As a mom, sponsoring kids through Compassion International was initially my idea. I wanted to introduce my young kids to poverty. It’s hard to teach about poverty while living in a culture of excess.
In September 2010, we chose a girl who was close to my daughter’s age. Roselyn lives in Guatemala. Both Roselyn and Cate were 3 at the time. Roselyn turns 9 in November and my girl will follow in May.
The letters and pictures Roselyn creates come addressed to me as her official sponsor, but, really, Cate hurries to open them and read them. Cate asks questions and draws Roselyn pictures.
In December 2011, we added a second sponsorship. We chose a boy who shares a birthdate with my son, Ben. Jean in Ecuador is 8 years older than my boy, who turns 6 in November, but we like to celebrate their lives on the same day.
In addition to exchanging letters, we’ve made Compassion International part of our family by incorporating giving to our sponsored kids at our kids’ birthday parties. The party attendees will bring money to donate and create pictures I mail.
Our kids have more than enough, so seeing them and their friends willing give to others is making a difference – both here in our home, hopefully in their friends’ perceptions, in Roselyn’s life in Guatemala, and for Jean in Ecuador.
We also are a correspondence sponsor for Elvis in Ecuador. The kids draw him pictures and we send him letters just like we do Roselyn and Jean.
For all three, I’ve organized their letters and information in binders that sit near our kitchen table. The kids – Cate especially – love to look through the letters that have arrived at our Murray, Kentucky, house from these kids who have become like pen pals. This prompts meaningful conversions that I pray my kids hold onto.
Pictures of Roselyn, Jean and Elvis hang on our refrigerator. Yes, sponsoring them was initially my idea as a mom, but these relationships have become a family affair – and we’re all better off for it, both here in Kentucky as well as in Guatemala and Ecuador.
Kristin Hill Taylor believes in seeking God as the author of every story – many of which she shares on her blog, kristinhilltaylor.com. She lives in Murray, Kentucky, with her college sweetheart husband and their two kids.
3 Comments |Add a comment
I loved the birthday party idea!! We chose kids with birthdays close to our own kids age & gender as well and I think I may incorporate your idea into our next birthday celebration. A great way to raise awareness outside your family walls.
I love seeing your whole family be involved and loved the birthday party idea! What a fun way to help your sponsor children and also share the sponsorship experience with friends too!
I love seeing whole families embrace sponsorship by including their own children! As a family, we sponsor five children, and three of us are correspondent sponsors to many children. I love seeing my own children make sponsorship their own way of making a difference.