Friday, March 2, 2012

Waiting


Waiting.
I must say, it is not a strength of mine...

Waiting.
At the doctor's office, for my name to be called.
At the traffic light for it to turn green.

Waiting.
For an opportunity to travel the world despite a college girl's tiny budget and closing doors.
For the man who was meant to be my husband to come into my life in my late twenties.
For God's perfect timing in placing two sweet babies in my arms in my late thirties and early forties.

Waiting.

When I think of it, we do a lot of waiting in our lives and my list does not even begin to scratch the surface. And if you were to ask him, I'm sure my husband would tell you I am the poster child for impatience. I like to be in control at all times. Now I ask you, is that soooooooooooo bad?? Plus, I am on the move so much that I find it really tough to just.sit.still. And watch a movie, for example. Never mind waiting. 

But today I want to focus on a different type of waiting. One that is so powerful, so full of hope. Children in poverty. They are waiting for us, my friends. They are waiting for the love of a sponsor. Waiting to be told they are important. Special. They are waiting for the hope that is salvation through Jesus Christ. Waiting for an escape from a life of desperate poverty.

I've shared before how becoming a Compassion International sponsor and Advocate changed our lives and the life of our sponsored child, Pascaline. And I shared why I believe in supporting Compassion International when there are several worthy non-profit organizations available offering the same opportunities.

COMPASSION IN ACTION
Today, imagine that Compassion International has come to your village and taken the steps to register you and take your picture. It is a wonderful day of happiness! Becoming a sponsored child means you will receive education opportunities, health care and instruction, nutrition, life-skills training and most importantly, the opportunity to hear the gospel. You are all registered! Now...all you have to do is...wait.

Our sponsorship of a waiting child changes their lives forever. And it will bless you too, I can promise you.  For a little over $1 a day, the price of a meal out each month, you can connect with a child who will write you throughout the year, send pictures and updates.

Watch this powerful video that is less than two minutes long.


Sponsor a Waiting Child from Compassion International on Vimeo.

A CELEBRATION
I hope you will join me in dedicating $38 each month to changing one of these precious lives forever. They need us to care. I am so excited to share today that Brian and I have been thinking of sponsoring a second child for a few months and today provides the perfect opportunity!! We will ask God to match us with one of these children with a heart in the lower left-hand corner of their picture! That child's wait of six months or more is over and a new life of opportunity begins! So today we are celebrating in Jesus' name! I'll share more information about him/her this week in a post.

Will you join me? At a minimum will you link to the post and look at these children? Where are they  from? How old are they? Perhaps it will prompt you to choose one based on the age of one of your grandchildren. Or maybe you homeschool and want your kids to know more about a region you are studying? You can even pick a child based on someone special's birthday. If you are like me a little face will touch your heart. I also want to mention that right now when you sponsor a  Longest Waiting Child you will receive a free Compassion Scrapbook.


Dear Lord, thank You that You have offered us so many blessings in our lives. Please give us a heart for children everywhere who are in a battle with poverty that tries to convince them there is no hope, that they are unimportant. Help us to give to them your truth and the resources they need to live a changed life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I so can't wait to hear from some of you! If you are already sponsoring a child, or chose to sponsor a child today please leave me a comment! It would totally and completely make my day to hear about your child or children! Now, on to a great Saturday with you!


Blessings, Michelle

10 comments:

  1. Beautifully said, Michelle! Thank you for your prayers for my Darlyng. Since I sponsored him I have seen such emotional and spiritual growth through his letters. It is one of the most rewarding things I have done - to know that I am offering a child hope and the chance to know Jesus! I am so glad I acted when God stirred my heart. I pray that this article will lead others to act, too!

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  2. Thanks so much, Amy! Your sponsorship of Darlyng has blessed our family too and we pray for him right along with Pascaline!

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  3. Such a wonderful way to help the world's children.

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  4. Compassion International is just amazing! I am going to introduce our new little girl Elibie tonight! She is just precious and I know our sponsorship will make a wonderful difference in her life!

    In Jesus' Name, Michelle

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  5. So excited.  We found and will support Bethelehem Damma, a five-year-old girl.  Her birthday is also in March.

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  6. This makes my heart SO happy! Because you cared Bethelehem will be able to escape the chains of poverty. She will KNOW she matters, that others care about her. She will get an education, healthcare...oh so much more! Thank you so much! I will pray for her each day and hope you will keep us updated on her progress!

    To God be the glory!
    Michelle

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  7. So glad to see your post here. Compassion is near and dear to my heart, having sponsored since 1989 when I was a senior in high school. I've been blessed to be able to meet 2 of the children I've sponsored. The work of Compassion truly does change lives!

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  8. We decided to sponsor a little girl, Maria Abigail in December after having two miscarriages.  We wanted to do something to honor their memory and the second we found Abigail and wrote our first letter, I felt so happy and excited during a time when I was feeling really sad and hurt.  It is really cute because my husband thanks God for Abigail every night and prays for her and her family.  We were both so excited when we received the first letter and we put it on our fridge!

    Have you heard about the Compassion Sunday 2012 where you have the opportunity to give a short presentation in church to tell members about the sponsorship? It makes me extremely nervous to think about, but I think we are going to do it.  As much as I hate public speaking, I think it will be really awesome to spread the word about these children who are waiting to be sponsored and loved. 

    Thank you for sharing about compassion and I'm so excited for you and your family that you will be able to sponsor a second child. Praise God! I hope that many more will join this wonderful organization.

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  9. Thank you for reminding us about compassion. Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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  10. My husband and I recently began sponsoring our 4th kiddo (3 through Compassion and 1 through World Vision). I had the opportunity to meet one of our sponsored children while I was studying abroad in Tanzania three years ago. It was such an incredible blessing. Our eventual hope is to visit all four...one in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Thailand. We're also in the process of putting all of their pictures on display in frames in our home clustered around a world map. :)

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