(This story is being used to share with our partners at COTN who give to support Spiritual Care and my personal missionary support).
When she was young, Monica lost her parents to violence from the rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army, and ended up living with her aunt. Monica lived with 13 other children in her aunt’s small hut. At night, everyone crammed into the hut to sleep. “There would be nothing like space for you to stretch your hands or raise your legs,” says Monica.
Monica’s aunt couldn’t care for all the children. She spent the entire day in the market trying to sell enough to make money for food. Most of the time, the family had to forage in the bush for something to eat.
But little Monica, who was struggling just to survive, had big dreams. She had a deep passion for learning truth and wisdom. Although Monica’s aunt couldn’t afford to pay for school, Monica would sneak into class every day. If the teachers caught her, they’d throw her out, and Monica would sit outside in the dirt, playing, waiting for the day she’d finally be allowed to pursue her dream.
When COTN opened its first Children’s Home in 2007, Monica was one of the first children to be enrolled in the program and move into the Children’s Home. Now Monica could go to school, enjoy enough food to stay healthy, sleep in a bed of her own, and begin to understand that there’s a loving Father who created her for meaningful purpose and relationship with Him.
Over the years, Monica would develop a love for Jesus, through active participation in spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, Bible study, serving others, etc.) which strengthened her desire to be a useful part of her community at the COTN Children’s Home village. Little did she know what God was preparing for her.
Now, 10 years after her introduction to COTN, Monica has become a bold and confident young woman with a heart for Jesus and others. Over the last 2 years, she’s had the opportunity to practice and demonstrate her faith – teaching primary aged children from the Following Jesus curriculum (also known as Life on Life by our partners in ministry at David C. Cook’s Global Mission branch).
Monica is passing her love for Jesus on to younger children in the program now. She serves in Sunday school, assuring the younger children that God loves them and has a plan for them. Using the teacher’s manual, provided in African context and cultural relevancy, Monica can easily guide children through lessons, Biblical truths, life skills, and character building illustrations that will continue to shape their young hearts and minds.
When I think about the mission and vision statements surrounding Children of the Nations, key phrases and concepts keep me thinking about Monica and the hundreds of other teenagers liker her. Words like “holistic,” “Christ-centered,” “empowering nationals,” “transforming nations” and “demonstrating a vibrant and authentic faith” all come to mind – and I can’t help but see God’s hand at work. He’s accomplished it. To Him belongs all the glory, honor, and praise!
Children and youth, like Monica are transforming nations. They are demonstrating their faith. They are empowered. They are living holistic, Christ-centered lives. They are the church…
And because of you and your partnership with us, children like Monica can see dreams fulfilled!
We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
– I Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
