Thursday, October 2, 2008

It's A Boy!

No, I'm not pregnant.

Here's the story.

Almost a year ago, I was feeling a "nudge" towards sponsoring a child somewhere so I started praying and researching. Then I started hearing about the group Compassion International and my interest was peaked. I felt the "nudge" leading me in their direction, but have always been a little skeptical about bogus organizations who pad their wallets while children are still starving. Then I went to Compassion's website and read about them (and about their integrity and their commitment to not only help children physically, but most importantly to tell them about the love of Jesus), and started going through the beginning stages of sponsoring a child thinking I would probably not go through with the whole process - you know, the whole "I'll do it later" mentality.

Then I saw his face. I knew the "I'll do it later" mentality flew right out the window. I had to sponsor him. Right then.



This is my Compassion child. His name is Nevine, he's 14 years old, and lives in Eastern Nairobi, Kenya. Both of his parents have died, and he lives with his stepfather. He lives in a grass hut with a brick floor. He loves school, football (soccer), and swimming.

I knew that God had put us together for a reason. I completed the process and have been his sponsor ever since. I have received 3 letters from him and he is a pretty good writer. He asked us to pray for his school exams coming up. He also told me how much he weighed and asked for the weights of everyone in my family - which made me chuckle, because he definitely doesn't know the American rule - "never ask a woman how much she weighs". He sent me a picture of himself swimming in a nearby river, which is on the refrigerator next to my daughters' pictures.

I knew going into this that the money would help Nevine and his family. I knew I would enjoy reading his letters and learning about Kenya. But I had no idea how blessed I would be through this process. I would love to meet him one day and squeeze his face in person. I don't see a trip to Kenya in my future, but then again, I never saw myself sponsoring a child, either. I've definitely learned that God doesn't make His plans according to my calendar. And because his plan for me and my family include Nevine, I won't ever count out a trip to Africa.

Coming up soon, I'll be volunteering at the Compassion booth at the Michael W. Smith concert in Birmingham on Oct 19. I hope that many many people will hear about Compassion through his concert and that children all over the world will be sponsored because of it.

If you are going to the concert, stop by the booth and say hey! And while you're at it, think and pray about sponsoring a child.

8 comments:

kristen said...

We have been sponsoring Vivi, a five-year-old little girl from Indonesia through Compassion for about 3 years now and have been so blessed! Her picture is on our fridge, too! Anna Clare LOVES corresponding with her. They color pictures for each other and it is great! I am a big fan of Compassion!

Anonymous said...

we signed up for a compassion child this past sunday at church...we are very excited about it too. claire has already written her first letter. she told all of her friends at school the next day. i'd been feeling the nudge too...and i'm so glad we acted on it.

edub said...

Girl, I just about had a heart attack when I read that first line. FOR THE LOVE, quit doing that to me!!! (:

Luh jus.

Jules from "The Roost" said...

This has so touched my heart. I will be praying about what God would have me do too! Thanks So much for sharing!

Jackie Sue said...

Hey you! I am now caught up on your blog :) Your posts make me smile. Your quirkiness was great...my 12 yo hates to blow her nose, too and my 18 yo hates any type of condiment...oh, and I HATE when the mattress sticks out from under the sheets at the end of a hotel bed :) just some of our quirks...I have been involved with compassion for a LONG time...like 23 years. Our first little guy grew all the way up with us and left the program. He was in India. Our next boy left the program for some reason...now we have an adorable little five yo from Ethiopia...oh my, he is just so cute! You did a great job encouraging folks to sponsor a child...they should totally publish you in their newsletter :) Have a great time at the concert! I definitely will not be there...its a little far to drive. Oh, and sorry about AU...I sure am rooting for you all! Take care. Oh, and I hate you too ;o)

Belinda said...

Thats fabulous! I , too, am wary of some of the "charity" organizations that you hear about. Not hard of Compassion though. Might take a look!

Belinda (who is hosting a bible study on her blog - my first one! - come join me at http://careerasamum.blogspot.com/2008/10/bible-study-welcome.html)

Emmy said...

How are you!?!

Nevine is adorable! I have a little girl in Haiti who is 9 named Judia! It is an awesome organization!

Hope to see you sometime again in the future!

Emmy

Anonymous said...

Congrats! I love child sponsorship and am always glad to hear about people adding to their families in this way... my husband and I had the privilege of going to Zimbabwe with World Vision in 2007 and it so changed our lives...its amazing what less than $50 a month can do, isn't it?