children, parents, parenting, mom, family, cultures, world, children, compassion
For years I had seen commercials on TV about children in other countries needing help. I used to turn my head away because it was hard to watch the condition in which they lived. I was also always concerned about whether or not my money really went to the child or not.

Well, a couple of years ago, a friend shared how she sponsored a child through Compassion International. And I felt God tugging at my heart not just as a person, but as a mom. For the first time I felt protective of children everywhere because of the love and devotion I have for my own. I couldn't imagine being a mom and not being able to feed your child or give them medical care or schooling. It broke my heart. With the age of the Internet, I was able to go online and check out being a sponsor.

Financially, I had to wait a few months before I felt I could commit myself to this endeavor. When I made the decision in my heart I was so excited! I went online and looked at many, many pictures of children waiting for sponsors. I wanted to choose someone around the age of one of my children and then I saw the sweet little face of Garline looking back at me. She was 3 and she lived in Haiti.

That was almost 2 years ago. I can't tell you how sponsoring Garline has enriched my life. Her picture hangs on our fridge where we can see and pray for her daily. We are learning to be thankful for what we have, in large part because of what she doesn't have. My girls draw pictures to send to her and now on occasion my daughter Kamica full of compassion will pray that "someone who doesn't have shoes will get shoes" or "someone who is cold and needs a blanket will get one."

I get so excited when I get a letter from Garline's teachers (since she doesn't know how to write yet). And am touched deeply at how thankful her family is for my help. It gets me outside of my own little world and into someone else's.

I wish I could sponsor so many more little children. It is a growing experience for our family and in helping a little girl across the world in Haiti, she blesses our family in return.

~If you are interested in being a sponsor: Compassion International http://www.compassion.com 1-800-336-7676 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

Dionna is Editor/Publisher of Emphasis On Moms. Emphasis is a ministry for moms focused on encouraging, supporting, inspiring and understanding the balance and warmth needed in the lives of moms.