Goodbye Karthik, for now!

I know I've written before about how Jarod and I sponsor children through Compassion. Our boy from India, Karthik, has graduated from the program, and we no longer sponsor him. He is 18 now and finished his schooling. We are so very proud of him!! What a big accomplishment! When we got the letter from Compassion saying we were no longer sponsors for him, I have to admit I was so happy for him but also sad. I was sad b/c we have been communicating with him for 5 years and all of a sudden it was over. I wanted to tell him goodbye for now and tell him how proud we are of him.

Well today we received one final letter from him. What a precious letter it is! I was crying through the whole letter, so thankful to know this godly man on the other side of the world. Here is a sample of what he wrote:

"My family and me are very thankful and grateful for your love and care towards me in our poverty situation. God showered his love and mercy through you all and your support and love and care helped me to do my schooling. ......... Because of compassion and your sponsorship I tasted the love of God even though I am born into a Hindu background family. It's by the grace of God and through compassion...surely I will be a fruitful tree to God."

How could I ask for more? "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20. I can't wait to meet Karthik someday and give him the biggest hug- whether that's on this side of eternity or in Heaven!