Letter to Patty from Sofia

Dearest Patty,

I pray all is well with you and your family, I am so pleased to share with you a little testimony of something that I was able to do at my church in Bromley (London) because of the influence that Touchdown Camp had on me back in 2016 when I then served with you.

As a church, we had the opportunity to partner with Compassion UK. We organized a trip to Rwanda since we funded a Sanitation Block for one of the projects there and we also sponsor altogether 62 children.

Sofia Monterroso and the Rwanda children

In November of 2019, 10 members of BCC the Church and I were able to visit the Sanitation project, we also toured the different projects that we have supported, visit our sponsored children in Rwanda and establish how else we can help.

Before the departure I felt like there was a “missing link” that was necessary in order to connect the members of the church and those going on the trip to Rwanda.

The purpose of this “missing link” was to include in the trip and give an opportunity to our church family to "come with us" and contribute in making a difference.

I remember thinking to myself; “Is there anything that we could do together to bless the children and the people over there?”

That’s when I remembered Touch Down Camp. I remember how much I liked the idea of people going out of their way to Target or any other sort of supermarket to buy backpacks and school materials for those who are in need. Such a simple, yet great idea and act of service to provide that which is basic for every child that so easily includes people from in, and outside of the church.

Therefore, we ran for 4 weeks a campaign called “The Back-Pack Project” where we encouraged everyone to buy backpacks and all sorts of school materials (we provided a list), sports equipment since we were visiting different projects/schools and we also gave people the option to donate and raise money for this cause.

Mission Trip to Rwanda

Rwanda 2019 Mission Trip from BCC The Church on Vimeo.

At the end of the 4 weeks, we raised around £2200. We took with us 125 backpacks – 88 filled with school materials plus 37 empty backpacks with extra school materials in bulk, and also all sorts of sports equipment.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this email, I am so please to share with you the news since I want to encourage you because at the end, you never know how much your creative ideas birthed out of goodwill can influence and bless others beyond your circle.

Thank you Patty, for all the work you and your team do, and thank you for inspiring me to do likewise in other parts of the world. Keep up the good work and may God keep on blessing you all so that you continue to bless others.

Kindest regards,

Sofi