I thought my mother was going to die: CCB Podcast Special Series - Jonathan's Story Part 5

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast

Episode: I Thought My Mother Was Going to Die: CCB Podcast Special Series - Jonathan's Story Part 5
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Candace Cameron Bure (CandyRock)
Guest: Jonathan

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Introduction: Navigating Life's Roller Coaster Together

In this poignant episode of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, host Candace Cameron Bure delves deep into Jonathan's compelling narrative as part of the special Compassion series. Emphasizing the importance of community and shared struggles, Candace sets the stage by highlighting the tumultuous times many face, such as natural disasters and personal hardships. She underscores the podcast's mission to foster conversations about living with kindness, class, and purpose, encouraging listeners to join hands in making a positive impact.

Jonathan's Early Life and Struggles

Jonathan opens up about his challenging upbringing, marked by frequent confrontations and the pervasive presence of gangs in his neighborhood.

Jonathan [00:59]: "I was involved in a lot of fighting in my ghetto because every two blocks I had to fight with a group of boys who were in a gang."

His environment was fraught with violence, which took a toll on both him and his family. Jonathan recounts the constant fear and instability that shadowed his childhood, making daily life a battle.

Introduction to the Compassion Program

Amidst this chaos, a beacon of hope emerged through the Compassion program offered by a local church. Jonathan's mother, deeply concerned for her son's safety and well-being, took a proactive step to seek assistance.

Jonathan [01:45]: "So my mother applied... and we got into this Compassion program, which I didn't know what that was."

The program provided essential resources such as school uniforms, shoes, food, and educational support, alleviating some of the immediate pressures his family faced.

Impact on Jonathan and His Mother

The support from Compassion had a profound effect on Jonathan's family. It not only addressed their material needs but also lifted a significant emotional burden from his mother's shoulders.

Jonathan [04:00]: "Having those two meals, as you said, it was a big burden lifted on her shoulders."

At just seven years old, Jonathan experienced firsthand the alleviation of his family's struggles, allowing his mother to breathe easier knowing that at least one meal a day was now secured.

Jonathan's Behavior and Transformation

Despite the newfound support, Jonathan grappled with behavioral challenges. The initial period in the church and Compassion program was tumultuous, characterized by fighting and misbehavior.

Jonathan [04:03]: "I am involved in fights... I am running out of the church... I was arguing a lot, misbehaving."

However, his mother recognized the potential of the program and the opportunities it presented, urging him to see beyond his immediate frustrations.

Jonathan [05:08]: "She asked a question. She told me once, do you remember you almost lost the best opportunity of your life?"

Reflecting on these moments, Jonathan acknowledges the critical role the program played in redirecting his path towards a more positive and purposeful future.

The Role of Grace and Community Support

Candace and Jonathan delve into the concept of grace, emphasizing that the support provided was not just financial but deeply rooted in unconditional love and acceptance.

Jonathan [06:04]: "We didn't deserve grace. We didn't deserve Christ, and yet he died on the cross for us without us being his enemies."

The Compassion program exemplifies this grace by consistently providing support and love, regardless of Jonathan's initial resistance or behavior.

Long-term Relationship with Sponsor

A significant aspect of Jonathan's journey is his enduring relationship with his sponsor, Jamie. Through 14 years of letter writing, Jonathan and Jamie cultivated a meaningful connection that transcended mere financial assistance.

Jonathan [07:00]: "I have 14 years of letter writing back and forth with my sponsor."

This bond highlights the importance of sustained, personal engagement in fostering genuine change and support.

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

As the episode concludes, Candace reiterates the impactful role of Compassion and encourages listeners to join the movement to support children like Jonathan. She emphasizes that true compassion goes beyond monetary contributions, advocating for active involvement and spreading the gospel through community support.

Candace: "Go to Candice.com and click where it says the word compassion. You'll see more about my story and be able to change the life of someone like Jonathan."

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Key Takeaways:

• Community Support is Transformative: Jonathan's story underscores how structured support systems, like the Compassion program, can drastically alter the trajectory of a young person's life.

• Grace Beyond Measures: The essence of grace lies in unconditional love and sustained support, not just financial aid.

• Personal Connections Matter: Long-term relationships, such as the one between Jonathan and his sponsor Jamie, play a crucial role in personal development and healing.

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to actively participate in making a difference through Compassion, emphasizing that collective efforts can lead to meaningful change.

This episode serves as a testament to the power of community, grace, and unwavering support in overcoming life's most daunting challenges. Through Jonathan's heartfelt narrative, listeners are inspired to reflect on their own capacities to contribute positively to the lives of others.

Transcript

[Candice]

Life is like a roller coaster, but it's so much better when we go through it together. It's true. We are better together. And this season, I'm asking our podcast community to do something together to make a difference in the world. There are hard things going on around us. Hurricanes, floods, fires, people hurting. And as followers of Jesus, we show up in the hard stuff and we build relationships with people who need us. We give. Each week I'm bringing you a short piece of an interview with a special guest. And each week you'll hear more about what we can do together. These are short episodes, less than 10 minutes, so come join us. So you didn't join a gang, did you? Join a gang? Like when?

