After I spent the fall of 2010 traveling with the Daraja Children’s Choir, it was a no brainer that I was absolutely in love with each of those children. When the tour came to a close and I was told I had the opportunity to sponsor a child, it was another no brainer. The other interns and I had spent 3 months informing families about kids in Kenya and how desperately they needed our support. Now it was my turn. Even as a jobless college student, I knew this was something the Lord was requiring of me. I remembered a good friend always saying, “people spend their money on things they love”. It just clicked. I loved Kevin and more than anything else I wanted Kevin to know Jesus loves him and I love him.
A year and a half later and I have been so abundantly blessed with my decision to sponsor. God created us to share love. I would like to say I share so much love with Kevin, but honestly he shares so much love with me. Receiving his letters are pure joy in my mailbox. I love hearing about what God is doing in his heart and in his family members. My sponsorship with Kevin means so much to me because when I’m missing the kids more than I could ever imagine, I know that Kevin knows he is loved. The cost is so insignificant compared to the pay off. It means Kevin always knows he has support from someone across the globe. I get to assure him I’m praying for him. I can encourage him and in return he encourages me. I know my sponsorship allows him to know I believe in him.
One of the greatest moments of joy was when I was able to go back to Kenya the next year and visit Kevin. We had such a deeper connection than we ever had on tour. He thanked me for my letters of encouragement and I thanked him for his many fabulous drawings of elephants! It was just a special moment that we got to connect over this relationship we had been building through letters and prayers. What a gracious God that I would be a part of a boy’s life in Kenya. At the end of the day, if my sponsorship helps Kevin know Jesus just a little bit better, then it is worth it, and I believe it truly does!
Amanda Bishop – Daraja Intern 2010
