Two weeks ago, no make that two weeks and two days (we're talking business days. It would be two weeks and four days if I was counting weekends), I sponsored a child with Compassion. I was sitting at work, it was a slow day, and was on BibleGateway.com. One of the ads they had on the website was for Compassion and the ad was telling me to sponsor a child today. So I thought to myself, "Self, you've been wanting so sponsor a child for a while, why not do it today like Compassion is telling you to?" So, with a shrug of my shoulders, I clicked the link and ended up on the Compassion website.
Have you ever been to that website? Have you ever browsed through the pictures of all the children waiting for a sponsor?? It's heartbreaking! I sat there, scrolling through image after image of all these children, some smiling, some not, all of them waiting in hopes for some unknown person in some far off land to click their picture. Some of them had a heart in the upper left hand corner of their picture. That meant that they had been waiting over six months for a sponsor. Talk about heart breaking. Then there were those that had a red ribbon in the upper right hand corner of their picture meaning they lived in an area that was known to have Aids. To make matters worse, some of them had BOTH!
I couldn't do it. I couldn't choose one. I couldn't, in good consciousness, look at one little child and pick him or her over the one next to them. It wasn't possible. So I let Compassion choose for me. Easier that way, right? I gave some specifications as to what I wanted (I wanted a little boy and him to be an orphan) and then I let the powers that be do the rest. And then I waited. And waited. And waited. They told me that it would be about 15 days before I would get a packet containing my little boys picture and information. So, for the first two weeks I was patient. These things take time. Those 15 days, by my count, are up. Patience has reached it's end.
I want my little boy! I love him already and I can't wait to meet him. I want to know what his name is, how old he is, where he lives, what kind of life he leads. I want to write him letters, even though he will probably never respond. I want to make a difference in his life and I want to do it all NOW! Every day I get home from work and check the mailbox. If it's empty I go inside the house and look to where the mail normally is. Thus far, I have been disappointed. It's a highlight in my day, realizing that when I get home, he might be waiting for me, my dear little one.
Maybe this is another one of God's ways of teaching me patience. I know I'm not the most patient person out there, but come on! I'm waiting for that money to be taken off my credit card meaning that he, whoever he is, has gotten some much needed necessities. I realize that Compassion is a big company and there are thousands of children that need sponsors, but I really want my boy!
So, I wait. And to my little one out there, know that I am waiting for you and am praying for you. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go check the mail.
That is so cool, Lauren, that you are sponsoring a Compassion child! The waiting is hard, but it'll happen soon. And he will write you for sure. They actually have to. And the letters are so fun to receive complete with coloured pictures or their own drawings.
ReplyDeleteWe've had kids from Compassion for most of our married life. Very trustworthy and great organization! We always promote sponsoring children through Compassion.
Our first child was Marie. Compassion wrote us one day informing us that "Marie Andre is departed from Compassion's program because she has completed Cutting and Sewing. She'll be able to earn her living. Thank you for the support you've given her."
That was a sad letter for us because it meant that we wouldn't be in contact with her. Looking back at Marie's file today, I saw that she is from Haiti. Oh Lord, you see her and know what her life looks like today...20 years since we got her departure letter. Is she heart broken over the loss of her own children and loved ones in the earthquake? Does she have the care she and they need? Is she maybe even already with You? I don't even know what to pray for her, Lord. You will keep her always. May she be so very aware of your love, comfort and provision.
Yisell, from the Dominica Republic was our next child. We only have three letters from her. She was still very young when she had to quit the program because her parents needed her help at home.
We then got a little boy named Galo from Equador. He graduated from the program and became a "native" tour guide, as he told us in his departure letter in 2000. He also married young... at only 18 years old. We sent him a graduation gift and he wrote to thank us saying, "We bought a big stove and a gas container and a pair of pants. This stove will be useful to my wife for a long, long time. And I will keep it as a keepsake from you. I will never forget this detail of you and I'll always be praying for you.
I am so glad in the Lord Jesus Christ because I think we will meet in heaven someday. I'll close for now, bye."
Oscar from Guatemala came next. His file is full of letter and pictures he's drawn over the years. He looks older with each new photograph. He's 18 1/2 years old and still in the program. I've been dreading a graduation letter for a couple of years already. In one of his latest letters, he writes, "We had a spiritual camp and it was a huge blessing for my life. They prophesied I have to be a light for my home. I also share with you that I will acquire a new skill and it is cutting hair. I am also an aunt now."
ReplyDeleteSome things get mixed up in translation. He's a great guy who loves Jesus and playing in the worship band. He also has learned the skills of carpentry and bricklaying. Lord, bless Oscar... he's dear to my heart.
We have two more young ones. Maria Jose from Bolivia who loves to write letters. Sometimes we get more than one in a month. She sends hugs and kisses and more hugs and kisses and love with the beautifully handwritten letters. Her drawings are priceless and done with such care. She loves Jesus and loves and prays for us.
Nuri from Ethiopia is turning 11 this spring like Maria. He loves soccer. He asked us to pray that he will be a smart student. The next letter came. He writes, "I am so thankful for your support. I am so happy. I enclosed you my school report. I hope you will be happy with it."
I don't know which part I'm supposed to be happy with. His report card says that he is in grade 5 and will be repeating grade 5 next year because he is at the bottom of the class. In the first semester his rank was 39/42. The second semester he was 41/42. And the third semester he was 39/42. He did get an A for conduct and in PE he got over 80%. He's happy though, and he loves God and prays for us. He always asks us to pray for his family.
Enjoy the journey with your Compassion child. We've been very blessed with interacting with our kids. It's been a joy, and one day we'll meet them all because they love Jesus and so do we.