Karey in Guatemala: Celebrating Our Sponsors

Last Friday the children at Chamche spent the entire morning celebrating their sponsors. It could only be described as a fiesta. There were clowns, pinatas, games, and cake. The day was filled with laughter and fun. So to all you out there who sponsor a child through Impact Ministries, I hope you know that you are bringing joy to this place and bless these children in ways that they could never buy for themselves.

The principal spoke to them about what it is their sponsors do. They give a little bit of their hard earned money each month so that these children can go to school (None of these families could pay for the education their children are receiving). The sponsors pay for the meal the children eat each day at school (There was a dramatic change in the children once the meal program started up a month into the school year). And the children are just now receiving track outfits for PE (They were fitted a few weeks ago and will receive them as they are being made for all 1300 students). Why do sponsors do this? Why do they give their hard earned money to children in a far away country whom they may or may not have met? Because of the love of Jesus. Jesus loves us, and in return we love those around us. God gives us incredible gifts and provides for our needs, and in return we give to others who are in need.

These children can give nothing in return. All they can do is pray that God will bless their sponsors in return, knowing that heavenly blessings are worth far more than any gift in this material world. And so they do. These children pray for their sponsors on a regular basis. These children, out of necessity, know how to pray with sincerity, with all their heart. If you are a sponsor, I hope this encourages you and reminds you that you're not just sending money to an organization. You're sending blessings of food, clothing, and education to very precious children of God.

I have had the opportunity to also see children receiving a letter or small gift (such as stickers) from their sponsors. They beam from ear to ear. One house I visited, the only thing decorating the bare walls of the bedroom were 3 pictures of them with their sponsor when they came to visit on a short term missions trip. No posters from magazines, no frames of memorable moments with friends, no pictures of the family pet. Just their sponsors - who mean so much to them.

I want to encourage those of you who are sponsors to send a letter and a picture to your sponsor child. It'll take a few minutes of your time and will probably cost less than a dollar. But it will make their day (or week or month). For those of you who don't have a sponsor child and are financially able, I want you to consider blessing a child in this way. All the information is on the website: http://www.impactministries.ca/

I also want to thank all of you who gave me money so that I can be here for this year. Every time these children pray for their sponsors, I think of you and how much you've blessed me. This year so far is everything I imagined it to be. Thank you.