By Melodee Miller during the Child Ambassador Conference, 2018. (Compiled by Laura Walls.) At conference this year, we heard Child Ambassadors share their BEST tips on some of the ways they've shared sponsorship. It was so valuable, we wanted to put it on the blog to be sure the whole team has the chance to hear it, too! So here are Melodee Miller's tips on how to share one on one with people about sponsorship AND how to engage people in talking about sponsorship when hosting a table at a farmer's market or fair setting. Use it as a springboard for launching your own ideas! And stay tuned! In the weeks to come, you'll be hearing from our "Social Media Star" CAs, our "Small Group Savvy" CAs, our "Church Challenger" CA's, and our "Presentation Pro!" Not sure what kind of CA you are? Click the button below and take the quiz! Mel's tips for sharing sponsorship one on one:
Mel's Tips for Sharing at Tables:
Tippy taps - an ingenious washing station in areas where there isn't running water! Consider trying one at your next outdoor table as a conversation starter! Meet Cathy Kaufman! Cathy lives on a farm in western Nebraska with her husband of 34 years, Mike. They have three grown, married daughters and eight beautiful grandchildren! Cathy enjoys running a home-based skincare business and is a team-builder. She's grateful for the opportunity to "not miss a moment" with her family and takes joy in seeing that it empowers her God-given desire to rescue the most vulnerable children. Cathy's favorite non-World Vision hobbies are walking - especially on their farm - and finding God in those quiet moments in the countryside. She also enjoys seeing movies with her husband and loves to travel - especially to see her grandchildren! Cathy, what inspired you to become a CA? I believe God planted the spark for helping vulnerable children when I was very young. At the age of 5, I was concerned for the children of our migrant workers who came from Mexico and stayed on my father’s farm. Even at that age I tried to figure out what I could do to help them have a better life. Through the seasons of my life God fanned the flame of my desire to help children in poverty and developed an international view in me. About 10 years ago, while attending a Women of Faith conference, I sponsored my first World Vision child. I had such a sense that this was God’s calling for me. In the year that followed, I got on the website and sponsored 2 more kiddos. But in doing so, I realized that while God had given me a desire to sponsor ALL the children, He didn’t give me the bank account for it! His answer to that was a postcard in the mail from WV asking me to consider being a CA! Again, I thought this was God’s plan so I signed up and was thrilled to get my kit. But then that door was closed as re-structuring at my work place required me to work more hours which left me with very little time for volunteer work. I became an inactive CA, with my soul on fire, waiting for God. He had a lot of work to do in me and many changes to make in my life. One of those was my home-based business which trained this introvert how to do reach-outs, build a network and connect with people. Proof that God can use any vehicle to accomplish more than we can ask or imagine! Fast forward to January 2017, I was able to quit my job because of the success of my business. God prompted me that it was time to re-activate as a CA and I felt so much more prepared. My passion is now blazing and I’m “all in” for whatever God has for me in rescuing vulnerable children. What has been your favorite sponsorship event? Our Awana club always has the kiddos bring “a birthday card and gift” for Jesus at Christmas time. The leaders pick a charity to donate the money to, which is usually around $150-175. This last year they chose World Vision. God was certainly on the move…the children themselves collected over $500! The church missions board decided to match that amount and so did an anonymous donor!! Our Awana group now sponsors 2 children and 1 Refugee Responder! All to the Glory of God!! Do you have some encouragement for other CAs? PRAY~PRAY~PRAY - We can’t do this on our own. God calls us to step out in faith and leave the results to Him. Consider every “no” to be “not now” as you have planted the seed and you never know how God will “grow” it. On average people need to be approached 7 times with an idea before they act on it. So don’t take it personally. Don’t quit. Keep going. Can’t do this wonderful work we do without God…and grit!! Do you have a favorite verse that inspires you in your ministry? Many of my friends think I’m crazy for starting a new “mission in life” at 60 years old when I should be slowing down to retirement. I believe just the opposite. I believe that God has been beautifully weaving this into the tapestry of my life all along… and His timing is perfect. That’s why Esther 4:14 is my verse: “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” I truly believe that. * You can reach Cathy via email at [email protected]. |
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