For about two years I've enjoyed the privilege of sponsoring a girl in Honduras. "What is sponsoring?" you ask? Well, in a word: blessing.
God has given us many things. But, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48)
By looking at the context of the verse, we see that Yeshua was telling the parable of the servant who is entrusted with taking care of all the servants while the master goes away. If the master found the servant fulfilling his duties correctly when he came home, he would be rewarded. But if he wasn't, he would be beaten. Thus, "the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
I'm sure you've heard this story compared with the picture of God entrusting us with the earth, and everything in it. Now, there are a million different ways that I could expound on that, but for now let's just touch on M-O-N-E-Y.
Being young ladies still living in our father's house (well, most of us anyway), we don't have bills. We have no house payment, no electric bill, no insurance premiums... not to mention the hunk our families pay for groceries. Despite this, most of us have a little income. For me, it's babysitting for my parents and decorating an ordered cake here and there. I don't earn much, usually about $100 a month, respectively. I know other ladies who clean houses, have little in-home baking businesses, babysit for other families and do garden work. Depending on how much time they put into these things, some girls end up making $500 by the end of the month!
Being girls, most of us can very easily spend all our earnings on shoes, a new purse, makeup, a new addition to our wardrobe, or maybe even a subscription to a magazine. But think about it. What kinds of things should we really be spending it on? Here's an idea that would only take about $35 out of your budget each month: bless a impoverished child who could use a little help, hope and encouragement. Sponsor a child!
" He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27
" He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31
Like I said above, I've been sponsoring for about two years now. Oh, it has been such a blessing! I loved corresponding with Sonia Berenice (thirteen years old) for those years, and now that her family has been able to get a bit more on their feet, her mother has taken her out of the program (a little sad for both of us, I'm sure, but very happy too!). Now I'm starting a new friendship with eight year old Dania Lizeth!
Through becoming a sponsor, I've been able to provide Sonia and Dania with the opportunity to
God has given us many things. But, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48)
By looking at the context of the verse, we see that Yeshua was telling the parable of the servant who is entrusted with taking care of all the servants while the master goes away. If the master found the servant fulfilling his duties correctly when he came home, he would be rewarded. But if he wasn't, he would be beaten. Thus, "the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
I'm sure you've heard this story compared with the picture of God entrusting us with the earth, and everything in it. Now, there are a million different ways that I could expound on that, but for now let's just touch on M-O-N-E-Y.
Being young ladies still living in our father's house (well, most of us anyway), we don't have bills. We have no house payment, no electric bill, no insurance premiums... not to mention the hunk our families pay for groceries. Despite this, most of us have a little income. For me, it's babysitting for my parents and decorating an ordered cake here and there. I don't earn much, usually about $100 a month, respectively. I know other ladies who clean houses, have little in-home baking businesses, babysit for other families and do garden work. Depending on how much time they put into these things, some girls end up making $500 by the end of the month!
Being girls, most of us can very easily spend all our earnings on shoes, a new purse, makeup, a new addition to our wardrobe, or maybe even a subscription to a magazine. But think about it. What kinds of things should we really be spending it on? Here's an idea that would only take about $35 out of your budget each month: bless a impoverished child who could use a little help, hope and encouragement. Sponsor a child!
" He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27
" He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." Proverbs 14:31
Like I said above, I've been sponsoring for about two years now. Oh, it has been such a blessing! I loved corresponding with Sonia Berenice (thirteen years old) for those years, and now that her family has been able to get a bit more on their feet, her mother has taken her out of the program (a little sad for both of us, I'm sure, but very happy too!). Now I'm starting a new friendship with eight year old Dania Lizeth!
Through becoming a sponsor, I've been able to provide Sonia and Dania with the opportunity to
- hear the gospel and learn about Yeshua
- have regular Bible training and encouragement through the local church in their community
- receive an education
- be healthy through teachings on how to maintain good hygiene, and be monitored and given additional care as needed
- receive food as needed
Not only do I get to help with these things, but I am able to write as many letters as I like encouraging these girls to be strong women of the Lord! What more could I ask?
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share." 1 Timothy 6:17,18
Of course, there are many, many sponsorship programs out there. If you are wondering which one to go with, here are some reasons why I chose, and like sponsoring with Compassion International:
- When I went onto Compassion.com to sponsor, I was able to do a search for a specific age, gender and country if I wanted. I like being able to sponsor an older girl!
- I am able to communicate through letters with my sponsored child.
- Through Compassion.com, I can see what is going on in my child's area, and learn more about their life.
- Compassion International is very upfront with their money situations. A financial statement is available at all times.
- If I have a question, I can call their number and talk to a real live person in the US, and they will readily give answers.
- If I book a trip to Honduras through Compassion, I can visit my sponsored child! This is something that I'd like to do in the next five or six years - definitely on my "before I get married" list!
- Compassion works exclusively through the local church. "We want sponsored children to experience the benefits of Compassion sponsorship as a direct expression of God's love for them. We also want to equip the Body of Christ in the countries where we work with effective child development ministries so that church leaders and members around the world can become effective child advocates in their communities." they say in their FAQ booklet.
What a wonderful way to not only put our money to work, but to also personally know and be able to encourage the person you are helping! If you are interested in knowing more about sponsoring a child, go to Compassion.com and check out their Frequently Asked Questions, or feel free to prod me. :)
1 comment:
It's such a joy to sponsor a child. I sponsor a little mexican girl named Adrianna. Getting her letters is so fun. It's also the greatest feeling to know that I'm truly making a difference in the life of a child that lives thousands of miles away from me.
Thanks for posting, and whoever is reading this and you don't know for sure if you want to sponsor a child, I encourage you to. Yes, it may be a sacrifice to give that monthly amount, but it's soo worth it!
LocaChica
Post a Comment