I can’t even remember where I first heard about Compassion International, but I know it was in my early single days.  At the time, I was in graduate school, and I desired a way to stay in touch with the needs of the ”rest of the world.”  I wanted a little girl that I could love on and watch grow up as I continued to sponsor her through the years.  That was 1996, and she was 6 years old!  Listen to the letter I have recently received from that same little girl, who is now 18 years old.  (Keep in mind that the letter was originally written in Portuguese and has been translated.  I’m not making grammatical corrections.)

“Dear Sponsors,

How are you?  I loved the picture that you sent to me with you and the kids together.  It is beautiful.  I loved it.  I loved the verse in the post card, and I thank you for praying for me.  I ask you to keep praying not only for me, but for my family and family in Christ.

I am now saying goodbye to you because now Jesus has gave me a wonderful blessing.  It was through you that God gave me this unexpected blessing.  I thank you that sponsored me when I was a child.  You accepted me through letters and presents and is showing me love that I believe that you have until today, not only for me but I also have it for you. 

Today, because God gave me the opportunty to enter in Compassion program, I have the chance to grow more, in my professional and spiritual life.  There is a Compassion program called CDSP in which I participate that gives continuity to my development, the Leadership Development Program.  This program helps the one that has the highest scores to become leaders inside the church.  It also gives the chance to enter in college.  

I ask you to pray more for me and I will be praying for you.  Even though we are far, may we keep one another in mind.  I ask you that just like you sponsored me 11 years ago, you sponsor another child and that you can bless him/her.   Kisses and hugs, I love you all, Eldiane”                                                                                                   

 By the way, this sponsorship has been a lot of fun, and it hasn’t ever been a huge sacrifice.  Compassion is such a great organization and does so much with so little, that it only costs around $30 each month to make a huge impast on the lives of these kids who are steeped in poverty.

We have recently begun to sponsor a little boy from India, and we keep both pictures on the refridgerator.  It is fun to encourage our young children to write to them and pray for them, and also to read their letters to our children, giving us an opportunity to “enlarge” the world a bit for our western kiddos.

I can’t say enough good things about Compassion International, and I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone who possibly can to participate in this wonderful, life-changing partnership!

Remember the words of Christ,  “When you have done it for the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

Sponsor a child online through
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