The Cause: Meet Howie.

I want you to meet my friend Howie.

This beautiful little girl is 9 years old and lives in the village of Ambo in Ethiopia.  I don’t know much about Howie’s life, to be honest.  I know that she has a father and a little sister, Gifti, who is 7.  I don’t know what happened to Howie’s mother.  I know that Howie is quiet, somewhat shy, loyal and loving.  I know that she held my hand wherever we went and I could always count on her being by my side in Ambo.  I know that Howie is enrolled in Compassion sponsorship and that, through it, she is enrolled in school, is involved with the local church, is fed and clothed, and has hope for a future.

I know that there are children like Howie across the globe whose lives are full of difficulties and who need to know that there is hope for them, there is a future for them, that they are capable of more than their circumstances might allow.  Circumstances (in this case, poverty) should not prevent these children from having goals and dreams for their future.  Poverty lies to them and tells them that they do not matter, that they are not capable, and that their life is worthless.  Did you hear me?  That’s a lie.  The worst kind of lie.  It destroys the spirit of a small child who ought to believe that nothing is impossible.  Who ought to know the love of a great God who created them in His image.  Who ought to know of a Savior who fought for them, died for them, and now lives for them.

Our words have power.  The book of Proverbs says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).  We have the ability to speak life or death into the lives of others.  And whose hearts, minds and spirit are more sensitive and malleable than a child’s?  Child sponsorship gives us a chance to speak life into children who are surrounded by death, both literally and figuratively.  We can use powerful words to build them up, to encourage them, to dispell the lies of poverty and the lies of the enemy.  We can replace those lies with our words about a loving God, a gracious Father, an all-sufficient Savior.

Someone out there in the world sponsors Howie, the sweet girl who became my friend and later called me mother.  Someone else out there believes in Howie like I believe in Howie.  I believe God has plans and purposes for her life, and He is using the work of Compassion International to bring those things to fruition.  I look at Howie and I see one of the “little ones” Jesus spoke of.  I see a spirit that ought to be encouraged and talents that should be nurtured and cultivated.  I see a little girl who God can use for His glory.  And I see those possibilities become realities through the faithfulness of a sponsor.

What can YOU do?

The world is full of boys and girls just like Howie.  It’s overwhelming to consider how great the needs are in this world, but you can start with a single child.  A child looking not for handouts, but for opportunities and hope for their future.  You can pour into that child and build a relationship that will last a lifetime.  And remember: your words and your love will carry much more weight and meaning in the heart of a child than any amount of money you could give.

Sponsor a Child

If you’d like to know more about Compassion International, visit their website.  I also highly recommend reading the book, “Too Small To Ignore” by Wess Stafford (President & CEO of Compassion International).

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14

“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:42

What about you?  Do you sponsor a child?  If so, tell me about him or her!
Where did you first learn about child sponsorship and how did you decide to commit to sponsoring?