Page 9 - Annual Report 2019

STORIES OF SUCCESS: TIMOTHY FROM BEGGAR TO PROFESSOR
Timothy was a beggar boy on a railway station platform in India. On the best days, strang- ers took pity on Timothy and gave him morsels to eat. On the worst days, Timothy dug in the trash for food, or even ate noth- ing at all. He had little hope that life would ever change. Little did he know that God cared for him, and that He was preparing a new life for Timothy’s future!
A kind pastor from Flaiz Adven- tist School stood on the plat- form where Timothy lived. As the pastor waited for the train, he glanced around the station. There, he noticed a heartbreak- ing sight. Timothy stood in tat- tered and dirty clothes, obvi- ously hungry. Worst of all, the boy had a look of hopelessness in his eyes. The pastor’s heart melted with compassion and so he approached.
“I know of a place where chil- dren get good food, clothes and a good education,” the pas- tor said. “Children live with a mother and father who love them. It’s called the ICC Sweet Home children’s village. Would you like to live there?”
It sounded like a dream to Timo- thy. In fact, it sounded too good to be true. Although the strang- er had a kind face, Timothy felt
uncertain. He refused, and the pastor hesitantly walked away. Not knowing what else to do, the man said a silent prayer for the homeless child.
A moment later, the train ap- proached. The pastor bent to pick up his briefcase, but it wasn’t on the ground anymore. It was in the arms of Timothy. “Sir, that is our train,” He said. “Let us go.”
The next morning when Timo- thy arrived at the Sweet Home Children’s Village, the staff welcomed him warmly. They quickly found out that he didn’t know his last name, the names of his parents, or the name of the village where his parents lived. He could not remember anything about his family. He had lived on the platform of the railway station ever since the death of his parents.
Fortunately, thanks to generous gifts from the worldwide ICC family, it is possible for the Sweet Home to be a safe haven for chil- dren like Timothy who desperate- ly need a home, a family and an opportunity to go to school.
Timothy grew up in Sweet Home and attended elementary and high school at the Flaiz Adven- tist School. After his high school
graduation, Timothy went to study Theology at Spicer Me- morial College (now called Spicer Adventist University). He received a bachelor degree in 2014 and successfully complet- ed a Master’s Degree in 2016.
Recently Timothy returned to his “home” and joined the Flaiz College as a teacher in the De- partment of Theology. He is now “paying forward” the sup- port given to him by teaching at the same school where he was a student several years before. Timothy is recognized as being a good teacher and a talented preacher.
The kind support of donors made possible a great transfor- mation in Timothy’s life. He is grateful for the prayers and fi- nancial support of his sponsors, as well as the love shown to him from that moment on the train station and onward. Tim- othy stands as an excellent ex- ample of how investment in the life of an ICC child pays forward a wonderful blessing as they give back in a life of service.
You can make a world of dif- ference in the life of an ICC child, such as Timothy. To do- nate or sponsor today, visit InternationalChildrensCare. org or call 800-422-7729.
ICC’S FAMILY MODEL OF CARE
• Family-style homes
• Loving house parents
• K-12 education
• College or technical training
• Healthy diet and lifestyle
• Medical attention as needed • Spiritual guidance
• Therapy and counseling
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