Waiting Children with Compassion

Sponsor a Waiting Child from Compassion International on Vimeo.

It was several years ago during a Lenten study that we felt God placing on our hearts the desire to make a difference for children in poverty.  We weren't sure about finances at the time and just beginning an adoption, but we knew God wanted us to give in this way.  Our family was blessed to be able to sponsor two children beginning that year with Compassion International. 

We continue to be passionate to find ways to make a difference (see Scattered Gifts), and we are praying again about whether we should sponsor another child.  So for Lent this year we are watching videos that go with the book Hope Lives: A Journey of Restoration by Amber Van Schooneveld. This is broken into 5 week sessions. The weeks focus on: Poverty of the Heart, God is not Silent, Understanding Poverty, Prayer, and Be the Change.  There's another book called A Place at the Table by Chris Seay that I am reading that is similar and will share with the family.  Both challenge us to see how God would like us to respond to "the least of these" and be his hands and feet.  There are many ways to respond.  Recently Christianity Today had an article talking about the ways that have the biggest impact for the poor.  Sponsorship is one of the top ways. 

As we have been sponsors with Compassion, I have become very affected by all the stories of the lives that Compassion has impacted!  But,there are many children waiting for sponsors - some that have been waiting for quite a while.  I know when we were choosing a child to sponsor, my son really wanted to choose a child that had been waiting a long time.  There are so many benefits that the child receives from Compassion such as:  educational opportunities, health care and health-related instruction, nutrition, life-skills training, and opportunities to hear about and respond to the gospel.  But as a sponsor we have the benefit of sharing a relationship with that child, praying for that child, and seeing God work in that child.  I don't want to miss any of that!  I love to be where God is at work and join Him!

Click over to Compassion, read one of the above books, pray about these children.  As you do, I know God will show more of Himself to you.

Linked with Beauty in His Grip, On Your Heart Tuesdays, Family Time Tuesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Women Living Well, Raising Homemakers, Winsome Wednesday, Hip Homeschool Hop, and Better Mom.