Written by: Web Team
Sponsor tours usually cost from $2,000 to $4,000, plus airfare to the departure city.
- Is that the best use of your money?
- What is the benefit to your child — to children in poverty?
- Would it be better to use that money to:
- send a family gift
- sponsor another child
- donate to the Global Food Crisis fund?
When we published our first Ask the Field post, one of the questions we received was:
Is the benefit to the child and sponsor worth the cost of a visit to Uganda? I would love to visit my three sponsored girls, but I hesitate to spend a considerable amount of money for “my dream” when the money could be used to sponsor additional children or ministries. I think I would feel guilty. What are your thoughts? –Shelly Quigg
We thought it would be better to have a discussion on this, to hear more than one person’s opinion, rather than just include it as one question in an entire 10 questions post.
What’s your answer? How should Shelly spend her money?
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August 4th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Dear Shelly,
I feel exactly like you. Even though I would love to visit some of my sponsored children, I prefer to give the money to sponsor another child.
At the same time, I understand other people have different feelings and I try not to be condemning of those who go for the sponsor tours. We are not to judge how others spend their money. The Lord is our merciful Judge. So, we should allow each other to decide how to best spend their money for God’s glory.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:08 am
I agree with Andrzej that it should be a prayerful choice as to how money is best spent — and that there isn’t just one good answer to the question posed.
For those who want to take a sponsor tour but feel guilty about the money, here’s an idea:
Figure out how many kids you could have sponsored with that amount of money — 5, 10, whatever — and commit that when you return you will find that many people to sponsor kids, (through friends, family, coworkers, church family, etc.) And you can go one step farther and capitalize on your trip by doing a presentation to your Bible study, your church, your friends — or blogging about it on the Internet. Use what you learn to educate. I believe there is value in that.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I probably will never be able to visit my sponsored children, but I LOVE to read about other sponsors’ trips. It really justifies for me the money I spend on my sponsorships and I love reading about how the children really feel about their sponsors. I think these eye witness accounts are beneficial to other sponsors (and potential sponsors) to PROVE the benefits that these children are getting. I’m sure these trips are experiences that the children will never forget.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:22 am
I think going on a sponsor tour does more than one thing. First of all, you get to fulfill the dream of meeting your child. My daughter and I went to Ecuador last September and we count the day we spent with our kids as one of the most incredible days of our lives. The children also dream about meeting their sponsor. So if you get the opportunity, you fulfill that in them. But the third thing is that you get to see poverty up close and you get to see the amazing difference Compassion’s work makes. When you come home, you are so pumped to get more kids sponsored. I think there is a net gain all the way around. We have gotten quite a few children sponsored since then by having packets available and by telling the story of our trip.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:45 am
It needs to be a prayerful decision. Perhaps God will even provide the money for you.
I think a trip would be totally worth it. I would love to visit my girls next year, but I am a college student and I don’t think I can save enough by next June.
I think being able to tell people first hand about a visit would go a long way towards getting more children sponsored.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I’m glad to see this discussion, because I have been wrestling with the same issues.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Ah, Lisa, I do like the way you think!
I will add that traveling with Compassion, via a sponsors tour or advocates tour (if you’re a member of the Network), gives you greater credibility, when you talk to other people about sponsoring. You will have been there and seen one or more projects for yourself and the difference they are making for the children. You will have met some of the families and heard how their children are different at home (”more obedient” often comes up!), and yes, you will definitely have seen real poverty “up close and personal.”
You may have seen the children in different classrooms at the project and done a little Q&A with them. At every project you visit, the children will have prepared a program for you. And you will share hugs upon hugs upon hugs!
You will also have gone to the country office and listened to various staff members talk about how things work at their end–e.g., how correspondence is handled, how the money trail works. That also adds to your credibility.
Yes, the money could be put to other good uses, but the children benefit far too much from your visit to think of going as a “selfish” use of your money. The children in projects have their own social tiers: those who receive nothing from their sponsors; those who receive letters and occasional gifts (including things you can mail); and those who receive letters, occasional gifts, and at least one visit. Guess which children are in the top tier?
Your child will have met her or his sponsor and shared hugs, conversation and prayers. You can’t imagine what that does for the child: “You love me enough to come a long way just to see me?!”
I am so biased in favor of visiting your sponsored child! And yet, I realize that is just not financially possible for everyone. If that’s the case, how ’bout pouring on the letters, stickers, and other items you can mail! Pray extra hard for your child, and never cease to encourage him!
August 4th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I would look at it from the other side… instead of should I go? Ask, will I regret it if I don’t ever go? If something happened to them, would you regret never getting to meet them?
I’m not trying to be morbid, it’s that I’ve been feeling a little regret of not trying harder to make a trip happen to visit my boy in Rwanda, we’ve been sponsoring for almost 8 years. I always told myself I had plenty of time to get to see him, but I just found out last week that he past away on July 10th. I know that it’s ok that I never made it there, but I really regret not seizing the moment and going to Rwanda and looking him in the eyes to tell him I loved him, and that he alone was worth the sacrifice of money it takes to be able to hug him in person and tell him ‘Jesus loves you’.
I can’t think of a more powerful message to your sponsor child to let them know that just as it’s a sacrifice for us as sponsors to afford to come visit them, they are so much more valuable to God, and so much more important to Him.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Hi, on today’s “Chef’s menu” there is a blog link:
“Child Development vs. Community Development … a video explaining why Compassion focuses on the former – June 21, 2008″
But the hyperlink directs me to Ghana/Letter Writing. I tried to run a search for the video but didn’t have any luck.
I’d like to share this post/video with someone — could you repost the link for the video?
Thank you!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Melissa, I’m so sorry to hear about your boy in Rwanda. I have a girl in Tanzania and one in Rwanda, and I haven’t met either of them. My only comfort, if one of them died, would be that both of them love Jesus, and I will meet them, one day, with Him.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:06 am
@Gin
Thanks for catching my error. The link is fixed.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:11 am
I was 23 when I paid my own way to go on a sponsor tour to Uganda. Not only did I meet my child (it was an overwhelmingly wonderful day), but as a group of 50 visitng several Compassion projects, we blessed hundreds of children by representing their sponsor that they have yet to meet, just by being there and loving on them. They were so encouraged and we were encouraged to see their smiling faces as well. I say, if the opportunity arises, definitely GO — you never know how God is going to use you.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:16 am
There are big benefits for the children that you visit. It’s a bit difficult to measure though. I know form doing the visits to my sponsored child, that the whole project of the children got involved and they all crowded around me and wanted to meet me. I’m not saying that I was such a blessing
. I think they were the blessing to me. Also, the family of the child gets a big blessing. I visited 18 children and with each child, even when they came to my hotel room, (because I had altitude sickness,) the child was always accompanied by the at least one parent and at least one person from the project. Thus if you visit them, you can encourage not just your child, but the others around him/her too.
I can tell from experience that meeting your children will really change the way you envision the child. Before meeting the children, when I thought of the children, I thought of them as what I saw on the pictures, what I read in the letters, and what my own mind filled in between. After meeting the child, I know how they walk, talk, smile, laugh, etc… They are much more real to me and I know their families and friends.
Also, my personal opinion is that if your child is real young, like 3, 4, or 5 years old, that the visit might not be that impactful on the child, because the child might not understand the concept of sponsorship and even who you really are. I’ve even heard of a sponsor, who came to visit his really small child and the child was afraid of him, because this was the first time that the child had seen this big white guy and they ran to their mother crying. I think then it would be better use of the money to save it for a trip a couple of years down the road.
Also, the first child I sponsored was from Ecuador. I was about ready to visit the child and I called the Compassion office that runs the visits to set up a visit. Then they told me that my child had just departed. (That was a tough day) I was glad that I hadn’t lined up the airline ticket yet. That was the next call I was going to make!!!That’s when I sponsored Dulce from Bolivia that day and I prosponed the idea of going over. I also came to the conclusion that I was going to sponsor any additional children in the same country for the reason that if one departs, that I wouldn’t sit there with a ticket that I couldn’t use or get my money back on. Now, I absolutely love Bolvia. Also, when the children are all in one country, you can visit all of them on the same trip and you also have to learn only one language and culture. I think my visit cost about $100/child on this trip. Of course if you really want to go inexpensive, you could sponsor them all in places like Mexico or Haiti, or the Dominican Republic. The airfare would be the least and it be the shortest trip.
Having said all of that. I think that not everyone might be able to visit their children, but you can write your children regularly and that can make a huge impact on them. It’s kind of funny, because I still get the letters from the children that were written before my visit last month. Some of the letters tell me that the child is praying for me to come visit! The letters are dated one month before the visit. They hadn’t been told yet at that time, but their prayers would be answered within weeks. (I hope they weren’t disappointed! LOL!)
I hope this helps. I think it is wonderful to visit your children. Make sure to let Compassion’s Office know at least 6 weeks in advance though if you visit.
Blessings,
Kees
August 4th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Having gone with Compassion to see the sponsored children as an intern with Bigstuf, I think that there is a HUGE benefit to going overseas.
It’s expensive, but you can’t get that sort of passion by watching a video or hearing a story.
I think the true point is if the Spirit is leading you to go! If God has a plan to use you in that country to give you a passion then He will get you there even if you don’t want to go!
My mother had gone to Africa just before I got the internship with Bigstuf and told me all the stories and about how amazing it was, and that she wanted me to go. My reply was “I will support you in that and I’m excited God used you there, but I don’t have any desire to go to Africa…ever!” Well God had a different plan with that and within six months of me saying that I went to the exact same places she had been in Kenya and Tanzania! I don’t think it was an “Never say Never” but that God had a plan for me to see what he was doing in Kenya and that my heart would never be the same once I saw it.
So, the real issue should be, is the spirit leading you to go, or is He wanting you to send that money to be used in other ways. Pray hard about it and see what exciting things God can do in your life!
August 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
It is a huge question and one not to be considered lightly. When we chose our first child, we chose him based off of a country we thought we would be serving in in some capacity at some point in time. While our Plan A of moving there was never realized, my husband was sent there to speak to a group of Ugandan Navigators. While there, he was able to visit our sponsored boy.
I guess I’d say if visiting your child is something you really want to do, try to find a mission trip in the area at some point in time. Raise the money to go for the mission trip and also see your child while you are there.
PS – The experience my husband had of visiting our boy was priceless. He is so grateful to have had that opportunity.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I have worked with Compassion as a Child Advocate long enough to know that they don’t do anything unless it is of spiritual, educational, emotional, social and spiritual benefit to all involved [and this is only the tip of the iceberg of benefits from child visits]. After 16 years, I finally visited Josue in Haiti, just before he completed his education. The notice that he was leaving the program came one week after I returned home — was I glad I had met him? Of course! The last thing he said to me was, “I wish I could see you every day of my life!” He kept my photo “on his bed” so he would remember to pray for me every day. I found out his father was a pastor who walks 4 hours every Saturday to get to the church he preaches in. I had not known this special detail from his letters. I didn’t even know how to pronounce his name correctly until I asked him in person. I now get to sponsor his little brother.
On the same trip, I met a boy in the Dominican Republic that needed a sponsor; his family was in desperate need of help. When I returned home, I asked a friend, Mindy, if she’d like to sponsor Francisco. She did, and it has completely changed her life. She invited me to return to the Dominican Republic to introduce Francisco to her this year. We found out his entire family had become Christians, and his mother couldn’t stop hugging me or patting me on the shoulder every time she walked past me. Several things happened to us on this trip to change our lives forever–I can’t begin to go into the details, but some are described on my blog, such as Mindy’s decision to sponsor Oscar on the spot. I have gone on these trips expecting to “be a blessing” to my sponsored children, but instead have come home completely touched and blessed by the poor. Do we have any idea how badly we need them–to get rid of our greed, selfishness and materialism; and to pray for us and be examples of contentment and joy?
Mindy’s life was changed so much by the child visits that she came home and found over 25 new sponsors! After that, she dropped all other ministries and became a volunteer Child Advocate herself, and numerous more new sponsors are finding the joy of sponsorship. Think of all the children with huge potential finding good health, education, support, and Christ Himself in their (former) world of darkness and despair, because of Mindy’s ministry. She also sponsors an LDP student now, and is doing a “Bite Back” campaign for malaria prevention this fall in her church (and spoke for one for a community VBS this summer). Are child visits worth the expense? Absolutely! Lives are being changed, in us and in the children we are helping. Our lives need to be put in perspective, and sometimes this doesn’t happened until we meet those bright, very worthwhile little faces in person.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Wow I am so glad you all did this discussion!
I understand both sides. I think if you decide to go its what you do when you come back that is the important part.
For me I would love to go see my compassion child! I mean it will give you the opportuinty to see what a huge difference you have made in that childs life. It may lead you to sponsoring other children, wanting to becoming a missionary,bringing back your experience to your church family and promoting compassion where people from your church sponsor more children.
M@tt
http://www.therunforfreedom.com
August 4th, 2008 at 10:36 am
In February I am getting the chance to go on the sponsor tour to India and visit my sponsored child….something I have been saving up for for a long time. I have been sponsoring her for years, and this will be the last sponsorship tour to her area before her graduation from the program.
My child does not have a mother or any sisters, and I have been blessed to be able to step in as a Christian woman role model in her life, something she desperately needs. I have been cofronted with the question on spending such a big amount of money to see her when it could be used elsewhere, but she is my Sister, and there is not a doubt in my mind that meeting her face to face will be the best investment for my money. Not only for the chance to meet a member of my family, but for her to know that she is loved and valued so much that someone would travel around the world to see her.
Of course there are many amazing investments you can make with that money through Compassion, but I guess I would that you ask yourself how much a visit would mean to your child, and if that is something you can really put a price tag on.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
It is a very hard decision to make especially once you understand all sides of the equation. My wife and I went to Honduras with Compassion in March of 2007. I know it impacted Linda ( our sponsored child) but it had a far greater impact on me. We have since sponsored 2 other children in Honduras and I have become an Advocate for Compassion. This alone has brought about child sponsorships that may not have happened if I had not gone. Compassion has become my focus and ministry as a result of that trip. The next trip I hope to involve my entire family including my teenage daughters. Yes the money could be spent on other sponsored children but it is also an opportunity to break my own daughter’s hearts and perhaps bring about greater Kingdom change.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I feel that a lot of people, when they sponsor a child don’t realize they are sponsoring the living breathing image and glory of God. We were created in the image of The Savior! Many people who sponsor a child see the face on the paper but don’t realize the real impact of what their money and sacrifice really does.
For some, who are sponsoring a child maybe out of obligation or because they feel it’s the right thing to do, taking a trip to meet thier sponsored child will put a new perspective on why and what they give to.
Others are completely head over heels for their children and know exactly what their money goes toward and don’t need that wake up call of visiting their child, so they would rather send their money in gifts.
People feel that by taking a trip to visit their sponored child will just be selfish in feeding their own desires. What they fail to realize is how much your child wants to meet you! they want to meet the person that pays for them to go to school, and clothe them! Who pays for them to go to the doctor when their sick! Imagine of you were in their situation…How badly would you want to throw your arms around the neck of the person who saved you and turned your life around?!!!!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Excellent point! Well said! When we were in the Dominican Republic, Mindy took hundreds of photos & movies of her child visit day with Francisco. On the way back to the hotel, she accidentally deleted ALL of them from her camera! She was devastated. The only thought that came to me was this: “God has just brought you down to Francisco’s level of poverty. He doesn’t have hundreds of photos of this day. Only the memories.” She liked that and found great comfort in it. It’s true–we need to see things from their viewpoint as well sometimes.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
It is good to hear all of the opinions and suggestions. I too have questioned whether visiting my child would be a good way to use that money. I like the idea of finding a missions trip to your child’s country and arranging to meet your child. That way you can visit your child and serve the community.
Committing to get sponsors for a specific number of children is awesome too. Juli, I liked how you were able to find a specific child who needed a sponsor and find a friend who was willing to take him.
If you were able to meet a bunch of kids and take pictures and hear a little of their stories, it would be easier to find sponsors and would make a big difference in the lives of the children as well as the new sponsors. Who knows how many lives those sponsors would go on to affect.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Thank you so much for all your comments and suggestions! I really appreciate hearing how the sponsor visits have led to more children being sponsored. If I do go to visit my sponsored children, I now have great ideas on how to use the visit to encourage others to sponsor.
I had never thought of it in this way before, but I actually started sponsoring a girl from Uganda from a sponsor visit. I had been reading the blogs from the Uganda Blog trip and felt led to sponsor a child there. If I can share my trip with others, maybe I can encourage others to sponsor as well. Then I wouldn’t feel as selfish.
After I wrote that question, I received a letter from my sponsored child in Bolivia and she wanted me to come visit. I will definately pray about this and see if God is leading me to do this and provides the opportunity.
