Aileen Will Buy a Bible

Aileen Morales knew almost immediately what she would do with the check for $15 that she received as part of recognition for being named one of the United States winners in Christian Reformed World Missions annual poster contest. Winners were named in Canada as well.

Aileen received the money during a service at her church in June. Not all winners receive money, but in her case she was fortunate that someone wanted her to have it as a reward. In any case, she knew exactly what she would do with the funds.

Since the third grader, who attends Iglesia Cristiana Reformada de Camarillo in Camarillo, California, has recently learned to read really well, she decided she would spend the money on a book. But not just any book.

In a letter her pastor sent on to Henry and Evelyn Karsten, CRWM Mobilizers for that part of the U.S., the youngster wrote: “Now that I know how to read I am going to buy my own Bible so I will never forget I won,” she wrote.

CRWM has sponsored an annual poster contest for nearly 30 years to help children develop a heart for missions. Every year, hundreds of children from across the U.S. and Canada submit a poster with a missions theme. Themes are supplied each year by CRWM, though teachers and students are also encouraged to create their own. A handful of the many posters submitted are chosen as prize winners and a few of those become bulletin covers for World Missions.

Aileen won for her poster showing a boy and a girl holding a Bible between them. A portion of the sun shines in an upper corner of the picture, shining on the smiling children. Her pastor is Rev. Ricardo Aragon. The title of Aileen's poster was "Missions Means Me."

Most winners don’t get a monetary award. Aileen, though, did and put her award to a good use. In her letter to CRWM representatives, she wrote her thanks for winning and ended with, “God Bless You.”