DAY FOURTEEN

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Nicole* was a 6th grade student at one of our Child Hope schools in Costa Rica. She set the tone of the room when she walked in. Everyone watched her and followed her lead. Unfortunately, she had a bad attitude and was leading people down the wrong path. She was hindering the other students from learning and growing. Several times we would sit her down and “get on to her” for her bad behavior and attitude, but nothing changed. We learned that she had a rough home life with her dad absent from the scene and her mom a prostitute that sometimes didn’t come home. Nicole was playing the role of caregiver to her five younger siblings. 

After much prayer, we decided to take a different approach with her. We sat down with her and told her how valuable she was. We told her she was a leader and that the other kids followed what she did. We expressed our need for her leadership and help. We told her how much we loved her. The next day Nicole came in happy, hugging us all, and asking us how she could help. 

Once she realized her worth and that she was valued, loved, and wanted, her life changed. The rest of our time with Nicole was fruitful as she helped the others learn and grow. 

The reality is, there are hundreds of stories just like Nicole’s in our Child Hope schools all over Latin America. Let’s pray they find their worth, and know they are loved and can make a difference.

*name changed to protect privacy

Katie Carter - Costa Rica

Prayer: Lord, give us Your eyes to see the worth and value in everyone around us.  Let us understand that there is no one beyond the reach of Your love.  Then let us reach out to them and show them that love in a tangible, caring way.  Amen.