For those who have gone, I love reading about your experiences!
Thank you!
August 4th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Can I chime in even though I’m a Compassion employee? (But I’m not in marketing, and I’m not trying to sell anything.
)
I read interviews each day with the children who are sponsored. Those who have been visited by their sponsor very often say it’s one of the most important events of their life. Those who aren’t visited, often say it’s one of their greatest wishes.
Those who have been visited often say it was an integral part in them getting that “aha” of “I matter,” “I have hope,” “I have a future.”
When a child “gets” that, the choices they make based on it for themselves and their country, it will have exponential impact, the effect rippling out to all them around them.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
One thing I learned about finding unsponsored children in a country and that is that you can never promise a child to sponsor them in that situation. The reason being is that the child might already be sponsored and they just don’t know it. What would happen is that you would try to sponsor the child and if they were already sponsored, the child might be disappointed with their sponsor. As a matter of fact, when I visited one of my children, I met 4 unsponsored children in one project and I took pictures of them and some video and told them that I would *TRY* to find them a sponsor. When I got back and called about it, I found that 2 of them were already sponsored.
Kees
August 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I’m not seeing to much chatter here about God’s will.
I can make a good argument for either side of the discussion, but frankly, the ultimate decision lies with God. Then we are to be obedient to whatever He says.
Having said that, if it seems a person is amassing a huge lot of exuses as to why they cannot or should not [go on a trip], it just might be God’s will for that person to go.
God gets the most use out of an empty vessel.
cd
August 4th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Well, what I have to say has been stated excellently in previous posts. I have meet one of my three sponsored children. When I was picked at the airport by a Compassion staff worker he told me it is every child’s dream to meet their sponsor. For me it was worth every penny and I had so many delays and obstacles in my way. Florence and I are closer than ever. It changed both of us forever.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Meeting my sponsored child was one of the best experiences in my life. It is hard to imagine the extent of the poverty that these children live in until you walk with them through a day in their life and you get to build relationships with the Compassion field experiencing their day to day. Our sponsored children often dream of meeting us and visiting them confirms that there is someone on the other side of the world that cares about them so deeply and has such a love for someone that they have never met. I also believe that a lot of prayer should go into the decision and it should not just be about what you want, but more about what that visit could do for your child’s and your own spiritual growth. Imagine the difference that meeting a sponsor could make in that child’s walk with God.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I have been to Colombia and in Feb I was able to go to Ghana and Burkina Faso to visit my girl. It is well worth the money to go meet your child. Colombia brought the reality to me, of seeing the poverty and seeing the wonderful things compassion is doing and how the money is spent. We stayed in a very nice hotel while our children who had to fy in stayed in a different hotel that wasn’t so nice. I struggled with the money issue, and why should we stay in something so nice, but it truly was for our safety, and the children did not stay in the same place because it would be such a culture shock to them, they would not be comfortable, they experienced many new things, a first plane ride, staying in a hotel, going to a private beach with us, and meeting their sponsors. the projects we visited were overwhelming with all the kids surrounding us and wanting to touch us, talk to us. they felt importatan for probably the first time. In Ghana was completely different, while the hotel was adequate for our needs, it wasn’t a 5 star one which was perfect. I was able to actually go my child’s house and meet her mother, see where she lived, she was so excited and still sends me letters about how much she misses me. Her mother proudly explained our presence to her neighbors. I could go on and on, but now with the experiences and pictures, this week I will be speaking to 5 different churches about compassion. How many sponsors/money will come out of that? Only God knows and is in control.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I would love to visit the child I sponsor, but I do feel that kind of money (if I had it) would be better spent sending it directly to her through CI, or to her family.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
On the sponsor tours I’ve been on with Compassion — to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador — Compassion has provided child packets to the projects we are visiting. I always choose a child I’d like to meet and spend some time with. If the child is not there at the time, they will often go find him (as they did with Francisco, above). I make it clear I am not the child’s sponsor, nor do I plan to sponsor him/her. Also, I would never promise the child that I will find a sponsor; I only promise that I will pray about it and talk to friends about it. Then I take photos of myself with the child and his/her child packet to show my friends at home. I always pray for God to lead me to the right person, and He does–sometimes it happens in a parking lot or a store. With this method, I have found sponsors for at least eight children. I’m a member of Compassion’s Advocate’s Network, and can’t think of a better way to spend my time! People that sponsor children always thank me so much for telling them about this ministry.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I went to Ethiopia to visit my sponsored child a few months ago. I have sponsored him for about 12 years and he will be graduating soon, so I thought this would be my only chance to see him (on earth anyway). I too originally questioned spending the money on a visit, thinking I might feel guilty for pursuing my own interests (I like to travel). But after considering and praying about it, I felt that it was the wise thing for me to do (Have you ever read the book “The Greatest Question Ever Asked”?).
For me it was worth it. Hopefully my visit was a blessing to not only my own child, but to some of the hundreds of other children I met while there. I have since sponsored two more children myself and gotten my young daughters involved. I have also given some presentations that have helped convince others to sponsor children. Remember too – the sponsor also gets a blessing from the child, and that’s not always something we can alternatively spend the money on.
And to back it up with numbers: $32 a month for an average 10-year sponsorship is about the cost of one trip. I believe God has used my trip to get more that one child sponsored, so the trip was the wise thing for me to do.
The trip has jump-started my faith. God has used it to provide direction for his plans with my life. Others have commented on the change it has made in me. I have discovered a passion in Compassion. I thank God that he provided the means to pay for the trip – which to me has become priceless.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Those are great comments. I think if you can visit your child, it would be great, if not great, awesome!!! I was talking to a sponsor the other day and she was telling me that she would love to visit her child. Then I asked her if she had a chance to correspond with the child. She said that she hadn’t yet, but she had gotten a lot of letters from Compassion, but hadn’t had a chance to open them. I encouraged her to open them and to read her child’s letters and to write to the child. That’s really something that the vast majority of us can do. Of course, if you’re reading the blog, you are probably writing your child regularly, because you are very interested in Compassion and helping the children. I think it is such a wonderful ministry. Thank you Amber for pointing out that the visit really made it click. I’m still getting letters from the children from before my visit. I’m kind of curious to read how they experienced it and I’d like to go back and visit them again. I miss the children. They are truly the sweetest children, I’ve ever met.
Kees
August 4th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I had the opportunity to go on a Sponsor tour to Rwanda in September 2006. You are right, it is a lot of money. However, I found the experience of going on the tour invaluable. By going on the tour, I was able to meet my sponsored child, learn more about her and her family, and to gain a deep understanding of how Compassion works “behind the scenes”. Additionally, I was able to impact thousands of other children and their families while on the tour through service, interaction, prayer, and just simply spending time with them.
Originally when I planned to go on the tour, I was thinking of all the great things I would learn like how Compassion works in my child’s country, more about my child’s family, more about Compassion staff and fellow sponsors. But nothing could have prepared me for the joy and wonderful serving experiences that God put in my path during that trip that have helped me to further serve God as well as the Compassion ministry. Shortly after returning from Africa, I was very excited to share my story with others; thus helping other children get sponsored. God used my sponsor tour experience to deepen my desire to share Compassion with more people. After seeing what true poverty looked like up close and personal, I had to share my experiences with others. Also, after going on the sponsor tour, I decided to become a formal Advocate for Compassion, which continues to lead to child sponsorship.
All of the Compassion programs: child sponsorship, family gift programs, LDP, AIDs initiative, etc. are important. All needed to be supported. But just as God gives each one of use special gifts, I believe he lays on our hearts different ministries within the Compassion Program in which we can serve and use our resources.
I would suggest you prayerfully consider a sponsor tour. Maybe it’s right for you and maybe it’s not. The most important action you can take is to share your ministry with others and try to help more children become sponsored, and that can be done whether you choose the sponsor tour or not.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This discussion is so meaningful for me. We have been sponsoring children with Compassion for many years and have had many, many requests to “please come visit me.” Between raising our six children and caring for elderly relatives, that has never been possible, but I’ve often wondered what I would do if we had that option. Just today we received a letter from our sponsored boy in Uganda. He was responding to my recent request that he pray for our sponsored children in Kenya during the unrest there. He automatically assumed that I was so worried about these children that I would be coming to Kenya to see them, and he begged me to please spend the 10,000 shillings it would cost to come see him in Uganda while I am so “near” to him!
One of my fondest dreams would be to visit at least one of our children! I’m still praying about it–we’ll see what God’s plan is!
August 4th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
It is definitely a personal decision, and one to seek the Lord on. I did have the opportunity to go to Honduras to visit two of my sponsored children and a friend’s sponsored child. The experience was important for all involved. The mother,father,and pastor of my friend’s sponsored child took a four hour trip to meet up with the tour. This is no small feat for a very poor family, but their son’s sponsorship means the world to them. They were so warm and grateful. The pastor wanted me to film a short thank you speech from him with my video camera. It really is a community affair. My sponsored girl was so excited to see me. She had an album filled with my letters and gifts and was so proud to show it to me. There were, of course, tears all around when we had to say our good-byes.
My point is, the Lord led me to go to Honduras to experience human connection and blessings, and for my children and their families to be blessed. He might not lead everyone. Some my be led to donate the money instead.
I learned a great deal about how compassion works and the extension of the Lord’s great arms on the tour, as well as a new world perspective. My connection flight back (Dallas to Las Vegas) was delayed and there was there was a great deal of complaining while passengers sat on the Tarmac. They were in such a big hurry to get to Las Vegas to blow their money, and I had just been in a third world country where I witnessed children digging though a trash dump for food. Very few people in the United States get a chance to see that type of poverty and it changes who you are and what you do with your life. For that alone, it is worth it. More people would be trying to make a difference if they saw the reality of poverty. If you are called to go, don’t feel guilty about the way God chooses to use your (His) money. Watch as He blesses His people in the experience and shows you what it means to love one another.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
hello everyone. i am mindy. when the chance came to visit fransisco on a sponsors’ tour, i begged Julie to go with me.(me travel to a foreign country alone… are you nuts???) i am so glad that i went. i realize it is a lot of money, but meeting Fransisco was a life changing moment. he never stopped hugging me and his mother kept thanking me for loving her son. i learned the little boy in the picture is shy and shies away from crowds. i can pray for him to be brave and bold in school. he is unsure of himself. i can pray for God to give him encouragement and strength. i tell him frequently how proud i am of him and how much i love him. he is close to his mother and treats her with great respect, i pray for his mother to be able to work each day, so she can provide for her little family. meeting him changed my prayers. i can pray specifically for needs that i wouldn’t have known if i hadn’t met him. same with Oscar. i know his fears better now and i can pray more specifically. i came home and saw a little boy’s packet and fell in love with him, but how do i sponsor 3 children??? that afternoon a co-worker came up to me and gave me $400.00. i sponsored Claudio that day. I do understand the reasons for not traveling to a foreign country, it might be dangerous you know, then i realized that my children live there in the midst of this danger. If it is God’s will that i go, then He will take care of me. God’s awesome presence in the midst of poverty, is an experience that will change the heart of every believer. i have never felt God so close and such hourly blessings as i did in the DR. God truly loves the poor and they know Him in a way that most of us can’t fathom. i am so thankful for the sponsor tour opportunity. if you want to feel the heartbeat of God, go on a tour.
love in Jesus’ name, mindy
August 4th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I guess I took a very different approach when I decided to take a sponsor tour last year. I asked my minister if she thought my church family would help me raise the money for the trip. My trip was viewed as a mission trip and we raised the every bit of the money to pay for the trip. I felt guilty at how well I was taken care of on the trip, I discussed this with my church when I returned. No one I spoke with felt they had been tricked into raising money for a vacation for me. I learned so much during my sponsor tour, I saw first hand the difference Compassion is making in the lives of children. There is no substitute for first hand experience and nothing can take the place of hugging your child in person! I would have never been able to pay for the trip by myself. I thank God for putting everything in place to make it possible. Like some others have said the choice to take a trip like this is one everyone has to prayerfully consider………just don’t forget there may be another way to make it happen.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I would love to be able to meet my sponsored child. But, that is a lot of money. I have considered skipping my vacation to go, but that never seems like a good idea with three little ones of my own.
If God wants me to go, Hwill let me know and work out the details. So for now, I’ll have to be content with letters and photos!
August 4th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
This is an excellent discussion. It is a question I wrestled with before my first sponsor tour to Nicaragua in 2006.
I don’t regret spending the money one bit – I learned great lessons there. The first lesson is that I underestimated the value of the letters. I was one of those sponsors that rarely wrote to my child. It isn’t that I didn’t care about him, I just didn’t “get it.” After visiting a couple projects early in the trip, and hearing the stories directly from children who never received letters and how sad it made them, I knew what I had to do when I met my child. I took the opportunity to apologize to him and his mother. I also made the committment to write on a regular basis. What a blessing to be able to do that in person.
Had I not made the trip, I don’t know that I would have ever figured out the negative impact of not writing to the kids. The letters are prized possessions!
Now, after a second trip to Nicaragua, I sponsor four kids there and write at least every other month.
I will never forget the “pre-school attack hug” I received in June – I was trying to take a little girl’s picture and she just charged me and grabbed me around my knees…she wouldn’t let go (not that I wanted her too). Then the girl who was so worried about me being hot that she had me sit in her chair and she fanned me to cool me off…with a huge smile on her face. Then there is the image of a mother hugging her child’s sponsor for about 15 minutes, crying her eyes out.
For me, Compassion is no longer just sending a check to Colorado Springs – Compassion is the face of a child…who now has hope. Children who smile, laugh, and learn.
Through these trips, I want to find sponsors for more of these kids, and it makes me want to be a better sponsor for my kids.
It is a personal choice, no right or wrong answer. For me, it has helped me to define more of a purpose for my life. It was worth every penny to me.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I first heard about Compassion from the Robbie Seay Band. But it wasn’t until a month later after reading the posts from those that travelled overseas at Compassion Bloggres that I was finally “excited” enough to sponsor a child of my own.
Prayerfully consider it, but don’t JUST do the math of what would this money otherwise have done. What will this trip do for you that will inspire OTHERS to do? It’s like a pyramid scheme … in a good way!
August 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
there are many reasons for a person not to wish to travel. it’s not just the money. my husband is afraid of flying. however he has sponsored Sampson in Ethiopia for 9-10 years and regularly gives to childrens causes. i wish he would go with me just once, on a sponsor tour, but i have to respect his fear of flying. he can stay home and send money and be blessed just the same. God will and can use every sponsor, whether a traveler or not.
as mentioned before, the key to having a good sponsorship-relationship is daily pray for your child and correspond. most letters are one or two paragraphs long and simply say, “i love you and pray for you every day” you don’t have to be a literary genious to tell a child you care about them. they need to hear that their sponsor thinks about them and loves them. a friend recently said i don’t know what to write….i asked her ‘what do you tell your grandchildren in 2-3 paragraphs?’ more than anything they need to know they matter to God, and to you, and they are loved.
the money issue can sometimes be an excuse not to go, i feel that if God lays it on your heart, then the money will be provided. I saved some, an aunt left me some, and God kept opening the doors that i couldn’t have opened myself. it was clearly God’s intention that i go. i was also afraid of going to another country without my husband. God placed Julie there as my ears (i am a lipreader)and hand-holder. i am glad that i had the experience and my husband is glad i had julie there instead of him having to fly. (he really is a scaredy cat.) again, it is most important to be where God places you, not where others think you should be.
the money was well spent in the long run with added sponsorships and with my desire to send extra money to my families in the DR, instead of wasting so much on my own shopping sprees. why do i need a new sweater when i can buy food for a family for a month with that same money. it changed how i view materialsm and greed in my own life. mindy
August 5th, 2008 at 12:47 am
When you’re talking to someone about child sponsorship, and you can say, “I’ve been there. I’ve met my sponsored child. I can see the difference Compassion has made in their lives” it makes such a powerful impact. While I understand the pull between wanting to sponsor just one more child with the money you would pay to go on the trip, I can tell you that telling the story of meeting my sponsored girls has yielded far more sponsorships than the trip money would have paid for. Beyond the emotional impact of that telling that testimony to others, meeting your child gets you so excited to spread Compassion.
If trips didn’t yield a net gain in sponsorships, why would Compassion do them?
August 5th, 2008 at 4:26 am
I think it’s amazing that you have been so generous to sponsor three girls so I really congratulate you on that!!
Going is really your decision, but I’m sure it would mean so much more to the girls having you there, than the money would ever mean. I think it will really help them see the reality that other people love them and are praying for their safety and protection. Your love means so much in itself!
God bless you so much!!
