Releasing children from poverty in JESUS' name!

Believe it or not we're quickly approaching the holiday session! In fact we're 87 days away from Christmas!! (I know, I know you don't want hear that just yet!)

I got on this Christmas kick after being reminded of our sponsor child today.

Meet Rachel. Rachel is 8 years old and is in 2nd grade. She lives in rural Indonesia with her mom and dad. One fun fact she has shared with us recently is that her favorite food is rice! We hear from her about 6 times a year and is always telling us what her new favorite bible story is. We get to write her back about us and even share bible stories through letters.

Now you're probably wondering how did that lead you to thinking about Christmas? The answer is that I was offered the opportunity to send her a Christmas present today. Every last penny of the money we gave for her will be spent on her! I love that Compassion International doesn't take any administrative costs out of gift money.

Compassion International helps Christians connect with children in need in 26 countries around the world. Their motto is "releasing children from poverty in JESUS' name." It cost $38 a month and 80% of what you give goes to the child. That is much more than most other sponsorship programs. Their program feeds, clothes, and educates them in addition to getting them involved in a church program where they will learn about the gospel.

So back to Christmas. I as I do from time to time I clicked on the Compassion International website. My heart broke as I looked at the pictures of children tagged with a heart. This means they have been waiting for a sponsor for over six months! I thought about how they may not even know how to pray to God yet asking for a sponsor yet. So I stopped to pray for one for them.

Father God,

You know each one of these little ones personally.
You see there tears, you hear their rumbling tummies, you feel their longing to know someone loves them.
I pray on their behalf that Your Spirit would awaken us to hear and see their needs too.
James 1:27 says "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
Allow us to be a part of your plan to care for those who can not care for themselves. For you will raise up the poor from the dust; and lift the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. (1 Samuel 2:8)
More specifically, I pray that each child who has been waiting for 6 months or longer will receive a sponsor by Christmas.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

I hope Christmas is on your mind now and that you will consider becoming a sponsor to one of these little ones before December 25. I can only imagine that it will make for their best Christmas ever. It could result in the first time they ever hear what Christmas is all about.

If you have any questions about Compassion or sponsorship we would be happy to answer them for you. And if you're already a sponsor we would love to know that too!

Merry Christmas,
Laura