I count two formidable experiences in my adult life as giving me tremendous perspective and shaping me into the woman I am today. First, becoming a mother to my sons Luke and Jack. The other, traveling to Nairobi, Kenya in 2008 and witnessing any mother's worst fear---The inability to be able to protect your child, your children.
As a mother, our instincts are to protect our children in EVERY situation. Against hunger. Against disease. Against the elements. Against danger. And as mothers, WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. It is our very nature.
So with a new mother's eyes, I walked into the Mathare Valley Slums, and NOTHING, absolutely nothing, could have prepared me for what I was to witness. I saw another mother's child hungry. Sick. Malnourished. Without clothing. Without shoes. Without schooling. Without water. Isn't it my instinct to protect those children too? YES! I am a mother and because of this, my empathy has grown deeper. I cry for the child; my heart breaks for the mother. I recognize and know to the core of my being, this 'marathon' is nothing when compared to the daily, uphill battles mothers and children around the world are experiencing just to survive another day.
I cannot imagine the pain of trying to comfort a child who is hungry, without food. I cannot imagine the pain of trying to comfort a child who is sick, without medication and clean water. I cannot imagine the heartbreak of knowing, the one thing that will set a child free from a life of poverty is an Education, and knowing they are not able to provide their children with the one tool that will give them a different life. A better life. Isn't that what we all want? A better life for our child, our children? This is a universal theme. And I am hoping and praying we can find 97 moms (and dads) who feel the same way!
There are 97 children right now who need a sponsor! And 97 mother's needing assistance with protecting their children. YOU can make a difference in the life of a child FOREVER! These children need food, clothing, water, medication, shelter, text books, an Education. ALL of this can be provided for just one dollar a day. That's it. One dollar a day ENSURES a better life.
I realize times are tough. I know we all have struggles. If we believe all of God's children are precious miracles then there must be a way. I believe. I believe in miracles. I believe in Christmas miracles for 97 precious children. I believe YOU may be their Christmas miracle! An answer to their prayers! I believe...I hope you do to.
