God is my refuge
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Ten-year-old Alex lives near the city of Villavicencio in Colombia. Alex’s overwhelming memory of early childhood is the feeling of hunger. His mother, Mireya, brought up Alex and his six brothers and sisters by herself. Not able to work due her health, the older children helped provide a small income, but slowly they got married and had families of their own to support. This left Mireya struggling to put food on the table for Alex and his younger sister Jemena. “Once, Alex was so sad because we had no food. I told him to pray to God and he went to his bed, where he usually prays, and implored God, among tears, to help us,” Mireya recalls.
God answered Alex’s prayers and two years ago, Alex and Jemena were both registered at a church-based Compassion project. This brought hope to the family. “It is a great blessing for me [to know] the care that my children receive at the project. I know they learn good things there. It is also a blessing the food they receive at the project; there are many times when at home I do not have food for them, so I feel better knowing they will receive lunch there,” says Mireya. For Alex, “what I like the most at the project is to learn about the Bible and God. I also really like the lunch at the project; my favourite meal is red beans, rice, beef and juice.”
Alex has an excellent memory and enjoys reciting Bible verses, his favourite is Psalm 23. This Psalm has taught Alex that, despite the poverty that surrounds him, God is his refuge and is always guiding him along the right path. Alex has big dreams and wants to become a professional football player. Over everything he wants to serve and trusts that God will help him in achieving these goals.
Prayer:
Lord God, we pray today for children around the world who don’t have enough to eat. We ask that you will help us to be good stewards of the resources we’ve been given. Amen.
