Can you spot the difference?

Children participate in games at a monthly Center Day in Iganga, Uganda.

Can you spot the difference in this photo?

I took this photo during a Sponsored Children Center Day in Iganga, Uganda. It was an incredible day for the children to play games, hear the word of God taught to them, and share a hot meal together. Around 40 children responded to the gospel message and received Christ as their Savior! Because the sight of a bus full of children and a full ministry team is exciting, many kids who are not sponsored wanted to see what was going on. At first, they stood on the outskirts looking in. But slowly they began to join in the fun. That’s when I snapped this picture… 

The children on the left have not experienced the life-changing sponsorship program. Look closely at their clothes, their body language, and even their faces. Their clothes are dirty and falling apart, their body language is closed off, and their faces are downcast. These children even kept themselves apart from the rest of the group. There was a physical space they refused to cross. 

In contrast, look at the children on the right. Look at the joy and the hope in their faces. They are bathed and wearing clothes provided to them through the generosity of their sponsors. If you want to know what Christ is doing through AICM, just look at the difference between these groups of children. Many of the kids that have sponsors used to be in that group on the left, looking longingly in on the sponsored kids. My prayer is that each and every one of those children will be on the right side. 

I hope this encourages those who sponsor children through AICM that your prayers and generosity are truly making an impact for the Kingdom of God. I also hope it encourages those who are thinking about sponsoring to come alongside these kids and change their lives with the work of Christ through AICM.

-Joshua E.