We’re kicking off November, the month of Thanksgiving, with a new desktop calendar and a special guest post today from Compassion International. It’s gonna be a special month!
For many people, Christmas is a time of celebration and thanksgiving. It is a time filled with family and steeped in tradition. It is a time of praise and gratitude as we reflect on the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
For a child in poverty, Christmas can be very different. It can reinforce the hopelessness they experience daily; it can be a vivid reminder to parents that they are unable to provide for their children. In many ways it can be a day to get through instead of a day to look forward to.
Thanks to your love, thousands of children around the world who live in poverty do know of the hope of Christ and wait, just like any other child, in anticipation for Christmas day.
Christmas for children registered in a Compassion International program is filled with celebration. Compassion’s centers usually have programs filled with Christmas plays and music. At the end, children are given special gifts which are purchased through the Christmas Gift Program. When the children are presented with these gifts, they are told that the gifts are from YOU ~ their sponsors.
Of course, not every child registered in a Compassion program has a sponsor. There are many children still waiting for someone to choose them. But the Christmas Gift Program ensures that every registered child, sponsored or unsponsored, receives a gift at Christmas. Unsponsored children are told that the gift is from someone who cares about them very much.
With that said, is there any difference at Christmas for a sponsored child and an unsponsored child?
The answer is yes.
Unsponsored children still attend the celebration held at the center and they receive Christmas gifts. Technically, unsponsored children receive all the benefits a sponsored child receives…
Except a Christmas Card.
Many of you know that writing your sponsored child truly makes an impact. Your letters and words of encouragement are used by God to pierce the darkness of hopelessness and to dry up the lies that attack your child.
How much more could your words mean during a season which celebrates the birth of our Savior?
I asked our country office staff and staff from our child development centers in Ecuador who work closely with the children, about this.
“What is the reaction of unsponsored children when they don’t get a Christmas card unlike the sponsored children who do get Christmas cards?”
Each person had a similar response:
“They wonder why they don’t get a letter or a card. Of course we explain the situation to them and tell them it’s because they don’t have a sponsor, but that’s not enough for a child. This is something that makes unsponsored kids feel very sad and even discouraged. They start to say things like, ‘Why can’t I get a letter too?’” – Yovi de Racines – Secretary of “Camino de Santidad” Mission (This mission includes several child development centers in the Coastal Region of Ecuador.)
“They feel frustrated and wonder why other children get a card and they don’t. This is really frustrating because it creates an evident difference between unsponsored and sponsored children.” – Betty Estacio – Country Office staff from the North Region of Ecuador
“They feel left out and suddenly they find themselves wondering why they don’t receive anything. That’s when we explain the situation to them. We tell them it’s all because they don’t have a sponsor, but we also tell them they will receive special things in the near future. Of course that’s not totally enough to them, but at least makes them feel better. They feel sad until they finally forget about it.” – Maricruz Garófalo – Center Director of Puerta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven) student center in Ecuador.
Now, with this in mind, let’s take a look at the flipside.
“How do the sponsored children feel when they do receive a card from their sponsor?”
“They feel extremely excited and that excitement is the result of knowing someone cares for them in a genuine way. They think and feel that other people who live so far away care for them through the distance. “ -Betty Estacio.
“First of all, they feel a rush of joy. They feel happy and very important. Generally, all the children show their cards to their friends.” -Yovi de Racines.
“It is thrilling to see the joy in the little kids’ faces because many times the sponsors write about the things they do on Christmas and some of them are way different from what we do here.” – Mireya Benalcázar –Secretary at (I Puerta del Cielo (Gate of Heaven) student center in Ecuador.
“Christmas is the most special time of the year for the children so I believe greeting cards are a huge motivation to them, especially when they come from their sponsors. Like I just said, this simple detail can really motivate a child to keep on writing letters to his/her sponsor and make him/her feel loved and taken care of.” –Romel Cerda – Center Director of New Jerusalem student center in Ecuador.
We know the impact a Christmas card can make on the life of a child, especially on a child still waiting for the love of a sponsor.
If you are a sponsor and you have written to your sponsored child and/or you have contributed to the Christmas Gift Program, thank you. The hope and joy you will be bringing to a child in need this Christmas is immeasurable.
