Story and images contributed by Heather Maher in Stories from the Field What does it mean to be a Child Ambassador in a world so changed by COVID-19? How can we continue to look for sponsors when people are experiencing so much fear and anxiety about the future? Heather Maher recently returned from a Vision Trip to Cambodia and shares an inspiring perspective and call to action for such a time as this. It’s a beautiful, sunny day here in western Washington. The sun is shining; the birds are singing. If I didn’t know better, today would seem like a normal, early spring day. But it’s not normal. Our whole world has been turned upside-down. Schools are closed. Businesses have shut down. Many people are out of work, and too many others are sick, fighting the COVID-19 virus. There are moments when I feel sorry for myself. This is HARD. Unlike ANYTHING we have ever faced. What is going to happen? What will we do?? Then I remember: this is what so many people around the world deal with EVERY. DAY. The anxiety about their unknown futures; the sadness of losing many of life’s stabilities; fear of a lack of resources; and very, very real threats to their lives. As Child Ambassadors, we are united together in our hearts for the least of these. We became Child Ambassadors because we responded to the nudge God put on our hearts to speak for the needs of children and families around the world. As I reflect on our world’s current situation, I cannot think of a more poignant, powerful time than right now to use our voices to speak up for vulnerable children. Fellow Ambassadors, we must act now to help these children find sponsors. The need is URGENT. I imagine someone ringing a giant bell – calling out our team from our resting places. Each of us shares sponsorship in our own ways. Let us use the gifts and talents we have to share the life-changing stories that we know. Let us boldly ask, with God behind us, for help for the people He has put on our hearts. For HIS people. God’s people. I think about Sun Malin, my new friend and sister in our World Vision Family. Malin works with World Vision Cambodia. One of my favorite things by far about our team’s most recent Vision Trip to Cambodia was watching Malin love and connect to the children in the communities we visited. She looked them kindly in the eye. Put a loving hand on their shoulder. Spoke gently to them. She listened with love to them. As we sat together in the back of the van, I told her how I loved watching her with the children. She responded to me, “Yes, I feel as if they are my own.” Friends, in this crucial time, let us remember the call God has given us to speak for the needs of His children. May we speak for them as if they are our own. Though we may be “socially-distant," let us join our voices together as one mighty voice in the fight to speak for the least of these! "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me." -Matthew 18:5 Do you need to order new Picture Folders? Log on to volunteers.worldvision.org to request new folders! Thank you for continuing to reach out on behalf of children and families around the world!!!
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