A Gift That Goes A Long Way

I’ve written many times before about why sponsoring children is a good thing. I sponsor three children through World Vision, but no matter what organization you go through, child sponsorship truly makes a difference in the life of that child. You can read my 10 reasons for sponsoring a child here if you are interested.

I have received so many blessings from sponsoring my three children. I was pregnant at the same time as one of my sponsored children’s mothers. I’ve gotten to exchange letters and pictures/drawings and encouragement. I’ve “seen” them grow for a few years and learned about their lives. My eyes have been opened to some of what is going on in other parts of the world.

But I’ve just received my most exciting letter yet! I’m so happy that I just have to share it. Through World Vision, the sponsorship funds are pooled so that bigger items can be purchased for the community such as building schools, health centers, community leadership development programs, AIDS education, and more. These things could not be done without pooling the funds. But World Vision also provides a way for sponsors to give gifts specifically to their child on top of the sponsorship commitment if they wish.

In honor of Easter 2011, Nathan and I decided to give a gift of US$100 to one of our sponsored children in Zimbabwe. It’s been over a year and I had never heard what had come of it. However, today I received a thank you letter with a picture and everything. With $100 my sponsored child’s family was able to purchase 2 goats, school shoes, a new school uniform, school trousers and shoes for her younger brother, and some school supplies. I was amazed that $100 went so far for their family! I received a picture of my sponsored child with her mother and two of her brothers in their new clothes and shoes along with the goats.

From her mother, I received a thank you note in which this is the opening:

Firstly I would like to give thanks to the almighty Lord for inspiring you to do such great deeds to my child

I am so blessed to be a part of this woman’s life as well as the lives of her children. I am so happy that our meager gift was able to bring them so much happiness. But at the same time, it saddens me that it is necessary. It saddens me that we spend so much money on “wants” when so many in the world have real needs. It saddens me that our government spends so much money on death and destruction rather than helping those in most need. It saddens me that our society is so focused on entertainment and entitlement when others in the world are so happy and thankful for so little. My sponsored family truly feels blessed. They thank the Lord every day for their lives and their blessings. We could all take a lesson from them.