Shlog Section-f

I talk about Compassion International a lot, but I’d like to hear about your experiences sponsoring children with them.  Do you sponsor a child through Compassion?  What’s his, her name?  Where do they live?  What’s their life like?  How’s the experience been for you?

I’ll also post the numbers of kids we get sponsors for at every concert here.

This past weekend? 29 kids sponsored.  Thanks, Raleigh, NC.

I sponsor a little girl from Bangladesh.  I chose her because she was just too cute for me to pass up, and because honestly Bangladesh isn’t a country I spend a lot of time thinking about, so I hoped I would spend more time in prayer for her country and that God would use the experience to make my heart tender for all parts of His world.  (not just the countries I have a love affair with.) I am committed to sponsoring her for her growing up years, and it’s a very important budget consideration for me as I consider jobs.  I don’t know much about her life, because her letters have been pictures so far.
I haven’t been sponsoring her for a year yet, but her birthday is in February and she will be six!
I have a very positive impression of Compassion and I am happy to be involved in this small way.  I wish I could sponsor more kids, but maybe in time.  I don’t want to overload myself, because I don’t want to start sponsoring them and then have to drop.

"Our” little Wedner lives in Haiti.  He turned 7 in September.  His birthday is the same as my mother-in-laws, hence the choice.  He’s absolutely adorable.  He loves to send us homemade pictures and he’s quite an artist.  He goes to school (doesn’t do well there he says) and helps his dad and mom with work when they can get it.  We began sponsoring him in March of 2006.

We’ll begin sponsoring another child that we’ll get when you come to ND in February.

Beth

Mukandoli is my little girl in Rwanda.  I began sponsoring her when I was fresh out of college.  I could barely afford to feed myself, but I felt so strongly that it was something that I needed to do.  It has changed my life, especially thanks to the timing of its start, in more ways than I can say.

Seven months ago, I moved to Colorado to work for Compassion International. Before joining this ministry, I believed strongly in the work they were accomplishing, and have sponsored a child since 2003. After joining this ministry...I have seen the effects on the lives of children, and am excited to come to work each day to write yet another story of God at work.

I could literally talk for hours about Compassion. About the child whose only meal comes from a Compassion project. About the families who have come to know Christ through their son or daughter who learned about God through Compassion. About the Compassion staff on the field who work tirelessly...many taking in these children to their own homes. I could talk about our Child Survival Program, where pregnant mothers and infant children receive care. I could tell you about the Haitian teen whose forced bitter herbs down her throat so she would abort her baby...a baby who is now part of the Child Survival Program. I could tell you about our Leadership Development Program, where sponsors pay for young adults to attend college. I could tell you the story of a young man who believes...no, who knows...he will become the next president of Kenya.

But instead, I’ll tell you about my children, whose smiling faces remind me of the love of God each and every day.

Vitoria, from Brazil...who informed me in her last letter that she was “growing up to be a very beautiful girl.” A miracle, since most children in poverty have been taught that they are nothing.

And Crown, the boy I write to in Thailand. His sweet spirit comes across in each letter, as he asks me to pray for his family.

And little Anny Rose, my newest child, in Mexico. When I saw her smiling face, I couldn’t resist. How could I say no?

Sorry for the long post. Compassion has changed my life in so many ways. I’d love to share more if you’re interested! Or, I can just direct you to some stories on the website

Our child, Ana Lilia, lives in Mexico.  She is 8 years old and has two brothers.  Each time she sends a letter, she receives several in return because the kids like to write to her, too.  My 15-year-old likes to write to her in Spanish.  Her letters are short, but soooo sweet.  The only picture I have of her so far is the one from the packet, but boy, does she ever have pictures of us, especially my daughter, who loves to send her letters.  Ana Lilia’s letters don’t tell us much about her life, but I expect as she gets a little older there will be more detail.  The important thing to her is that she has someone that cares for her and prays for her...she mentions that in each letter. 

We have been sponsoring Ana Lilia since your concert in Westfield, IN in November 2005. 

I’m really liking this thread.  It’s pumping me up even more about representing COmpassion at concerts.

Btw, we had 16 kids sponsored Saturday night in Massachusetts!

I forgot to tell you the name of my little girl!  It’s Shampa.

Hey Shaun, have you been on a Compassion trip?

I have been on a Compassion trip: El Salvador.  Hope to go on another soon.

Have any of you?

btw, here are some more numbers - kids sponsored on this tour:

Memphis, TN: 18
Palm City, FL: 39
Coral Springs, FL: 114

The big differences in those numbers is based almost entirely on crowd size.  Thanks for the continued prayers.

I haven’t been yet...but I’m going on a story-gathering trip to Ethiopia at the end of March. I am so stinkin’ excited!

I get to read stories from the field every day, but I know seeing things in person will totally change, not only my writing, but also my life.

And those numbers are exciting Shaun! I spoke to my tiny home church when I was home for Christmas, and nine kids were sponsored--it was an incredible blessing!

Brandy

I had known about compassion International for a while. I wanted to sponsor a child, but my parents didn’t really say anything. Time went by, and one day our family went to visit some friends who sponsor a child though Compassion.

A few days after our visit, we were eating dinner together, when my dad said to my mom, “ You need to find out which organization they use for child sponsorship.” Knowing the answer I enthusiastically said, “ You mean Compassion International?”

I then told my parents that I had a bunch if information about Compassion that they could look over if they wished.  I handed my dad the information just as he left for work. Within the week my parent were sponsoring a little boy from East India. A month or so later I become sponsor a little girl from Thailand.

Smiley

I wanted to tell you what you are doing out there is making a difference. I got my sponosrship packet in the mail today and my kids are currently making birthday cards for my sponsored child from Honduras right now. Also, the guy I brought has stated that “Sponsoring a child” is the first thing he is going to do when he gets a job.

Know that even when it is cold and you are tired and missing your family and your own bed, you are making a difference Shaun. And the Compassion kids all over the world are grateful for it.

As for my child, his name is Chrisnan and he is from Honduras. I am so looking forward to the first letter I receive from him.

Last night I sponsored my first child.  His name is Binosh.  He is from India. When I get my scanner to work or buy a new one, I will post his picture here.

I have been thinking about sponsoring a child for over a year.  I though it would be through world vision because the Christian radio station here in town has a child of the day for them. 

I just knew last night that it was time for me to stop thinking about this and to trust God and to act. 

Thank you Shaun for giving me this chance to change a persons life by listening to God and tacking a step of faith. 

Thomas

We have sponsored a boy named Wycliffe Oyoko from Kenya since 1998 when he was 10 years old and only in Kindergarten.  Now, we just got Wycliffe’s Christmas letter last week and he is now 17 years old and in 6th grade, doing very well.  He is very involved in his church and always asks about our 3 daughters and whether we are involved in our church.  The most touching thing for me is he always signs his letter Your Son, Wycliffe.  Compassion is a great organization and thanks for supporting them Shaun.

64 kids sponsored in Michigan and Wisconsin this weekend!