Doto from Tanzania

I can build my life on Jesus's love

Ask:

Have you ever built a sandcastle? How about a Lego house? Which do you think would be safer to live in? Why?

The material we build our homes with is really important. We want safe, secure homes that protect us from rain and wind and stay standing no matter what. Not every kid around the world has a safe home. Some kids, like Doto from Tanzania, have homes built with mud bricks. Doto’s home has cracks and holes in the walls that let in rain and wind during storms.

Tanzania is a country in Africa, and it does not have summer and winter seasons. Instead, it has a dry season and a rainy season. During the rainy season, big thunderstorms roll in and pour tons of rain! This is why Doto and his family needed to find a new home—mud walls just couldn’t hold up.

Jesus tells a story about this, too. The story is about two builders—one who built their house on sand and one who built their house on a rock. Do you know what happens to a sandcastle when it gets wet? It falls apart! Jesus shared this story to remind us that we must build our homes and lives on something steady.

Doto’s family did not have what they needed to build a safe home. But Doto was a part of the Compassion program at his church. His church cares about every child and family, and they learned about Doto’s mud house. They helped Doto’s mom and other parents in their community learn how to make bricks that would last, even during the rainy season. They wanted to show the love of Jesus by helping build a safe home for Doto and his family.

They made thousands of bricks for Doto’s new home and other kids with mud houses, too. And then Doto received a surprise from his Compassion sponsor—a gift that helped his family buy everything they needed to build his new house! Doto learned that it doesn’t just take bricks to build a home. It takes the love of Jesus shown through other people. His church and his sponsor were helping to build Doto’s home on the rock of Jesus’ love, which is secure.

Read the Bible verses for today together.

Ask and Discuss:

Think about the home you live in. How do you feel when you are in it? Does it feel safe?

How would you feel if you were in Doto’s situation, living in an unsafe home?

Just like living in a secure home, knowing Jesus keeps us safe and steady. How can you help others build their life on Jesus’ love?

Pray:

Jesus, thank You for the story of Doto and the safe home he can now live in with his family. Thank you for providing my family and me with a safe and secure home to live in, too. Thank You that I don’t need to feel afraid of anything because You always care for me. Father, knowing You is like living in a safe and sturdy home. You won’t ever let me down. Help me to remember that, especially when I am scared of falling. Help me know how to tell my friends about Your love so they might feel that safety, too. Amen.