A glimpse of Jesus
“I met an angel…” says Margaret, of Lawrence, a World Vision worker in Uganda.
A journey of escape from conflict in South Sudan soon turned to one where Joel, Margaret’s only son, was fighting for his life.
Frail, malnourished, unable to walk and laying in a corner of their makeshift house, no one – except his mum – expected Joel to live. As his injured leg progressively deteriorated, Margaret was the only one believing in, and praying for, a miracle for nine-year-old Joel. She was seeking God after the darkness of a war which drove them out of South Sudan.
“As everyone fled for safety, my brother-in-law helped to push my son on a bicycle for two days to the Uganda border.”
Joel was immediately identified as needing urgent medical attention, but the family didn’t settle long enough in one place to get the treatment they needed and let the leg heal. Until they arrived at a World Vision resettlement area and met Lawrence.
It’s been a long four years. Lawrence’s determination put Joel on the road to recovery after his diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis. But Lawrence also gave Joel his life back. With no school in the remote area where Margaret was finally able to settle, Lawrence worked to set up a Child Friendly Space for Joel and other children to play, learn and have fun. Giving children back their childhood.
Joel says that Lawrence is his hero.
“He saved me. I can’t thank him enough. He enabled me to join school again, play football and visit my friends.”
As 2021 ends, we give thanks that Joel survived and is now thriving. He’s one of many thousands of refugee children that has been helped with food, water, healthcare and education – thanks to you and others like you.
