Becoming a Channel of Blessing in an Old Age

Ellyana Ayal, who is known as Oma Jethro, joined the Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) Child Sponsorship Program since 2017 when WVI made a presentation at GPIB Petrus Jakarta, a place where she became a congregation. Encouraged by a very difficult childhood experience, this 68-year-old woman steadily took part as a sponsor for a child in Sentani, Papua.

“I used to find it difficult to go to school. In my childhood, even though I was in Bogor, I had to walk about 3 km every day, It was very far. By seeing the presentation from WVI at church, I immediately remembered my childhood memory and I saw that there were still many children in remote areas who felt the same way, even more, difficult than I felt before," she recalled.

Retirement age does not prevent the Grandma of these two grandchildren from being a channel of blessing. She has set aside the blessings in old age she also receives from her children to provide monthly donation support to WVI's child representatives. She said, “Even though currently I am limited to only sponsoring one sponsor child. Hope to sponsor more children."

The Annual Progress Report received every year brings joy to him. Thanks to this report, he claims to know the development of his children's representatives from year to year. Seeing the photos of the child also made him happy.

In her daily life, Ellyana is also active in church services.

"After retiring, I am currently busy with taking part in the Church's Elderly Fellowship category service. Also, participate in the Service Meeting at the church," she explained.

Ellyana hopes that WVI can continue to reach children in areas that are still in need. Likewise to every representative of WVI children, she advised, "For all children, I hope you to stay enthusiastic, be more active and most importantly always hope and pray in achieving their dreams."

Written by: Easter Simanungkalit, Sponsor Engagement Executive