You may or may not know, but just a few days ago we had a trip of 15 people from FCC return from a trip to Ecuador. This trip is one we do regularly (via Compassion International) in order to go down and serve one of the projects as well as give those who are on the trip (and who sponsor a child in Ecuador) an opportunity to actually meet the child they support. It’s a pretty life altering (read that as “humbling”) experience when you actually have a chance to meet the one your giving is supporting. I had the privilege of meeting the 2 children (Jordan age 8, Miluska age 6) we sponsor last fall and you just, in that moment, realize how much of a huge difference such a small sacrifice on our part makes in their life and in the life of their family.
Sometimes people ask what does a sponsorship really do and I think the best way to explain it is through the words of student I met when I was down there in the past. He said, “Here in Ecuador we have a public school system. So, kids have the freedom to go to school. But on the other hand we are required to have a uniform, school supplies, and to purchase our books. So, in my case, my parents couldn’t have afforded for both my brother and me to go to school. They would’ve had to choose . . . but because I was sponsored we both got to go and even better than any of that we both had the chance to meet Jesus.”
As a parent who is on the verge of having 3 kids in school I can’t imagine the scenario where we would have to sit down and say to one or two of them, “I’m sorry, but we can’t let you go.” I also can’t imagine growing up in an environment where because of that very situation my greatest aspiration is to just survive, make it another day.
Why am I writing about this? Simply this: When our group from FCC returned they brought with them a handful (9) child sponsor packets that features some of the children they served at the project. I need to send them back to Compassion within the next few days, but I thought in advance of sending them back I would make it known and see if anyone would be interested in sponsoring (cost is $38/month) one of these kids.
If you are, contact me at the church office. I can help.
Also, later this summer (August 23rd) we will be having a child sponsorship day where you will have another opportunity to consider being a part. Currently FCC sponsors over 200 children in Ecuador. My prayer is after the 23rd of August that number will be over 300 and we can continue our quest to make a difference for Christ in Ecuador.
June 11, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I was able to go to Ecuador over a year ago. It was a life changing experience. It took awhile after I was home to wrap my head around everything I had heard and seen. I had to ask God why was I so lucky to have “everything” when others had nothing. Needless to say after alot of prayer my husband and I decided to sponsor 3 children, knowing that nothing we needed was more important than those children. The letters we have received from the children have really strengthened my faith. It is hard for me to believe that a little 6 year old girl with next to nothing tells me that she is praying for me and wants God to bless me with abundant blessings. Needless to say the whole experience has been humbling. It is our hope that not only will we get to go back to Ecuador to meet our 3 children, but to one day when they are old enough to send all 3 of them to college.