Get the appA Global Advent: 25 Stories of God With Us Around the WorldSample
For most of us, toilets might not be something that causes us to jump with joy. But for a community in Mexico, building new washrooms was a big cause for celebration.
Emmanuel Church in Yucatan, Mexico, became a Compassion church partner in early 2020. The church established Pan de Vida (Bread of Life) Child Development Centre. Pastor Apolinario was delighted by the opportunity to reach out to his church’s community.
Soon, the need for larger, cleaner and safer washrooms in their community emerged. Over half the world’s population lack access to safely managed sanitation facilities. But when communities gain safe washrooms, improvements in health, safety, and dignity are immediately evident.
This was a big need for a small church serving in a poverty-stricken community. Pastor Apolinario gathered the church members to inform them about the need and ask for their support. They agreed, and, together, made an action plan to raise the necessary funds and carry out the construction of these facilities.
Despite their little income, each member agreed to contribute what they could. Some gave money, some donated construction materials, and others volunteered their time and energy in the construction process.
Soon after, Compassion’s Partnership Facilitator heard about the project and secured funding from generous Compassion donors in order to come alongside and supplement the church’s efforts.
Photo Caption: Compassion child Victoria stands in the centre’s newly constructed washrooms.
Today the children in the community have access to new and safe washrooms, improving hygiene practices and disease prevention.
“Now that I look back, at first, it seemed impossible to get the resources to be able to develop this initiative. But once more, I verified that God always finds ways to mobilize people’s hearts when the work is for His Kingdom,” Pastor Apolinario says.
Does your community have a need that seems impossible? How can you trust God with it today?
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About this Plan
Many of us will not travel to every corner of the world except through stories. Stories transport us into countries, communities, churches, and homes we may never visit. In this global Advent, you are invited into the stories of children around the world who have experienced God with them. In their stories, you will see how Christ's hope, peace, joy, and love are still vibrantly expressed in our world.
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