Contributed by Heather Maher in Stories From the Field Often as a Child Ambassador, it’s easy to get caught up the “numbers” of what we do. OF COURSE we want many children to be sponsored!! But it can feel discouraging when we work so hard and only see one child obtain sponsorship. We plan presentations, practice speeches, and host global dinners. We organize events, coffee dates, and Global 6k’s (or even take a whipped cream pie in the face!!) and yet sometimes, just one child is sponsored. It’s very easy to forget the power that one sponsorship has. On our recent Vision Trip to Kenya, I was reminded that there is no such thing as “just one” sponsorship. On the Tuesday of our trip, our team got to meet our sponsored children. My child was an 8 yr-old girl named Linet, and I was so nervous to meet her. I didn’t know what to expect! What would I say? What happened if we ended up just sitting there awkwardly for an hour, not saying anything to each other? Another CA, Holly Metzger, encouraged me, saying “It’ll probably be fine,” and we pulled into the World Vision Bartabwa Office to meet our children. The children were there, standing next to their parents, singing and clapping as we pulled in. I hopped out of our Land Cruiser and saw Linet: “Oh my gosh, It’s her!!” I said to myself. “Linet… she’s right there!!” Our team gathered around together and took turns being introduced to our sponsored-children. When it was my turn, I was already holding back tears, in disbelief that I was actually meeting the girl I had seen on the sponsor-folder. “Linet??” I called out to her. And without hesitation, Linet came RUNNING. The moment still brings me to tears as I write this. I’m not sure how to describe to you the full joy I felt. All nerves and fears were gone. Linet and her mother and I hugged for what seemed like hours. We had never met before, but you wouldn’t have known it. It was like we were living Heaven on Earth for those moments we were together. Our skin color didn’t matter. Where we were from didn’t matter. Time stood still as we shared our love and friendship together. Each child who is sponsored is such a celebration. As our team walked around Bartabwa, the World Vision staff would point at water projects saying, “it is because of sponsorship that we can do these projects”. ALL members of the Bartabwa community benefit from sponsorship. Linet may be the child who is sponsored, but EVERYONE in the community benefits from her being sponsored. From ONE sponsorship, Linet will be prayed for and encouraged as she grows up. From ONE sponsorship, Linet’s mom and her family will benefit from having clean, safe drinking water, and accessible water for their spinach plants and avocado trees. From ONE sponsorship, girls in Linet’s community are able to attend a beautiful school, complete with a girl’s dormitory and science lab. From ONE sponsorship, God touched my heart, freeing me from my own earthly stresses and worries. From ONE sponsorship, God’s tangible, life-changing love was felt by Linet, her mom, myself, the community members present, the World Vision Bartabwa staff, AND our Vision Trip team. It’s been felt by my own family, my friends, and everyone who has seen my posts on social media. Both in Eastern Africa and in Western Washington, from the sponsored-child to the sponsor, God is at work changing lives and entire communities! Praise GOD for this ONE sponsorship. As we work together in this ministry, let us, as Child Ambassadors, not forget the power that “just one” sponsorship truly has! Need to order more Picture Folders? Log onto our CA site at wvchildambassadors.org and click the supplies tab to place your order or call the Child Ambassador help desk at 1.800.478.5289. Keep in touch with your Leadership Team member for support and encouragement!
|
AuthorsGreater Together is a collaborative blog written by volunteer Child Ambassadors for World Vision. Categories
All
Archives
November 2020
|