I am truly despondent right now. I was just talking with a Compassion Representative who informed me that the project where our child is located is closing. We have sponsered Johnis for the last 10 years and in my mind I was dedicated to see him through. I had hopes of even helping sponsor higher education for him. I can't tell you how sad I am. What makes this story so sad is that Compassion tells me that it is very rare and with much despair that they choose to close a project. They have church partnerships through which they funnel the money to the communities and the families. The local churches are accountable for the funds that come to them. Because Johnis' church has lacked leadership and accountability for many months and because the church has had high turnover, Compassion decided to close the program. The representative was basically implying the leadership in Johnis' community (Columbia)could not be trusted by Compassion and probably wasn't trusted by the community either. The rep said since Compassion sets up projects in impoverished places and then funnels money to communities, the temptation to abuse the funds is present so it's vital that they have trusted church partnerships. In order to maintain integrity for Compassion International and their sponsors, they take a tough love stance which means they sometimes close projects.
What I am sick about in all of this is that the children are the ones who suffer. I totally understand and support Compassion's decision. I am sitting here wondering what Johnis and the other children in his community are going through. I am wondering what the families are going through. A program that brought hope and education and opportunity to their community is leaving. Who will help them? How do you help them? Are they Ok? Are they as disappointed as I am? Will Johnis be OK?
I am crying. I am sad. Is God going to take care of Johnis and his community? Will they be ok (as I define Ok)? What do I do? My feelings want to doubt God, but at the same time, I believe that I can trust Him. I believe that he has a purpose and a plan and that I don't have to understand it...
I can send a final letter and a final monetary gift. What do I say?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Wow, I have no idea. That's such a difficult situation.
I guess if I were going to write one last letter, I would tell him that I would continue to pray for him. That I hope he will place his hope in Christ, that even in hunger or poverty, God will not abandon him. And even if the worst happens, there is still the promise of eternity with Christ in heaven.
All you can do now is know that God planned this, he knows what he's doing, and it's all going according to his will. It's hard to accept that when things seem so wrong.
Thanks for the ideas. I am praying and contemplating about this one. Thanks also for the reminders of God's good will and of His sovereignty.
No problem. Sometimes it's the only comfort you can offer.
Post a Comment