The Comfort International Supporters’ Day is always a highlight in the Comfort calendar but for me this year was exceptionally good. It just felt like such a celebration of all that God is doing in the countries and lives supported through the work of Comfort International but also in the lives of supporters.
I find personal stories of transformation always speak so powerfully and throughout the morning we heard many stories of transformation. One story was of Mubaraka, from Batsinda SKR who used to live on the street because his dad was imprisoned for the part he played during the genocide, and his mum couldn’t support him. We heard that through sponsorship he was able to receive medical care and attend school. Now he has won a scholarship and is about to start university. He says he’s thankful that he doesn’t live in his parents’ history. Because of sponsorship his future looks very different now.
We also heard the story of transformation for Jean de Dieu, from Gatenga SKR Project whose life had been full of hopelessness, but due to the life changing support and sponsorship he was able to attend school. Now he has learned the skills needed to be a plumber and has not only plumbed water into his family home for the first time but has also been responsible for connecting many other homes to the water supply. He thanks God for the miracle that he has worked in his life and is full of gratitude that he can make so much difference to the lives of others through the skills he has gained.
We know the difference sponsorship is making to so many lives but there was also a reminder that it’s not just about the money we send out; it’s about the family that is being created by becoming part of a project. Family includes those who are able to sponsor and that’s one of the reasons many people feel keen to go on a trip.
One of the things that really impacted me was the enthusiasm from those who shared their experiences from this year’s trips. The stories they told of overcoming huge anxieties and stepping through fears, of loving it so much they didn’t want to come home all resonated with me.
As people shared their experiences with us more than one person mentioned that the trips are not just a time of giving to those we visit, those going out receive so much more back. That’s definitely been my experience, and I felt myself agreeing with lots of the other points made – people’s faith grows, they learn so much about themselves and come together as a team, sharing experiences and learning to trust God more. These quotes also impacted me and are so true – Africa gets into your bones and into your heart and those who go come back as changed people themselves. Being inspired by the African passion for worship and the way they are praising God at every opportunity.
It was a real joy hearing people share their personal experiences of this year’s trips. The feedback was so inspiring that I’m certain I won’t have been the only one in the room wondering when my next trip might be!
David and Chantal from Comfort Rwanda joined our morning via video link. It was fantastic to hear how well many of those from the Street Kids Projects are doing with their education. 95% are currently in full-time education and a number are moving on to university, 6 have recently graduated from university.
We heard an update on the progress being made at the Comfort Transformation Centre and the value that this place will bring to so many lives. There’s a need for us all to try and get creative as we continue to find ways to raise funds for this huge, but life changing project. Note to self – must get a date in the diary for our next Potato and Pudding Party!
The update from DRC was hard to hear but it came as a reminder that we are all called to pray and to keep on praying. The sheer number of people who have been directly impacted by the continued conflict there is horrific, however, we know that every one of them is seen and loved by God. They are not just a number; they are known by name. The impact on those in this area, the hospital, the refugee camp, the schools has been huge. But God’s provision is always greater! It was so good to hear that due to a huge response to an appeal for DRC, nearly 5000 people have been fed (there’s a familiar story!), and some of the hospital equipment has been replaced and is now back up and running. Most schools are operational again and they are so much in demand that in some cases there’s now a morning school and an afternoon school to accommodate more students. It was very humbling to hear how in the most difficult of circumstances, the team on the ground have done an incredible work supporting those in the greatest of need. They are so full of compassion, commitment and love for these people who are living daily with unimaginable situations. One team from Scotland were able to visit in July and were there for the opening of the new and much needed maternity hospital. Dieuodone, in true Dieuodone style is still so full of ideas of how we can do more. Watch this space!
Before the shared prayer time we were encouraged that every prayer counts, and it doesn’t matter that we all pray in different ways and for different things. God sees the one and he sees the nations. We all have different countries, people and projects that we are passionate about and that’s ok. It’s always a privilege to come together with different people at Supporter’s Day to pray over all of the pieces that make up the work of Comfort International and to give thanks to the One who makes all things possible.
To finish the morning, Callum spoke from 2 Corinthians 9 on the Grace of God and how God calls on those with surplus to meet the needs of those without. What Comfort International is able to do only happens when each one of us plays our small part, whether it’s our financial commitment or our commitment to pray or volunteer or step out of our comfort zone and take part in a trip. We are so blessed to see what God does to transform lives and to participate in all that he is doing. While we will never have enough resources ourselves for all that needs to be done, we do have God’s grace, his sufficiency and his abundance. We are not limited by our own inadequacies or an empty bank balance. As we look at the empty pot and the enormous needs of those we care for, we can give thanks to the God who provides all things in abundance, who pours out his grace on each one of us and who is all sufficient. He’s done it before, and we can be certain he’ll do it again.
So, as I reflect back it was a morning full of stories of God’s goodness, his grace, his provision and his extraordinary love. Stories of how he restores and redeems situations beyond our imagination. Stories of how he uses our little to do great things and as we had sung at the very beginning:
“All our work can make a difference when your life empowers our hands.
Bringing order out of chaos to restore our broken land.
Take our spreadsheets and our shovels, our planning, craft and care
and we shape this world as you intend where all is just and fair.
Bring glory to God as we live for Jesus’ name.
Let our work be for your glory, let our lives be for your praise.”
