It’s been awhile … a looong while … since we last talked about winning a free trip by finding sponsors for children in poverty. Here is what happened since then.

143 people ordered a total of 1,633 child packets, and more than 50 of you successfully found a sponsor for at least one child. Many of you were able to get numerous children sponsored.

In all, because of how you responded to our request for help, 215 children in poverty now have new sponsors, and several of you won a trip because of  your efforts.

Thank you very much!

The winners are:

• Allegra Thowless
• Mary Choi
• Brittany Clarke
• Brenden and Carlene Murray

This post was originally published November 28, but some things have changed.

You have until December 21 to order your child packets, and until January 30, 2009 to mail in your completed sponsorship forms.

If you’re reading this, you’re most likely already transforming lives with us. Or you’re curious about what we do and how we work. Either way, we’re inviting you to help us inspire others to rescue children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

This battle we are in — the battle against hopelessness and lies — places millions of lives at stake. And of the more than 1 million children we help, more than 165,000 children still desperately need sponsors. Will you ask your friends, co-workers, family members and neighbors to sponsor these?

If you will, we’ll send you child packets of children waiting for sponsors so you can share the packets with others.

If you find the most child sponsors by December 21, 2008 January 30, 2009, we will send you and a guest on an all-expense paid trip to a country where we work!

You’ll be able to choose from upcoming trips and travel with a group of sponsors to see our ministry firsthand.

You’ll meet the children we are rescuing — face to face.

Also, every person who finds a sponsor for a child will be entered into a drawing for a trip.

Order your child packets today, and thank you for your devotion to God’s children.

P.S. If you’re not already a sponsor and you want to be eligible to win a trip, please sponsor a child first, then order your child packets. Once you’re a sponsor, we’ll be able to credit your referrals to your account.