Tanja Patten considers the long-term impact of the work of Compassion UK
At my home group last week, I showed them a picture of a boy and said, ‘We have a new addition to the family.’ Confused, they started asking questions. That was my opening to talk to them about Compassion UK and the child we chose to support.
Working in the church office, I had the opportunity to meet Michael Robins, from Compassion UK, when he came in to discuss the service he talked at on 12 January. When he spoke about the children, you could really feel his enthusiasm and excitement about how some of the Compassion children’s lives were being changed.
It was infectious. I wanted to know more. He relayed a number of stories. I know many of you will have heard about the chap he sat next to on one of his flights and how that man turned out to be a Compassion Child. Small world! He told Michael about how Compassion UK helped change and shape his life … he was on his way to the US to study for his third degree! He also explained how he now goes back home to help Compassion UK support children similar to himself.
This really struck me. In the tedium and routine of everyday life it’s hard to think about the standing order we have coming out of our account and the impact that will have on someone’s life as a whole. The conversation Michael had on the plane proves that it really does make a difference. We think of our child, write to them, and pray for them, but forget about the long-term impact when the money goes out of our account each month. It’s like the servant woman and the jar of oil she shared with Elisha. The small amount turned into enough to clear her debt and provide a good living for the rest of her and her life (2 Kings chapter 4).
After the service on 12 January we trebled the number of children we support through St Saviour’s partnership with Compassion UK. That’s 16 children who will one day be able to tell someone the story of how their lives were forever changed.
Tanja Patten, office administrator
It’s never too late to sign up. If you’d like to do so, either speak to the office (Clare or myself) or visit www.compassionuk.org.
