The real journey started back in 2008, when Krystal and David John decided to sponsor a child. "After we got married we had finished our undergraduate degrees and started full-time work so we could afford to sponsor another child in our first year of marriage" Krystal said. They wanted to support a child in Eastern Africa, where they had both previously visited so received the folder of a little boy in Northern Uganda. His name was Daniel and at the time he was nine.
Two years later, they spent six months in Uganda, "We were volunteering with a small NGO in Uganda and we were so close to our sponsor child, Daniel that we couldn't waste the opportunity. A six hour bus ride was nothing in the scheme of things" said Krystal.
The World Vision Program Manager sought them out after their arrival and spent time thanking them for their support and answering questions they had about the Child Sponsorship Program and how it worked to support the development of the whole community.
They soon realised that they wouldn't just be 'slipping in' unnoticed. Not only were they the first white people to visit Daniel's family, they were actually the first World Vision sponsors to visit the district.
World Vision Uganda had organised a full day of activity, including time at two local schools and a local health centre – all supported by World Vision Australia.
When finally introduced to Daniel, they were told that he was ranked fifth out of more than one hundred students in his year. He was a very bright child that was taking full advantage of the opportunities World Vision was giving him. "Daniel told us that he really loves computers. He's never actually used one" Krystal said smiling," but he wants to study hard and one day work with them."
After visiting Daniel's school, the real fun began, "We climbed into a car together and made our way to his home. It was a real adventure, we drove down bumpy dirt tracks and overgrown paths full of anticipation, waiting to see where he lived and to meet his family" she said.
As they got acquainted with Daniel's family, more and more people started to arrive. A community party had begun and they were the honoured guests. They felt overwhelmed by all the attention they had already received, but there was more to come.
Krystal and David were seated in their 'plush' chairs, surrounded by the rest of the community and then trays of food started to arrive. Krystal recalled that in Daniel's letters, he spoke of loving Christmas because it was the only time they got to eat chicken and rice. This wasn't Christmas, but here before them was a table full of food; chicken, rice, green vegetables and cassava. It was a feast. This incredibly generous gesture was both humbling and challenging at the same time.
This family and their community were so proud to be receiving guests from Australia, that they wanted to bless them with the very best they had to offer.
After the meal, Krystal and David gave Daniel and his family their small gifts of appreciation. A soccer ball and a pump for Daniel, rice, sugar, biscuits, a tea towel and some kangaroo key chains. Although small, these gifts were all gratefully received with much joy and excitement and before they could start to say their good-byes they were in for another shock.
"We had reached the part of the visit where we were preparing to leave, the family gave me the biggest surprise of my life when Daniel walked over carrying a chicken in his arms – holding it out for Dave to take" she said. "Daniel proceeded to fetch a beautiful goat on a leash and bring it over, then back again with a bag of fruit and dried beans. This was way too much by any standards, apart from anything, we had to take a six hour bus ride back to Kampala - the goat just couldn't come with us. Besides, I just couldn't take a goat from a family here in principal. I buy goats from the Smiles Gift Catalogue to donate to these families". Krystal said.
"I was feeling very confused and challenged by the depth of generosity I was experiencing. It was clear there would be no refusing the chicken, especially after leaving the goat behind. So we shook hands as warmly as we could and thanked them from the bottom of our hearts. No words would ever be enough and so it didn't really matter that we spoke different languages!" It was a modern day reminder of the lesson of the widow's generosity, found in Mark 12:41-44.
As Krystal and David commenced their bus trip back to Kampala, they received very amused looks from the other passengers as they lovingly nursed their new 'pet' chicken that went on to serve as a daily reminder of Daniel for the rest of their time in Uganda. The chicken now lives with their Ugandan friends and she provides them with eggs and many baby chicks; passing on their blessing, another family has been given a source of food and income.
"My time in Uganda has changed me in many ways, we found many Ugandans very giving of their time - there was a strong emphasis on communication and hospitality and that can often be missed here in Australia as we are a very time-poor society". Krystal reflects "The consequence of this is that we often do not look outside our own families, immediate needs and schedules. Coming back to Australia has made me keen to both join, and try to establish, a greater sense of community."
Krystal and Daniel's sponsor visit confirmed that they made the right decision to sponsor a child. They felt so blessed to meet him, his family and community, to have amazing experiences and memories. They were also pleased to know that their contribution is making a huge difference, not just to Daniel, but his whole community.
Their letters to Daniel are now far more meaningful, as they can remember and picture him, his family and his community sitting in the back yard of Daniel's home, generously opening their arms of welcome to them.
Krystal John has now started work at World Vision Australia in January 2011 as a graduate, whilst David is working as a doctor at the Alfred Hospital.
To see information and photos of children in need of sponsorship, visit the World Vision website.