Day 16: The Importance of Compassion

A couple months ago I started sponsoring a child through Compassion International. I was able to choose a little 5 year old girl from Peru. The second I saw her photo I just knew God was leading me to help her and show her the love of Christ through sponsorship, letters, and prayer.

Compassion International is an amazing ministry which was founded in 1952 resulting from the despair of the Korean War. Starting in South Korea and aiding 35 orphaned children, Compassion has extended their efforts into 24 countries with more than 950,000 children. With a contribution of only $32 a month Compassion is able to provide your child with educational opportunities, health care, nutrition, life-skills training, and opportunities to hear about the gospel. But also and just as important, a sponsored child is given hope, encouragement, "and an often-neglected message that they matter." Its hard to imagine that only $32, on average the cost of a single shirt from Old Navy, or only a couple of drinks from Starbucks, can make such an enormous impact on a child's life.

This sponsorship program is key in aiding children all over the world, however, I never imagined how much I would get blessed in return. Just the other day I was so excited to get a translated letter from Lady (the little girl I sponsor). The letter wasn't very long, but she told me about her family, her favorite color, the school she goes to, and how she loves dogs. But most touching was how she ended her letter with "a big hug and many kisses. May God bless you!" What a wonderful, unexpected blessing!