August 5th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Katlyn,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I feel very blessed by being able to sponsor these girls… Eliana (Bolivia), Leah (Uganda), and Marin (India). God definately placed this desire in my heart. As a single working class mother of a preschooler, I often groaned and complained about how “poor” I was. Through Compassion I am learning how greatly blessed I am in so many ways, including financially. I struggle with using my resources in the best way possible. I often fail and make selfish decisions, but I know I am a work in progress! It is because of my recurring selfishness that I worry that a visit to my sponsor child would be more about my desire and not His. I do want to visit my girls, and I will prayerfully seek His guideness.
I have been sponsoring for a year and a half, and am just beginning to speak out about child sponsorship with my friends and family. I have recently contacted my pastor about having a Compassion Sunday. This is a big step for me as I am rather shy. Sometimes I feel frustrated and want to knock some sense into people, to make them realize that their excess can make the difference between hope and death in a child’s life. I pray that God will open their eyes, heart, and pocketbook!
This may not be the best forum for mentioning this, but I also sponsor a child at an orphanage in Busia, Uganda (Ashia). This orphanage was founded by a former Compassion worker and has current Compassion employees on its board. It is a small grass roots organization that could really use any support they could receive. If anyone would like more information and a link to their website, please email me at SheCass9@aol.com.
Thank You!
August 5th, 2008 at 6:26 am
I admit to not reading all of the responses to this, so, forgive me if this opinion has already been given. I totally understand the idea that money spent on a trip to visit a sponsored child may be better used sponsoring more children. To an extent, I agree. On the other hand, I believe there is a lot of potential to make direct, real-world, loving connections in a visit that no monthly check will replace. My wife and I intend to take our kids on a trip to visit at least one of our sponsored children once our kids approach teenage years for the distinct purpose of providing some perspective for them to live the rest of their lives from. I also agree with what another respondent said about using the trip to make presentations to others upon your return. I believe that this is very justifiable.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:44 am
My child in El Salvador asked me to come visit, twice. I thought no way, I don’t have the money. I took a crown financial seminar and the group prayed and all felt that I was being called to go. And the trip massively changed my life. I know it impacted Nahum, my child. Also, when you go, you bring tons of gifts, not just for your child but for the projects you visit and they get the benefit of supplies! In El Salvador we even had a service day where we made bricks and built houses for those who lost homes in hurricane Stanley. When I went to El Salvador, I sponsored 3 children. The poverty hit me so hard and the love these children have for Christ hit me even harder. I saw Jesus there in ways I don’t see it in the United States. When I came home I was a different person and I began sponsoring more children. God has provided the money for me to do both, visit my kids and continue to increase the number of kids that I sponsor. Also a thought…I am taking my neices and nephews (one at a time) on the trips with me. I want them to see, as teens, the poverty in the world, that getting food is a bigger problem than whether or not you have the latest ipod or must have sneaker. If you have kids at home or neices and nephews you can take, it will change them too and they may also spread the word about Compassion, and one day become sponsors themselves.
If you think, I have better uses for the money and act on that…actually sponsor more kids or give to the hunger relief fund, then you are likely following God’s plan for your life. If you continue to struggle with the idea…maybe God is calling you to go! He may be saying to you, yes I know you can sponsor another child, or help with aids relief…but I gave you the money and I know the best way for you to spend it..so GO! Continue to pray…ask friends to pray and see what all say!
God bless.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:03 am
“If you think, I have better uses for the money and act on that…actually sponsor more kids or give to the hunger relief fund, then you are likely following God’s plan for your life. If you continue to struggle with the idea…maybe God is calling you to go! He may be saying to you, yes I know you can sponsor another child, or help with aids relief…but I gave you the money and I know the best way for you to spend it..so GO! Continue to pray…ask friends to pray and see what all say!”
Amen Misty C–that’s what I’m talk’n about. It’s God’s picture, let Him paint it.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Mindy,
I love what you share in the response. If you can’t visit your children, but just write to them and tell that they are loved and encourage them in the Lord and do that regularly, you can make a HUGE impact on the children’s lives. Some of the best known sponsored children, that have really gone on with the Lord never met their sponsor till after they graduate. I’ve seen that several times on videos, where a sponsored child might be speaking and addressing a crowd about what it was like to be sponsored and they said: “We have a suprise, your sponsor is here.” I just saw that yesterday with the girl from Africa that is in many of the Compassion videos. It’s very emotional.
Having said that, I think about how our Lord Jesus discipled 12 disciples and poured most of his life into these 12. At times, He was actually not available for others, but He would strategically pour His life into the 12. He did that for a few years and then He was gone. These 12 though made a huge impact on the world, so that within 20 years people were describing them in the book of Acts as having turned the whole world upside down.
So, in that sense it spread through multiplication, not addition. So Christ focuessed on the 12, who focussed on the others, who focussed on the others, etc, etc… And as was said earlier, it is like a pyramid scheme, or I guess they mean network marketing. (BTW, I’m not trying to encourage anyone here to get involved with one of those businesses, I’m just saying that that one part of those businesses is really based on a Biblical model of II Tim. 2:2.)
So, yes, visiting a child, that might cost $2000, might seem wasteful, when realizing how many children that can be fed with that money. The child is the fruit, but like and good fruit, it has seeds in it that will produce many other fruits, which will produce many other fruits. Think about what if your child were to become the next Billy Graham? The individual children are worth it, because there is so much beyond the visit that you will be building into.
Having said that, I do believe that if it isn’t possible to visit the child, you can have a huge impact with writing your children.
Blessings,
Kees
August 5th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Go. I plan to go eventually. But go so that your child/children know you are real in a concrete way.
Go so that God can use you as His arms to hug the children you’ve prayed for.
Go for the chance to carry blessings into the country that might not other go in or be able to get to your child.
Go so that you are changed by seeing poverty first hand.
Go so you can more powerfully tell others and hopefully find sponsors for others.
I believe God wants us on those trips not as toursits but as ambassadors. Granted, I’ve got a lot of saving to do, but I’m going someday.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
[...] Wordle Wednesday! — Sponsor Visits There was a lot of discussion this week on the Compassion Blog about sponsor tours and visits with children. So I thought I would entitle this Wordle [...]
August 6th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Wonderful discussion. I am in the midst of my own struggle about whether I should visit Tanzania. I see that the 2009 trip is now full, so I took that as God showing me it’s not a now thing. I’ll continue to work on being able to go. If I get there, I know it will be life altering for me and my sponsored child. If I don’t, I’m sure this struggle will bring benefit as well.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Carolyn F,
Maybe you can plan your own visit to Tanzania since the group tour didn’t work out. I think you will still be able to visit with your child, his project, and maybe even the country office if it is nearby. I was thinking I would have to go that route since the group sponsor tour dates might not work out for me. Has anyone done a private visit and still been able to get a good overview of how Compassion works in the country?
August 6th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Shelly, Kees Boer reported recently on his individual trip to Bolivia to see his 12 kids. He’s also got some great pic’s!
August 6th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I did read about Kees experience, but I wasn’t sure if he got all the “extras” because he was visiting 12 children instead of one. He actually brought a doll over for my sponsored girl Eliana!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hi,
I did visit all of my children in Bolivia. The week after I took my trip, there was an advocate tour of Bolivia. I checked into going on that first. It made a lot of good stops and what have you, but the only thing was that it only gave one day to visit the children. This would have been good, if I had sponsored only one or two children in Bolivia, but since I have 12 and then my dad have 2, if I had gone on the tour, I would have only been able to either see all of them, when they came to see me in one central location or just see a few of them. That’s why I made the decision to arrange my own flight, but then Compassion Bolivia and the Compassion travel office arranged all of the details as to where I stayed, the taxis, translations, etc… They did a great job and I also got to visit the main Compassion offices in Cochabamba, which I was happy to do. I probably missed out on some things that a tour would have given, but I was there primarily for the children.
Last February, I accompanied my dad on a trip to visit his child in Mexico and it was also the same situation. My dad booked the flight and Compassion took care of all the details.
You do have to pay for any of the costs incurred in the country and Compassion requests that you let them know of your visit at least 6 weeks in advance, so they can arrange it. There are a few forms to sign too.
Blessings,
Kees
August 7th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I struggled with this question until all my sponsor children had written telling me they pray to meet me one day. I can not describe the blessing that came from meeting my children. I will be forever changed. I hope my children will also be forever changed. I plan to sponsor children through compassion for the rest of my life. And, I will continue to visit my children whenever I am able.
August 7th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
If you can do it, go visit your sponsored child. Consider going on a Compassion trip to another country if a visit to your sponsored child’s country is too expensive. Just seeing Compassion at work ‘in the field’ is a marvelous experience, and you will surely be blessed by the multitude of children you will encounter in the projects you visit. I recently returned from an Advocate’s trip to Bolivia. I had the opportunity to meet a child that I had begun sponsoring only a few weeks prior to my departure. Would he even know he had a new sponsor? I hadn’t even considered that meeting him was even a possibility. But God, in His infinite wisdom, made it all happen. The morning we spent together (along with his mother, a translator, the Project Director, and his grandmother) was an absolute joy. Noe (age 5) and I hadn’t even exchanged a single letter at this point, but we bonded almost immediately. I’m so thankful for the foundation that we now have to build upon over the coming years.
You can learn a great deal about this ministry by going on one of these trips. I thought I knew what to expect (in terms of the poverty that I was exposed to). After all, I have read many articles on Compassion’s website, as well as articles in Compassion Magazine. But when I arrived in Bolivia, I realized that I knew nothing. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the emotions…. those are things that you can’t experience on any webpage or magazine, or adequately explain to someone who has never been ‘there’.
It was money well spent. Meeting my sponsored child was priceless. My pastor ‘gave’ me the pulpit for the entire service this past Sunday morning so that I could share my experiences with the congregation (Yes, I was a bit nervous!). I’m also the worship leader, so basically I was ‘on stage’ the entire morning.
If you can, GO!! Show a child the love of Jesus!
August 8th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I am visiting my sponsor daughter in Rwanda in a few weeks (Sept. ‘08) I am so very happy and blessed to be able to go there! We have been sponsoring her for a few years. I had a stroke a couple of years ago, and was paralyzed on my left side. My sponsor child was my goal for recovery! I promised myself that if I could walk without help again, I would go to Rwanda. With much hard work, and lots of prayer, on my part, and from my sponsor daughter, I am walking just fine! God truly blesses those who ask…
August 8th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Shelly,
I think you asked an excellent question. The reason I think it is so funny is b/c you actually have the insight to think…”Wait a second here…How can my money be used best???” I recently went on the Nicaragua Sponsor Tour June 14-21. The cost was $2350 and my parents bought my plane ticket from Colorado Springs to Miami for my birthday. For me it was not a question of money but I decided as far as it went with me I wanted to visit each of my sponsor children at least once while they are young and once while they are old. The reason is this: I want to see them in the flesh and blood, talk with them, play with them, and even talk with there parents a little and project director in my case. They need to know I am real as well. By actually seeing me I believe puts a face, personality, and force to the letters I write. I doubt I will ever forget the day I got to spend with Osmari, her mom and her project director. Osmari I was told wants to be a doctor so I told her I will support her in that until “she achieves a victory” i.e. becomes a doctor. If her dream changes I hope to support her in that as best I can. I took down a cheap $9 stethoscope so she can “practice” being a 4-year old doctor. My advice to you is GO! and after the trip see if next time your money will be used better elsewhere. I do not think you can know for sure unless you go. I believe the visit I made to Nicaragua was money wisely spent. I was told I was the first sponsor to visit from Osmari’s project. One neat thing by visiting is that it is like you are visiting hundreds of sponsor kids with your one visit!!! So hundreds of kids get to experience seeing one of these “Sponsors” I was told less than 1% of Sponsors actually visit there Sponsored child. I do not know if that is true, but I definitely wanted to be in that 1%. I have already made the deposit for the Sponsor Tour to the Philippines and continue to pray that God will make a way for me to go. I have no doubt He will but I pray anyways. I do not think Shelly you could make a better investment of your money than visiting your sponsored child after having to have gotten to meet Osmari this past June. There is an island south of Japan called Miyako Jima and in the Miyakan dialect they have a word “Waido!” which means “Go for it!” I think you should go for it!!! But that is just me
August 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Mike Stephens,
Thanks for your encouragement!
The majority of the comments posted here support going on a sponsor trip. I see that the relational and spiritual benefits for both the sponsor and child are priceless. I also see the benefit of meeting and encouraging the other project children, the child’s family, project workers, and Compassion staff. And I do understand now that the experience can be used to ignite a greater passion in myself to help the children and to inspire others to sponsor.
After I thought about it awhile, I realized (besides feeling selfish) I was trying to weigh the good of helping more against the benefit to just the one child. That was wrong. That goes against what Compassion is trying to show each child…that they have individual dignity, worth, and importance to God and to me. And each of my sponsored children are definately worth the cost of my visiting them!
My question was actually just a hypothetical/philosophical question for the staff member in charge of sponsor visits in Uganda. I didn’t expect it to be in its own post. I don’t even actually have the financial means to visit my sponsored children right now. But after hearing all the support for sponsor visits, now I have to start saving!!!
August 8th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Hi, Mike,
I like what you said. I understand that there are about 4,000 projects and about 4,000 sponsors go to visit their children each year. If so, it would stand to reason that on the average each project would get one visit per sponsor per year. Of course some of these visits are of sponsors, where the child visits with their sponsor somewhere else. I don’t know what the percentage is on that. I do know that when I went to visit the projects that all the children would crowd around me and when I would meet with a child and translator and a couple of staff and maybe the parents, I would see children all crowd in the hallways trying to get a glimpse. It’s very humbling. I felt like I was a celebrity or so, but at the same time, I felt the real celebrity were the children themselves and I was humbled to be in their presence. They are so sweet. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.
On a slightly related note, I just watched a movie that reminded me a lot of sponsorship. It’s called Nim’s Island. It’s really good. Much parallels sponsorship. There is only one thing that I found was much different and that was when the two met. I found the sponsored child to really love their sponsor right from the beginning. I’m trying to not give away any spoilers though!
Blessings,
Kees
August 8th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I would also say, if you can go, GO!!! Here is my story:
When I was visiting one of my sponsored girls in the Compassion office in the Dominican Republic,in May of this year, a young man came up and started talking to me. He said, “Hey, do you remember me? I was one of your English students years ago when you were a teacher here in the Dominican Republic. I did remember him, but was surprised to see him in the Compassion office, as I didn’t know he had any connection to Compassion. Turns out he had been a sponsored child and is now a translator for Compassion. I said, “It is so good to see you again and know that your English is now good enough for you to be a translator here at Compassion. Even though I am here in Santo Domingo today, day after tomorrow, I am giving a Compassion Sunday presentation at my church, and I have no idea what to say.”
He said, “Tell them about me, a poor kid with no possibility for a hope and a future, until someone sponsored me and led me to the Lord.” I asked what else he did, besides translating, and he told me that he is the pastor of a church. On the plane ride home to Boston, I jotted down a few notes, and in my church service, I told about my conversation with the young pastor. I have given may Compassion Sundays, but this was the most effective one ever.
I go to see my sponsored girls once or twice a year, but this time, it also destined by God for me to meet up with my former student who provided me with the perfect material for Compassion Sunday, 2008. I have now found over 100 sponsors, and I am sure that I could not have been as effective as an Advocate if I did not have this as well as many other personal stories to tell about my experiences in the Dominican Republic. This is my first time writing here, but I am sure it will not be my last. If you cannot go, WRITE. I can attest, after 20 years of sponsoring, that the letters are treasures to the children. When I visit the various projects of my girls (all in different parts of the Dom. Rep.) some child always comes up to me and says, “Do you know my sponsor? Please tell her to write to me.”
August 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Going on a sponsor tour is an amazing experience. I think we should keep in mind that God doesn’t “need” us to fulfill anything that He desires to accomplish. We are priviledged that He chooses to use us. I don’t think you should feel guilty about using the money to take a tour instead of sponsoring more children. You are not responsible for obilerating poverty all by yourself. You should do what you feel called to do and if God is putting a desire to go on a tour in your heart then you should definatley do it. It changes you in so many ways. It’s an incredible blessing and it’s made my committment to Compassion and my children even stronger. I can’t wait to go again. I’m a different person for having seen Compassion at work firsthand.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
In my opinion, I think you should give those three children a visit. I mean, yes, it’s another good idea to sponsor other children instead, but I think you should get closer to the children that you are already sponsoring.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I was so profoundly changed by the experience of visiting the children we sponsor, and seeing what Compassion is all about, that I decided to become an advocate. In this way, I am able to help find way more sponsors than I can ever hope to sponsor.
We also now have a much different relationship with our children – two of them recently asked me to attend their graduation, and accept their diploma with them as their “special father.”
