Life as a Sponsor

Individuals from all walks of life., from all over the world, laughing, singing, skipping around hearts and hands locked with children whom have parents that have failed them. This can be by physical/emotional abuse, neglect, or because the parents unfortunately don’t have the means to care for these children because living in extreme poverty has stripped them of their ability to do so. Often times in developing countries, parents work or daily duties can act as a roadblock between their children and a better future. Trying to keep one meal a day on the table for their family, and jobs with exhausting hours limit their ability to change the story for their own children.

Regardless the reason why these children have been placed into the orphanage, this is where we have been called to step up, step in, and help to our full potential. We become hope for the children with immeasurable potential and answers to prayer for the parents who are defeated. Together we help build beautiful strong relationships to help raise these children to be all the Lord has designed them to be.

Some of the relationships come as easy as a blink of an eye, while others take more time. That's because a childs mind is a delicate thing. Some of these children let go and show us their smiles, while others are hidden, a puzzle we want to decode. We desperately want to know what they are thinking, where that smile lives within them. Is it caused by the innocence of a childs mind colliding with the realities of the world they face? is it the need to feel wanted and loved?

But then something amazing happens. We see evidence of the Lord shining bright in the darkest eyes. The language of love is spoken. Nothing else matters right now, but this moment. Alejandras laughter marks every airwave that surrounds them. When genuine love is felt by these children, they are able to let down their walls and embrace who they are on the inside, a child whose love is so unconditional, all they want in return is just that.

Sponsoring a child is more than just financially helping them. It is not a handout, its more like a hand up. In order for children to experience life in its fullest, as they should, they need access to all of lifes essentials; and we help to provide that. In addition, we fill their needs, their MOST felt needs. Every child deserves to have someone love them in the simplest most purist form.



With the Lord guiding us, we as sponsors do our best to instill in the children the power of:

Love
'but the greatest of these is love' When these children learn they are not only sponsored by someone who hasn't met them yet, but loved by them as well, may be one of the first miracles they experience in life.

Life
Nothing is too small to celebrate. We embrace everything and anything with every fiber in our being. We will not let wounds define who these children are, God knows exactly where they are, and his plans for them are much bigger than we could ever imagine!

Faith

We help to show these children that they may live in poverty, but poverty does not live in them and they will have the life they deserve.

 Laughter

Laughter cleanses the soul of pain and suffering, in the moment nothing else matters but the joy and happiness heard in their giggles. It truly is one of the best medicines.

 

Hope

Hold on, Pain ends. Hope is the lifter of heads, and slayer of discouragement. It floods out of every card, hug and word spoken to these children from their sponsors. It helps them develop aspirations and dreams in their hearts, with the confidence that they WILL achieve these one day.

Friendship
We may be apart in distance, but never in heart.

 Trust

All bonds are built on trust.  Nothing is more important than the trust and love that you show them.

Mercy
Sponsorship is so rich in mercy. It's by Gods grace and mercy that we can bring these children new life and begin to break the cycle they are in. 

Whether you choose to sponsor a child domestically, or internationally, you will never be the same, and more importantly, that child will never be the same. It has been such a rich and meaningful journey to be in their lives in such a big way. And that is what sponsorship says to me, being involved, investing yourself in someones life and remembering that the Lord has a purpose for each and every one of us. It is truly a blessing to be able to mutually connect your heart with a child who is so deserving of love and happiness. Through my personal journey of sponsorship, they have taught me many life lessons which I am forever grateful for.  They have showed me what it feels like to be needed and wanted for unconditional tender loving care. They have taught me to be selfless, and be the hands and feet of the Lord, which has lead me to pray every day for my spirit to lead me where my trust is without borders. People tell me, 'great job, you have such a big heart, you are so strong' The truth is, I am not doing anything that spectacular , I don't have that big of a heart, and I am really not that strong. I am just doing what the Lord has called me to do, and I couldn't be more thrilled to know my purpose in life. How many people can honestly say that at 25? I need to say thank you to you, Val, for I know why the Lord placed you in my life. He is working through you every single day, and because of that, is how I found my purpose.

 

If you feel a tug in your heart to sponsor a child, I ask that you please take the time to pray about it. Ask whoever you need to ask about any feelings or questions you may have. Always remember, you are not supporting just that organization, but you are supporting every smile, heart & soul, and face that they support. Sponsoring our honeys at our hogar has opened up a door for Jon and I which we never knew we had. When Guatemala opens adoptions again (praying every day it will be in 2016) we will be adopting, and we couldn't be any more stoked about that chapter in our life coming to fruition.

 

This life is not our own, and sponsoring a child invests in the bigger picture and will create a ripple effect. The heart is what is behind it all, and that is what matters most. Yes, there is always work to be done, but with everyones help that work will pass through a fire. 

xoxo