Partners International - Partners International

How a Spirit Worshipper's Son Became a Pastor

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:27:33 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Amber Holloway, Communications Manager

When you sponsor a child, you may not know how dramatically God will use your gifts and prayers to change a child’s life. Here, Nikon Lechoe tells how spirit worship, hunger, and the murder of his father affected his childhood, and how everything changed the moment a sponsor like you entered his life.

“I am from the Akha people group in Thailand. Both of my parents worshipped spirits. My father was a wizard who was well respected by the villagers. Since our youth, my four elder sisters, younger brother, and I followed our parents in worshipping spirits. But, at the age of five, something happened; it is something hard to forget.

“My grandfather was quite well to do, and he left behind a huge amount of possessions. My uncle wanted them all to himself so he put a cursed talisman on the opium pipe my father used to smoke, and my father was killed.

“My mother brought me and my siblings to Mango village. When we first arrived, we had a difficult time, for the family was supported solely by my mother. Over time, my sisters got married one by one. My mother continued to work, and my brother and I learned to take care of ourselves. We ate whatever was available at home. When there was no food, we just drank water.”

The Day Everything Changed

Soon after Nikon and his family arrived at Mango village, they met Pastor Lee from our partner Christian Nationals Evangelism Commission (CNEC). Pastor Lee was greatly concerned over the poverty of Nikon’s family. Pastor Lee applied for sponsorship for Nikon, and soon both Nikon and his brother no longer had to worry about school fees or food. “As a result of sponsorship, both my brother and I could go to school,” Nikon said. He was 10 years old when he started the first grade.

“Under Pastor Lee’s guidance, my mother accepted Christ,” he said. “I began to attend church every Sunday. From then on, I started to know God. I learned how to pray, how to read the Bible, and I grew in my spiritual life. When I was fifteen years old, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, and I was baptized.”

Pastor Lee continued to mentor Nikon, encouraging him to commit his life to full-time ministry. With his sponsor’s support, Nikon completed secondary school. He later graduated from Bible School and has served as a church planter, pastor, and youth leader. He has even earned his Master of Divinity degree.

Today, he and his family live in Taiwan, serving a community of 70,000 unreached Thai laborers who have never heard the Gospel. “When I recall the past, the fact that I could be a missionary and be able to serve the Lord is solely by the grace of God,” Nikon said. “All that has happened in my life would not be possible without my sponsor’s labor in the Lord.”

We praise God for Nikon’s life and for his sponsor who set him on a path of opportunity that has resulted in many lives won to Christ. You can give that same opportunity to a needy child. Right now, we have 150 children waiting for sponsors. Would you consider becoming a sponsor today?

Sponsor Now

Sponsorship Eases Parents' Burdens in Mali

elizabethb@partnersintl.org (Elizabeth Brink, Harvest of Hope Coordinator) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:52:21 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Elizabeth Brink, Harvest of Hope Coordinator

Pastor Nouh, leader of ministry partner Tahanint N'Massinag E Tinbuktu (meaning "the merciful grace of God for Timbuktu") shares this update on the sponsorship program in Timbuktu, Mali:

Children in the schools in Tassinsak and Bariz and Elijah House are the beneficiaries of the Sponsor A Child program in Mali, West Africa. They are all very poor kids. The kids in the program come from families who barely have a bowl of porridge for breakfast and go to school having no hope of a meal other than a poor dinner. Feeding these kids daily is already a challenge for most families and they can’t afford to do more when it comes to their schooling expenses. This is where the Sponsor A Child program comes in to help. By the grace of God and through your generosity, you are providing many of their schooling concerns. Beyond that crucial and visible need, we take opportunities to announce the Gospel to reach their needs beyond human vision.

