IF we were still in Nigeria or had sufficient extended relations around us here, we most certainly would have planned the third child. But with career demands, the handful little men, the type of parenting we believe in, and the economic implications - our lives and finances are really busy enough. However, at different times, the thoughts, dreams, and revelations of the third child kept coming. At a time, I could no longer share the dreams regarding the third child with my wife. Boring! For some good reasons, pregnancy was not something we were going to consider again, adoption was not a straightforward concept in our case. No third child.

Then last April, we attended the 2022 Christian Churches Ireland (CCI) retreat in Dublin. Maej spoke about “Compassion” and the amazing things the Lord is using the body to do globally. I, however, know that many charitable and family commitments have us on the other side of our financial elastic limits, so I decide we would rather not tempt God. No room for extra financial commitments.

Mid May, we arrived in Church only to find out that our Compassion Sunday would be about Compassion Ireland’s mission and how God was counting on us to save the world - one child at a time. I told the friend beside me that it wasn’t for me - for the reasons detailed above. But a statement from Maej resonated with the revelations about the third child and as I meandered my way out of the Temple after the service, Yao’s face caught my attention. He’s just a year old lad, based in Togo. Bingo! We signed up to be Yao’s sponsors and distant parents.

Releasing Children from Poverty IN JESUS' NAME. Compassion is one of the world's leading child development and child advocacy missions. Very passionate about protecting and empowering every child left vulnerable by poverty, with more than 2.2 million children on their books, over 8,000 Frontline Churches and 70 years of serving children IN JESUS’ NAME. Independent research shows that if you sponsor a child with Compassion, they are more likely to be employed and be a community leader when they grow up. The "Three-cord" Approach means that the project is Christ-centred, church-driven, and child-focused.

There's no quick fix to global poverty, but through Compassion, children's lives are being changed, impacting families, communities and nations. The church partners find the poorest children in their communities and register them into the program, regardless of their faith or background. Each child is then linked with one sponsor who begins to make an incredible difference through their letters, prayers, and donations. The sponsored child will be given the care and resources they need to develop in every area of their lives - their mind, body, and relationships: tuition, school uniforms; nutritious food; health check-ups; personal attention and guidance from loving staff members; the support of the local church where there are opportunities to hear the gospel; vocational training, encouragement from your letters, etc.

Recently, I was signing up the lads for summer events and I mentioned that I have 2 boys, they didn’t spare me - “3 boys” they shouted, as though what was I thinking for not counting Yao? He’s a member of our family and his picture is alongside the boys’ in our living room. Today, we present to you a great avenue to serve the Lord, be Christ’s hope to a soul, from the comfort of wherever you are. It requires a minimum of €30 monthly. For inquiries, the link is https://www.compassion.com, https://www.compassion.ie. Maej is +35315133719.

Have you ever thought of changing the world for good? Compassion gives you the opportunity - "one child at a time". If ONLY those who God has rescued from poverty would go after rescuing others in God's name, the underdeveloped nations would be much better than they currently are. Selah! Please do something. Why Compassion? We recommend Compassion because it is a system that works, hassle and fraud free, serving children from all parts of the world and from all walks of life/religion, consistent in serving the Lord - over these 70 years. However, if there is a local orphanage that you are partnering with already (as we do, also) and the results glorify God, then that's your Compassion there. Thank you.

Selah!

PS: (1) Sequel to yesterday's post, we appreciate the enquiries for contacts of the Emerald Light Initiative. http://selahseries.com/emeraldlight; +2348131892450

(2) Quiz will be published by 2pm today, closed at 6pm. Winners will be contacted and given their tokens by latest lunchtime on Monday. Thank you.

Happy Sunday. Beatitudes

© SELAH SERIES 2022