My sister has a heart for Africa. I'm not exactly sure where it came from or where God will take her because of it, but I know she was ecstatic this week to receive a letter from a child in Africa that she sponsors. It was so cool to look at the drawings that a little kid on the other side of the world drew just for her. The small amount of money that she puts aside every month will absolutely change that child's life. Seeing her excitement this weekend stirred something in my own heart.
Then, in what is far too coincidental to be a coincidence, Compassion put together a team of bloggers (four of whom I read regularly) to visit Uganda and then blog about all the kids who need to be sponsored. They are gone this week and already they have posted some pretty powerful stuff. Powerful stuff that has reminded me how much I have and how much more I have to give.
I've walked past the table many times. You know the table, the one where people bring all the pictures of the kids who live in terrible conditions, in third-world countries - most of which are ravished by AIDS and other serious diseases. The kids who so desperately need someone to care about them and help them break the cycles of poverty. Every time I've walked past that table, I've done it with guilt, knowing full well that I could totally afford to make a difference for at least one kid but I always choose not to.
This week it's different. Between Ashleigh's letter and all the blogs, I've felt myself wrestling with the idea that maybe I should sponsor a child myself.
This is the conversation God and I had today:
God: (practically shouting) You should do this, imagine the difference that could be made in a child's life.
God: Remember MY sacrifice, the one that saved YOUR life.
Me: Enough said!
So, today I sponsored a kid from Uganda. His name is Muhindo Baraka and he is 9 years old.
My $32 a month will allow Baraka to get an education, to stay healthy, and to have a future. It might mean giving up some of my comforts, but I'm thinking that's such a small price to pay. If one of those kids were to come to the United States and see my house, my car, my stuff - they would think that I was absolutely rich. And, really the only thing I can't afford to do, is NOT help.
2 comments:
maybe your boy could hook up with my girl someday! :) well, except my sweetie lives in guatemala! congrats on the adoption!
I have been following the Compassion blog trip as well. Great stuff. The Students at Grace sponsor a boy named Jericho from the Philippines and we are really glad to be a part of Compassion.
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