A team of bloggers including BooMama and Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer are in Uganda on a trip sponsored by Compassion International. This evening I sat down to read some of the stories of their trip. Sophie (BooMama) posted the story yesterday of meeting the child that her family sponsors, a three-year-old girl who was initially reluctant to even be held, but eventually fell asleep in Sophie’s lap. I saw that sweet little face and I was touched. Deeply. And then I clicked over to Compassion International’s site.
Some of these children have a heart in the upper corner of their picture, indicating that they have been waiting six months or more for sponsorship. I saw a picture of a little girl named Guadalupe. There was a heart on her photo. She is three years old, born between my two youngest girls.
I looked at this little girl and I started to cry. My poor husband was on one of those endless tech support calls with our satellite company, wondering what in the world was wrong with me. I pointed to her picture on the screen. He asked if something was wrong. I shook my head but couldn’t speak. He knows me well enough to know I was too emotional for words.
We were going out for a two-day-late Valentine’s Day celebration and I went to freshen up before we left, but I couldn’t stop crying. I knew we had to sponsor Guadalupe. Suddenly I was afraid that this child who had spent more than six months on the Compassion International site would be snatched up before I could return to the computer and sponsor her. I just knew that she was supposed to be ours.
Sponsorship costs $32 per month and can be discontinued at any time. In Guadalupe’s homeland, a workers wages average about $113 per month, so our $32 will be huge. In the words of another of the bloggers on the Compassion International trip:
The difference between the Compassion sponsored kids and the unsponsored kids is unbelievable. It is the difference that hope, dignity, clothing and love can make.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child, go here. Go even if you aren’t considering it. I didn’t know it until I saw her face.
{Update: Compassion sponsorship is currently $38 a month per child.}
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
What a touching story Dawn.
Hey Dawn…seems we have more in common than Clooney, but I’m glad you found my site.
I can just feel a like mindedness already in your words here…:).
(Clooney is STILL mine!!)
;)
That is exactly how it happened to me. I fell in love with my little boy. I’m going to India to see him. Mark my words. If God allows me, I’m SO going over to see him! There are no finances available that I can see – but I know God can make a way. We love our little boy in India.
I’m so glad that you sponsored someone! You will be sooooo happy you did!!! Their letters are so precious.
Not surprised, Dawn, your heart has always been bigger than most, that girl needs you and you knew it — now don’t go wondering why you’re so blessed! Why do you think I love you so much?????
So glad you found Guadalupe!!!
Supporting a child is a wonderful thing. Our oldest three kiddos each sponsor a child. Meaning we fund the sponsorship, but the kids send pictures, poems, letters, stickers …
I can’t imagine how wonderful it must be to take a trip to visit one of them.
Bless you! And Guadalupe as well.
Heather (Blessedw5mom)s last blog post..Thankful Thursday!
We’re so happy you found Guadalupe… coming over from (In)Courage today. God bless you and your family as you make an impact on this little girl! Blessings!
This is how it happened for me, too. I saw my little one’s face and just knew she was the child I NEEDED to sponsor. Guadalupe is lucky to have you in her life.
Lindsay´s last [post] ..Buddy and Angel Got New Treats!
{ 6 trackbacks }