The past few days, there has been a Compassion International semi in the parking lot of First Christian Church in Champaign, IL. My boys, brother, and I all went through after church yesterday to experience the lives of Julian and Ruben, two young adults who were forever positively impacted by Compassion International.
The Compassion Experience will bring you as close to another country and culture as you can get without a passport. This interactive, immersive display allows you to step into the life of a child who has suffered under the crippling weight of poverty. But the journey does not end there.
In the span of 20 minutes, you will travel with that child from hardship to hope. And in the midst of hope, you will see that child’s story transformed through the support of Compassion and the child’s life-giving relationship with a sponsor.
The Experience is quite sobering. Quickly, we realize that while we have our own struggles, there are kids suffering far worse. This Experience provided us perspective.
We have been sponsoring a young boy named Carlos for about 6 years. Hearing the personal stories made me thankful we’ve been able to make an impact on one young boy. As we walked out the doors, we quickly went back to ‘our world’ and talk about going to see a movie in the D-Box theater. Then and there, my heart just sank. I just chose to walk past walls full of smiling children praying to be sponsored and was leaving to go drop $75 for an afternoon at the movies with my boys. Splurging on things for ourselves is not a bad thing. Excessive splurging when we could be doing greater things with our resources is not a good thing. Sponsorship allow these children from all over the world such ‘luxuries’ as getting a warm meal each day, new socks, getting an education and learning about Jesus. How could I think going to the movies is a great idea INSTEAD of sponsoring a child when I know that same amount could help provide nourishment, knowledge and love to another child for TWO months?! So, I decided we’d do both. 🙂
I pray my boys have a desire to help others, a passion to give generously with their time and/or money, and love freely. It’s not just words said. The boys see it in my actions. But I want to see it in even more in their actions and mine. Yes, they do kind and generous things but we can always do more. I am going to have my boys choose a child to sponsor and the 3 of them will be responsible for raising the money each month for that child. Whether it be setting up a lemonade stand, helping me prepare treats for my clients at Sweet Lemonade Photography, or scrubbing the grout at home, they need to invest their own time into projects that will earn them money. With the funds raised, they will be able to help have a lifelong impact on someone their own age. I can’t think of anything more rewarding for my boys to do… learning how small sacrifices for them can have a huge impact on someone else. I want them to love deeply. Love generously. Love out loud.
Tomorrow, we will find one of Carlos’ friends who has been waiting for a sponsor. We will become his (or hers). If you’ve ever considered sponsoring a child, please don’t wait. Get connected today. Have you ever been curious to learn more about the program or see more about how the children sponsored are impacted? Stop by First Christian Church TODAY from 11 am- 7pm for the last day of The Compassion Experience. You can reserve your space at this event by registering in advance online for your free tickets. Walk-ins are also available.
There are many kids around the world waiting for us. Will you consider loving generously with us?
XOXOXO,
Heather
Heather is the owner of Sweet Lemonade Photography and co-owner of Sweet Darling Weddings. Life gave her a bunch of lemons (you can read a little more here) and by keeping her focus on God, finding the positive in each day, and surrounding herself with supporting, loving and encouraging people she has turned those lemons into the sweetest lemonade. This blog has been created to share her heart, her adventures and find ways to bless others. You can contact her at heather@sweetlemonadelife.com.
We went by yesterday as well Heather – been sponsoring kids through Compassion for years. Thought it was a well done presentation of the lives of the kids we are hoping to touch. Always wish we could sponsor more!! So much need. IT’s great you are bringing it to the attention of people who possibly haven’t heard of Compassion.
Thanks Karyn! As a church, we have big goals for sponsoring a large number of kids through this event. I certainly didn’t expect that I’d be one of them committing, but you just never know. 🙂