Compassion Sunday.

As you know, there are millions of innocent young children who face hunger, disease, a lack of education, inadequate shelter, abuse and neglect on a daily basis. What you might not know is that one third of the world’s children live in extreme poverty. Every single day, 1,600 women and more than 10,000 newborns die due to complications that could have been prevented. More than 10 million children under the age of 5 die each year. Two-thirds of these deaths--more than 6 million every year, are from malnutrition and other preventable causes. Approximately 143 million children in the developing world are orphans. Every five seconds, a child dies from hunger.
Imagine how helpless and hopeless children must feel while living in the shadow of the “mountain” of poverty. Imagine how it overpowers their daily lives and crushes their hope for the future. Many of these children have never heard hear that there is a God who loves them. But, he does love them, and together, we can move the “mountain” of poverty from their lives, one child at a time.
Compassion International is a non-profit organization that gives us the opportunity to help some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable children. Through Compassion’s one-to-one sponsorship ministry, more than one million children are being given real help for today, and a hope for their future. Most importantly, they are learning how much God loves them.
I made the decision to become a child sponsor 2 and a half years ago. That small step led me to sponsor a little boy from El Salvador named Yonathan. Yonathan is 6 years old, and he lives with his mother, who is only sometimes employed as a maid. Sponsorship has blessed my life in ways that I couldn’t have imagined—I’ve become so close to a little boy whom I’ve never even met in person! We exchange letters and photos, and Yonathan often draws pictures that he sends. Since he is so young, Yonathan is assisted by a tutor when writing letters, which are written in Spanish (the language spoken in El Salvador). Through Compassion, the letters are translated into English before I receive them, and then my English letters are translated into Spanish. Most importantly, we exchange prayers for one another.
Sponsorship has also made a big, life-changing difference to Yonathan. He is able to attend kindergarten at the Buenas Nuevas Student Center, where his favorite subjects are Bible class and art class. In El Salvador, it is common for up to 62% of children in rural areas to stop attending school in order to work as laborers. Since Yonathan is sponsored, he will be able to continue his education, as well as be provided with Bible teaching, medical exams, health and hygiene instruction, social events, moral teaching, computer training, literacy, academic support and nutritious snacks. The center staff will also provide educational discussions for the parents of the sponsored children.
Through Compassion’s ministry, sponsored children are equipped to defeat the “mountain” of poverty in their lives. Beyond the practical help that Compassion offers—such as medical, nutritional, and educational assistance, each sponsored child also has the opportunity to learn about the love of God and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, Last year alone, nearly 150,000 Compassion-assisted children put their faith in Jesus Christ!

I’d like to invite you to take the small step of sponsorship to transform the world for one girl or or. It costs only $38 a month—a little more than one dollar a day—to make a big difference in the life of a child in need. More than 80% of all Compassion expenditures go to support program activities for children. Compassion’s financial integrity continues to be recognized by Charity Navigator—giving it the most four-star ratings of any organization of its kind in the United States.
As Christians, God can take our small steps and use them to bring great and lasting change to the lives of children who would otherwise face a lifetime of suffering, hardship, and hopelessness. You can visit Compassion's website at www.compassion.com to see photos of real children who are awaiting sponsorship.
Many scriptures call us as Christians to speak out and care for the poor. For example, in Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 10 : 42 says, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
You may not be able to change the world, but you certainly can change the world for one child! Please prayerfully consider becoming a sponsor for a boy or girl in need today.