Jonesbones5 
I understand
I understand why you can’t afford to sponsor a child.
I understand that you support other charities.
I understand that money is tight.
I understand that you don’t wan’t to think about these things.
I understand our culture in America.
I understand you would rather give locally than overseas.
I understand being jobless.
I understand these things.
I work at a church with the poor in America and I would guess 70% of my congregation lives on public aid or under the poverty line. There are families in my church who can’t afford groceries, yet will spend $200 a month on their cigarette addiction. I understand why it is difficult to have compassion for such a family.
I understand living on a budget, and how difficult it is to come up with even a little bit. When I got married, Stephen and I barely made it month to month.
I understand our economy is tough right now. My husband and I just lost a lot of money. All the equity in our home is gone from a failed investment. Had we not done this investment, we would only have 7 years left on our mortgage. I understand the insecurity of giving to a charity during these times.
I understand that you give to other charities, but I ask you, do you understand how your money is being used?
I understand how hard it is to give to things that are far away and don’t relate to your life. I understand complacency. I have been complacent too.
I understand the desire to be good, the desire to do something great with your life and the biblical call to care for the poor. I understand how difficult this is, especially when its removed from our day to day living.
I understand.
When I think of a child in the grip of poverty; a child that is barefoot, dirty, and lacks nutrition and education, and I try to reconcile in my head all the excuses not to help, it is in that moment that I no longer understand. For a child cannot control their circumstance. I don’t understand why we sit back and wait for someone else to do something. I don’t understand.
As I prepare for my trip to El Salvador with Compassion International, I have to stop and ask myself, what is it that I want? Why am I going and why do I do this?
I do this so that you might understand the need.
I do this so that Little Wendy with her chicken in Ecuador will get a sponsor.
I do this for Wendy and her chicken, Karin, Remya, Hannah, Christy, Yeremy, and Marielba.
I do this because I have met children all over the world who have literally been transformed through the ministry of Compassion.
I do this because I want to understand Jesus.
I understand how easy it is to put something off, even if it’s nagging at you. So everyday, I will remind you of the opportunity to sponsor a child. I understand if you get sick of me reminding you.
So now that we understand each other, here it is.
Do you want to sponsor a child in El Salvador? Ok…if you are not sure…look at these pictures and just think about it.
I understand.
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Jonesbones5 
Lisa,
I am so glad you are sponsoring a child and I think its a great gift to give your own children too.
Blessings to you,
Patricia
I SPONSOR A LITTLE GIRL IN THE PHILLIPINES. I AM NOT RICH BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION, BUT I STILL WANT TO DO MY PART.IT WOULD BREAK MY HEART IF I EVER GOT TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SPONSOR JANICE DUE TO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT MY 7 YR OLD SON A LOT ABOUT COMPASSION, JESUS, AND CARING FOR OTHER PEOPLE. TO HIM, JANICE IS HIS SISTER IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SPONSOR SEVERAL MORE KIDS AND MAYBE I CAN SOMEDAY. THANK YOU COMPASSION FOR BEING THE BODY OF CHRIST! WE LOVE YOU AND THE AWESOME WORK YOU DO!
Once our eyes are opened, we can’t pretend we don’t know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and he holds us responsible to act. Proverbs 24:12
It’s about pretending that we don’t see or that we have good reasons for not doing it.
It’s about choices – do I buy my jeans at WM or Dillards, do I have basic cable or the full package, do I got to the first run movie or wait til it’s out in the Red Box?
We’re not rich, we are a retired couple.
We sponsor 6 children – 3 with Compassion and 3 with another smaller organization. Yes, I know how my money is being used.
We give to other charities – Samaritan’s Purse, MAF and Mercy Ships. Yes, I know how my money is being used.
I give to my church (that is very missions minded). Yes, I know how my money is being used.
The answers are there, if you listen to Him. He will show you how to make things work.
I find that people don’t really ‘get’ why I’m so moved by my sponsorship of a little girl in El Salvador. Thanks for this post; I’ll be sharing it and hoping that God uses it for His good.
My hubby and I sponsor two children from El Salvador (through Compassion) and one from India (through Gospel for Asia), and we have two correspondence kids – one from Peru and one from India (both through Compassion). It’s SO worth the sacrifice to get their sweet letters and know that we are making a difference in their lives!!!! We thank God for the opportunity to be involved with them… even though it means that we have to give up some things!
I understand not being able to choose a child, or not being comfortable making the type of emotional commitment that sponsoring a child takes…BUT!!! there are other options- Child Survival Programs assist pregnant women during the pregnancy. They teach women how to care for themselves and for their newborns. CSP makes home visits to follow up on both mother and child, teach nutrition, hygiene, life skills, games for child development, and above all share the gospel of Christ through love and being there. Child Survial Programs cost $20.00 a month, and you will receive updates monthly. Keely Scott took me on a Rickshaw ride in India to a CSP and I was hooked.
Sallye