Child sponsorship

[jayhawk4]

At the beginning of this year, I decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International. I thought it might be fun to have a thread where we could talk about these child sponsorship organizations and any children we sponsor! Do any of you sponsor children -- whether through Compassion, World Vision, etc?

I'm currently sponsoring a little girl (5 yrs. old) from Nicaragua. During this sponsorship process (just 7 months, so far), I've really been amazed at all of the things that God is doing in my heart. Sponsoring this child has opened my eyes to world news, especially stories that deal with poverty and human rights.

I'm reminded of the lyrics to a song we sing often at church, "Hosanna." There's a line that says, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours / Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause."

[Kelly]

Great idea! I also recently sponsored a child through Compassion. A 10 year old girl from Brazil.

Thanks for posting those lyrics! Very powerful!

[jayhawk4]

Anyone else?

On another note, I got a letter in the mail from Compassion today asking for donations toward their Global Food Crisis fund (http://www.compassion.com/sponsordonor/global-food-crisis/default.htm). As prices continue to rise worldwide, it's becoming more and more difficult for people to survive. Many people in these poorer countries were struggling to begin with, so now they're forced to get by with even less! Even families in Compassion's sponsored areas are being affected, so prayer and donations are so important right now.

I'd encourage everyone to pray -- pray for mothers who go to sleep at night not knowing if they'll be able to feed their children in the morning, pray for children with empty tummies, pray for fathers who are making what money they can but knowing that it won't be enough.

[froglovesgod]

My youth group is sponsoring a girl. I don't remember where she lives or how old she is; but it is great that the whole youth group is involved!!

[Kelly]

I got my first letter from my child today! :) So precious!!!! She included a drawing as well! It just makes it so surreal when you have the child's actual work in your hands! Wow!

[jayhawk4]

Isn't that the coolest thing, Kelly? I have 2 drawings from my child on my fridge! :)

[Kelly]

It's awesome! :) I want to frame mine for sure!

[jayhawk4]

I'm super excited. This week I get to volunteer for Compassion at a concert in my area. It'll be my first time doing this, but I'm excited to get a little more involved. :)

[Kelly]

That's so awesome! How did you get hooked up with that? I'd love to volunteer at a concert sometime!

[jayhawk4]

I actually got an email from Compassion saying that there was an event in my area and asking for volunteers. I have an account through the Compassion website, so I'm guessing that I'm just on their mailing list or something. I'm not sure.

[BrandyofPW]

I have two little girls, Hannah from Ghana and Jeanne from Rwanda. They're 9 and 12. I started with Jeanne about 3 years ago and then decided to go for another about six months after. I can definitely say that there's NO better way to spend my $64 a month. To be with these girls for such a chunck of their lives, to hear about what's going on with their family and school, and to hear about what God is doing with their little hearts is completely life changing. If God is calling you do to this...please do it! You won't regret it!:D

[jayhawk4]

When I worked the Compassion table at a concert a while back, some of the other people were sharing about how they'd been on sponsor tours to visit their children. That's got to be some experience! Maybe some day I'll get to meet Reyna, my little girl.

[DawnAurora]

Compassion International does child sponsorship with the church congregation I attend here in Deschappelles. They are quite strict about making sure that all funds are used correctly for the kids.

We work with World Vision and Save the Children also, but not on sponsorship projects. Both of those organizations apply for and get major international grants. In my area, World Vision is doing a women and children's Food aid program funded by USAID. Save is running a maternal child health pilot project.

If people have specific questions about those 3 organizations in Haiti, PM me.

[jayhawk4]

Thanks, Dawn. It's cool to hear about these ministries from someone who sees their work first-hand.

Compassion has a special fund set up for Haiti hurricane relief right now. I'd encourage anyone to check it out. They know of 3 Compassion children who've died as a result of the storms, and many more that they're trying to track down information on. Everyone in these areas can use our prayers, and also any money we can give.

https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/haiti-flooding-crisis.htm