I cannot say enough about the experience of meeting your sponsored child!
August 12th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I think money, either having the money and not wanting to spend that much or not having the money at all, is not a good enough reason not to do something that God may be calling you to do.
I did not have the money and didnt see how I could get enough but God provided it with miracle after miracle. Funny thing is even now when Ive thought about going again, I still have the same worry that I dont have the money to pay for it. I do know however that the trip is worth it. So, if God wants me to go again I know he will provide for me.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I would love to visit my sponsored child in república Dominicana. I chose a country not so far from mine for that reason. I´m sure that children would love to have a visit from their sponsors. But I would only travel if I have the opportunity to travel somewhere close. Of course it is better to spend the money helping more childen if I´m not going to make a trip, eg to US.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Consider the fact that your sponsor child is longing for you to come see them one day. Consider the fact that when they see your face, you’ve just made their life reach a new level! The effect that you have on one of these little children has huge reprocussions. The children, if you have sent them a picure of yourself, are holding tight with the hope of seeing you face-to-face one day because of the wonderful blessing that you are to them and their family. I wept at the sight of seeing my child in Honduras 2 years ago. Angel cried so hard when we had to say goodbye after spending all day together at a WaterPark. The Lord knows that on that specific day that the two of us had an emotional need met that will be impacted forever. No matter what I go through, no matter what Angel goes through, we both know that we’ll never be alone because of Jesus Christ. I know that Angel prays for me constantly. I pray for Angel constantly. I am praying for another opportunity to go visit him, his family, and his project. Let me state again; going to see your sponsor child will strengthen your relationship with in Christ, will impact you heart for foreign mission, and will push you to see more children sponosored on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. May the Lord direct your hearts as you seek His will in going to your sponsor child’s country. God’s answer may be no; that doesn’t mean you’ll never go. I know that financially some people cannot afford it. I do know a gentleman who has gone to see all 25+ children that he sponsors. God has blessed this man financially in ways that are making a huge different across 20+ countries as I type this blog. God will direct, He will guide you, and He will provide the resources for you to go should He open that door. Should you feel that investing in sponorsoring several children is your mission, praise the Lord for that. I do know there are thousands of children on a waiting list to be sponsored and your tremedous efforts will not go un-noticed. Praise the Lord for each one of you who are investing in the ministry of Compassion International. As an advocate let me say THANK YOU personally for your heart for these children. God Bless!
March 14th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Lord Have MERCY!!! Is it not OBVIOUS that visiting your sponsored child is on par with doing the IMPOSSIBLE!!! That is why it must be done!!! I felt the same way before I visited Nicaragua on the Sponsor Tour last year, but now that I have been all I can say is it was worth WAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY more than the $2450 the tour cost!!! Not to mention I loved telling people I was going when I wasn’t even sure if I was!!!!!!! Guess what??? I am going to the Philippines June 6-18, 2009 to visit the boys I sponsor there!!! HALLELUJAH!!! I still am AMAZED I earned the $4299 driving a Taxi!!! I got fired a little bit before I finished paying for the trip!!! So I got another job at a hotel during the night shift and I was fired only after a week!!! But in that week I was able to finish paying for the trip!!! Which was a goal I made for 2009: Go on the Philippines Sponsor Tour!!! For me going on the Sponsor Tour feels like winning a race, because it is not easy to pay for the trip but I am proof little by little it can be done!!! If I had a car I would have sold it to go on the trip and if I had my own house OOOOO MAN!!! I would have sold that too to go!!! I had a pastor once who sad part of enjoying life is watching all the cards fall!!! I am not sure how much I agree with that, but what can we do when they do fall!!!!!!! The bible tells us at the end of II Corinthians 12:8-10 “that is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in HARDSHIPS, in PERSECUTIONS, in DIFFICULTIES, for when I am weak then I am strong!!! I have to admit if I wasn’t able to pay for the Philippines Sponsor Tour I would be very upset, but that is why I prayed multiple times a day so God would make it happen and I am glad HE DID!!! B/c I would have regretted it!!! Even though I am going I know I will hope and wish to do more!!! Another thing if I, Mike Stephens, do not visit I will have to rely on other people telling what is going on!!! I can’t live with that I HAVE TO GO!!! The ONLY WAY TO KNOW IS TO GO!!!!!!! Granted I will not visit the houses and neighborhoods of the kids I sponsor…this time but it is a stepping stone that maybe down the road I could do an individual visit!!! But either way I want to see them and them me so they can put a face and personality to the letters and me too for them. I believe the visit makes all the difference for me and for them!!! If you have not visited I encourage you to visit by either selling your car or your house or BOTH the joy might be twice as much!!! One thing that encouraged me even though I had already planned on going, but sometimes we all need a little help “jumping out of the plane!!!” hahahaha A very honorable fellow Advocate once said “If you haven’t visited your Compassion child…GO ROB A BANK AND GO!!!” I have to say I was probably in the minority of people who hadn’t visited when that encouraged was given to me!!!
But I was already out of the vault with the money bags when that was being said!!! I do not think any guilt or looking down upon should be done if a Sponsor decides not to visit or simply does not have the means. I just highly encourage people to pray that God will make a way for them to go so they can see for themselves the POWER of the visit!!! I guess another way for me to look at it is, if I was the Sponsored child what would I want? I would want my Sponsor to visit me multiple times and send many, many, many gifts and tell me to TRUST our God who can bring dead people back to life, calm the Ocean, CREATE the universe and OBEY Him and NEVER TO GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!! Life is a MIST visit, visit, visit!!! PRAY, PRAY, PRAY don’t give up!!! “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, SO YOU WILL NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART!!!!!!!” the Bible. Well I promised Angelo I would visit him and when I visit I will dunk a basketball with 2 hands to encourage him in his DREAM to become a basketball player!!! Well the visit is set-up as much as I can do, now I need to add 7-12inches on my jumping!!! I can dunk a piece of rolled up newspaper about the size of a grapefruit on a 10ft. hoop!!! So I am almost there!!! PRAY for ME!!! PRAY that when I visit July 6-18, 2009 and when I get to meet Angelo pray that I will indeed be able to fulfill my promise and dunk a basketball for him with 2 hands!!! I need the prayer!!! PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!! thank you!!!!!!!
I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because HE cares for YOU!!!”
Mike
March 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I have a question…What do you guys (Sponsors, Advocates, and employees) believe is better for the child than visiting them??? That as a Sponsor I can do?
March 14th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
@Mike Stephens – I’m really glad that I was able to visit one of my sponsored children this past Summer in Bolivia. As awesome an experience as that was, I know that I will probably not be able to visit all of them, and that’s okay. Writing letters, sending ‘gifts’, and praying for them will be of more ‘lasting’ value to the child…..especially the letter-writing, which is SO important. Not being able to visit your child doesn’t mean that you love and care for them any less.
March 14th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Hi Mike – For me, visiting my child really brought the ministry of Compassion to life for me. I don’t know that I would have really understood how important my letters were (I was a very bad letter writer…I actually apologized to my child and his mother for not writing to them during my visit). I also now sponsor 4 kids instead of just one.
I have also had the chance to use the story of meeting my child, as well as photos, in my work as an Advocate. I will bring the album when I work an event when appropriate (and have had some artists even encourage people to come check out my pictures when they have spoken from the stage). I think the key question is – how do you use your experience once you are home?
March 15th, 2009 at 6:36 am
In December,2008, it was announced that my office would close, and I would be out of work. I had already planned and paid for a trip to the Dominican Republic for January,2009 to visit the 3 girls that I sponsor there. I had to decide whether to cancel the trip and get my money back, or to go. I decided to go, as I thought that it would be a very special trip, and it WAS. Though I had been to visit the girls many times in the past, they did not know each other, as they live in different parts of the island. For the first time, they were all to get together and meet me in the Compassion office in Santo Domingo, which they did. It was incredible to see how they bounded with each other. When I hugged each of them, and saw how they interacted with each other, I KNEW that I had made the right decision. No matter how long I am unemployed, I will NEVER stop sponsoring these 3 girls (two of them are 10 yrs. old, one is 7). I met
another sponsor while I was there, and have encouraged her to become an advocate, as I am. Going to visit your sponsored child is an act of faith: that the money will be found to do it and that there will be a good result from doing so. As many others have pointed out here, it is a life changing experiences, for your sponsored child and also for YOU—and for those whose lives you will touch when you return.
Carolyn
March 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Mike, Pat, and Carolyn thank you for answering my question!!! There is still a lot to learn but just like the bible says I am starting to realize it is important for me to memorize bible verses and know what the bible says, but I need to do it!!! I see it as the difference between watching a sea turtle swim on national geographic on TV and actually riding on the back of a sea turtle!!! It is still amazing and majestic to watch a sea turtle on TV but riding on the back of one adds a little more adrenaline and reality!!! I don’t think wondering is bad but as long as God gives me the ability to visit the kids I sponsor I want to put a face, name, and personality to all these letters I receive and I am sure they want the same!!! Also I love this blog b/c I promised Angelo I would dunk a basketball for Him with 2 hands and I am really close about 7-12 more inches and I should have it comfortably so I want to say it again here to put some more pressure on myself to keep practicing these next couple of months!!!
March 22nd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Mike,
I’m so in agreement with you. It is important to memorize the Bible. I used to smuggle Bibles onto cargo ships from Communist countries and I’ve seen the tears in the eyes, when someone finally gets a Bible. The Bible is not just an idle word, but It is our very life. (Deut. 22)
Yes, visiting your child will totally change your relationship. You will be able to imagine them how they walk, talk, and think. It makes them come alive so much and I still get letters from my sponsored children after I visited them, talking about the visit.
Kees
March 22nd, 2009 at 6:43 pm
For Mike Stephens: I would say visiting your sponsored child is more like the difference between
watching a war on the nightly news and actually experiencing the battlefront. Our sponsored children are fighting poverty and spiritual warfare every day. Meeting them on the battlefield, by going to visit them, can only increase our desire to help them in their struggle.
March 26th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Excellent responses my friends!!! Carolyn I think I like yours the best!!! B/c it is so true!!! My analogy wasn’t necessarily the best…yours is right on!!! I am going to use that many times from now on!!! I finally have the reason I need to explain why it is important to visit!!! And for myself for future trips!!! Carolyn I think that comment is the best one I have ever seen so far!!! You should win a prize!!! I think that explains Compassion the best I have ever heard ever!!! “We are joining them on the battlefield!!!” Lord have mercy Carolyn you just helped me even more!!! You helped put words to my desire to help and the strong commitment I hope to continue to have. I think one of my huge problems is I forget I am in a battle!!! I often think life is Candyland. Sometimes it is relaxing and fun but it is crucial to be on our guard. Sometimes I would joke saying eternal vigilance is the price of speeding because if you speed you have to make sure you look out for police. Carolyn that is what I believe I felt when I sponsored. Or least if it wasn’t quite that now I have a very easily understandable reason in a few words to understand why Compassion does what it does and why they need our prayers and support. I would often ask what am I trying to do as a sponsor with Compassion. There are many great things Compassion does, but what Compassion really does is go to War on a daily basis!!! And I see that!!! I can understand that!!! That is feasible in my brain!!! And just to add another thing I think the fiercest war is the war NOT against flesh and blood!!! If I want REAL hand to hand combat I should pray!!!
March 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Kees,
you are so right as well b/c as the bible says also “Chirst who is YOUR LIFE…” and being that the WORD was made flesh the BIBLE is our life also…it is one in the same!!! That helps me a lot as well b/c it helps when I can grasp the “why” in my mind!!! Why read the bible is like asking why eat??? If you want to live you need to eat but even more importantly if you want to LIVE you need to read the BIBLE!!! I am not saying I necessarily love War but I love Adventure, OVERCOMING, VICTORY, and even DANGER (if I escape) like another fellow sponsor once shared with me the song “Jesus is the Winna Mon” so yet another reason to cleave to Jesus…He NEVER Loses!!!
Thanks to both of you for answering my questions!!! And joining in the WAR and FIGHT!!! The “Questions” blog I feel is answered in its entirety by Carolyn’s explanation next time someone maybe someone closer to my age says “What’s this about?” or “Why do you do this?” I can say it’s a War my friend a FIERCE FIGHT if you will and I’m thinkin you probably do not have what it takes to HANG with this BATTLE so you might wanna just go on home and drink some coffee!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Additional thoughts on visiting your sponsored child(ren):
It helps you in your own ministry as a sponsor or advocate, to find more sponsors. When you are asked, “How does my sponsorship help a child,” then you have real, concrete answers to give, as you have seen firsthand the difference that your sponsorship has made and is making in the life of your child(ren).
The heightening of conviction that visiting my 3 sponsored girls has given me, has enabled me to find sponsors for over ONE HUNDRED more children around the world. Who could have known, before going, that a trip to see my 1st sponsored child (in 1990), would have led me to sponsor more children and to find sponsors for so many more? Cling tight to Jeremiah 29:11-13
April 1st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
A question for those who have gone on the Sponsor Tours. Did you get the opportunity to take your sponsor child/child’s family shopping while you were there?
One of these days my husband and I will likely take the Sponsor Trip to Honduras to visit our sponsor child, and although we will probably bring him toys/books from the states, it would be hard to guess as to bringing other items like clothes in the appropriate size.
Tell me your experiences?
April 1st, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hi, Wendy,
I don’t know if you can do that with a sponsor tour. I’ve never been on sponsor tours. I do know you can do that with an individual visit. They tend to be less expensive too.
When my dad and I went to visit my dad’s sponsored child in Mexico, we took her to a Walmart and bought her some clothes there. The only thing is that we noticed she stayed in the dressing room for a long time. Finally, the Compassion rep went to check what was going on. They found out that she had never seen herself in a big mirror and she kept on looking at herself! So, we ended up buying her a big mirror too!
Kees
April 1st, 2009 at 4:07 pm
One way to help the family buy clothes for your sponsored child, is to send extra money with your sponsorship payment, especially at Christmas and for their birthday. Also, you can send a once a year family gift of (I think it is) $300. The child may live in a remote area, where it would not be feasible for you to take them shopping on a Sponsor Tour. Having said that, I always take lots of clothes & shoes with me for my 3 sponsored girls in the Dominican Republic. However, I do visit them at least once a year, so I know their sizes. So far, everything has fit. You could also take clothing items such as Tshirts, sox and baseball caps, where the fit does not need to be exact. As you may know, what you are NOT supposed to do is give the family money, other than though Compassion.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
When you travel WITH CI, you can’t take your child anywhere the group does not go,. I had no idea what size Solange wore, so I stopped people I saw with children about her age, and asked them what size they wore.
Something to consider: in many countries girls ONLY wear dresses or skirts, NO pants, I made the mistake of taking a pair of jeans for her. I’m sure some boy in Rwanda is now wearing Tinkerbell jeans because of my mistake.
My trip to Rwanda was a turning point in MY life! I now know that EVERYTHING we do for them, is worth it! The children sponsored by our group absolutely lit up when they met us! Solange told me when I went to leave, “I hope to meet you again in Rwanda before we meet in Heaven”….. pretty amazing for an 8 year old!
If you can’t go visit them, WRITE as often as you can, even every week if possible! They sooooo love getting our letters! All of them had kept every letter we sent.
God bless CI….. you changed my life, through God, who can do ALL things!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I completely understand how Shelly is feeling. I will be going to Honduras next month to visit my sponsored kids, and I feel guilty … like I could be using my money in a better way. But I also agree with a lot of the responses I have read … I believe that my testimony of this trip will help get other people to sponsor children. A lot of people question me about sponsoring a child. They ask, “how do you know it’s not a scam?” Well if I tell them that I met the children that I sponsor and I saw what Compassion is doing with my very own eyes, they will know it’s not a “scam”!
April 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Hi, Elizabeth,
I know how you feel. I do have some thoughts about it that helped me with it. When I look at the ministry of Christ, I see him have 70 people that He poured His life into. Within those 70 people, He really poured His life into the 12, then if you look carefully, within that group, He really poured His life into 3, Peter, James, and John.
Some people might consider that Christ was partial. In fact, He wasn’t. His goal was for all to get saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I. Tim. 2:3-6). He set up a duplicatable system, so that everyone could hear the Gospel. In Col. 1:23, it says that this indeed happened. As a matter of fact, when Paul later on came to one city, the unbelievers referred to Christianity as the ones, who turned the whole world upside down. Paul used the same principle and Paul taught for others to use too. The principle was of duplication. II Tim. 2:2. Entrust to faithful men, who be able to teach others also. Paul taught Timothy; Timothy taught faithful men; Faithful men taught others.
Even in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) this principle is found. Jesus taught the disciples, who were to teach others to observe everything that Christ had taught them, which incidentally included that command.
