A children’s Bible class at the Church of Christ in Champions in Houston, Texas, is working hard to improve the lives of Haitian children. In 2023, the children’s Bible class at Champions began sponsoring a Haitian student through the Hope for Haiti’s Children child sponsorship program. Students bring their change each week and work to raise the $36 per month to support their sponsored child. For this sponsorship, the Haitian child receives an education, school uniform, medical checkup, and a daily meal. The Bible class has received information about their child, including a name and a photograph. The sponsored child is appropriately named Baby Love. Through this connection, the class has fallen in love with their sponsored student and feels a strong obligation to meet the education needs of this child.
This commitment and love was shown during a recent fundraiser organized by one of the students. Cece Johnston is an 8-year-old member of the Champions Bible class. Her compassion and love for their sponsored child motivated her to organize a churchwide fundraiser for their Haitian student. When asked why she wanted to set up the fundraiser, Cece said, “My mom and I were talking on a long car ride one day. I had a thought about caring for others and how I could do something to help. Then I thought of Baby Love because we always forget to put money in the jars at church for her. We decided to have a fundraiser and have boys vs. girls to make it fun to help Baby Love get money for food and clothes and to go to school. I felt like God put it on my heart to help!”
The fundraising event took place on Saturday, November 16. Cece selected the date, organized the meal, designed the program, and created and distributed the invitations. Her fellow students contributed art projects that were offered for sale, and the proceeds went to support Baby Love. There was also a contest between the Bible class boys and girls to raise the most money for Baby Love. Ultimately, the girls won, raising more than twice the amount as the boys. Cece also served as the master of ceremonies. After all the money was counted, CeCe’s event raised over $1900 for Baby Love and some additional needy children in Haiti.
At the end of the evening, Hope for Haiti’s Children presented Cece with a backpack and hoodie in honor of her excellent work.
Cece and her classmates’ tender hearts are a testimony to the character and compassion of this class and an inspiration to all.
