By Wendy Clark
Our wonderful donors often amaze and inspire us. Sometimes, these supporters are young people who want to make a difference in the lives of orphans, thinking about others rather than themselves.
One such donor, Emily Will, age 11, has a heart for others in need.
Earlier this year, Emily’s parents sat down with her and her brother Peter to discuss ways to make birthdays less about themselves and more about gratitude and helping other people. Her parents were influenced by the advice from a much-published Christian author named Ellen White, who penned, “Upon their birthdays, instead of calling their attention to themselves by giving them presents, teach them to come with an offering to God.” *
They agreed to request that family and friends donate money to a cause rather than buy presents for the kids or give them money to spend on themselves. Her parents suggested a few charity options.
Emily said, “I just read the book called A Leap of Faith, and I want to give the money to ICC.”
A fifth-grade homeschool student, Emily has always loved reading. A Leap of Faith, by ICC co-founder Alcyon Fleck, is the origin story of ICC. It tells how God protected the Fleck family as they stepped out in faith to care for orphans in Guatemala during a time of brutal civil war.
Emily’s parents agreed and contacted ICC to tour the headquarters building in Vancouver, Washington. At ICC, she learned about some of the more pressing needs at children’s villages such as the need for additional homes for orphans at Patmos Children’s Village in the DR Congo. She decided to direct her birthday money to this cause. Her father, Nicholas Will, remembers that she was happy to visit the ICC offices and proud to be part of a project helping the orphans.
Emily enjoyed celebrating her 11th birthday with a small group of family and friends. She was able to experience the joy and blessing of giving which comes from knowing, in Jesus’ words, “If you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.”
See next month’s Que Pasa for a story about another amazing young donor.
- RH, December 23, 1884 par. 6
