. . . and your heart aches like the hollow of your hungry stomach.
At least like your stomach used to feel. Because now something called Compassion has opened a program near your home. There’s food there. And you can go to school and learn to read and write.
And you can learn about how much Jesus loves you. And the people there, they love you, too.
But there are so many children. So many for them to love.
And you long for more, and your heart distends to hold more–like your stomach when you were so very hungry.
You’re starving for love. For someone to come alongside you, to care about you, even from thousands of miles away.
Some of your friends, they have sponsors. And they get letters and pictures. And your friends send letters and color pictures.
But at mail call, there’s nothing for you. And you have nothing to send.
Nduta, she has a faraway family. They carry her picture in their wallets, show it to friends and introduce her as their daughter. They pray for her and send small gifts. She’s so excited when she hears from them. She saves every single letter. And so do they.
But still you wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Like others.
Like Naveen from India. He’s 13 years old and has been waiting for 349 days. He lives with his mother who does work–but only sometimes as a laborer. And he has two siblings.
Junrey, he’s from Indonesia. He’s also 13 and has been waiting even longer–355 days. He lives with both parents, but only his father is sometimes employed, and there are six children in his family. He enjoys art, so some creative someone could encourage that love.
Little Juan is from Colombia. He will be four years old tomorrow, March 7. What a wonderful gift a sponsor would be! He lives with his mom and one other sibling. He’s not in school yet, but he does like to play soccer. Surely there’s some sports-minded person out there who would love to love on him. He’s been waiting for six months.
Sweet Mariam’s birthday is also tomorrow, March 7. She’ll be six years old. She lives in Burkina Faso with her uncle and grandmother who are both sometimes employed. “Your care and consistent sponsorship are especially important to Mariam because she is receiving regular medical treatment.” Someone please–won’t you give this little girl the birthday gift of your love? She’s been waiting for six months.
There are pages and pages of children who have been waiting for a sponsor for a very long time. They’re the ones with red hearts stamped on their pictures starting here.
Won’t you go look and see if there is one who you can share your heart with?
Please?
Sponsor a Waiting Child from Compassion International on Vimeo.
This is so sweet, Sandy. I think you forgot one thing about Nduta’s family….how excited THEY are when they receive another letter from their girl.
Oh, you are SO right about that. How could I forget it? It’s so exciting to get that letter, hold it to my cheek.
And the drawings…don’t you love the drawings?
Sure do. And Grace loves making and sending drawings, too.
I bet!
Thanks for sharing this sweet post..
Thanks for coming by, Tricia. I think there’s a child calling your name.
You go, girl! I’m sharing this one!
You. Rock.
My heart was full of joy at the writing you shared from the child sponsored by Compassion. I’ll check into this organization and maybe there will be a “fit” for me to share the love of Jesus to give hope and joy to a little child. Thank you for giving me insight into how many children in poverty want only a glimpse of hope as we share the love of Jesus through our letters and gifts.
That just makes me squeal with delight. 🙂