Anyways, to make a long story even longer, going back on Jesus’ ministry, you see that at times He wasn’t available for others to be ministered to. He focussed on His disciples and His disciples taught disciples, who taught other disciples, resulting in the whole world hearing te Gospel.
When I taught Math at a Christian school, I used the illustration of a Super Evangelist, who led 1000 people to Christ every day, then he left and he did this day after day after day. The guy was amazing! Every year 365,000 people were led to Christ.
Then there was the other evangelist. He didn’t have all of these gifts, but what he did was that he led people to Christ and then he took one of them every year and totally poured his life into this person, so that after a year this person was able to do what he did. This went on year after year. The first year there were 2, him and the other person. The next year 4, then 8, then 16, then 32, then 64, then 128, then 256, then 512, then 1024. In other words, it doubled every year. Guess what? Within 16 years, he bypassed the Super evangelist and within 33 years the entire world was reached. So, anyways…. I will say that in the multiplication it tends to break down after a while some, but the principle still stands.
So, when I go visit a child, I don’t think of it as visiting just this one child. I think of the child as someone, who will reach 100’s if not 1000’s of other children. That’s why I’m so glad, when several of my children have expressed in their letters that some day they want to sponsor a child. They expressed that without me prompting me for this. So, I was very excited about that!
As to the integrity of Compassion, let me quote Dr. Wess Stafford in his interview with me. “The Wall Street Journal has a magazine called Smart Money. They did a study for Smart Money magazine of the 680,000 non profit organizations in North America. What they said to their readers is: “We know when you buy a stock, a bond, a piece of property, you do due diligence. You want the biggest bang for your buck. That’s what our magazine is all about. But we know that you also give to charitable causes. Do you do the same due diligence, when you give to a charitable cause? They are not all the same. You must know that. Our research tells us that you don’t. So, we’re doing it for you.” What they did was that they studied the 680,000 non profit organizations, ran them all through the same grid and then wrote up a list of the top ten organizations that you can trust to do what they say, they’ll do’ And Compassion International was one of those top ten. That was back in 1997 and Compassion is now 2 or 3 percentage points better than back in 1997.”
You can read the whole interview here:
http://www.positive-entertainment.com/interviews/drwessstafford.htm
I hope this helps!
Kees
April 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Just a little addition to what Kees has stated. When you visit your child, there is multiplication for the others that he or she will reach for Christ, but there is also multiplication on this side of the pond, too. You share your experiences in visiting and your enthusiasm spreads to others, who then sponsor. You see the urgent needs of your child’s country, and you decide to do more. So you become an Advocate, and bring in more sponsors. Those new sponsors catch the vision, and go on a sponsor tour or individual visit and come back and share their enthusiasm with others, who then sponsor. A few more Advocates are recruited, and then you have spread beyond your own sphere of influence. In my case, I have been sponsoring various children (currently 3 girls in the Dom. Rep.)for almost 20 years, and have spread my passion for Compassion to my own “kids” and they have spread it to my grandchildren. I am happy to be looking for my 2nd 100 sponsors-109 so far and counting. Who would have thought that all this would have come out of my sponsoring ONE CHILD in 1990??
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding!
April 14th, 2009 at 7:36 am
@Chuck Guth – I am going to Honduras next month! Are there any tips that you can give me?
I have never traveled outside the U.S. or Canada before. I am so excited!
April 14th, 2009 at 8:27 am
@Kees Boer – Thank you so much for that article. It was very encouraging!
April 14th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Have you applied for your passport in plenty of time, or do you already have it? If not, leave a message here and I can help you. I have worked in US passport services for over 10 years and can help anyone get a US passport fast. As far as the visit to your child, dress conservatively. In many Compassion countries, women wear skirts, so take one or two, just in case. As far as visiting your Compassion child, no gift is too simple or ordinary to be appreciated by him/her or their family. Towels, Tshirts and toothpaste, toothbrushes are always appreciated. I have found that girls of all ages like coloring books and crayons, and boys like balls and gloves, plus with these items, you can participate with the child (coloring, playing catch) even if you don’t speak any Spanish. Be sure to take a cheap DISPOSABLE camera for photos. I do not recommend taking your expensive digital camera. If you don’t speak Spanish, remember that lots of smiles and hugs are an international language. Have fun and report back to us on this space.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@Elizabeth Marvin – I saw at the compassion store (http://store.compassion.com)under “specialty items” they sell a “compassion sponsored child backpack kit.” You might start with that and get some more stuff to add to the backpack? Backpacks are very useful items for either boys or girls.
I think Carolyn is right about the “practical gifts.” Toothbrushes/Combs/Hairbrushes, towels, pillows/pillowcases, scented soap,perfume/cologne. A new watch perhaps?
Barettes/Scrunchies/Hair items, necklaces/bracelets, dolls, for girls. Baseball glove/ball, ballcaps, sports balls (remember to get a hand pump and extra ball needles), are all easy gifts for boys.
For either boys or girls: a new bible in the child’s native language, coloring books/crayons,frisbees, kites, Rubik’s cube, any non-powered toy, diary/journal to write in, pens/pencils/erasers.
As far as Honduras travel goes, I did find a well done website by a fequent traveller to Honduras that might offer some good advice. http://sidewalkmystic.com/ I got this off the website regarding what to wear: “(for men)Khakis and a collared shirt get you anywhere in Honduras. Women? – A long skirt and blouse seemed appropriate for all our travels. You will see shorts on Roatan, La Ceiba and Tela. A recent visitor suggests that after observing local women wear less than ‘conservative clothing,’ women might want to consider capris and cotton. My wife offers that the smaller the village, the more conservative you will want to dress. Use your judgment.”
My husband and I are hoping to get to go to Honduras to visit our sponsor child sometime next year so I’m already doing my research. (Chances are excellent we will opt for an individual visit to keep our costs down.)
By the way, anyone going to visit HO-353 let me know. (my email address is ladycompugeek at yahoo dot com – substitute the appropriate symbols for the word “at” and “dot”) I’d love to be able to send some stuff for my sponsor child if anyone is headed his way.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Those are great suggestions. Here are a few others:
Don’t eat raw vegetables.
Eat food that has been cooked or baked or what have you.
Don’t drink the tabwater.
Always carry a role of toilet paper with you somewhere or 1/2 a role. You might not need it, but if you do, you’ll thank me for suggesting it.
If you go to warm climates, use musquito repelant.
Listen to them.
Contact Compassion travel office at the very latest 6 weeks before. (I would do longer)
If you have a nick name, make sure that if Compassion books any trip, like an internal flight or so, that they book it with the name of your passport.
If the altitude is high, start drinking lots of water, before the trip.
Don’t tell the child you’re coming to visit. Something might happen that you can’t and then it would be a big disappointment to them.
Those are some suggestions that come to mind right away.
Kees
Blessings,
Kees
April 14th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
when i went to the DR, i had an idea about the number of siblings my child had, so i went to the sales racks at walmart, and kmart and purchased shirts and shorts for both boys and girls from sizes 2 up to 14, several of each. my suitcase was full of kids clothes, hair ribbons, white tube socks(boys), and pretty socks for girls, and baseball caps. my own clothes were smooshed into my carry on. the day of your country office visit, they can look up in the files and give you an idea about ages of siblings. then on your child day you will have sorted all your kids clothes and have an outfit for every sibling plus an extra in case you sponsor one on the spot. also whatever you have left over, the project director may have a family in need of extras. don’t forget pretty dish towels as a house gift for mom. also, a nice gift bag for all the goodies to carry in. i also got for a family gift a book of the rocky mountains and wildlife.(found at local travel agency) also a photo album of you outside in the snow.etc. then they can fill up the album with photos you send after your return home. i send 3-4 photos with every letter. the parents loved it. sometimes too many gifts are overwhelming, other times you will feel like “i should have brought more…”.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:58 am
With 20 years of visiting and working in the Dominican Republic, I would say that Kees is spot on about the water and the toilet paper. As far as what to wear, for women, at least, in the Dom. Rep. there is a GREAT difference between what Christian and non-Christian women wear. Bring the skirts. Also a comment on individual vs. group tours: Group tours are great it you just want to “get your feet wet” so to speak. You get a great overview of how Compassion works in each individual country, and you get to spend some time with your child, though not usually at their home or project. The group stays together. In the Dom. Rep., at least, when you are on a group tour, each sponsor has their own personal translator, to make communication easier. It is a fun time, really. On the other hand, an individual tour is less expensive, and you can spend more time with your child, see their specific project and probably go to their home. It gives you much more insight into exactly how they live. You do need to set this up way in advance, and not buy a plane ticket or make a hotel reservation until Compassion contacts you that it is a “go.” Again, you will have a member of the Compassion in-country staff with you at all times, someone who speaks both English and the native language of your child fluently. I would say that individual tours are for the more adventurous among us, though I have only been with sponsor tours when working as a translator.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Very cool that some of you are getting to go!
I wish I was!
Here’s my thoughts on gifts. I had an opportunity to send gifts to one of my children last summer with someone going to their country. I decided I wanted to send things to her family as well as to her. But that might have gotten expensive. I hope this doesn’t sound cheap (I did buy some things too), but I went through my house to find things that were in good condition. I found a backpack in excellent condition and put everything in that. I found a 2 bracelets and sent one to her mom and one to her sister. I found a locket from my childhood when I was about her age and pasted my picture in it. Someone had given me binoculars years ago. I’m not sure why. But I sent them to her father and bought a T-shirt for her brother. There were other little things I found. Then I bought hair things, a book in Spanish, hard candy, stickers, construction paper, etc.
Just a thought in case you are strapped for money.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
No, you do not sound cheap at all. Good for you!!! When you get to go to these countries and you see how the people make do with everything, re-use and re-cycle, it is amazing. They have an “attitude of gratitude” which I can only pray to have.
April 18th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions for my visit to Honduras! I will be going with the Compassion tour group … and I’m really excited about it!
April 25th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I am still AMAZED that the question is even posed!!! “Should I visit my sponsor child!!!” It helps me to visit even more!!! It’s kind of almost like reverse psychology for me. It is like asking “should I obey God?” Obviously we should obey God but do we? Obviously we should visit our sponsor child but do we? I think a real question is what is keeping you from visiting your sponsor child? What is holding you back? That is the question for me. Often times it is money. I do not have enough money to visit. So I pray and find a job and do all in my power to get the money so I can visit. It is not easy!!! It requires daily prayer, work, and prayer, and work, and prayer, and work, and prayer, and prayer and work. It is unbelievably hard, but once you visit my experience is the next visit is not as hard!!! Or maybe since I reached my first goal of visiting it was easier the second time b/c I had already run the course so to speak. Any sponsor reading this I highly encourage you to visit!!!
April 25th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
@Carolyn Cooper – Carolyn that’s good to know about the passport!!! The quickest I ever got one was I applied on a Monday or Tuesday and had it expedited and got it on Friday or Saturday it took around 5 days!!! Which was good b/c my group went to the Dominican Republic on Monday or Sunday so I got it the last day so I could go on the trip!!!
April 25th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I would just like to joyfully make the point that the blog says, “usually cost from $2,000 to $4,000, plus airfare to the departure city.” The 2009 Philippines Sponsor Tour cost me $4,299 and I can recall how I got almost all of that money through Taxi driving and a little night hotel clerking and I am thankful for every penny I had to get to pay for the trip!!! Now when I go to Tanzania next year hopefully it will won’t seem so impossible!!! But even if it is we serve the God of the IMPOSSIBLE!!! Oh my Lord Lord Lord, Oh my Lord Lord Lord, I’m watching “Glory” on Youtube.
April 25th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Visit the child you sponsor and tell me if you think you could have spent the money better!!! If you think of a way let me know and I’ll join YOU!!!
I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for YOU!!!”
April 25th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Visit, Visit, Visit ask questions later!!!!!!! Jesus thank you for helping do the first visit to Nicaragua!!! Without your patience and self-control enabling me it couldn’t have been done!!!
April 25th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I would rather visit my sponsor child than go to space. I think it is more interesting, more amazing, more impactful, and more worth it eventhough I have never been to space. Maybe an astronaut sponsor could verify that?
April 27th, 2009 at 8:14 am
This comment is not exactly about visiting your sponsored child, but it is about writing to them. I do not know what percent of the sponsors write on a regular basis, but I do know that many do not. How do I know? Everytime that I go to the Dominican Republic (twice a year, at least), a child in the project of one of my girls comes up to me and says, “Do you know my sponsor, they live in Michigan” (or Maryland or Massachusetts, take your pick) and they NEVER write to me. “Please tell them to write to me.” I also know, that a 27 year old woman, who was sponsored by my son when she was 11 years old, still has ALL of his letters. These letters are so precious, such treasured possesions of our sponsored children. So, if for whatever reason, you cannot go, WRITE and write often, not just when your child writes of you.
April 27th, 2009 at 9:26 am
@Carolyn Cooper -Thank you Carolyn for your encouragement to write. I write faithfully to my children but I confess it is sometimes a struggle. Sometimes as I drive past a grade school and see the children playing I picture someone walking up and handing them a letter from someone far away and I think, especially if they are young, “It cannot possibly mean that much.” I wonder if they even grasp the concept of a “relationship”. I suppose the older ones do but some of my children ARE older and from their letters to me……well, at times, they seem less than interested to be hearing from me or writing back. AND I think I write nice letters AND faithfully. So, again thanks for the encouragement. I guess I needed it today.
April 29th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Our Lord works in many mysterious and wonderful ways, and He speaks to his people in diverse ways too. I urge each sponsor to prayerfully consider what God’s will is when considering a sponsor trip. It could be that He will lead you to spend that money in another way, but He may also have a deeper purpose in leading you to take the trip. Seeds are planted in a variety of ways. Wishing you many rich blessings!
May 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
@Steven Williams – I, too have a boy I sponsor in Ethiopia, what does it all take to get the trip planned over there? Like vaccinations, time limits, safety issues, where can I obtain this info?? I would love to visit him and bring my grandson wtih me who si 10 yrs old, as my sponsored boy is 9 yrs old….wasn’t it hard to leave the child behind???
May 4th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Having read some of the comments posted the desire is stirred in me once again to one day see my sponsored child – Esther Joy – in Phillipines. There is a tour coming up soon but being from South Africa a trip would amount to tens of thousands of Rands, which in the short amount of time I would not be able to raise. But one day I want to, no I will make that trip to look into her eyes, hug her and tell her face to face that she is loved.
When I joined about 10months ago I was overwhelmed by the amount of children in need of not only our money but our love & care and I pray that one day soon I will be able to sponsor more children to bring some light and hope to them.
I pray that God richly bless all of you who have amidst the financial crisis in the world kept on giving to your sponsored child/ren. I also pray that we all get to visit the children whose lives we have touched.
May 12th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I want to go visit my sponsored child so badly, but can’t afford to. I love to hear stories of those who do get to go though. I know seeing what Compassion does in person will def inspire me to do more and tell others about how they can help. I do not have children of my own yet and I fear that once I do, I won’t be able to afford to ever go see my sponsored child. Please don’t pass up the opportunity if you are blessed enough to be able to go.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Is there anyway you can put aside money until you can go? I never thought I would be going to visit my sponsored kids when I first got involved with Compassion 8 years ago. I finally decided I really wanted to meet them and see what their lives are like, and on Saturday I will be in Honduras getting ready to meet 2 of my kids! I’m a Social Worker … I barely make $12 an hour, but I managed to save my money. (I still live with my parents, so that helps tremendously!) @Rebecca -
May 13th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Kees, and anyone else who went to meet their kids outside of a group tour, (especially if you went to Haiti)
So, I have definitely decided to visit Lilin (Magarette) in Haiti(haven’t figured out when yet…but it’s a work in progress), but will have to do so on my own, instead of with the group, because I can’t afford the group trip, would rather go individually, and don’t do well in making my schedule meet the other one!
Is there anything you would suggest I should take into consideration that I wouldn’t have to normally on a group trip?
Also, I remember reading that you (Kees) had a translator/guide who took you through one of your trips. Did you pay him? Do you think I could get Compassion to send someone to pick me up at the airport? Being that I am a completely unintimidating, young redheaded female who doesn’t speak French or Creole-I should paint a target on my back- (Shoot, I’d mug me, if I saw myself coming), I would willingly cover the expenses of the guide!
May 14th, 2009 at 7:18 am
For Caitlin: The #l thing is to plan ahead, and to contact the Compassion Tour office in Colorado with about 3 months of anticipation. They can give you all of the support and advise that you need for an individual tour. The Compassion Office in country can pick you up at the airport and also help you with arrangements for where to stay. A translator will be provided to you, and Compassion will bill you a month or more later for the cost of translator, transportation, etc. It is Compassion policy not to give $ to the families or directly to anyone in the Compassion office. I DO NOT recommend trying to navigate anything on your own in a country where you do not speak the language.
