We Couldn’t Choose Just One
If you want to know why
There’s love that cannot lie
Love is strong
It only cares of joyful giving
If we try we shall see
In this bliss we cannot feel
Fear of dread
We stop existing and start living
Meet Kelvin. He’s 8 years old, and his birthday is January 17th. He likes to draw, play hide and seek, sing, and tell stories. His chores include carrying water, making beds, washing clothes, and running errands.
Less than a month before visiting Tanzania, one of our sponsored children moved away, so we had the chance to sponsor a new one. We were sent two options. I vividly remember sitting on the couch in the living room looking at the email, and I started bawling and told Daniel, “How can we choose between these two? They are both so precious.” So we chose both. Kelvin was one of them. And this little boy has a big chunk of my heart.
When we went to visit, we weren’t scheduled to meet Kelvin since it was just a month ago that we starting sponsoring him. Luckily, our amazing Compassion staff hooked us up immediately with a visit to his home where we were able to meet his family.
While talking with his grandfather, we discovered that Kelvin doesn’t live with his mother or father. His mother was young when she became pregnant, and now she has moved to the bigger city to find a life of her own. She decided leaving Kelvin with his grandparents would be best.
When we asked how we could pray for the family, they shared that Kelvin has sickle cell anemia and his health is not good. Sickle Cell is when your red blood cells lack oxygen and form a sickle shape. It can cause a lot of pain, swollen hands and feet, and infections. You can tell he has the disease because his eyes are very yellow. With less treatment options and poor health conditions, Kelvin may not live to graduate out of the Compassion program (22). It just breaks my heart. Luckily, because he is sponsored now, he is able to receive better medical treatment and nutritious food each week.
On our last day with our sponsored children, we gave them a backpack with a soccer ball, a notebook, and some crayons. Kelvin tried to enjoy playing soccer, but only lasted a few minutes because he gets tired out so easily from his disease. He sat on the steps and drew for the remainder of our play time. Though he kept a great attitude, I’m sure Kelvin just wanted to be able to get up and play soccer with his friends, not have to sit on the sidelines and watch.
This little guy is on my heart constantly. Would you join me in praying for him and for his health? Here is part of the latest letter we received from him along with a drawing he sent to us.
Would you be willing to help a child like Kelvin receive Bible teachings, health screenings, medical treatment, a solid meal once a week, and the love only YOU can give to one of these beautiful children? Daniel and I would love to sit down and talk with you about how Compassion has rocked our world and changed our view of loving the little children. You can also visit www.compassion.com to learn more and pick a child to sponsor. Who knows?! Maybe you will start bawling and won’t be able to choose just one either.
