really real

Sponsoring a child through Compassion International had been on my heart for awhile. There just never seemed to be money in the budget to do it. I'd go through the pages of children on Compassion's website and feel the pinch in my heart that I couldn't help ALL of them, let alone just one. I mean, we were rebounding from having two mortgages for two years and it just wasn't feasible. Or was it?

The entire time we were under the crunch of having both mortgages, we were never late on them. Every time I was at the end of my rope and thought we wouldn't make it, God stepped in. Every single time. Out of nowhere, we'd receive a check from something odd or a reprieve on something that was due. He was faithful. So after much prayerful consideration and discussion, we decided to be faithful to what I thought He wanted us to do. We sponsored a child.

A couple of months ago, I introduced you to Julio. I explained all of the reasons that I felt our family could use this experience, including my kids learning that others didn't have it so lucky. I also wanted to share the God-hurt I feel in my heart for people in need, especially children. I chose a child the same age as my youngest so that it might be easier for him to make a connection. But in all that, I don't think it was really real to them.

Then, last week, we got a letter! Written by his mother, it gave a better picture of who Julio is and what he likes to do. But most of all, as my husband said, it made Julio real. He watches TV, goes to school and plays baseball. Just like my kids do. He has a mommy and a daddy, a sister, and a brother on the way. My kids identify with family. Now that he is real to them, they notice the picture I put on the refrigerator door months ago. They high five the picture as they pass by. And yesterday, my son told me that Julio looks like a little boy on his soccer team. That tells me that Julio is real to him. And that makes me excited!

Because these children are real. Each child has only one sponsor. That person is able to make a real connection with the child and make such an impact on a child's whole life! That is huge. To learn more about what a sponsorship would mean to a child, click here and read about the objectives of the program. It's so much more than just meeting their physical needs. It's helping them become viable members of their society and breaking the chain of poverty. It's about showing them who Jesus Christ is and what He has done and will do for them.

Maybe you are tired of reading about this on my blog. I'm sorry. I just can't think of these little children who have no control over where they were born or whether they have money or not. I can't stand by and let them go. Some of you have said that there are children in our own country that need help, and I agree. But there are programs out there for the children here. Sponsoring a child may be the only hope for some of these children in foreign countries. And some of them have been waiting more than six months for a sponsor. Imagine them looking at the other kids and knowing they have sponsors. It's just too much for me.

If you have reservations about sponsoring, spend some time on the Compassion website or email me. I'd be glad to try to answer your questions. If I can't answer them, I'll get the answer. All I'm asking is that you think about it. Pray about it. Don't do it because I want you to, do it if God says to do it. Because ultimately, we are all real to Him.

If you already sponsor a child, blog about it or leave me a comment and let me know. I'd love to pray for all of these kids. And if you choose to sponsor a child, I'd love to know that too! If you can't sponsor a child right now, could I ask you to at least pray for Compassion International and the children waiting for sponsors? Thanks. Getting off my soapbox now...

Oh, and if you feel the need to get on your soapbox every now and then (and who doesn't?), you can sign up to blog for Compassion too. Just click here.