I recommend bringing a little notebook to record your observation about the country, the child, etc. Be sure to apply for your passport about 2 months in advance. I am leaving for the Dominican Republic on May 31st to see my girls, and though I have been dozens of times before, I am so excited.
Good luck to you and please let us hear about your life changing trip in this space.
May 14th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Thanks! Do you know how much it costs for such services?
Luckily for me, I already have a passport, so I know about the hassles of obtaining one.
I’m so excited for you. Back before I knew Compassion was in DR, I visited DR. It was such a beautiful country! (I was actually planning on sponsoring in DR because I had been there and I speak the language…but God had other plans, which I’m grateful for) Where do you purchase your plane tickets? (Figure since we’re talking about the same island, you might have a cool connection on cheap tickets
) I was planning to go through Spirit Air.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
For Caitlin: The cost of the translators varies. If someone from the Compassion office staff does it for you, of course, there would be no charge to you. There is a cost only if they have to hire someone for you. I speak Spanish fluently and have never needed a translator in the Dominican Republic, but someone from the Compassion office always goes with me to visit my girls. Last trip (January, 2009) the girls came to the Compassion office to visit me. That was something different, as I usually go to visit them individually. But it was really neat for all 3 of them to finally meet each other, as they all live in different parts of the country. I have not been to Haiti, but I have been up to the border, when I worked as a translator for doctors and dentists who were on a mission trip with the Christian Medical and Dental Society. It was on that first trip to the Dom. Rep. in 1987 that I first saw Compassion at work, and knew that I HAD to be a part of it. When are you planning to go to Haiti?
May 15th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Well…That’s the thing. How about right now? lol, that’s what I would like to say, however, my life is currently in limbo, and I’m only allow to plan ahead two weeks at a time. My hope is to go in early December, before the flight prices rise due to Christmas.
May 16th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I have a couple questions for those who have visited their sponsored children.
-How did you decide how many gifts to bring? I am planning to bring a backpack with items for each child but I keep finding more items that I want to include (they are all on the suggestion list). How much is too much?
-also, did your kids open up the gifts/backpack with you there, or did they just thank you and then look at them later.
I want to be careful to respect the family and yet I am so excited to have the chance to give gifts to my kids.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I suggest starting with the airline. What is the weight limit for the country you will be traveling to? Then, figure out how much your own personal luggage will weigh. From there, you will know how much space/weight you have left. When I first started going to the Dom. Rep., 20 years ago, I took a carry on with gifts and 2 checked bags with my own clothes. Now I know better!!! For a 2 – 3 week stay, I take a carry on for my clothes, and 2 suitcases with gifts. But of course, now I have been to first my 3 girls many, many times so I know their needs. I bring clothes and shoes for them, sheets and towels, stuffed animals, coloring books. For Christmas, I got each one a child’s illustrated Bible in Spanish. The 2 who can read (age 10) had fun reading the bible to the one who cannot read yet (age 7). One thing that I ALWAYS do is take alot of photos and send a few at a time to them in each of my letters. This has been more special for one of them, than I ever imagined that it would be. Since I have been sponsoring her, both of her parents have died of AIDS (her Dad in 2006 and her Mom in 2007). The ONLY photos that she has of her parents are ones that I took on earlier visits. These are her most treasured possessions.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:36 am
@Carolyn Cooper – That is great that you have been able to visit your kids so often. I am sure that they love it. I will make sure to print enough copies of the visit photos to send some to them.
I am not worried about having space for all of the gifts I want to give my kids (I will bring less other stuff if that is what it takes) but I am concerned that I do not overwhelm the kids and their families with too many items.
I was thinking that I would pack a backpack full of items for my kids and then bring a family gift like sheets or towels for their families.
Do you think that as long as I kept it to one bag per child I would be ok?
May 18th, 2009 at 11:45 am
@Sara Benson – I completely know your feelings! Now that I’ve made a firm decision that I will go as soon as allowed, I’m constantly coming up with things I want to bring! And then sometimes I look at my list of gifts, and know, practically, there’s NO way, I’ll be able to bring that pet elephant
May 19th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I have an offer for sponsors in the Colorado Springs area who sponsor kids in Ecuador.
I will be traveling to Ecuador at the end of June and would love to be able to help a few people get gifts to their kids.
If you are interested you can contact me for more information. However, since I will only have space for about 5 gifts, please only contact me if you:
- live in the Colorado Springs area
- have never sent a gift (in this manner) to your child before.
- have never visited your child
You can email me at (fishterp7@hotmail.com).
Sara
May 19th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
2 outa 3 ain’t bad, is it?
Sara, wouldn’t you rather move to California, and visit Haiti?
May 20th, 2009 at 8:04 am
For Sara Benson: I do this, too, for folks at my church, when I go to the Dominican Republic, so here is a suggestion. How about telling them that they need to fit the gifts into a quart (or gallon) size ziplock bagggie. Also, be sure to let them know that they can include a letter and that the baggie should be clearly marked, not just with the child’s first and last name, but also with the project #. Just a thought!!!
May 20th, 2009 at 8:45 am
@Caitlin – Sorry, I don’t have any kids in Hati. Or plans to move to Cali
Maybe you can find someone who is traveling to Hati to visit their kids, who would be willing to take a gift for your child.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:46 am
@Carolyn Cooper –
You read my mind! I was planning to tell people that info when they contacted me, but yes the plan is: All the gifts must fit in a gallon size ziplock bag, bag must be clearly labeled with the child’s full name and number and the sponsor’s full name and number. I will be carrying the bags in my carry-on so all of the items also need to be ones that can get through security (no liquids). I will be delivering the gifts to the Compassion Headquarters in Quito.
I had a friend travel to Indonesia and he was able to bring a gift for one of my girls. I was thrilled to be able to buy something and put the gift together myself-and you would be surprised how much can go into a gallon size bag!!!
May 21st, 2009 at 11:41 pm
It’s funny hearing every one talk about this because I have never thought twice about whether it would be a good thing to visit my sponsored child. I have never been able to afford to go , but I always knew that I would go if I ever could. Now it looks like God has provided a way. It is not definite yet, but I pray that it will all work out. When I sponsor a child, or in this case 2 children, I always think of things in terms of what would benefit that child. I want the best for my sponsored children. I only have the ability to write to and have a relationship with 1 or 2 children so I know I wouldn’t use the money to sponsor more children. I would probably just use it for myself. I will be giving money for unsponsored children, but still I know that this visit will be the opportunity of a lifetime for me and hopefully for my sponsored children.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
If sponsors from ANY STATE in the US have kids in Ecuador and would like to get a package to them,I have room for a few more.
Here is the general idea.
I will be stopping by the Compassion headquarters in Ecuador and can drop off the packages there. All gifts must fit into a gallon size ziplock and be clearly marked with sponsor and child name AND numbers.
If you live outside of the Colorado Springs area you will have to mail the package to me (I will get you my address when you contact me)
My email is(fishterp7@hotmail.com)
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:59 am
My husband and I are going to go on our first sponsor tour in El Salvador. We would like to bring some gifts for the family. We already figured out gifts for the children and some family gifts like towels, sheets, etc. But, what do you bring for the fathers? We would also like to bring a gift specifically for our child’s father. It’s always difficult to figure out what to get for the men. The girls are always easy
May 24th, 2009 at 5:27 am
I bring Tshirts or “flipflops” for the men (and boys) in the families of the children that I sponsor. That way, the size does not need to be exact. Also, though they will not understand the writing on the Tshirt, they love getting something that has a picture on it of the area that you are from, what I would call a “tourist” Tshirt. Additionally, the Dads love to get hygiene items, such as razors, which are expensive in 3rd world countries. I would not buy the kind that need refills, as the refills are difficult/impossible to come by over there. Instead buy disposables. Also they all love what we call “aftershave”, like Old Spice, Axe or Clubman. It is hard to know exactly what to bring, since you are going for the first time. You will have a much better idea when you go back the SECOND time!!!
May 25th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Well, I have to take back what I said in my last post. Not only is ther the cost of the tour, but there is the air fare to and from the city they fly out of, inocculations, passport, incidentals, gifts, etc. I decided it just didn’t make sense to spend all that to see my children for 1 day. I will donate extra money for other Compassion projects.
May 25th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I am leaving in just 5 days to see my 3 sponsored kids. I am very excited about it, though I have been to visit each of them many times. This time will be different though, because my youngest biological child has asked to go with me. He is 26 years old and I am hoping it will open his eyes. Would anybody like a report when we get back? Also, you can learn more about my unwavering commitment to these 3 girls in the May issue of Christianity Today magazine.
Jeannette, I hope that you reconsider the possibility of going to see your sponsored children. It would be a trip to change your life AND theirs for eternity!!!!
May 26th, 2009 at 11:46 am
@Carolyn Cooper – How about this Carolyn…I am 26 also just like your son. I will give you a report of the Philippines and you guys can give me one of the Dominican Republic. Growing up going to school I tried to figure out the minimum effort in order to get an “A”. So I have exactly “0″ expectations on the trip report and prefer pictures and videos as opposed to narration but whatever you show and or tell will be much appreciated. Have an AWESOME time!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:43 am
@Jeanette – I don’t know where your kids are, but I am also working on planning the most economical trip for when I go, and have stumbled onto a possible way of saving money on airfare. spiritair.com They mostly cover vacation spots in islands, but I noticed they fly to many places that Compassion has centers in, the tickets are very reasonably priced. The only thing that it seems you have to give up is, depending on the destination, your are completely restricted to the the luggage rules (and cannot even pay extra to bring more than your initially allowed weights). I doubt it is the most luxurious flight you’ll ever have, but they seem to have a pretty good reputation, from what I’ve heard from missionaries. For me, I’ve been in just about every dinky plane aside from the WWI and II models, and all I care is that I get there without falling out of the sky, so we may be looking for two very different types of flight, but I thought I’d put another possible option out there.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Caitlin: I hope that Jeanette looks into the possiblity with Spirit airlines. I always fly with American Airlines, and for this trip, I got a flight from Boston to Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. for $375 roundtrip including all of the taxes. Though I could fund a child for a year with that much money, I ALWAYS feel that it is worth the expense!!! Also, American allows me to take 2 bags of 50 pounds each, plus a carry on of 40 pounds. AND I get frequent flier miles, so that every 5th trip or so is free. Leaving in 3 days…so excited!!!
May 27th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
@Caitlin – Well, the country is most of the problem. It is one of the most espensive, Ethiopia. I looked into a program for special discounts on missionary or church related flights and it was still very expensive. I figure, to go on the tour and cover all the other expenses it would be around 5,000 dollars.
May 27th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
ouch. Should you go, however, I’ve been to Africa, and half my group went on Ethiopian Airlines, the I and the others on Kenyan/kinshasa air… and from what I’ve heard, I was among the unlucky half. Ethiopia Air was by far the best offered in the area I was traveling, the others were somewhat unnerving.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hi, Caitlin,
What you might be able to do with the luggage is to send some of the gifts to the children to the country office several weeks before. But check with Compassion first. Outside of that, your presence will be the biggest gift they can imagine. And you can also take them out shopping when you’re there. You’ll probably get more bang for your money too!
Kees
May 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am
For Kees: I don’t know about the idea of shipping something ahead to Haiti, which is where Caitlin’s sponsored child lives. Also, how is the shopping in Haiti? My understanding is that the country does not have much of an infrastructure. I never take my girls in the Dom. Rep. shopping, as the cost of clothes there is much more than here, and the quality is much less. Plus, who wants to go shopping when you could be out having FUN with them. I DO bring them a suitcase full of clothes from my own retail store, and they have fun trying on clothes and picking out what they like and what fits them. They then “model” their outfits for the Compassion staff as we do all of this in the Compassion office. It is great fun for all of us, staff included. I just got a notice in my email about a sponsor tour coming up to the DR in 01/2010, which included a suggested list of gifts. Here is the Compassion suggested gift list:
Practical gifts are greatly appreciated. Our Compassion children are from countries where basic needs are pressing.
backpack or tote bag
simple toys, such as jump rope, jacks, marbles, toy cars
doll, doll clothes
soccer ball, Frisbee
picture books, coloring books and crayons
T-shirts from your area
clothes — skirt, blouse, pants, shirt, socks
baseball cap
hair ribbons, barrettes
soap, shampoo
toothbrush, toothpaste
hard candy (nothing that melts)
liquid bubbles
calculator (simple)
bookmarks
mini album for photos and letters you send to your child
pens, pencils, small sharpener, markers, paper, stickers
Most of these items weigh very little and you could even put them in your carry on, except for the liquid bubbles!
May 28th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I was doing some googling ( I am the main reason google has survived during the drop in economy) and it didn’t look like there would be much shopping, it’s incredibly difficult to find a basic hotel/hostel over the internet for them. Other traveler’s have said you have to wait until you get there to find one, or go through a church or international medical mission. And though I haven’t even set a date, I’m already mentally packing. Somewhere along the line, I got into my head that I want to bring some pretty rain boots for Lilin…but the only way I’d get them there practically is by wearing them there myself. The visual of me clomping through the airports in pink and black polkadot rainboots makes me laugh, but I think I’m bound to do it anyhow! No the debate is whether I’m planning to wear the slicker too.
May 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
@Carolyn Cooper – HA! I didn’t even make the connection.
This is the blog post that mentions the article Carolyn refers to … and is mentioned in.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Dear Shelly,
I suggest that you pray about it, and whatever you feel that God wants you to do, do it. If you wants to to take on 10 sponsored children, then you definitely should. He will enable you to do it. If you can’t write to them all, you may want someone else to write to them. In the case that someone is unable to write to their sponsored child or children, they are taken on by someone else as a correnspondence child. Have you ever heard of correnspondence children? Anyway, whether God wants you to go on that sponsor trip or sponsor more children, I do not know. You will have to ask Him.
This is the best answer that there is for that question.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:05 am
@Melissa Coast –
Dear Melissa,
I am so sorry for you! That would be so sad to have that happen. Do you know for sure if he was he a Christian? We have a sponsored child who I do not know if he is a Christian or not. I hope that he is. His name is Joseph Jodson, and he lives in Haiti.
With great sympathy,
Rachel
May 31st, 2009 at 7:03 am
@Carolyn Cooper –
Carolyn: Thanks for all the great suggestions on the family gifts!
Hopefully, this will be the start of more sponsor tours for us.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 am
I have just signed up for the Compassion tour to El Salvador in October.
For those of you who have been to visit your child I have a few questions.
1. How did you prepare for the visit?
2. Knowing what you do now, what would you do differently to prepare?
I want to be sure to provide God the greatest opportunity to work in and through me in the months leading up to the trip in October as well as during our time on the trip.
If anyone else has signed up for this same trip, let’s start a group to get to know each other ahead of time.
Win
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Well, I have decided to make a committment to one more child. She is 17 so she will be in the program for only 5 more years. When I get my settlement I can pay the whole 5 years in advance so I woun’t have to worry about the money. I am getting a settlement from an insurance company because I was viciously attacked by a dog. At one point I was sure he was going to kill me. But not only did God save me, and protect my 4 year old grandson who was there too, but he has made it so I can bless the lives of others like this child.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Well, one thing that I would think about a Compassion tour is that most of it is prepared for you already.
Spend some time in the book of I Thessalonians and see how Paul was with the people that he ministered too and try to immitate that.
Go there to learn and to see how you can serve, both the people from El Salvador and the people with you on the trip.
Think about the children that you are going to visit and think about maybe what to bring them. What do they like? How old are they? Bring something small for the family too and also if they have siblings, it might be good to bring them something also.
“Now, pay attention, 007!” Be sure to listen to your county’s health department on what to eat or not eat. Also, at all times carry a role of toiletpaper, a cheap watch, some shoestrings and some antibiotics with you. You might never use these things, but if you do, you’ll be thankful, you read it here.
Consider making a CD with a little computer video of you talking to your sponsored children. Then leave that CD there. Most projects have a computer and they will like watching you later, when you’re gone and you can’t send CDs via the mail to your Compassion children.
Take some things with you for the other children in the projects. Maybe a baloon, or if you go to a dollar store, you can buy 8 little cars for $1. You can buy 10 of those and give them to all of the little boys around you or something like that. Then you get something like that for the girls too.
Take lots of pictures and video film. There is always some other people with the child, so I ask them to take up to 5000 pictures with my digital camera. You’ll be looking at these pictures for many years to come! The same with the videos. Take a look at my facebook page and you’ll see all of the stuff there.
You can also send those pictures to your child later on. Or if you have a laptop that can burn a CD, you can burn a CD right there and then and leave it with the country office to send to the project and so the children have the pictures too.
