You Never Know What The Tide Will Bring
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A few weeks ago – I had the great pleasure of speaking with George Howell– a longstanding member of the COU family. George shared the most remarkable story with me – one that has inspired me since we chatted. Many years ago – 21 to be exact – he received a letter at his office from Uganda.
Given that George did not know anyone there – he was quite intrigued. He opened the letter and discovered a mother’s plea from across the Atlantic. To this day – George has no idea how this Ugandan mother found him or his office address. Regardless, he read her letter with genuine interest. She described a desperate situation – having two children and no source of income. She pleaded with George to help her family in whatever way he could.
With all the scams that go on – one might think he would have thrown that letter away and not given it another thought. However, George was deeply moved by her words and believed her – something that speaks volumes about him and his heart. Soon after, he mentioned receiving the letter to a colleague at his law firm. One day that same co-worker came to George’s office to share something rather miraculous. He had seen a riveting performance at his church from a group of young Ugandan orphans and he shared the name of the organization with George.
George looked up the group online – Children of Uganda – and called the office. He explained everything and asked for help in verifying the mother’s story. Within a few weeks – the COU office called him back and confirmed that they had found the family. Everything the mother wrote was true – the family was desperate for a good Samaritan to help uplift and support them in any way possible.
Our team on the ground recruited the children into our education program and they were supported through university. George has actually lost count of the number ofCOU kids he has invested in over the last two decades, but he is staunchly committed to investing in vulnerable children through the best education possible.
And one of the most fascinating aspects of this incredible story is that George never asked how that woman found him and he shared with me that he doesn’t need to know. He knew then and now that his calling to invest in Ugandan youth was sealed the day he opened that letter.
Indeed you never know what the tide will bring and how trusting your instinct can change lives – yours and others.
Such a spectacular story of love and service! We are so very grateful to George for his many years of sponsorship and the countless lives he has impacted since 2002.
Thank you, George! You are one of our legacy makers and we offer profound thanks for being a most beloved member of our family.
