By Jennifer Stymiest
Amina is 11 years old. She lives with her parents, two brothers, and a sister in the Middle East. Their house is made of wooden boards and plastic tarps. Their roof is made of metal sheets that rattle when the wind blows. Their home is not very big. Everyone sleeps close together at night.
Years ago, Amina’s family had to leave their village because it was not safe. Her father found work on a farm. It does not pay much. Amina’s parents do their best, but life is still not easy.
For years, Amina watched other children walk to school every morning. They wore clean uniforms. They carried backpacks filled with books. Amina wanted to be one of them more than anything. But her family could not afford school fees or supplies. Amina wondered whether she would ever learn to read or write.
Amina and her family prayed for a way to send Amina to school.
A New Beginning
One day, Amina’s family heard about a nearby Learning Center that was supported by ADRA. It made school possible for children whose families could not pay. They decided to send Amina to the school.
When Amina first stepped inside the Learning Center, everything felt new. There were desks, pencils, and notebooks ready for the students. For the first time, Amina had school supplies of her own.
Amina was not the only one who had missed years of school. Many of the children in her class had faced hard things too. Together, they encouraged one another.
Learning and Growing
Amina began studying math, reading, and writing. Learning was a joy. Every day, Amina came home excited to share what she had learned. She was proud to show her family her finished work. Amina also enjoyed drawing and coloring pictures in her notebook.
Each lesson gave Amina new hope for a brighter future. Day by day, her confidence grew. Amina’s parents were glad. They knew that going to school gave Amina more than education. It gave her self-respect. It gave her faith that life could be better.
God’s Faithfulness
The Bible says, “Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed. We can trust God to do what He promised” (Hebrews 10:23, ICB).
Amina’s story shows God’s promises in action. God promises to care for His children. God gives them hope. Sometimes God keeps His promises through people and organizations who serve in His name. For Amina, ADRA’s Learning Center was an answer to prayer.
God is faithful. His promises do not fail. Amina had to wait many years before she could attend school. But when the time came, God provided.
What About You?
You may not live in the Middle East, but you can still learn from Amina’s story.
• Amina longed for the chance to go to school. Have you ever longed for something good and had to wait?
• Amina discovered that she was not forgotten. What promise of God reminds you that He remembers you, too?
• God uses ADRA to help fulfill His promise to care for His children. How might God use you to help someone else?
Activity: Promise Jar
Here’s a fun way to remember God’s promises.
Find a jar at home and label it “God’s Promises.” Each week, write down one of God’s promises from the Bible on a small piece of paper and place it inside the jar. For example: “God is my helper” (Hebrews 13:6, ICB) or “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20, ICB).
You can also write down moments when you see how God keeps His promises. These could be an answer to prayer, a new friendship, or a special blessing.
Every few weeks, open the jar and read some of the papers out loud. You will be reminded that God is faithful and always keeps His word.
If you like, you can also add coins to the jar. Later, you can give them to ADRA to help other children around the world see God’s promises fulfilled in their lives.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises. Thank You for helping children like Amina. Thank You for reminding us that You are faithful. Please use us to share Your love with others. Help us believe Your promises every day. Amen.