Make sure that your passport and everything is in order. Also, if Compassion is booking any flights make sure that the name on your passport matches with the name on the ticket. It’s important. I can tell from past experiences!
Get people to pray for your trip.
Share those pictures with others after you come back.
Blessings,
Kees
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 am
I sort of got the best of both worlds (almost). My father, a long-time Compassion sponsor, is in India flying for Spice Jet Airlines for the year, so I asked him to go visit my sponsored child at her CDC and her home while he was there. He is in Dehli (way north) and she is in Karunya (way south) but he did it! The *entire* Center–kids and teachers and all–were waiting for him with flowers when he arrived. He did not expect such a wonderful greeting.
Dad ate breakfast with the kids and was given a tour of the Center and the Church, and then he took my girl and her mother (and of course the translator) to the beach, out to eat, and bought her some clothes and shoes. I wish her dad and grandma could have gone, but they are disabled, presently (but getting treatment).
I got a bazillion photos of the visit, and my dad said he was more blessed by the experience than anyone. (My sponsored child and her family disagree with that!)
Dad was so blessed, in fact, that when he came home to the U.S. for a short break, he told several people in my grandmother’s (his mother’s) retirement home… and several of the folks there sponsored children in India! And so he went and visited some of those ones in Dehli! (Can you feel my excitement?!)
I still wish I could go, but I’m happy (elated) with the way things worked out. Dad sponsors in the Dominican Republic and has visited the children there, so it was neat for him to be able to do that in India, as well. He spends quite a bit of time at House of Peace (Christian orphanage) also. They like his cooking!
Okay, I’m done now…
Vikki
June 5th, 2009 at 2:33 am
@Mike Stephens – Hi Mike, my heart almost stopped when I read you are going to visit the Phillipines, I am so excited for you as I’m sponsoring a child there too. I would love to visit her someday and I know in my heart I will. Which center are you visiting? My sponsored child is at Capital City Alliance Church Student Center. I cannot wait to read your feedback, please let me know where you will be posting it.
Have a safe journey if you are leaving on the 6th of June. I am sure you are going to have a fantastic time there.
June 5th, 2009 at 3:01 am
@Caitlin – I think a individual visit for me would be the cheapest option as a sponsored tour converted to South African Rands is too expensive. I would not be able to stay as long as the group tours would allow but this way I could meet my sponsored child sooner and whether I spend two days or 2weeks with her it would still be worthwhile.
I am sure my hand luggage would consist of my clothes and my other luggage would be gifts for Esther Joy, her family and a little something for the other kids at the centre.
I am getting more and more excited just thinking about this; don’t know why I didn’t consider this option sooner. Although I did see it available, I guess I was just hesitant to give it much thought as I know it would take so much more planning on my part. Well I’m not going to let that deter my now, let me start by making some plans and from the other comments posted I have an idea of where to start.
All the best with your plans, commit it to God and He will certainly make it come to pass.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:39 am
@Nicolette Paulse –
Be sure to let the office know at least 6 weeks in advance of your plan, so that the country office could approve the visit. This is the trickiest part, because the country office has up to 6 weeks to turn down the visit. A reason that it could be turned down for instance is if there are no staff available to assist with the visit. Also, most visits range anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. This is one of the reasons, why I sponsored most of my children in 1 country.
Blessings,
Kees
June 8th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Would any one be interested in a report from the field. I am in the Dominican Republic now and have visited my 3 sponsored girls. We have been having a great time, me, my son age 26 as well as the sponsored kids AND their parents. Not just my commitment to them, but our commitment to each other is very, very deep.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
@Carolyn Cooper –
Oh, I’d love to hear more! I have two girls in the Dominican Republic and visited one of them a few years ago.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
@Carolyn Cooper – I sure would. Next to meeting my own kids hearing stories from other sponsors is amazing. Tell us!!!
(and don’t forget to post your pics on the Compassion Flicker)
June 9th, 2009 at 12:16 am
@Carolyn Cooper – (8:13am South African time) Hi Carolyn I would definitely love to hear your report, it will definitely inspire me & others to visit their “children”.
I would also appreciate a report from others who had individual tours to visit their children, especially the Phillipines as that is where my sponsored girl is; how their experience was, suggestions on inexpensive & safe places to stay & visit by myself & with sponsored girl (&family?)? It’s a bit overwhelming to start planning a visit when you are so far away and have lots to plan and dont know where to start.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I spent most of 2007 on a mission trip called the World Race. One of the “long-term” missionaries we met in the Philippines made a comment on “short-term” trips that I think is relevant to this topic. He said, “Whenever people ask me if I would rather have a short-term team or the money they would have spent on the trip, I always say to send the team. You never know how God wants to use the life of that person to impact others.” While donations of a monetary value are important support for many ministries – God doesn’t need money to accomplish His plan and purpose – He wants people to obey His leading in their life – and sometimes that is to GO, serve and LOVE! And that simple act changes lives, especially yours!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
@Leah A –
Wow, that really makes a lot of sense! It’s the same idea to why we sponsors write letters to our children. Even though the money helps, that personal relationship is where our lives really change!
June 13th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I am a pretty good writer, but not much of a picture taker. Anyone who would like to see photos of me and my 3 sponsored girls, should buy th May,2009 issue of Christianity Today magazine, because there we are.
I have a very close relationship with all 3 of my girls, as well as with their families. Usually, I go to visit each one in their own homes, but on my last 2 visits, January and now, I had them meet me in the Compassion office. This has had several advantages for all of us. First of all, I do not have to be running all over the country, and also in this way, a Compassion person does not have to take a day to go out with me. When we meet in the office the girls can meet and chat with each other, too. They did not know each other, and they met through me, but now they are all great friends. They draw pictures for me and I talk to them as well as to their moms, who come with them. On this trip we developed a business plan which will help them and me, also. We are saving up collectively for the 15th birthday of 2 of the girls, even though they are now only 11, because the 15th birthday here is a very, very big deal. Miguelina and Susette, the 2 who are 11, say that Ronely, the one who is 8, will be the guest of honor at this party. My God grant that I live to see this dream fulfilled…
June 13th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
for those who have visited UGANDA or GHANA:
How long were you there? Where did you stay? What did you eat?
What did you do each day there?
I think it would be so awesome to go, but because of a physical disability which requires use of a wheelchair and lots of help with daily routines, I don’t think a trip to Africa would work out for me.
I’d love to hear lots of details from others who have gone though. It must be so exciting!
June 14th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
@Carolyn Cooper –
Carolyn, you don’t say which country your children are in, but it must be in one of the Latin American countries. The 15th birthday is a HUGE deal, especially for the girls. I will be praying for your business plan to all work out. I have had Quinceanera parties for Karen in El Salvador, Loida in Ecuador, and Iraida & Saidy in Honduras. I can tell you it is the best time you can have! Iraida is the only one with a father at home, so he had the honor of escorting them. But I was so honored to dress up in my suit and escort my other daughters at their parties. Not only were the whole family involved, the projects did a bang-up job coordinating and preparing for everything. It was awesome!! I am now planning for another Quiceanera in El Salvador for Katherine in July. God bless you for all you are doing for your girls! It will be a day they will never forget.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
For Mike HUSKEY…I didn´t mention in my latest entry where my girls are, but I did several entries back. I am here with them now in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. It is the country of my heart and after 22 years of sponsoring, visiting, working as a translator and living here in the DOM. REP. I am very, very DOMENICANIZED. I will be sad when I have to leave later this week, but, God willing, I will be back to spend the winter with my 3 sponsored girls.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Mike – I have signed up for the Compassion Sponsor Tour to El Salvador in October and would love to hear more of your experience in that country and any tips for someone who has never traveled to El Salvador or to a Compassion Project. Is there a way we can swap email and chat via email?
June 15th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
@Carolyn Cooper -
I plan to go on the tour to the Dominican Republic in January. I have 2 girls there, it will be the first time to see them. I’m really looking forward to it, especially after your glowing endorsement.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:04 am
June 17th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
For MIKE HUSKEY
Well, maybe we will get to meet each other when you come on the January tour. I will probably be one of the interpreters for the group. I know that I am biased after working with the folks in the Compassion Office in Santo Domingo, but they are a very dedicated and professional group….dedicated to the Lord Jesus, and dedicated to His work with Compassion. It has been a special privelege for me to see how the work here has expanded and grown over the years. When I first began sponsoring in 1989, there were about 9000 sponsored kids, now I think that the number is approaching 40,000. For many years, we had to move from place to place, working in one rented office after another, but now Compassion has its own office and it is truly magnificent and has allowed the work to expand.
You are going to have a GREAT time here, I can assure you. If you speak a little Spanish, even better. I do hope to meet you in January, even if I am not assigned as your translator, as I would really like to hear more about the quinceaners that you have helped to put on for your sponsored girls.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:31 am
@Carolyn Cooper -
Carolyn,
I just returned from Manila yesterday and I believe you said visiting you sponsor child is like “meeting them on the battefield” I may have the wrong person. I believe you are exactly right as I said before. I don’t know what else to say except that I hope to visit again in 3-4 years. I did not dunk a basketball with two hands like I promised Angelo I would I did however dunk a small basketball with 1 hand after doing a CSP home visit. It was a joyous experience for me. I kept trying to dunk from one of the kids giving me an alley hoop but I never got it, but my hand sure got it a little bit. It started to bleed from hitting the rim trying to dunk the alley hoop. I am so thankful that my hand was able to hit the rim and make my fingers bleed
Just FYI for everbody the Compassion medical staff at PH-238 is second to none and have been to a few hospitals in my day 
June 19th, 2009 at 3:33 am
I believe the REAL test of my sponsorship is did my sponsor child reach their dreams!!!!!!!?
June 19th, 2009 at 8:02 am
Nope, I am not the one with the “battlefield” quote, but it sure is accurate. I got back from the Dominican Republic at 3 am today, and I am looking forward to the next trip in December, si Dios quiere, as we say in the D.R. (”if it is God’s will”).
June 20th, 2009 at 5:53 am
@Carolyn Cooper –
Hi Carolyn,
I’ve found all people in the Compassion offices in the countries I’ve been to be very dedicated to the Lord and to the children. I am looking forward to seeing the Dominican Republic, meeting the staff and seeing my girls. I hope to meet you and if you get me started on the Quiceaneras you will have a hard time getting me to stop. Just fair warning! My Spanish is very limited, need to push myself to learn more. Most of my kids are in Spanish speaking countries.
June 20th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
@Leah A –
Leah,
I am glad your comment supported what I thought, but even if it didn’t I still would have gone on the short trip anyways!!!!!!! hahahahahaha I do not know all the benefits of my trip and maybe some of the negative but I do know I was a lightening bolt of encouragement for some and I received a few watts myself!!!!!!!
June 20th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
“Should I visit my sponsored child?”
I love the question b/c it is so ridiculous, I don’t even think you can answer the question with much accuracy unless you have visited your sponsored child. I think a better question would be
“How many times should I visit my sponsored child?” My answer to that question would be at least 2: once while they are younger and once while they are older so they can get the maximum encouragement out of you if you are limited on visiting funds
June 20th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
@Shelly Quigg –
Shelly,
Your dream is easily worth $4-5k. I just got back June 18 from the Philippines Sponsor Tour and I met my 3 boys I sponsor there kind of like your 3 girls in Uganda. I encourage you to go and ask questions later. The reason being the benefit to your sponsored kids and yourself I believe would be that GREAT, AMAZING, and AWESOME!!!!!!! It will not be easy to pay for it. But if you send me a letter or an email michaelstephens56@yahoo.com I will send you $20. Not much but maybe enough to make you think you can really do it!!!!!!!!!! I paid for the Philppines driving a Taxi and few other odd jobs. I got $20 from a lady at church and $100 from someone else. I didn’t write any letters b/c I wanted to make sure I went and I thought by working I could do it. I just pay the $350 deposit way early and use that as motivation to get the rest so I don’t lose the money by having to cancel. So far I am two for two!!!!!!! If you can get $350 I believe you can get the $4000. A girl on our Philippines tour sold her motorcylce to pay for part of her trip. I don’t have much to sell so I just start throwing my earnings towards the trip.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hi, Shelly,
You can save a lot of money by going on an individual visit, if your purpose is to just see your children. If you go from Miami to La Paz, Bolivia, you should be able to fly there for about $1000/roundtrip. Then you add to that the hotel, which is about $40/night. Then add to that the translation, which is $40/day. Then add to it taking the child and family and part of staff and translator out to eat, which is about another $40. (The Bolivian children love to go to Burgerking, in the South of La Paz. Or another good place is Brosso, a couple of blocks from the Plaza Hotel on the way to the San Francisco Plaza) Then there is the fee for the Taxi, which might be another $40. Then you add whatever you’d like to give to the children and if you want to buy some souvenirs for yourself. (I know some good places) That’s pretty much it. I just did this all a couple of weeks ago!
Kees
June 21st, 2009 at 7:43 am
And you never know in what wonderful (and amazing) ways God will bless you without you even suspecting it…On my way to the Dominican Republic on May31st from Boston, we had a layover in Miami.It was supposed to be short, but it turned out to be overnight. The airline paid for our hotel and meals, and I thought that was enough. BUT when I checked my email a few days later, I found that they are giving me ANOTHER roundtrip ticket to the DOM.REP., FREE!!!! for my “inconvenience.” WOW!!! I get to go back in December for free…God is good…
June 21st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I am going to change the question b/c the answer is obviously a resounding “YES” my question is
“What were the highlights of your visit?”
singing “Awesome God” at one of the CDC projects in Dagupan
letting the fish eat the dead skin off our feet at the Water Park/Aquarium in Manila when we got to meet our sponsored kids.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
To add to what Mike Stephens just wrote: (I came back from visiting my 3 sponsored girls just last Friday–06/19). The highlights of my trip included having the mothers and the girls come to the Compassion office. The girls, who live far from each other, had met once before, in Jan.09, but the mothers have never met each other, nor did they know the other girls. It was just great to have them all together in one place at last!!! Compassion just gave us a room and we took it from there—no translator needed!!! The girls colored in drawings of cars that the Compassion staff gave them, and the girls put my name on the license plate of the cars. That cracked me up, since I would never have a vanity plate. One of the girls (Susette) brought me a lovely Mother’s Day gift. (Mother’s Day there is May 31st). Susette also brought me a tuber vegetable, that I love, called yuca. There is a saying in the Dominican Repulic that the best yuca is from Moca, the town that Susette lives in, and they know that I know that, too. So they brought me some.
Another special aspect of this trip was that my son, Giles, who is 26, was with me. He got to meet the girls for the first time, and I think it gave him a new perspective on what his Mom is all about. We ordered out for pizza to Dominos and the girls got to pick the toppings.
The following Sunday, I went with Giles to the home of one of the girls (Ronely) for dinner.
Although Giles does not speak Spanish, Ronely’s family made him feel right at home.
The VERY most special part of the trip, was Bernard Okeke, a long time Compassion worker, witnessing to Giles. Giles in his youth had gone far astray, and Bernard has been praying for him daily for over 10 years!!!
As stated in an earlier post, we also began to plan the 15th birthday party for Miguelina and Susette, though they are only 11 years old now. Ronely is just about to turn 8, but she knows that she will be a special guest.
I look forward to going back in December to spend the winter, working for Compassion, giving workshops for the Dominican translators as well as translating (written)and interpreting (oral) myself.
Hopefully if some of you who read this come on the January 2010 Compassion tour, I will be able to meet you!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I am brand new to Compassion but I chose my child based on the ability to visit them. In my mind, I would probably go to Columbia before I went to Kenya or India. I do hope when my tour in Germany is up, I will be able to visit Columbia.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 pm
@Carolyn Cooper –
j
Congratulations!!!!!!!
Why couldn’t that have happened to me!!!!!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Today’s blog post gives a 14-year old’s perspective on the question, and her conclusion is “Yes. It shouldn’t be missed.”
Stephanie Harrison: On Travelling With Compassion
July 14th, 2009 at 5:22 am
I agree with Amber. I worked in Compassion India for 10 years and for 5 of those years I visited children listening to their stories. Children have consistently told me that their dream is to have their sponsor visit them. Those whose sponsors do visit, rate it as one of their most unforgettable experiences of sponsorship. So, if you can, do visit your child. Some kids may not be very responsive in person, but hard as it can be, don’t let that put you off. This non-responsiveness by children can happen a lot in India.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
So, anyone thinking about going on either the East India tour or the Haiti tour in 2010?
August 21st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Has anyone gone on the Thailand trip or planning to go to Thailand?
