Since the day children at the Compassion center in Anie, Togo received their first Bibles, their lives have been changing. From learning to listen to God to finding identity in him, they’re discovering a beautiful truth: The Bible isn’t just a book — it’s living and transformative.
Here, six Compassion kids share the lessons they’re learning and how the Living Word is transforming their lives.
Grace: Listening to God
When 9-year-old Grace’s friends or family would do something to make her angry, she would often physically fight back. Since receiving her Bible and studying it, her perspective has shifted.
Grace knows God wants her to be patient, so she no longer responds violently to those around her. Instead, she listens to God by reading her Bible and paying close attention when his Word is shared in church. Grace desires to follow God’s ways so she can please him with her actions.
“My favorite Bible character is Joseph, because he listens to God and does exactly what God instructs him to do. I want to be like Joseph and obey God so that God can use me according to his will.” — Grace
Grace says her favorite Bible verse is John 1:1 (NIV): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Merveille: Relying on God’s Protection
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” — Mark 10:14, NIV
This is 10-year-old Merveille’s favorite verse, and it has profoundly shaped her. Once harsh, she would fight to hurt others when she felt they wronged her. But in reading this verse, Merveille began to see that every child has the right to be close to Jesus, including her.
He will care for and protect her — she is in his hands.
Now, Merveille doesn’t respond violently to the teasing or unkindness of others. Instead, she chooses humility, patience and love. Merveille places her trust in God, believing he is her Protector.
Reine: Finding Confidence in God
Sixteen-year-old Reine loves the Bible because it guides her daily life in both big ways and small. In the past, her lack of self-confidence made her angry and unsociable. As she read and studied her Bible, she gained confidence in God, which changed how she treated those around her.
“The Bible verse that says, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mark 12:31) made me understand that I had to show the love of God to everyone.” — Reine
Through her study of Scripture, Reine has also witnessed God’s faithfulness in the smaller things. During a recent exam, she was anxious after forgetting an answer to a question.
“I panicked. Then I remembered Exodus 14:14 (NIV), which says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ This verse helped me regain my confidence, and I remembered what I forgot.” — Reine
As Reine leans on God’s Word, she’s discovering a steady confidence that inspires how she loves and lives each day.
“Before I had a Bible of my own, I thought it was just a book to read. I am grateful to the center for providing me with one. With the help of our teachers from the center, I learned to read the Bible, and I discovered that it helps us to meditate on the Word of God.” — Reine
Mathias: Growing With God
“Through the Bible, I deepened my knowledge of Scripture and my walk with Christ.” — Mathias
Studying the Bible brings us closer to the heavenly Father — and no one knows this better than 16-year-old Mathias.
Before receiving a Bible, Mathias couldn’t read fluently. He also wasn’t a Christian and refused to go to church when invited. After receiving his Bible, he started using it to practice his reading. And as he did, God began to speak to his heart.
With each Bible story he read and verse he memorized, Mathias’ reading improved, and he developed a personal relationship with Jesus. He even learned how to pray.
“I am grateful to God for allowing me to receive a Bible at the center. I don’t need a pastor to serve as a medium between God and me. I know how to relate to God on my own! It is good to go to church and belong to God, because on the last day we will meet in heaven.” — Mathias
Marie: Sharing God With Others
Thirteen-year-old Marie knew nothing about God. Sadly, neither did her mother. But when Marie received her first Bible at the Compassion center, both of their lives began to change.
As Marie read the Scriptures and grew in her relationship with Jesus, she was inspired to share her experience with her mother. The two started reading Marie’s Bible together at home. Soon, her mother accepted Jesus as her Savior too!
Borise: Finding Identity in God
Sixteen-year-old Borise used to believe she was worth very little. Her view of herself caused her to neglect her appearance, fail to care for her body and react with anger toward those around her.
But when Borise received a Bible, she discovered who she truly was — loved by God and made in his image. Her newfound identity began to reshape her life. Borise’s attitude softened. She started caring for her body and carrying herself with confidence.
With the Bible in hand and Jesus in her heart, Borise is learning to live as someone valued by God, inside and out.
Nothing fills a child’s heart with hope more than knowing God treasures them. That’s why Compassion center staff give Bibles to every child — because they all deserve to know God’s love.
A single Bible creates many stories of transformation — a truth evidenced by young disciples Grace, Merveille, Reine, Mathias, Marie and Borise.
“We have noticed a lot of impact on the lives of the participants of the program thanks to the Bibles we have distributed. I am so impressed by how the Word of God can transform lives.” — Dieudonne, Compassion social worker
The Word of God is living and active. And its impact extends beyond each child. As children begin to live what they read, their lives transform. That transformation overflows into their families and communities, changing the world one child at a time.