[Jonathan]

Yeah.

[Candice]

When did Compassion come into your life?

[Jonathan]

Yeah, thanks, God. I didn't. I wanted. And I was involved in a lot of fighting in my ghetto because every two blocks I had to fight with a group of boys who were in a gang. And that's a great question because actually my mother was worried about the reality and she. The boy who lent me the uniform, he was a sponsored child. We didn't know. So his mother talked to my mom and said, my son is attending this local church, like an after school program. After school, he goes there and they provided him with the school uniform and shoes and food and all that. And that was exactly what I needed. And so my mother applied. Maybe two weeks passed and we were. Someone from the church came to our home and said that we got in. I. I got into this Compassion program, which I didn't know what that was.

[Candice]

I was gonna say your mom. I'm assuming your mom was probably so happy, but did you understand what that even meant?

[Jonathan]

We didn't. We didn't. She was really happy. I think, I think she knew.

[Candice]

Yeah.

[Jonathan]

Because we saw the neighbor with the Jews, the school supplies and all that which I needed. So she was really, really excited. But she didn't understand how a blessing or in life changing that was to. To me eventually, yeah. The only thing we knew, it was like a Sunday Bible school, but through the week. So we will come. I will attend the church three times a week and they will provide for me two meals a day. Got my very first, my very first school supply, school uniform, school supplies. And my mother now only had to worry for one meal through the day.

[Candice]

Right. That was big burden lifted.

[Jonathan]

Big burden off of her.

[Candice]

Yeah. And how old are you when you.

[Jonathan]

Got Now I'm seven.

[Candice]

Seven. Okay.

[Jonathan]

Seven years old. I got into this local church, now that you mentioned a big birthday. I Reflect. She was bleeding at night normally, and I didn't know why. One of the things growing up in poverty is that I was aware of death beyond what you will want a child to be aware of. Seeing my mom bleeding through the night, through the nose make me aware she's gonna die. Like, that's not normal. You don't bleed through the nose at night. That's not normal. And it was a stress. She had no tumor, anything in the brain, just stress. And having those two meals, as you said, it was a big burden that.

[Candice]

It was lifted on her shoulders.

[Jonathan]

She was released. And now I'm in this local church. And the reason I mentioned that I wanted to be part of the game is because my very first reaction in this local church with loving people, all these resources, was fighting. I'm fighting every day. I am involved in fights. I'm running out of the church. In the times that I am supposed to be in the church. I am, you know, sadly involved in all these fightings with everybody. Other kids. I wasn't physically fighting with the tutors, but I was arguing a lot, misbehaving. And those are things that now I feel so embarrassed and sad. The way my mother reflect on this reality moment of my life. She asked a question. She told me once, do you remember you almost lost the best opportunity of your life? And. And now that I look back, she's right.

[Candice]

Yeah.

[Jonathan]

I don't know if. If I'm very sure people listening to us might relate. Relate with the reality that we. We sometimes don't behave the way we should. And sometimes we are not thankful the way we should be thankful.

[Candice]

But isn't it amazing that God still keeps the door open for us?

[Jonathan]

That's.

[Candice]

So even if we don't walk through it that one time that, you know, he has, he still gives us more opportunities to keep walking through.

[Jonathan]

Amen.

[Candice]

So when did you. Yeah. You didn't miss the opportunity. Tell me more about that.

[Jonathan]

I'm thankful that you mentioned that because the way the church loved me was the gospel to me. Just like you said, we didn't deserve grace. We didn't deserve Christ, and yet he died on the cross for us without us being his enemies.

[Candice]

Yeah.

[Jonathan]

And yet we receive a grace that we didn't deserve. In a practical way, this local church provided grace to me. And that's what I want people to understand about compassion and sponsoring children and serving overseas. This is beyond just supporting sending money to a child in need. It's beyond just your credit card, sending funds.

[Candice]

Sure.

[Jonathan]

Or just writing letters I'm gonna get into the letters in a moment, but it's about joining God and a local church in need, serving children in need, spreading the gospel to these children. And that's exactly what the church did to me for these seven years, five years. They never get tired of me. They continue giving me love.

[Candice]

Pouring into you.

[Jonathan]

And one of the ways was my sponsor Jamie. I have here 14 years of letter writing back and forth with my sponsor. And I don't know people still use letters here.

[Candice]

We do, we do however less and less. And I am was very sad when my what my son came up to me not to too long ago and my kids are all adults but they said mom, I'm have to send something in the mail. Which side of the envelope do I address it on? Where does the stamp go? Which side do I put the return address? And it's a little hard because young people just don't send snail mail very much anymore. Come back next week to hear more about Jonathan's story. To see how we can make a difference together. Go to Candice.com and click where it says the word compassion. You'll see more about my story and be able to change the life of someone like Jonathan. Go to Candice.com, click where it says compassion and join me until next time. Be grateful all day, every day. Candy Rock Entertainment all rights reserved.