I was compensated by World Vision for my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own.
I had grand plans the first time I signed up to sponsor a child in another country. I was going to write letters monthly and send gifts regularly. I was definitely going to pray daily, and maybe even some day our family would go visit our child.
These were all such good ideas.
We’re on sponsored kid number three now, and I can’t tell you what a blessing it has been to know that our small contribution each month offers so much to our overseas children. We definitely pray for these kids. We occasionally send letters. And once or twice (in eight years), we’ve sent gifts.
I used to feel guilty for not doing more. I wanted to be the perfect sponsoring family, you know? But I’ve since learned that our lack of perfection in this area is trumped by the fact that organizations like World Vision are working full time to make sure children’s needs are met. They work on-site for our sponsored children to offer clean water, school supplies and better education, teacher training, improved nutrition, healthcare clinics, and agricultural training. The best part?
They do it all in the name of Jesus.
More about kid sponsorship in a minute, but first…
Our Family did the 6K for Water!!
Remember the Global 6K for Water I told you about? My family and I did this over the weekend. It was amazing! And also…
It was hard. You might say I’m a little bit sore. Ha! But it was so great to know that what we did helps to provide for families who don’t have clean water accessible to them. We loved using walk time with our family to talk more with our kids about life and needs in other countries.
Here’s a little recap of our experience. First, a pre-6K selfie – while looking into the sun! Our oldest couldn’t join us for this because he was finishing his college finals. So he cheered us on from the campus while the rest of us took off and hit it the road!
This 6K for Water was organized in an effort to raise awareness and money to help families who normally have to walk about 6K every day to get (dirty) water for their families. Therefore, Matt came up with the idea that not only should our family take part in this 6K, we should take buckets and fill them with dirty water at our half-way point. He wanted to give us an idea of what this walk usually feels like to the children walking so far each day to collect water for their family to drink.
I can’t believe how great of an experience this was. I also can’t believe how difficult it was. Walking 6K (which equals 3.7 miles) is tough enough. Walking it with full, heavy buckets of water? Super challenging.
The entire way home, carrying our heavy buckets, after we were already hot and tired made us so very mindful of what families go through every single day. This became so much more than just a walk for us. I am so thankful my family did this, as it was absolutely humbling and rewarding.
So now what?
If you participated in the 6K for Water, you received a bib with information about a potential child you could sponsor. Did you take a peek at that? Take a moment to pray about whether or not this was something you and your family might like to do. It’s profound to think of the impact your sponsorship can have in changing many lives! If you did take part in this 6K for Water, I’d really love to hear how it went for you!
Whether you participated in the 6K or not, I’d like to encourage you to consider sponsoring a child. As our family has proven time and again, you don’t have to be a perfect sponsoring family. You just have to care enough to say “yes!” Your simple monthly contribution offers much to your child and the community he or she is a part of, then you and your family can go above and beyond in any way you choose.
How child sponsorship through World Vision works:
- Find a child you want to help. Look forward to the first letter from your child within 6-12 weeks.
- Your gift helps your sponsored child and their entire community! Your donation combines with gifts from all other sponsors who support kids in the same area. This means long-term resources for everyone!
- Local staff make your donations go the extra mile. Children don’t get direct cash benefits. Better yet, their staff creates a sustainable plan for funds that keeps communities out of poverty even after they’ve moved on to help other communities!
My World Vision digital experience lets you get regular updates, track community progress, and view photos of your child. You can even send them a letter through email!! ( <—- Now we’re talking about something I would actually keep up with better!)
OH, and here’s something extra cool. Every $1 donated equals $1.30 in impact because of grants and product donations!
You can join World Vision in breaking the cycle of poverty through child sponsorship. Please pray about this ministry and check into child sponsorship here.
Did you take part in the 6K for Water? If so, how did it go for you?
