It’s almost the end of Compassion Blog Month. As of last Friday 2,006 children all over the world found sponsors. Our goal for September is 3,108.

Have you considered becoming a sponsor yet?

There are several reasons why people do not consider sponsorship. I’ve had many of these same thoughts and concerns, actually. So today I want to talk about some of them and tell you my experience.

Why People Won’t Sponsor a Child: 

1. The Money

That’s probably the biggest reason, isn’t it? I get it. I totally get it. Extra money is hard to come by sometimes, especially now-a-days. But think about this. By just living in the United States most of us are in the top three percent (or something like that) wealthiest people in the world. A pastor said that once in one of his sermons, and my mouth almost dropped. The percentage may not be exact, but it’s something crazy-high like that.

Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)

There’s no doubt that giving to a child in need takes sacrifice. It takes saying “no” to some of our monthly pleasures to be able to use that money elsewhere. But when you see how God blesses you with peace and joy when you get that first letter from your sponsored child in the mail, then you realize how you gain more than you could ever give.

2. The Fear

There are a lot of scammers in the world. People trying to exploit children for money. We all have to be careful, prayerful, and vigilant so that these things don’t happen. Some people wonder if their money is truly being used for their sponsored child.

Well, I had the opportunity to visit my Compassion child at a Compassion site in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Honestly, I was more than impressed with what I saw. It was clean and well-kept. The children were happy and learning. They teach the children about the Gospel, but also about good hygiene, manners, and how to interact properly with others. They teach them life-skills that they would not otherwise learn. The team of leaders encourages these children to be all that God created them to be. And of course they provide food and medical care for their families.

From what I have seen, Compassion is a top-notch organization. Here are some pictures from the Compassion site:

 And here’s a little video from our visit that day:

 3. The Difference

I write a lot about my mission trip to Africa, and every time I do I worry that you may think you have to go there to make a difference. That is so untrue.

If you didn’t read this post, please do. Recently I wrote about how I was very bad this past year about writing my Compassion child. I just kept thinking, “What is my letter really going to matter?” Well, it mattered. More than I ever thought. When another team from my church went back there recently, my Compassion child ran up to one of my friends who was there. She was holding the picture of my husband and me.

You don’t have to visit your child to make a difference. Your letters make a difference. They truly, truly do.

4. The World

A common reason I hear of why people do not sponsor children in other countries is “Well, what about the children here? Shouldn’t we be helping our own first?” Of course we should be helping children in our lives and communities right where we live.

But the Great Commission does not stop just with here. The Great Commission is for everywhere. We just happen to live in a country with resources that make it easier to help children and people all over the world, not just here, so why not do that? And with the internet and technology it is easier and more convenient than ever.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

I encourage you to think the way I think God thinks. I don’t think He sees us all separated by land masses and water. All of us live on a fallen earth, all of us need a Savior, all of us are His children whom He loves more than anything.

May I challenge you?

Sometime today or tomorrow, go to this website. Look through the children who are waiting for sponsors. Don’t just make a commitment. Really look at their faces. Then pray and ask God:

• to protect these children. Give them what they need. Help them to know Him intimately.
• to reveal to you if this is your time to sponsor. It may not be. He may tell you “not now”. But at least pray and ask Him.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get your personal children involved, too. Grow in your children a heart for others by having them choose a child to sponsor. Then, involve them in writing to your sponsored child.

What do you think or wonder about often about child sponsorship with Compassion?