Tag: books for kids

Sponsoring a Child type programs are a great and easy way to begin serving alongside of our little ones. It can begin to open their eyes and their hearts to others around the world. I asked my friend, Brittany, to share with us about their experience and how an opportunity like this is impacting their family.

Guadalupe is the name of the very first sponsored child that I can remember. My family sponsored her through Compassion as I grew up. I loved writing letters to her and getting her updated picture. She was like a long distance friend that we loved and prayed for.

As soon as I started earning my own money I chose my own sponsored child. I picked a cute little guy from Haiti, a country that was dear to my heart. A few years down the road, when I was pregnant with my first little one, I received word that this child no longer needed a sponsor so I would get to choose another.

Brad and I decided to choose a child that had the same birthday as Ben, a “birthday buddy”. We would easily remember this child and his birthday and as Ben grew we could teach him to love, pray for, encourage and share with his birthday buddy! Our hope is that as Ben grows and is spoiled on his birthday and Christmas he would feel led to give gifts to his “birthday buddy” and learn how to love others and be generous to others.

Compassion makes it super easy to find that perfect child to sponsor and gives so many opportunities for letters, pictures, extra gifts and even visits to your sponsored child!

Fun Ideas for Sponsoring A Child:

1. Choose a child with the same names or similar names. You’ll remember them often that way!

2. Place their picture and letter in a prominent place and view them as part of your family. Make sure to encourage your little one to pray for him or her. Talk about what you think that they might be doing, what their life might be like, their school, their family.

3. Write to them, send them packages, and stay connected as much as your organization will allow! Some will even let you visit them. This would be a great first mission trip opportunity.

4. Invite your little one into the process. If you haven’t chosen a child, let them help you. Encourage them to write or draw them pictures. The more they interact, the more they will develop a love and compassion for them and for others in the process.

5. Let your little one help with funding for the sponsorship. If they are old enough, let them host a bake sale or lemonade stand. When they are giving their money, it becomes more real to them.

6. Prepare a meal like your child would eat one evening and talk about their life and the similarities and the differences.

7. Read A Day in the Life, a sweet little book by Dr. Lorie Lee with your Little Ones.

If you are local to Spartanburg, the Compassion Experience is coming our way, September 7-10 and is a great way to help our little ones see what life is like. For more info, be sure to check our the Compassion Experience Event Page.

There are several organizations or even churches that you can sponsor a child through. We are not endorsing just Compassion International, although we do believe that they do a great job of serving families around the world! What other organization or ministry have you partnered with? What are some other creative ways to serve through Sponsoring a Child?

Comment below!