One father expressed his appreciation for the sponsorship program, saying, “Sponsorship money allows us to breathe as parents of kids at school. Before receiving that money, it was an endless list of needs coming through our children every day saying ‘The master said: book, notebook, celebration, event, etc.’ It was not fun at all to send a child to school. I have three kids in school, and I am a mediator for buying or selling empty plots of land. But money is scarce, and there is no way to find work every day. So many days I am jobless and my family is hungry. Every request, even the smallest, can become too heavy for us to afford. So, we appreciate you and want you to know how refreshing it is for us to receive help, which helps us to help our own children. Thank you so much. May God reward you.”

There are currently 23 children in need of sponsors in TNT's program. If you would like to help one of these children have a brighter future, go to www.partnersintl.org/sponsor to sign up today!

Sponsorship: Changing Whole Communities in the Philippines

elizabethb@partnersintl.org (Elizabeth Brink, Harvest of Hope Coordinator) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:45:34 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Elizabeth Brink, Harvest of Hope Coordinator

The following update comes from Edith Dominguez, director of our child sponsorship program in the Philippines. Enjoy her report and reflection on the past year of ministry!

We thank the Lord for the blessing of the Sponsor A Child ministry this past year. It has been a hard year because of the economy, but our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ has carried us through these difficulties. We praise the Lord for parents who have come to know the Lord. Former and present sponsorship recipients who are in high school are now serving as Sunday school teachers, praise and worship leaders, as well as officers and evangelism workers in the local churches. They are all growing in their faith. Regular home Bible studies are also conducted in the homes of the recipients by follow-up workers in order to reach whole families with the Gospel.

At present we have 318 children in 44 villages enrolled in the program. Last year, 28 children graduated from high school and 166 parents, brothers, sisters, and relatives of the children came to know Christ. There are 96 home Bible study groups meeting regularly. One former sponsored child has enrolled in Bible school, preparing to serve the Lord full time. Relief and medical help were also given to many families affected by the two consecutive super typhoons we experienced. By God’s grace we pray that the sponsorship program will continue to be a channel of blessing, especially to unreached and needy families.

The impact of the program in the community cannot be underestimated. This is the testimony of a group of believers which 12 years ago did not welcome the preaching of the Word of God in their midst. They were so against the Christian workers that they ridiculed them every time they shared the Gospel. Still, we began a sponsorship program in the area, and many children were enrolled in the program. This was the beginning of many home Bible studies being held in the different homes and people began to open their hearts to the Lord. “The Lord of Harvest Christian Church” was established in the area. The same people who used to ridicule the Word of God are now sharing their faith, and the church is growing. The former sponsored children are now Sunday school teachers, and their parents have become leaders in the church. The change in the lives of these believers has attracted other people to give their hearts to the Lord. They have become a living testimony for the glory of His name.

Thank you for your sponsorship, which impacts children, their families, and whole communities!

Change For China

sponsorchild@partnersintl.org (Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:27:20 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator

Some years ago, when a missionary visited the First Baptist Church in Sandpoint, Idaho, talking about needs in China, two sisters, Bayley and Hillary, heard the message loud and clear.

Having already learned about China through their Sunday school teacher, Mary Vail, they were excited when the missionary came. With an idea about recovering loose change, the girls searched their couch at home, the dresser drawers, and other places pennies may be lost—and now found. With their excitement running over that evening, they presented the missionary with a jar full of pennies.

Well, something had to be done and “Change For China” became a passion for the church. Soon, other young people, parents, and many others began contributing their pennies to support a child in China.

“Change For China” revolutionized missions in the church. Stories abound about how church members asked for their change in pennies when buying items. This usually prompted a “why?” and an opportunity to tell their story. A grocery clerk offered a church member her bags of pennies from home - $20 worth of pennies!

Pennies were picked up on the streets and some parents tossed their pennies into jars for their children to donate. Everyone got into the act!

Bayley and Hillary are now in high school and they leave a huge legacy to their church. As a result of their hearts being touched as little girls by the plight of children halfway around the world, their actions blessed an entire church. And because of pennies, two Chinese children are now receiving help through the Sponsor A Child program.

What an amazing difference two little girls and a few pennies have made!