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 am
@Kelli McClure –
I was on the 2007 Thailand tour and am planning to go on the tour in 2010.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:56 am
I was able to visit some of my children while I was already in the country for a missions trip. That worked well because it was a lot less expensive than going specifically to visit me kids. W/o airfare it cost about $130/per child to cover travel for them, or for me.
I have thought it would be cool to go on a sponsor tour and have that experience, but I am not at a place in my life that I can afford take that kind of vacation.
I would definitely recommend getting to see your children if you can. Being able to meet them,see their personality, meet their family, and see their church makes a huge difference.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:31 am
If anyone reads this who works at a compassion project or a country office around the world could you answer a question I have?
I am planning on taking a missions trip to the Philippines and thought I might visit my sponsored children. I have the option of visiting the project or having the children travel to the capital city. Traveling to the project will be a difficult trip but if the project staff and others at the church would like to meet a real life sponsor it might be worth the time. If not it would be less work for me to not travel in country but stay in the capital and have them visit. Has anyone visited a project during an individual trip…sponsor trips are different.
Thanks
August 27th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Dwight: I don’t work in either a project or a country office, but as a sponsor of over 20 years and frequently visitor to my kids, I would like to give you some input on visiting your kids in the office vs. going to their homes. I currently sponsor 3 girls who live in very different parts of the Dominican Republic. For years I visited each one individually at their homes and projects. It was a very time-consuming and tiring undertaking, as the travel was long and difficult. I usually visit one or 2 times a year. About a year ago I started thinking that it would be fun for them to know each other, so I arranged to have them brought to the office in Santo Domingo. This idea was a BIG HIT with everyone, the girls, the office staff and myself. Since done of them live in Santo Domingo (where the office is) it was an adventure for them to come to the city, and get a broader view of the world. It seemed to be easier for the staff, too. Since I speak the language of the girls (Spanish)we did not need an office staff person with us every minute, just a room to meet in. The first time we did it (January, 2009) it was just amazing to me to watch the girls get to know each other and how quickly they bonded. By the 2nd visit (June,2009) they were like old friends and there was such excitement in the air as the ones who had already arrived awaited the arrival of the others. The 1st they came with their project directors, but the 2nd times, the Moms came, too. I brought coloring books and new clothes for each of them, and the went into the rest rooms and came out in their new clothes and “modeled” for the office staff. We ordered out to Dominos pizza for lunch, the girls picking the toppings, and they thought it was great fun. Two of them Miguelina and Susette, are 11 years old, and Ronelly is 8.
I don’t know how this would work with really young children. Also, it is no substitute for seeing them in their own environments. But I had been to each of their homes many times previously to this new plan. And I rememember clearly once when I tried to see 2 of them in one long day,that I got back to the city at midnight–not too good for me OR the Compassion office worker who must accompany you when you visit their homes. All in all, seeing them in the office seems to really work for all of us and I look forward, as I know that they do, to us all being together again at Christmas.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Forgot one comment on previous post: cost. It costs about the same if you visit them, or they visit you. If you and an office staff person go to the project, you have to cover the travel expenses. And if the child comes to you, of course you have to pay for the expense of the child and the person who brings them to you.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Dwight: I wrote a long response to your question of visiting kids in their project vs. them coming to you. #183 above was supposed to be an additional to my response, but somehow what I originally wrote got erased. See my entries # 136, 155 and 173 above—and YES, visiting them in the office, especially if there is more than one child has its advantages.
Carolyn
August 28th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Hello Everyone! I would like some advice.
I received an email regarding the Nicaragua group tour for May 2010. I would like to meet my girl Cinthya but I have never venture out of the USA except Puerto Rico.
Since April I have received 3 basic letters from her and in February 2010 it’ll be 1 year since my sponsorship with her.
Do you all think it’ll be to soon to see her on the tour of May 2010?
Also, How much money would I need for extra expenses?
I am hoping this trip could be the ice breaker for me to travel. Since I am eyeing the East Indonesia 2010 trip.
Thank you all in advance.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:41 am
It is NEVER too soon to grow your relationship with your sponsored child. Her letters are probably “basic” because of her age and/or that she is not accustomed to letter writing. I would suggest that you contact the tour office at Compassion to get a recommendation as to how much money you need to take.
#1 is GET YOUR PASSPORT in plenty of time. You can go on line at http://www.state/gov and put in your zipcode if you don’t already know where to apply. If you don’t speak Spanish, the in-country office of Nicaragua will supply you with a translator. You will NEVER regret making this trip. It will be an uplifting and eniching experience for you AND
Cinthya. BTW, Puerto Rico is not out of of the USA. It is part of the USA, and Puerto Ricans carry US passports, just as we do. A thousands blessings to you as you plan and prepare for your trip!!!!!
Carolyn
August 31st, 2009 at 8:34 am
@Beth – Hi Beth, glad you are thinking about visiting Nicaragua. It is never too soon to visit your child. I have met some of my sponsored children before I received their 1st letter! Just happened to have a trip planned already when I sponsored them.
As far as extra money, it would depend on how much you want to spend on souveniers. All meals, tips, transportation, etc is included in the tour.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
@Beth –
Beth – I have been on two Compassion trips to Nicaragua. I highly recommend going – the staff there is great. I have pictures from the 2006 and 2008 tours posted online at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmbell64/collections/72157604458518910/
Pat
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:02 am
@Dwight –
Hi, Dwight! How exciting that you are interested in visiting your sponsored children in the Philippines.
I encourage you to read about visiting your sponsored child on our website, http://www.compassion.com/sponsordonor/tours/childvisitationguidelines.htm, and my team is available to answer any questions you might have.
We can be reached at (visits@us.ci.org). We ask for six weeks advance notice and require some details on your travel to begin the visit arrangements.
It’s always a special blessing to visit a sponsored child, no matter the location. Whether the meeting takes place in the capital city, either at the field office, a mall, a hotel or a restaurant, or in the child’s project & home area, both locations have advantages.
Many children will not have an opportunity to travel to a big city and it’s a very exciting experience. Sponsors also are truly impacted by seeing a child’s home or project environment first hand.
As you mention your children are in the Philippines, I am not sure if the children live in Manila (Luzon), where our country office is located, or on another island.
Compassion does ask that sponsors be responsible for expenses incurred in coordinating a child visit, and we will provide an expense estimate for you.
Often it may be cost-prohibitive for sponsors to travel to a child’s island or for the child & chaperone to travel to Manila.
Each case is different, and we ask the country office to make the best recommendation on the place to meet, considering the sponsor’s logistics and the child’s schedule.
If a sponsor will be in a child’s project area, then we absolutely encourage a visit at the project, if it is deemed safe and appropriate.
Otherwise an alternate location is suggested, and we regularly coordinate visits in the city where our country office is located.
Once we have your travel details and plans, we are happy to act as a liaison with our local staff to prepare an itinerary for you.
We look forward to serving you!
Grace Poole
Individual Visits Supervisor
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 am
Thank you for the response. I have already filled out the paper work for the visit.
But one question that I had to answer was…do you want to visit the project or have the child visit you in the country (country office…). It is easer for me to have the child and project worker do the traveling but do projects like to have visitors. I doubt anyone in America can answer this question. It would be nice if some day we did a blog and asked some project workers around the world. How often do projects get visitors? Have some never had a sponsor visit? I put on the application to visit the project, but I am having second thoughts…is it really worth travelin to the project or should I just ask them to bring the child the Manila? thanks
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
@Dwight –
When we receive your request, these are questions my team can discuss with you.
Whenever we arrange individual child visits, we are happy to honor the sponsor’s preference for the visit location.
The experience itself will be such a blessing to all parties.
We understand that sometimes sponsors are not able to travel to project locations. I have traveled with Compassion several times to different parts of the world, and I can assure you that meeting a sponsored child is an exciting time.
I’ve witnessed visits at both projects, when I’ve met my own sponsored children, as well as on child visit days during sponsor tours, when the meetings take place at a zoo or park.
There are certainly projects that might have received visitors regularly and there are newer projects that might have not yet received one.
I do know that sponsors are treated like a special guest when they visit a project and if the student center is open for activities that day, it’s a chance for all the children in attendance to the sponsored child celebrate.
We are happy to bring your child to Manila or pursue a project visit, and we can ask the field office in the Philippines to provide us with two options for you to consider. This will help you make an informed decision.
Please contact our visits team directly at (visits@us.ci.org), and we will be privileged to discuss this further with you.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
@Dwight –
Hi, Dwight, a few years ago, I heard that in 1 year, about 4000 sponsors visited with their child. At the time, there were also about 4000 projects. Given that, I concluded that on average it came down to 1 child per project per year. Of course averages are just that. Also, this was talking in terms of the child visit, which I believe with the tours many times happens that they bring the children all to one location on child visit day. Of course on those tours, they all visit all sorts of projects, but many of the sponsors don’t sponsor in that project when they visit.
Having said that, I’ve visited several projects, where they told me that I was the first person in the project that ever visited that project and also the first person to ever visit a child from that project.
So, it’s not a common experience for the children to see a sponsor. I always feel like a celebrity, when I go to a project. The children look through the window and crowd around you.
I think that some projects also tend to get frequented by sponsor tours, so it might be different with those.
Blessings,
Kees
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
@Dwight – Having been to a few centers as part of a sponsor tour, I can attest that YES, centers like having visitors. All the children, not just the one you sponsor, get the opportunity to interact with a sponsor. The vast majority of these children will never get a chance to meet their sponsors. To get a hug, or a smile, or a high five – that shows them all that there are REAL people on the other side of their letters (because just like sponsors sometimes wonder if their kids really exist, I’m sure the kids wonder the same thing). Plus, traveling to the child’s project gives you an opportunity to see his everyday environment. You may see his house, or meet his family. When you read his letters, you’ll have a mental picture of the things, places, and friends he is talking about. Yes, a trip to a big city would be an amazing experience for a child. But the thing I didn’t realize until I got there was that ME BEING THERE was enough. The fun we had that day was a bonus; all he really wanted was to know me more. I found out from my boy’s project director that he was the first child in his project to ever have a sponsor visit. Five years of operation, hundreds of children sponsored, and he was first.
Either way, you and your child will be blessed by your visit. But from my experience, and in my humble opinion, I think you should go to him. Just my two cents.
Go, and be blessed!
Stephanie
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
GO! GO! GO! I am from Australia and I just embarked on a crazy six day South/Central America trip to visit my girls in Bolivia, Colombia and El Salvador (am still in El Salvador now). The trip was planned for months and cost thousands of dollars, but I can assure you firsthand, IT WAS WORTH EVERY CENT. The money thing is just an excuse – I know when I stand before God, he will not accuse me of wasting his money by using it on this trip. The true extent of the impact of my trip, and what happens when I return to Australia will not be realised for sometime, but boy am I looking forward to it. So in summary, from someone who has done it, if God has given you the finances and the time, quit the excuses and just GO visit your child.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Hello All,
We recently completed a trip to Ecuador to meet our little boy and I can honestly say it was worth all of the cost and more. We did ours as an individual visit since we were already going to be in the country on a missions trip, we extended our visit in order to meet our child. We, as a family, took the trip together. We also were given the opportunity to either have the child come to the nearest largest city or go to his town and project. It was a tough decision but in the end, we thought it more beneficial to actually see where he lived, see the project and meet all of the people there and meet his family. I believe deep down that our choice to visit with Roberto in his town had a much greater impact on all invovled. We were able to spend time with all of the teachers, the director and many of the children from the project (we were the first sponsors to ever visit) and then were able to visit his home and extended family. We had the opportunity to take the entire family to lunch in town, take them shopping for groceries and shoes they would never have been able to purchase, and really learn how precious and humble the people are. They were so thrilled that we would take the time to visit them even in the remote parts of the country, it just made it all that much more special for everyone. And my children have taken away a memory that has made an indelible mark on their lives – they now want to sponsor more children. To see a child in his own environment cannot be compared to any other travel experience or letter writing stories. It was just sad for us that it was for only one day. They didn’t want us to leave and neither did we. Guess we just have to go back
November 5th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I finally felt peace and picked a child today- a 6-year-old girl in Uganda. Whew, it’s tough picking 1 out of all those little children..
It is already very difficult knowing I’ll never meet her face-to-face due to my health (home & mostly bed-bound). She already has my spirit bound to her. If possible, I would do all in my power to go to her, as one of my own blood children.
Before becoming sick, my husband, I and kids (3) made 2 trips into Mexico about 1/2-way down to see missionary friends we support and their works (1 in a bigger town, 1 in a small village). It is a life-changing experience, it is a blessed experience, going out of country to mission fields. To go to your own sponsored child would be even more-so.. I will lose so much not meeting her, but will do what the Lord leads me to do, and pray from afar..and with a tear or two. But, the Lord knows, and has had sponsorship pressed into my heart for a long time..
I’d love to send a little something for her if anyone goes to Uganda..
November 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I went on my own to visit our sponsor child. I took still photos and video and use those when talking to others about compassion. It makes the talk come alive when they see the people that I am talking about. For me, it was a great day, but it’s also a great teaching tool!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:15 am
I visited my sweet Annet in Uganda in 2006. The day with her was wonderful; saying goodbye was heart-wrenching. (She has since been married & I’m so thankful to have been with her for that one day.) We visited many projects and yes, the poverty is unbelievable, but more than that THE PEOPLE are amazing! From parents to the smallest child they were welcoming & affectionate knowing that our generosity makes their lives that much better. I kept thinking “who are we, that these people treat us like royalty”; it’s a strange feeling.
Annet’s subsequent letters reflected her excitement at meeting also. As for me, I have never been the same since that trip: I require less “stuff”, more freely share my finances, have more compassion for others, and have grown in my relationship with Jesus. If you are able to go, PLEASE GO. The children & parents & project workers would love to see you, you’ll have more passion & credibility when speaking up for Compassion, and your heart will be changed in ways you can’t even imagine. God’s hand is strong in these visits…
November 12th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Well, after all of my concerns about the price and whether I should spend the money on other opportunities for giving, I have actually decided to go on the Ethiopia tour! I haven’t signed up yet, but I am supposed to get my settlement money sometime next week so it will be in time to sign up.
I just decided that it is my money to swpend the way I want, I am getting it for being viciously attacked by a 150 lb. dog. So9 I paid a big price for it. Since I have decided to go on the tour I have been ecstatically happy. I have 4 children to visit there. I just know it is the right thing to do.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
This is a video of a friend of mine, who just visited his sponsored child.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK-XrgZJoeM
Blessings,
Kees
November 12th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Go! If God is telling you to do this and you know it in your heart, then go.
I recently returned from the Brazil tour and met all 5 of my children. Meeting them was a day I will never forget. I was able to hug them, see them walk, watch them run. I heard their voices and heard their laughter. I even saw one of them cry. Their parents were so appreciative of everything I was doing for their children. I pray that God allows me to see all of them again.
During the project visits I connected with 2 children I had never met before. One of them brought his family to the center so I could meet them. As I was playing a game with another child, I felt a tug on my arm. I looked down and saw the boy I had met earlier that day. Then he pulled me over to his family. He and I had smiles brighter than the sun. I wish that I could remember his name. I’d send him a copy of the picture I have of me and him together.
Another child gave me a picture that he drew. I told him to sign it so I’d remember his name. I let him know that an artist always signs his work.
I saw poverty that I had never expected to see. The only thing I can say is that Americans are really spoiled and need to stop the petty complaints and ungratefulness.
If you know in your heart that God is telling you to go, do it. It was an experience I’ll never forget. I feel blessed to have been chosen by God to go.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:27 am
I sponsor three children on three different continents — each born on or right around the birthdays of my three oldest children. One of the main reasons I sponsor is so my kids will grow up with a “twin” in another land — to help us all remember that America is such an un-real economic environment compared to most of the rest of the world. And of course, to learn to be the hands and heart of compassion in Jesus’ name.
About tours — it is my life DREAM to take each of my kids on a sponsor tour to meet their “twin” some day! I have had to give this dream to the Lord, though, as I don’t see the money for it in my future at this point. (The three kids plus the new baby may have something to do with that…hmmm)
BUT, should the Lord provide those funds, I would go (in a heartbeat) and also take a child — which would significantly increase the trip cost. Why? Because my prayer would be that each of my kids would be so galvanized by what they experienced that they would be led to be lifelong Compassion sponsors too.
From that perspective, then, the “return on investment” of my going on multiple sponsor trips — and even taking a child each time — outweighs by a multiple of 3 or more my giving those trip funds to Compassion in one lump sum. (Not to mention the blessing of a trip on us personally or our increased ability to represent Compassion’s work to others here)
I’m using the generational-multiplication model of Psalm 78:1-7 as my guide in this matter.
“…we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (Ps. 78:4)
November 17th, 2009 at 11:20 am
@Michael,
You can probably save a considerable amount of money by going on an individual visit verses a tour.