Monica not only lost her parents to AIDS, but inherited the disease from them as well. She’s felt the pain of losing of her family and deep resentment that she was, as a very young person, dealing with an illness that seemed so unfair.
She was fortunate to have been taken into a Christian home in India for HIV-affected children. Still, her struggles remained. She had been extremely ill and fallen behind in school. She also found it difficult to form relationships. Everyone was kind to her in her new home, but Monica was sober and preferred isolation because of her grief. Her world changed dreadfully three years ago when she became an orphan. Though she received excellent care in the Christian home, her deep emotional and spiritual hurts remained unresolved. Then, six months ago, she was introduced to the J127 Orphan Initiative, which Monica and her friends call the “Jesus Fun Club.” This program, developed by David C Cook, meets three days each week, and helps children, like Monica, begin to find healing, restoration and new perspective on life. She put her faith in Jesus and her life is much different today.
Today, Monica is an energetic girl, positive and confident. She went from feeling abandoned and all alone to finding friendships and new hope in Jesus. “I came to know Jesus through this club. I had many bitter things in my heart, but I gave them to Jesus and He forgave me. Now I don’t have fear in my heart, I have a trust that God will take care of me and that He loves me.” You can hear from her directly in a video interview. She discusses a wide range of personal, relational and educational struggles she faces. Yet her progress is obvious. Watch her tell her story in her own words.
The J127 Orphan Initiative takes its name from James 1:27 where Christians are called to care for orphans in their distress. Suzanne is a sponsor of Monica’s J127 club and says, “There are few things that give me more joy than to see someone awakened to hope. Monica’s story of the hope she’s found in Jesus shows me the impact that my sponsorship is having.” The club nurtures orphans in life skills, character development and spiritual formation. David C Cook is working to add 1,000 more children to the program in the next six months. This program works. It changes lives as Monica will tell you. Be part of it. Join the initiative. The next Monica can be an orphan you help free.
Update: In 2018, David C Cook transferred oversight of the J127 clubs to an in-country partner which continues to shepherd and grow this program. By supporting David C Cook’s Life on Life curriculum, you will be helping support this program as well.