Living Under Persecution

sponsorchild@partnersintl.org (Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:45:14 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator

Life is hard for a single mom in any country. In Indonesia, Irpan’s mom battles not only the difficulties of providing for her family, but also endures persecution because she is a follower of Isa Al-Masih, Jesus the Messiah.

Irpan says, “I felt sad every time I saw my mother got persecuted. Seeing my mother’s faith was a disaster for our family. (My uncle) tried every effort to force my mother not to become a Christian.” She was physically abused, sent to another town, expelled from the family, and kept prisoner at home. But she not only endured, but taught Irpan how to pray in Isa’s name and to put his trust in Isa.

During the home imprisonment, no one was allowed to visit. As a result, no contact with Christians fellowship could happen—especially not when a pastor came to see her.

Irpan goes on with his story, “I thank God, He can still send me to school through this support, even now my mother has no job, but I can still continue my school. Please pray that God will open the way so I can go to Sunday School again, my mother gets a job, and my relatives will be won.”

Our God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us and this family is living in that promise. Sponsorship is giving them hope where there seems to be none. Irpan is allowed to go to school where he has contact with other believers. Please remember this family in your prayers and consider sponsoring a child. You can make a difference in the Kingdom of God.

Faith Shows Through Sponsorship

sponsorchild@partnersintl.org (Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:10:34 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator

The other day, while I was helping our Sponsor A Child team fold letters from children and match them to envelopes for their sponsors, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that these pieces of paper had been held and written on by little children on the other side of the world. Children whose lives and struggles were completely different from anything I had ever known. The words lifted off the pages and, as I folded, I read some of the sentiments and wishes they shared with their sponsors. Through sickness, poverty and war they proclaimed a passionate love for God and thankfulness to their sponsors for giving them the opportunity to go to school and church.

At an orphanage in Myanmar, most of the children are supported through PI sponsors. Many of their letters, while expressing thanks to their sponsors, also talked about a terrible drought that is sweeping that part of the country. Families are forced to walk miles and purchase water from those who have deep enough wells. One girl at the orphanage, with wisdom beyond her years, thanked God for His provision. She said God knew the drought would come and provided the land for the orphanage to be built on, low enough to have a constant source of water even through the drought.

As letters go back and forth across the world, the growing faith of children is revealed and the Spirit of God touches lives at every point.

-Wendy Taylor, Partners International staff member

Filipino Sponsored Students Honored

sponsorchild@partnersintl.org (Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:08:10 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator

The Mission Community Services (MICOS) Ministry in the Philippines has 312 children enrolled in the Sponsor A Child program this year. All of them are studying in public schools. In March, 27 of them graduated from high school. Many of them have honors and have done well in their studies. Two former sponsored children who studied in Bible school have also graduated after four years of diligent studies. They are Cathleya Reyes and Sonny Boy Juane. Cathleya has received her Bachelor in Theology degree with a minor in Christian Education. She now works as a full-time teacher in an orphanage. Sonny Boy Juane finished his Bachelor of Theology degree and is now pursuing his master's degree in a seminary in Manila while teaching in a Christian school.

These young people are a testimony to God’s faithfulness and the faithful prayers and support of their sponsors. Their families also came to know the Lord through the Sponsor A Child evangelism program. Now they have become leaders in their local church. They are also very much involved in reaching out to the people in their community thus becoming agents of change because of their faith.

Evangelism is the heart of the MICOS ministry. Home Bible study has been an effective tool in reaching out. With the help of follow-up workers many families were reached for the Lord. Please pray for this ministry and those workers who serve Filipino families, bringing the hope of our Lord to them. Pray for the workers spiritual grounding, physical health, strength, and peace as they seek to love God and love those they serve. Pray for the children and their families to continue to come to the knowledge of God.

