Operation Christmas Child.

Can you imagine what it must feel like to know that Christmas is approaching, but you cannot give your child(ren) even one gift? Nothing, not even a lollipop. Christmas might even be the last thing on your mind because you're struggling to provide your child with food and shelter and safety. How discouraging and sad so many millions of parents across the world must feel every year for those exact reasons. But, imagine this: amidst your sorrow, a stranger from across the globe sends your baby a present! Not just any present, but a whole box stuffed full of toys and school supplies and treats!! And, on top of it all, you are told that this gift was given out of the love of Jesus Christ. What an amazing feeling, and what a ministry!

Last year, 8.2 million children in need received a Christmas box in the exact manner that I described above. With each box, a book telling the story of Jesus was distributed in the child's native language. Operation Christmas Child is an amazing program that is operated through Samaritan's Purse. And, this week is National Collection Week--only 6 days left!!

If you haven't packed a box (or two!), please prayerfully consider doing so. It's easy to do--all you need is a shoe box (or a plastic box of that size), and a quick trip to the store. Chose an age category for your child (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years) and gender, then go shopping! You can fill your box with small toys, art supplies, school supplies, hygiene items, and even some sweet treats! Find a list of suggested gifts here. When your box is full (sometimes these require strategic packing when you get a little more enthusiastic than your box has space for!), you can wrap it so that the lid can still be opened. If you like, you can include a letter and a photo of yourself in your box. If you include a self-addressed envelope, the child might write back!
Next, go online to this page and donate $7 per box to help with delivery costs. The site will then give you a bar code that you can print and tape to the top of your box. This code will be scanned, and you will be able to track your box to its destination country. Lastly, find an Operation Christmas Child drop-off location near you here, and drop off your box to be shipped!

This is an awesome opportunity to get your kids involved in giving to other kids. (Even if they're little--the shoe boxes are fun to pack!!) Now go pack some boxes and wish some little ones a very merry Christmas this year!! Every child deserves a Christmas, and a gift that comes with the love of a stranger and the message of Christ is the best kind!

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.

Thankful, day 15.

     I am thankful that we are blessed enough to be able to sponsor a little boy who does not have nearly as much as we do.  Eric and I have been sponsoring Yonathan for a little over a year now, and it is truly so rewarding!  Yonathan lives in a poor urban region of El Salvador.  He is 6 years old, and has recently started attending school.  He lives with his mother, who can only find work occasionally.  For only $38/month, Eric and I are able to help give Yonathan healthy food to eat, medical care, schooling, and the opportunity to learn about Jesus.  We receive several letters every year from Yonathan (written with the help of his teacher since he is so young) about his interests, his friends, and his great appreciation to us.  Even though we have never met this little boy in person, he always tells us how much he loves us and sends us great, big hugs!  What a blessing it is to read in his letter that he has been learning about Jesus's birth and how to paint, or that he received a new sweater and a raincoat, or to see the darling pictures that he draws for us! 
     If you do not already sponser a child, I cannot encourage you enough to do it!  We use Compassion International  to sponsor Yonathan.  It is only $38/month for us, but, oh, so much more for the children!  Just think, we waste at least $38/month on restaurants or movies or new shoes.  Why not use that money to make a radical difference in a child's life?  Please, please, please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion today!  Go to the website {www.compassion.com} and click on "Sponsor a Child"; you will be given an opportunity to choose a child's photo from any one of 25 different countries.  I guarantee that you will find one (or more!) whose story will pull at your heartstrings.