Meet MJ!
MJ is a hard-working and kind 8-year-old boy from South Africa. He lives with his mother, sister, grandmother, and extended family after his father abandoned them at birth. Every day, they face financial hardships, relying solely on his grandmother’s social grant and pension. Much of their income goes toward caring for MJ’s aunt, who struggles with mental illness and frequent strokes. Despite his mother’s efforts to find steady work, job opportunities have been scarce.
At home, MJ does his part by picking up papers and tidying up to help his family. When he’s not lending a hand, he loves learning, writing, and playing soccer with his friends. He also enjoys listening to Bible stories—especially the story of creation and Matthew 6:25.
MJ dreams of becoming a professional soccer player, and with faith and determination, his future is full of promise!
Sponsoring a child like MJ means more than just meeting his basic needs. It’s about encouraging him in the Gospel, investing in his education, and reminding him he is loved and valued. By supporting MJ, you’re not just helping him today — you’re planting seeds of hope and transformation for his future.
How to Pray for MJ!
- Please pray for the safety of MJ and his family. Pray that they would all know and love God.
- Please pray that God will provide the basic needs that MJ and his family need daily.
- Pray that MJ’s mother will find work so she can help provide for the family.
- Lastly, please pray that MJ will be sponsored and that he will be given hope through sponsorship. Pray that God would bring the right sponsor for him and that they would have a strong and lasting relationship. Most importantly, please pray that all this will ultimately lead him to Christ.
A Bit About South Africa!
South Africa is located at the very bottom of Africa and touches the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. Most of South Africa is made up of flat lands and plateaus but also has some mountainous areas. South Africa is a very diverse place having 11 official languages and many more unofficial languages. Sadly, the poverty rate is very high in South Africa and children are often neglected for various reasons.
MJ lives in the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg. It sits on a large grassy plateau and has a low rocky area where water travels into the Indian and Atlantic oceans. It is known as “the city of gold” because it was formed by a gold rush in 1886. The temperature is anywhere from the low 50s to the high 70s, but it can occasionally go below freezing. Drought is common in Johannesburg as they usually only get a bit of rain in summer.
The homes in Johannesburg are very small and often made of brick or corrugated metal sheets. Sadly, lots of people are homeless in Johannesburg and are left waiting and praying for housing.