India: June 2009 Archives
My family joined the One Life Child Sponsorship Program when the program was announced. I was working in the children's area at church that day, but my husband and our two sons found me and proudly showed me the information and picture of a solemn-looking little Indian boy named Mahesh. He was exactly 3 months younger than my youngest son, which was a fun fact. We put his picture in the "homework" drawer and prayed occasionally for "our child." Whenever we had opportunity to send a letter or a picture with a team traveling to India, we'd fire one off and hope it got to him. Knowing that our monthly $32 was helping to feed and clothe a child was a warm fuzzy but not much more that that.
Fast forward to February 2009, when a unique set of circumstances found me at New Life Children's Home in India with a team of Westsiders. I walked along the boys' side of the enthusiastic "receiving line" that greeted us, shaking hands and asking names. The children were healthy, happy and delighted to be with us. Suddenly, from the most beautiful child in the world came the name "Mahesh." I didn't have a rational thought from that moment on...I was blindsided by love. To spend time with him and his "brothers" in that environment of hope and joy was priceless. He will never just be a picture in the homework drawer again, but rather a piece of my heart left on that side of the world. Good-bye was brutal, but I am counting the days until I see him again.
God used that day, that place, those children and Mahesh to speak of the gratitude and joy that He desires from me. One Life...you...me...we are helping save children from physical poverty and hopelessness. Thanks be to God who has rescued each of us from so much more. Kim Perkins, Feb 2009