I can't wait to meet them...

I'm not sure how to write this, so if it comes out all jumbled, forgive me. :-) It seems often I have a lot on my mind and heart to say but sometimes not the right words to say it. About 4 years ago Jarod and I started sponsoring a child through Compassion. They are based out of Colorado Springs, CO and provide children around the world with basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) as well as schooling, health care, and Christian training. They do this through sponsorship of each child. We picked an older child- his name is Karthik. He lives in India and he is 19 years old. We've been writing him back and forth to him for the last 4 years, and we see him as part of our family. We pray for him and love him as our own. He's a young man who has a lot of potential and is working hard to finish school. I love hearing about his culture and his family, and he always decorates the paper that her writes his letters on.

We just recently started sponsoring another child. Her name is Emmaqulet, and she is a 5 year old from Kenya. She is just adorable! She lives in an HIV/AIDS infected area, but thankfully to this point she is healthy. I'm excited to get to know her and see her grow through the years. We will be sending our first letter to her this week! We like to send pictures to the kids we sponsor so they have a face to put with our names- to see that there are real people praying for them and loving them.

I get choked up when I pray for these kids. I see all the really nice things we have here and yet I pray for God to supply their basic needs. $38 per month per child is not that much to pay to provide their basic needs and to give them the opportunity to hear about Jesus! I encourage you to check it out: compassion.com. World Vision is another great organization that provides the same kind of care and opportunities for kids around the world.

I'm thrilled at the idea of meeting these children someday- whether here on earth or in heaven someday. What joy that will be! I hope that we will be able to sponsor more and more children. At Rock the light in KC they had a gentleman who went through the compassion program. He told his story, and at the end he encouraged people (and this is probably not the exact words, so forgive me) to "Live simply so they can simply live." I will gladly give up things for me and my earthly desires, so that I can give to these kids and make an eternal impact on their lives. Please pray for Karthik and Emma(what we are calling her :-) ) and consider sponsoring a child!