My passion for Compassion started five years ago with a girl named Wilma from Boliva. She was 11 and from a poor farming community. We've traded letters over the past years and I was astonished to suddenly realize she's 16 this year! I quickly wrote to Compassion asking when do they age out of the program and I was reassured not until she hits 21 if she goes to college. I like this because I was starting to worry she'd be gone in 1-2 years! I guess we've become accustomed to her letters and updates. I even try to read the Spanish and respond in the few phrases I know.
Our 2nd Compassion child is Celeste from Guatemala. A favorite blogger, Ann Voscamp, took a trip to Guatemala and highlighted the children from this area. I was so moved by her touching posts that I made room for one more.
Our 3rd Compassion child is Nyirambangutse Celine from Rwanda. My brother started dating a girl from Rwanda last year and I felt led to choose a girl from this region.
Our 4th Compassion child is Roby from Indonesia. This one is thanks to Shaun Groves who spoke at Relevant 2011. I was all comfortable with my 3 sponsored children and feeling satisfied with my offering when he concluded with the final statement of "how many of you have leftovers in your fridge that you discard on a weekly basis?"
Hand raised - yes I still have leftovers that we throw away; even after we support our own family, meet all our needs without any hesitation and support 3 Compassion children. If I can throw away food, I can definitely find room in the budget for one more.
So our budget got a little tighter. I followed my friend Poorganics blog a little closer for tips on how to save with groceries, I read Money Saving Mom's book on how to save money and learned many exciting tips and finally I'm reading Jen Hatmakers book "Seven" and learning even more on how I really don't need as much as the world says I do.
These children get letters from me on a quarterly basis; it's very easy to do through the Compassion website so I don't even need stamps! They provide kid friendly stationary for me to write a letter and include family photos. It's so much fun to write these letters and get back their responses. I've been told the letter writing and encouragement is just as important as the monthly sponsorship money that buys valuable food, supplies and provides a Christian education.
Today I pray for all the Calvary Chapel hearts and ears who will hear a sermon about Compassion and pray for all the little lives who will be changed with sponsors.
Matthew 25:37-40
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison to go visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison to go visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
2 comments:
First of all...love the new header.
I love that you are sponsoring a child from Rwanda. A friend of mine did a mission there two summers ago. It was definitely quite the trip!
Thanks! I try to change the header every quarter.
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