YOU Can Change A Child's Life

I became a Compassion sponsor in February 2007. I was a couple of years into my first job. I wasn't making a lot of money. But some people I worked with were going to Uganda to see the work of Compassion firsthand and we all had the chance to sponsor children in the villages they were going to visit. I looked through the child sponsorship packets knowing that I couldn't really afford to sponsor a child. Looking at the faces of children living in poverty in Uganda, though, I knew I couldn't use money as an excuse not to sponsor one of these precious children.

So I committed to sponsor Gloria. She was 7 at the time and lived with her grandmother. A friend who went to Uganda on that trip was able to meet her, take gifts from me, and visit her home—which really jump-started our relationship.

Five years later, Gloria is 12. And I can see tangible evidence of how Compassion has changed her life.

She is healthy and growing. (She's so tall now!)

She goes to school and loves it. I can remember the first letter I received from her that she wrote all by herself! It was a momentous occasion!

She has access to healthcare and learns about healthy living.

She eats nutritious foods and drinks clean water.

She gets life-skills training that will help her long after she graduates from school and the Compassion program.

She knows that a family half a world away loves her and writes to her. We pray for each other and share in joys and sorrows together. We're her second family. And she's part of our family too. (Do YOU keep pictures of random strangers on your fridge? I didn't think so!)

Most importantly, though, she has had the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ and what it means to have a relationship with Him. All of these other benefits change Gloria's here and now. But a relationship with Jesus will change her eternity.

Gloria is one of the fortunate ones, though. There are many children who are still waiting for a sponsor. Will you consider sponsoring one of these waiting children today?

When you flip through the pictures on Compassion's website, the Longest Waiting Children will be noted by a small heart on their picture. You can change the life of a child and their entire family for a mere $38 each month. As an extra "thank you" Compassion will send you a special Compassion scrapbook when you sponsor a Longest Waiting Child online and make your first payment via credit card.

If you do sponsor a child, let me know. I'd love to rejoice with you over the newest member of your family!

I am a Compassion blogger. I am not paid for my posts. I simply write because I believe in the ministry of Compassion International.