The Most Influential People in the World
The International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate the importance of families to people, societies and cultures around the world. It’s a good day to learn, and own, your influence. Not only for the sake of kids in poverty but for your own family too.
Continue Reading ›Best Of: The Value of Family
From why sponsorship benefits a family living in the developing world, to an entire family embracing their sponsored child, the value of family is a theme you will often see woven into the stories we share. We took the liberty of choosing some of our best family related blog posts for you.
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Pray for Me and I’ll Pray for You
Alejandro and Nixon are cousins who have also been friends most of their lives growing up in El Salvador. They are “first cousins,” a term that, in their culture and language, means a close relationship and is literally translated “cousin-brothers.”
Spirituality Is a Way of Life
Is it OK to think of some activities as spiritual and others as “not spiritual” but ordinary or secular? What is the danger of thinking this way, if any?
What Does Financial Sacrifice Look Like?
One family took on the challenge of living on only $2.50 a day for an entire week. They decided to rely on God for every need that surpassed the $2.50 a day.
Easter in Kenya
It’s dawn in the village of Burendwa, western Kenya. On a chilly Sunday morning, children wake up anxiously as they wait for their mothers to prepare breakfast. Sebastian rubs his eyes and rises from his bed.
It’s Easter Sunday and all children, youth, women and men are eagerly waiting to go to church and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Sebastian washes his face he hums,
“He is risen!”
“He is risen!”
“And He lives, forever more.”
Suddenly he hears other children in his village and realizes he is late. He quickly puts on his best suit and leaves for church.
The sun’s rays can be seen rising from the east; there is excitement on everyone’s faces. Some women are balancing pots full of water on their heads with a lot of prowess. Some are heard talking in loud tones about the day’s events. Mama Sebastian says to her family,
“Kweli hi itakuwa siku njema tukila na tukisherekea kufufuka kwake Yesu Mwokozi Kristo!”
Translation:
“This is going to be a great day as we eat together and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior!”
Who Are Jesus’ Brothers and Sisters?
When we, adopted members of the family of God, sponsor, visit, love, write, protect, speak up for, adopt, and foster sponsored children in our own families we are living out the gospel. We are doing the will of our Father in heaven, and Jesus calls us brothers and sisters.
How Deep Does Compassion Run in Your Family?
This past Mother’s Day I got an interesting gift from my daughter, Sarah, and I called to ask what it meant. The number 38* rang a bell for me, but I wasn’t sure what she meant by her note.
A Safe Haven for Children
Shortly after joining the sponsorship program, Rediet and her sister realized that the child development center was their safe haven where they could enjoy their childhood and forget the misery they witnessed at home.
Sponsors Really Do Exist!
Matthew never stopped smiling as the children swarmed around him and wanted to shake his hand. Even though he was not their sponsor, the children were thrilled to meet the very first sponsor to visit their child development center.
Parents in Poverty: In the Trenches of Child-Rearing
No different from parents everywhere, parents in poverty are in the trenches of child-rearing day in and day out. So, encourage your child’s parents in your next letter. Consider including a Bible verse or a small card “For Mom & Dad.”
Child Sponsorship: It’s a Family Affair
I realize that God wants me to look at my sponsorship of Evelyne from a whole new perspective. My goal now is to win Evelyne’s entire family to Christ.
