Earlier this week I posted about organizations and ministries serving the "least of these" around the world. I was hoping that my readers would share comments about organizations they know of so that I could broaden my third-world ministry knowledge, but you guys are a little shy on the commenting side! (HINT, HINT: COMMENT MORE PLEASE)
But I received the COOLEST Facebook message from my sister-in-law about how the Lord moved her heart after reading about Christians heeding the Biblical call to minister to orphans and widows. I was so moved by her honesty about knowing that the Lord was specifically directing her and then realizing that to remain inactive would be blatant disobedience. Even cooler, I love how she is overwhelmed by the blessing of knowing that in her obedience, God is glorified and a little boy will see Jesus. She says it better than me though, so read her story below. I hope you will be inspired to sponsor a child, too!
Visit World Vision or Compassion International to sponsor a child. You can even choose the location, gender, and age of your child!
"Hey Erika,
I have a really neat story about how the Lord used your most recent blog post in my life.
Growing up we sponsored a child through Compassion International. I LOVED writing and receiving letters with the child we sponsored. Your post got my "wheels turning." I looked on Compassion's website and instantly felt pulled towards the Dominican people since I have participated in a missions trip in this country and also since we spent our honeymoon there. I browsed through some children and soon fell in love with one sweet little 8-year old boy with a visual impairment. I promised myself I would pray about if and who to sponsor and that I would discuss what the Lord had laid on my heart with Jason. I talked with him on Monday night and he was open to the idea. Yesterday, I spent some time once again looking through the possible kids we could sponsor. A part of me wanted to get a very young child so that we could see him/her grow from a toddler to a teenager. However, I was pulled once again to Jarlin (the child I mentioned earlier.) Last night I was reading my devotions and the Lord lead me to Luke 12:33-34, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Next to this verse I wrote, "6/7 Decision to sponsor a child through Compassion." I shared with Jason later that night that I had found the child I thought we were called to sponsor.
Today I pulled up Compassion's website and started a search for Jarlin. I had conceded to wait until the 25th (payday) before I started my sponsorship. I was worried, though, that little Jarlin might be snatched up before I could request him. When I pulled up his profile I read "Jarlin Yadiel Ferreira, age 9." I was a little confused because just yesterday he was 8! Then I went on to read, "Birthday - June 8, 2002". Today was his 9th birthday!! Tell me that is not the Lord speaking LOUD AND CLEAR! I immediately knew that I could make this child's birthday his best ever by choosing to sponsor him and providing him with a hope and a future. The Lord used your blog on Monday, reaffirmed my thoughts through scripture on Tuesday then re-reaffirmed my decision by choosing TODAY as his birthday. If I had not chosen Jarlin today, I would have been in deliberate disobedience to the Lord. Thank you for writing what the Lord prompted you to write on Monday morning. I'm sure this sweet child will change our life. I don't know how it is possible to love someone thousands of miles away, but I already do!"
What an awesome story. Thanks to Whitney for letting me share. Here's hoping for a domino effect among my readers! On average, I have about 110 readers per posting (that I know of), so just think if we could sponsor that many children! I pray that you'll consider sponsorship, and, like Whitney and Jason, joyfully and excitedly choose to change a child's life in the name of Jesus.
PS - I don't know why the font decided to change, but I can't do anything to make it normal! Sorry for the need to squint!
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