In August 2004 at New Wine, Shepton Mallet, young Jamie Kirkham from the Isle of Man sponsored one of our precious children. His mother, Jan was soon moved to sponsor a second child. Wonderful! But that was just the beginning. Like a mustard seed, it grew…
When the tsunami hit the Tamil Nadu coast a year ago and John Arul’s Love and Care team began to rescue survivors, one family after another on the island contacted Jan about
sponsoring a child, while others were moved to give to help the tsunami orphans.
In July, the Marown Youth Group raised £635 through a sponsored bicycle ride. The gift went towards the roof and doors for the new toilet block which was being built at the Madurai orphanage. Until then, the younger children had to use an open field…
A month later, local teacher and sponsor, Barbara Walker, joined the Child-Link team led by Diana Butchers. On her return, Barbara gave heart-rending presentations of her trip to India wherever she could. 7 year old Ciara, one of her pupils, was even inspired to write a thank you letter to John Arul.
‘We were deeply moved when we saw how much care the children were being given through the Love and Care team,’ said Jan Kirkham, ‘but our hearts were also broken as we realised how much more help was needed.’
Within days the rest of the children and staff at St Mary’s school, Douglas, responded by holding a ‘Bring and Buy’ sale which raised £613 for the Christmas Clothes Fund and
£500 was raised the next day at a Car Boot sale run by the Marown Youth Group (these guys are awesome!).
Another couple who were having their son christened requested that donations be given to Child-Link, and a sponsor family gave a further £380. Meanwhile the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service have promised a generous donation for Child-Link at their annual presentation this Christmas.
Through all this activity, Child-Link has featured in local papers on several occasions , and the island is now buzzing with the stories of our children. Already 14 are sponsored by Manx families!
‘It has been such a humbling but wonderful experience,’ Jan added. ‘We are looking forward to Pastor John’s visit to us in the spring and our prayer is that the Lord would continue to bless the work and more people may be touched by the Spirit to give generously. Who knows where all this will lead?’
For more details, contact Jan Kirkham on 01624 851447 or jankirkham@manx.net.
