Jayne Donnelly of St Joseph’s in Middlesbrough writes,

Dear Readers, something amazing happened at my church. Fr Keogh very kindly welcomed a young lady called Peace to share her testimony with us. She was born in Uganda, one of 14 children and is a twin. Sadly, some of Peace’s siblings have died. Her mum left when she was very small and her father could not look after them. All the children were separated and put into other families. This was when Peace lost all hope.

At only three years of age, Peace was made to collect wood and food and cook for her foster family, but was never allowed to eat with them. She had to fend for herself. She had no bed nor even a mat to sleep on, Peace slept with the family goat. She had nothing and no one, only a piece of cloth her mum had given her. It ended up as small rags which Peace would put together to keep herself warm. If this was not bad enough, Peace was badly beaten and still today, at the age of 32, carries the scars – believe me I have seen them with my own eyes. She was burned on her chest by hot burning coals and lived in great fear of ill-treatment.

Then, just when Peace least expected, her life was given hope through Compassion, a Christian child development project. Peace got a sponsor and her life changed. She was given an education and food and medical care but most of all she was given the knowledge of God, and has become the person she is today.

If you, like me, had had the privilege to share time with her, you would be amazed that, after all she has been through, this beautiful happy young lady can do the amazing work she now does for Compassion. She is driven by God and is full of God’s love and is an inspiration to all who know her, thanks to Compassion and her sponsor.

Last year, 154,000 children came to Christ through Compassion projects, WOW! Compassion partners with local churches in 25 countries across the world and uses more than 80% of their expenditure for the benefit of the children. Since 1952, Compassion has been releasing children from spiritual, physical, economic and social poverty in Jesus’ name.

It has been a happy ending for Peace. She is now an educated working mum who is devoted to her husband Patrick and gorgeous daughter Angel. But there are still children desperate for a sponsor. Think about this; you may not be able to change the whole world but you can change the world of one child. Compassion gives you the opportunity to do something so wonderful, and to get to know your sponsored child personally by writing letters and exchanging photos. Meeting Peace and becoming a sponsor myself has changed my life. Change your life and become a sponsor, find it in your heart and please ring today: (01932) 836490, or visit www.compassionuk.org for more information on their wonderful work.

Thank you so much for reading this and remember through God anything is possible. I have shared this with you as I believe meeting Peace was a divine appointment. Praise the Lord.

Big thanks to all the people at St Joseph’s who sponsored a child. God bless you all.