"...and whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me." -Matthew 18:5
For the past several weeks and maybe even months I have seen the title "Compassion" everywhere. I knew that it was a group you could sponsor a child through but never looked much into it. Through this struggle of not being able to get pregnant it has crossed my mind that there are other children out there needing the support both financially and emotionally that we could provide but I hesitated to look into it. It has been such an emotional and raw subject for me and at times almost unbearable. So I avoided looking at these children thinking it would put my emotional meter over the edge.
As much as I avoided looking into this group, however, the more I saw it. On my yahoo banner, facebook, other people's blogs, everywhere. I finally gave in and looked it up and felt a giant tugging on my heart for these precious little children. I talked with Derek and we decided to look at the website together. It's a feeling I can't explain really but it's a way that God squeezes my heart and speaks to me consistently and it's always followed by me crying. We happened upon a boy named Christopher who the website said had been waiting for a sponsor for over 6 months. I burst into tears and we decided he was the one. It so happens that he lives in Kenya with his grandmother. I don't know where his parents are or even if they are alive but I know that he does live in a very HIV/AIDS affected area and is very much in need.
I just received my packet of information about him today and it is just the most amazing thing to me that I can sit here wanting a child so much of my own, and across the world sits a child wanting someone to care for him so much. I know it's not like this child is mine but I do feel that this was a situation placed in front of me by God that I couldn't ignore any longer.
There are so many children in need out there and helping this one at least solves a problem for one. I'm so thankful God brought this to my attention so that I could be moved outside my world and refocus on God's plans. (I've attached a link below in case you'd like to look at the website!)
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. -Psalm 103:2-5
So awesome! It is amazing what the money I spend on coffee each month can do for a child on the other side of the world. A friend of ours that travels to India regularly was just telling us the story of a girl who now helps hundreds of poor Indian girls... she was raised in a Compassion home and sponsored by a family here! So neat to be a part of what God does!
ReplyDeleteI found your post because I have a Google Alert set to pick up on blogs that mention Compassion. I am so sorry to read about your struggles with fertility, but I just know that sponsoring through Compassion will bring blessings to your life. No doubt, not the same as a child from your womb, but a child who loves you and depends on you. You'll feel that motherly love for him as you start to write back and forth. The letter writing aspect of the ministry is so important and what brings a personal connection to the whole thing. God bless you for stepping up for Christopher. If you are ever looking for ideas for the letter-writing ministry, feel free to stop by my blog sometime. :)
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