I have received from Rukia in a letter:
This year we are planning to sponsor 3 children and I hope to meet them all.
Blessings to you all!!!
Stephanie