Dr. Richard Christian can never forget the night of October 12, 2002. Just before midnight, terrorist bombs exploded in two popular Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people and injuring hundreds. Dr. Richard and other local health practitioners scrambled to set up a crisis centre in Denpasar, the capital of this Indonesian island.

This was the first time that the medical profession in Bali was faced with a disaster of such magnitude. 47-year-old Richard had to operate on victims for eight hours straight, and he cannot recall how many he helped that day.

Richard saved many lives that day, but he believes he wouldn’t have been in a position to do so if it had not been for World Vision’s child sponsorship. His Canadian sponsors’ support was critical in his journey from rural poverty to a successful career and a life of faith. John and Violet Bonar, farmers from Whitewood, Saskatchewan, began sponsoring Richard in the 1960s. Devout Christians, the Bonars believed child sponsorship was something God called them to do. Their generosity helped Richard through school, and their encouraging letters had a profound impact on the boy whose life was fraught with difficulty.

Richard, formerly known as Sidhana, grew up in a very poor Hindu family in Bali. When he was 10, his mother left his father and the family fell apart. Richard and his sister went to live with an uncle who could barely afford to support them. This family breakdown could not have come at a worse time. The island’s economy was still reeling in the aftermath of the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung, which spread lava and ash over the sparse farmland. Food became scarce. Often, Richard could go into the forest to gather fruit, and give his portion to his younger sister, while struggling to sleep on an empty stomach.

When Richard was 13 his uncle sent him to a Christian children’s home, one of a few in Bali providing food, clothing and shelter for poor or orphaned children. That was where Richard decided to be baptised and adopted his new name to reflect his chosen faith. The children’s home also gave Richard inspiration for his future career. A doctor used to visit the home to conduct medical checkups. Richard admired his work and hoped to follow in his footsteps, but medical school costs would be a tremendous obstacle. As the end of high school approached, Richard wrote to the Bonars to share his dream of becoming a doctor. John and Violet responded promptly saying that they wished to continue supporting Richard so that he could become a good doctor.

In 1975, Richard enrolled at Udayana University. He studied hard and emerged as a doctor seven years later. Richard has gone to university throughout his career to qualify as a general surgeon and an oncology specialist. He also completed a disaster-training course, one that would prepare him to respond to Bali’s tragedy.

John and Violet continued to exchange letters with Richard until their deaths in the 1980s. Their daughter, Merle Enns, says her parents felt blessed to sponsor Richard. When Richard was asked what sponsorship meant to him, he picked up a well-worn leather Bible. From its extensively underlined and highlighted pages, he drew out a fading photograph of John which he received two decades ago. “This is my sponsor,” Richard says warmly. “My heart is still with him.”