52: The Life-Altering Power of Sponsoring a Child: Okumu's Story

Hey AFM+MH Fam!  We had the honor of sitting down with Okumu and Kelsey, two key players in the fight against poverty through the ministry of Compassion International, and we were amazed to learn so much about the enduring work of Compassion through Okumu's story. Okumu grew up in eastern Uganda living in unthinkable poverty. Born in 1982, Okumu shares of a childhood spent traveling a painful distance each day in search of water—these same water sources often polluted and shared with livestock. Okumu tells of his earliest memories of going to school barefoot without a lunch, backpack or even a simple textbook in hand. But in 1991, a 9 year old Okumu would step into a Compassion Center for the first time having been sponsored now by a family halfway around the world. This would be the first time he’d sit in a desk, receive his first Bible, be given a special Christmas present and receive dozens of letters of encouragement from his sponsoring family. In just a few years, Okumu would give his life to Jesus. From a small act of simple compassion, Okumu has escaped the clutches of generational poverty, now grown and training pastors around the world for the work of ministry! Okumu’s story of growing up in extreme poverty may sound like an anomaly, but in fact nearly 1/2 of the world’s population (more than 3 billion people) live on less than $2.50 a day. As Covid-19 spreads into every country, those living in extreme poverty continue to be the most vulnerable. And so we’ve asked ourselves “how should we respond to extreme poverty as followers of Jesus?” Join us in this compelling interview as we learn together what small part we can play in making an immense and life-changing impact in the lives of so many across the world. For more information about Compassion or to sponsor a child, visit Compassion.com/myhouse. Compassion is a child-focused, church-centered organization committed to releasing children from poverty in Jesus name since 1958.  We receive no monetary benefit in this partnership.  It is reward enough to see so many lives changed through the power of the Gospel.  Additionally, there are many opportunities to give one-time donations to help in other areas of Compassion’s work. Compassion’s survival fund (https://www.compassion.com/help-babies-in-poverty.htm?referer=602217) ensures pregnant mothers will receive the resources they need for a healthy pregnancy with assistance and care throughout the baby’s first year of life.  Of course there are ways to support Compassion International beyond financial giving, as currently many sponsored children do not receive letters from their sponsors. This is where people like you can step in and write letters of love and encouragement for children who might not receive letters from their sponsors. For more information about writing letters to children go to https://blog.compassion.com/write-to-a-child/ or call 1-800-336-7676. Okumu is passionate about bringing the gospel to all people, especially those in Africa.  Check out his ministry webpage www.restoreafrica.net to learn more. For a limited time, go to literati.com/house for 25% off your first two orders!