Comments on: Should I Visit My Sponsored Child? http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:31:10 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Kees Boer http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-5/#comment-12613 Kees Boer Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:20:49 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12613 @Michael, You can probably save a considerable amount of money by going on an individual visit verses a tour. @Michael,

You can probably save a considerable amount of money by going on an individual visit verses a tour.

]]> By: Michael S. http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-5/#comment-12595 Michael S. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:27:22 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12595 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) 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)

]]> By: Ken M. http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-5/#comment-12496 Ken M. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:29:34 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12496 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. 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.

]]> By: Kees Boer http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-5/#comment-12492 Kees Boer Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:47:54 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12492 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 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

]]> By: Jeanette http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-5/#comment-12489 Jeanette Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:50:37 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12489 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. 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.

]]> By: Barbara Suchy http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-4/#comment-12464 Barbara Suchy Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:18 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12464 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... 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…

]]> By: Tony B http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-4/#comment-12321 Tony B Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:27:37 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12321 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! 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!

]]> By: Diane http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-4/#comment-12305 Diane Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:30:35 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-12305 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.. :-) 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.. :-)

]]> By: Kelli Mayer http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-4/#comment-11882 Kelli Mayer Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:55:49 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-11882 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 :-) 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 :-)

]]> By: David http://blog.compassion.com/sponsor/comment-page-4/#comment-11844 David Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:12:33 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=538#comment-11844 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. 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.

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