BY AIC TIMOTHY E.
A little girl’s smile. I see hope, confidence, health and joy when I see a photo of my sponsored girl, Juliet. And she’s smiling at me! I can only thank God for his goodness. Only he knows where she would be if not for the work of Otino Waa and Visions of Hope.
Another smile. Is that really me in the mirror? And I see hope, confidence, health, and joy. When I consider that God gave me this smile, I can only thank Him for his mercy and grace. Only He knows where I would be if not for my mother’s prayers and the ministries that reached me in prison.
Two separate lives on opposite sides of the world. Two different ages, two different ethnicities, two cultures, and two countries. The differences are astounding, but there is one God behind this story.
My sponsor child, Juliet, lives in Uganda, a country which is no stranger to war, poverty, disease, and suffering. Without the ministries of Otino Waa and Visions of Hope, her prospects would have been bleak. All her innate gifts and God given potential would have been lost to poverty. A life full of promise would never have been realized.
I’m from Salem OR, but also from a nation which is prosperous, but prone to making a mess of things. Drugs, alcohol addiction, gangs, and self-inflicted diseases are too numerous to count and all too familiar to so many these days. Through my own foolish choices, I forfeited my future. At 17, I was sentenced to life in prison. It seemed as if no good thing could come from this, as good deeds in prison are few and far between. Besides, I had no desire.
Now back to God, who saw us both and began to work. For Juliet, education, health care, food, clothing, shelter and most precious of all, instruction in the knowledge of God and his glorious gospel.
For me, a requisite humbling. A hemming in, behind and in front of me with walls and doors. Repentance was granted as a most priceless gift and was the turning point of a heart of stone to a softness able to accept grace and forgiveness. From God, a pardon in full and lo and behold a newfound desire to do good.
Two lives redeemed, in different ways, on opposite sides of the world. Then these two stories were brought together. A letter to and a letter from. A video message given, and one received. And outlined handprint and a handprint stamped inside of it sent back. Shared scriptures and prayers to this one redeeming God. Smiles on both faces. Though oceans apart yet holding a faith and deep gratitude in common.
An orphan and an inmate. Two testimonies, one story. Where once there was sorrow and despair, violence, and vengeance, there now resides joy, hope, peace, and forgiveness.
When I see Juliet’s smile it is the expression of God’s kindness. When I see my smile in the mirror, it crushes my past with an abundance of joy.
I am grateful to experience the fruit of these ministries and the perfect timing of bringing lives together.
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Encouragement to others is something everyone can give. Somebody needs what you have to give. It may be your listening ear. It may be your arms to encourage. It may be your smile to uplift. Who knows?”
There is a simple way for YOU to create SMILES AND PURPOSE at the same time.
Timothy has faithfully supported Juliet for years with his monthly $5 sponsorship. Our promise to him is to find a partner who will MATCH his funds each month. Would that be YOU?
Beautifully written. I enjoyed reading this. May God continue to bless you both!
My heart is full. God has done glorious things in young Juliet and my son Tim. He is a completely changed person due to the power of the Word of God and the Lord’s saving grace. I pray for Juliet and Tim every day.