Sponsorship

I realize that Liberia is "our thing"... and that God calls each of us to do different, equally important things for his name. So, please know that I am fully understanding of that fact.

But here's the thing... I can't return from my time in Africa and not give others the opportunity to be a part of something that really matters to the heart of God. I must tell you that if you are so led by the Lord, your support will literally put food into the mouths of children in need. I know that now. It does not go toward overhead costs like advertising or a more modern set of speakers for a church building... it buys rice. It buys medicine. It buys malaria-preventing nets and screens.

And it buys it for children that I know personally now. For the children I could list one after another (but I'm not allowed to). For the children I've held and loved, and count it a privilege to know.

http://www.africanchildsponsorship.com/ is the site that will allow you to see just some of the children that we met in Liberia, and to choose to be their sponsor. I stood there and took all their photos... urging them to smile, saying, "show me your teeth!" I met each one. They have a name. They have a story. They are precious. If the Lord tugs on you, you can sponsor a child for $40 a month right from the site. I happen to have great suggestions for specific kids to sponsor if you are so inclined. :) You'd have to go through me in that case though, as the sponsorship site limits the number of children you can see, for privacy reasons. Boys and girls, deaf and hearing, usually aged 4 up to age 18 or so. I'm telling you, YOU will be the one to be blessed...

Jason and I have been thinking of the kids as we have our third meal for the day... when we notice that we have about three thousand options for what we'd like to eat... when we lay down in our comfortable {CLEAN}, mildew and mold-free bed at night... when we see Anika and Asher healthy and strong, not lacking in height and weight from malnutrition. We have decided to sponsor two of the sweet girls that we fell in love with. (One of them has a SWEET 4 year old sister that is available for sponsorship, by the way... :) We are excited to assist the staff of the homes to be able to buy rice and basic needs for the kids. We can get updates on "our girls" and send them letters and pictures and small items when we have the chance. We've decided we will challenge ourselves to save the money from our existing budget. Certainly, our family can do without doritos and ice cream bars and eating out as much... I can pass by those garage sale signs even when I know I might be missing the deal of the century... I simply don't need MORE of anything. Although Jason says he is not willing (yet) to part with his chips and salsa. If you know him, you understand. (Good thing we make our own salsa... he won't have to give that up anytime soon!) We just figure it isn't terribly hard to shave some each month from our abundance to provide for those with none. And if it were to cause us some sacrifice, then so be it.

Our Liberia team has been challenged to represent these children to others, and we are praying that sponsors for 30 children would be raised up in the coming months. I know times are tough. I know that money is scare for many, may people. But I also know that we are rich... even the poorest of us are so very wealthy compared to the rest of the world. If you'd love to sponsor a child, but $40 each month is just something you don't have... then maybe consider splitting a sponsorship with some friends, or your bible study! How fun to pray for a child with a group, and send them letters a couple times a year! Maybe that way, each person pitches in $10 instead of a full $40. Just an idea...

If you didn't stop reading this the moment you realized it might affect your pocketbook ... thank you. If you are already investing in God's heart for the orphan in another way... thank you. If you will pray with us that God will raise up financial support for these children... thank you.