2. I picked my first sponsored child, Arlan, from a table at a youth conference. I chose a Filipino child because I had several penpals in the Philippines and knew about the culture. When he left the program, I requested a child from Honduras, since I spend at least a week there every year on mission trips. I requested a child in the Tegucigalpa area, since that’s the airport I fly into. Hopefully someday I can stay a few extra days and get to visit with my “ahijado,” Luis Fabricio. Also, I speak Spanish, so I can read his letters and write to him in his own language. It just so happens that his birthday is on my wedding anniversary, so it makes it easy to remember.

3. I think children are so precious and so vulnerable, but also so resilient. I feel like every child should be loved and cared for, have their needs met, and have the opportunity to become what God wants them to be.

4. You know we’ll answer all of them.

5. Yes. But I’m not sure if he goes by his first or middle name. All the Compassion info refers to him by his middle name, but his teacher (who writes his letters) calls him by his first name. To be safe, I put both names on his letters :-).

6. Probably, my name isn’t too hard for Spanish speakers.

7. He’s very easy to get along with, fun-loving, and always very giving of himself.

8. Leadership Development Program, AIDS Initiative, ummm… I think there’s a Malaria project too…

9. Compassion found me first. I sponsored my first child when I was 16. I’ll probably get to sponsor a child through the missions organization I work with, but I won’t give up my Compassion connection, because it’s dear to my heart as well.

10. I work in an office as a receptionist. “How may I direct your call?”

2. How did you choose your sponsored child?
We have 3. Our first was chosen because I noticed his birthday was the same as my mother-in-laws. The second was given to us in a “packet pass.” The third was chosen by our 8 year old as she’s the one sponsoring her!

3. Why do you care about children in poverty?
I firmly believe they are “the least of these” that Jesus was talking about in scripture.

4. How many of these questions to you think that we think you will answer?
All 10 of course!

5. Can you pronounce your sponsored child’s name?
Yes; all three of them!

6. Do you think your child can pronounce your name?
I think so, but they can call me whatever they want! I’d love the privilege of hearing it for myself sometime!

7. What do you love most about the person you are closest to in life?
His dedication to our family.

8. Can you name three ways, other than child sponsorship that we use to help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name?
Only three? Malaria Fund, LDP, CSP, Global Food Fund.

9. Why are you involved in CI instead of another organization that offers similar programs?
I love the passion that is shared by those involved in the program as well as being able to build a relationship with my sponsored children that will last a lifetime!

10. What’s normal about you?
See #1.

2. How did you choose your sponsored child?
I have 7 sponsored children and I’ve never chosen a single one! They were all sent to me! I do have one that shares the same birthday as me, and one that has my mom’s maiden name (I always thought I would name my son, if I had one, Dominic…)

3. Why do you care about children in poverty?
Because they are precious…as a mother of young children, I would be grateful to anyone who would help my children survive if it was necessary.

4. How many of these questions do you think that we think you will answer?
All of them!

5. Can you pronounce your sponsored child’s name?
Sure I can….now whether it’s correct or not is another question!

6. Do you think your sponsored child can pronounce your name?
I don’t really care!

7. What do you love most about the person you are closest to in life?
The support and love I get.

8. Can you name three ways, other than Child Sponsorship, that we use to help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name? If yes, name ‘em
Child Survival program, Leadership Development Program, Global Food Crisis fund

9. Why are you involved with Compassion International instead of another organization that offers similar programs?
Because I know Compassion works! I know that they do what they say they do and the heart of the ministry is pure.

10. What’s normal about you?
I’m married, 2 kids, 1 dog, and drive a minivan!

2) How did you choose your sponsored child? Off the website. I was open to any country, any gender. I had a very “hand of God” moment when I saw him.

3) Why do you care about children in poverty? Injustice of any kind really bothers me. I can’t just let it go. Children wanting for the basics in life — food, shelter, healthcare, an education –that seems like a wrong that needs to be made right.

4) How many of these questions do you think that we think you will answer? All of them, and I’ll probably make up a few of my own. lol

5) Can you pronounce your sponsored child’s name? No problem — Israel and Tesfaye. Israel’s brother’s name is Ebenezer — which is a name that I think deserves a comeback in the U.S.!

6) Do you think your sponsored child can pronounce your name? I don’t know. Perhaps I should get one of those “record-your-voice cards” and say our names & send it off to Ethiopia. That would clear things up.

7) What do you love most about the person you are closest to in life? My daughter. She is so funny. She’s a card. She just learned how to answer the phone and she asks everyone who calls if they’re a telemarketer. Apparently that’s part of her screening process.

Can you name three ways, other than Child Sponsorship, that we use to help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name? Child Survival Program. Leadership Development Program. Disaster Relief Fund.

9) Why are you involved with Compassion International instead of another organization that offers similar programs? I researched all of the big programs meticulously. I liked the “find a child” function on Compassion the best. Also, it just felt like the most dynamic organization out there. It’s an organization that really wants to know its donors — that really wants them to participate.

10) What’s normal about you? My life turned out far more “normal” than I ever thought it would — I’m married, have a child, live in a smallish town and have four cats. I think I need to go out and do something abnormal this year!

How did you choose your sponsored child?
We have all girls in our family, so we wanted to sponsor girls. We selected the Dominican Republic because we wanted a relatively close country in case we decided to go there. From that point, we looked online and had a family vote.

Why do you care about children in poverty?
We love children, and know that children in poverty are especially at risk of violence, abuse, and illness.

How many of these questions do you think that we think you will answer? Uuuhh, I dunno.

Can you pronounce your sponsored child’s name? Yes

Do you think your sponsored child can pronounce your name? Yes, we have met them in person, and know they can.

What do you love most about the person you are closest to in life?
She puts up with me.

Can you name three ways, other than Child Sponsorship, that we use to help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name? If yes, name ‘em
1. Micro loans
2. Increased access to clean water
3. Increase emphasis on Sponsor Tours & Short term missions (because these opportunities change the lives of sponsors and show them what a great organization Compassion is. This benefits children in the long run).

Why are you involved with Compassion International instead of another organization that offers similar programs?
We originally got involved because of Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith. Now that we have been sponsors for a long time, and have seen in person Compassion development centers, we love the level of integrity. We know how the money we send is being spent.

What’s normal about you?
God loves me even though I don’t deserve it!