I first met this 11-year-old, 7th-grade girl, during my first visit to Nigeria in 2014, when she was an 18-month-old toddler who had recently survived a terrorist attack, which I wrote about here.
HEAL missionaries found Scholastica and her sister, Fustina, as refugees on the road fleeing the attack and took them in as orphans at the Compassionate Home in Umuagwu village.
Why do I say Self-Emptying (cf. Phil 2:6-11) saved Scholastica?
Because, without Deacon Leo Okonkwo’s covenant with God to serve indigent children, which inspired many young missionaries to follow him, who would have found and delivered Scholastica from her tribulation?
Rev. Leo explains, “In my youth, I provided for the welfare of my family by accepting bonded servitude, an experience of radical Self-Emptying which gave birth to my priestly vocation and mission of forming less fortunate youth into future Servant Leaders.”
Ten years later, Scholastica is a dynamic young 7th grader making a positive impact among her peers. On her formation she says, “Rev. Leo taught us how to receive and give love and that those who love Christ not only receive it for themselves but also give it to others.”
I count YOU as one who has blessed Scholastica’s life by heeding HEAL’s call to Self-Emptying discipleship! Today, she serves her boarding student peers with joy in various ways.
On a skill she acquired in the years after her rescue, Scholastica says, “I learned to cook over a wood fire from the missionaries in Umuagwu, and now I’m happy to prepare and serve meals to my classmates.”
Without your past support, Scholastica’s future would be much bleaker than it is today. And, without your CONTINUED support, the future of Scholastica’s school is not guaranteed!
Here’s the impact your gift can have:
- $30 feeds a child for one week.
- $30/month feeds a child for one week every month.
- $60 educates a child for one month
- $60/month educates a child every day of every month!
On behalf of Scholatica and her 160 classmates, thank you in advance for whatever Self-Empyting sacrifice you make!