Invitation to Share Your Child Sponsorship Story

sponsorchild@partnersintl.org (Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:57:55 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Linda Jo Reed, Sponsor A Child Coordinator

Have you ever wondered how sponsorship affects relationships around the world? We already know that support flows from one country to another. We know that letters go back and forth a couple times a year. But what else is God doing in the lives of sponsored children, those who minister to them directly and the sponsors in still another country?

We are very excited to share stories and comments with you on this blog. We invite you to join us! If you are a sponsor or your life has been blessed by the sponsorship progam, we hope you will share your story.

Seeing how our wonderful God is working through His people to continue to create His forever Kingdom will be so encouraging for all of us. So please do pick up a pen...er...put your fingers to the keyboard and send us your stories. We can't wait to read them!

So welcome to our new, exciting blog adventure! I'll be eagerly checking my mailbox!

Serving Him Together,

Linda Jo
SAC Program Coordinator
lindajor@partnersintl.org

Sponsorship Brings Christ's Light to Islamic Africa

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:53:55 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Amber Holloway, Communications Manager

“The Sponsor A Child program is our best tool to be in regular, direct contact with our most tender and sensitive population—children,” says Rev. Nouh Yattara, leader of our partner TNT in Mali.

“Because of Christmas Cheer, the love shown through sponsors, and the meeting of educational needs, parents have become more open to the love of God.”

Most believers from Islamic background in North Mali put their faith in Christ before the age of 18, thus, Rev. Yattara and his team are committed to serving children, despite a strong Islamic culture. Through one of their youth outreaches, Elijah House, a number of sponsored children have chosen to put their faith in Christ.

One of them is fifteen-year-old Ibrahim. He says, “I praise God for Elijah House. My life was transformed when I came here. Before, I didn’t have much courage to pursue my studies because I was always hungry. My parents passed away and I had to live with a poor uncle who already had a crowded family of twelve. At Elijah House, not only have each of us learned to respect the other, but we are also helped with food, clothes, and schooling. We are like brothers and sisters. They teach us a lot of good stories about life and I enjoy the ones about Jesus. I received Him as my Lord and Savior in my heart.”

As TNT works to build the Church in North Mali, their care for children has been a key to building and keeping strong relationships with local communities. “In the beginning, Muslim leaders of the schools were reluctant to work with us,” said Rev. Yattara, “but now they rush to carry out everything that is needed for the sponsorship program. We are so grateful to see this program running so well in benefit of the communities and of the kids at school. The children will certainly never forget the people who invested in their lives to help them gain hope in this poor, desert place.”

A Different Approach to Child Sponsorship

jonl@partnersintl.org (Jon Lewis, Former President/CEO) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:07:46 +0000

Sponsor A Child Blog by Jon Lewis, Former President/CEO

His parents were so proud! Now in his third of year of engineering school, Blessvel was the first of his family and even his entire school to receive advanced training in electronics and communications.

Few children from Blessvel’s Dalit sub-caste in India had much chance to have a basic education let alone qualify for technical school. What made the difference? Blessvel was privileged to participate in Partners International’s Sponsor A Child (SAC) program.

Beginning in the 1950s when rooftop schools were set up in Hong Kong for thousands of children from China fleeing Communism, we have been involved in matching up caring families in the U.S. with opportunities to help children around the world receive an education. Today, more than five thousand children participate in individual, custom-designed sponsorship programs set up by our national ministry partners.

As one national leader put it, “We hope to impact the next generation of leaders in our nation so that when these children are teachers in the schools, workers in the offices, lawyers, judges, or politicians, they will be advocates for the Church and molders of society.”

What sets Partners International’s SAC program apart from others, however, is that each program operates uniquely within the ministry of the indigenous partner. Besides basic education, some ministries help children with transportation or school uniforms while others offer meals or medical care.

Best of all, SAC offers the simplest, easiest “on-ramp” to partnership. With a commitment of just $25 per month, anyone (including you!) can make a tangible difference in the life of a child in one of the hard places of our world. And like Blessvel, that just might help them reach a life of increased opportunity, fulfillment, and service to God.