As for the hundreds of unsponsored children who will not receive such a card, will you help us bring hope and joy to them this year? We’re partnering with (in)courage and DaySpring to do just that.
We’ll tell you how you can help tomorrow.
By Brianne Mullins, Compassion International
Rebekah says
I’d love to help out. Can’t wait to hear how! Thanks for the opportunity!
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Christin says
That’s awesome. My husband just finished reading a book called “Run to Overcome” about a man from a poverty-stricken country who is now an elite runner for America. This man spoke of the slums he lived in and it got to the heart of my husband. We are going to be sponsoring a child as a result.
I look forward to working with you, Compassion 🙂
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Nickie says
I’ve wanted to sponsor a child for a few weeks now, but haven’t been in the financial shape to do so. (I firmly believe that God will provide a way for us to do this when it is time!) I would love to participate in sending Christmas cards to unsponsored children. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this!
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says
Nickie, for now you could become a Correspondent Sponsor for a child whose financial sponsor doesn’t write!! 😀 We have 2 sponsored children and 5 correspondent children. We aim to write to them at least twice a month and send plenty of goodies along with our love and encouragement. You can check out my blog for more info, especially the Letter Writing 101 post. Hope this helps!!
(And, yes, God will provide if you make that step. I was nervous to take on our first financial sponsorship. but 2 Cor 9:6-15 is absolutely true.)
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says
We’ve already sent out Christmas packages for our 7 Compassion children and we have a HUGE envelope full of cards and letters for unsponsored Compassion children. I posted the details on my blog a few weeks ago, so feel free to check it out. We have a homeschool co-op and for Art class a couple of weeks ago, the kids all worked on Christmas cards and drawings. What a great way to share the LOVE!! http://meeshimama.blogspot.com/2010/10/christmas-cards-for-unsponsored.html Be sure to check out the rest of my blog, focused on enhancing the sponsors/child relationship and inspire your letter-writing!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Michelle – how wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing this great resource. And I have a feeling you are really, really going to like what we propose tomorrow 🙂
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says
I can’t wait!!
Jen Guarino says
This post has me very excited! I make my own cards, for all occasions and usually have more than a few lying around at any given time. I also love the idea of being able to write to those unsponsered kids and will look into that as well.
Mel's World with Melissa Mashburn says
I BIG PUFFY HEART LOVE Compassion and love what they are doing in God’s name for so many! We have been blessed to be a Compassion sponsor for a year and a half now and our sweet little Erika in Guatemala is so much a part of our lives. Hubby went on a trip with our church shortly after we sponsored Erika and was blessed to spend a few days with her family and tour GU with Compassion. Memories, pictures, letters, stories…they are forever woven into our hearts!
I can’t wait to see what is in store tomorrow…
JD says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the work Compassion does… We have been sponsors for five years, and combined, my family (and my mother) sponsor 9 children (two of which are correspondence sponsorships).
I went to Honduras with Compassion in June-July of 2010, and learned first hand how precious and treasured any correspondence is for these children. When we asked to see their letters and cards, they GLOWED and danced around.
It’s not only the sponsored and unsponsored children… there are sponsored children whose sponsor never writes to them, and that’s even more heartbreaking — because what do you tell these children whose sponsors never write? We met a boy, his name is Wilson… he’s beautiful and so smart, shy, and humble… and he has never received one single letter from his sponsor… in NINE years. He feels abandoned and unloved. Sure, the financial aspects of sponsorship makes a difference, but to these kids, it’s the love and the letters that encourage and uplift them.
We just sent our 9 kids their letters, goodies and Christmas cards. I’m with Michelle — so excited to see what you’ll reveal tomorrow!
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says
It broke my heart to read that our newest Correspondence child, Kazihizina, went YEARS without getting a letter. Mail Call after Mail Call, she sat hopeful that her name would be called, only to be met with disappointment.
As soon as she was assigned to us, I sent an email and a Christmas card and then another letter. I am going to shower this girl with love and encouragement.
Years without a letter….It is so sad. 🙁
Galen Pearl says
What a difference a card can make! I’m sure you have already thought of this, but I’m wondering if people who do write to their sponsored kids could write some extra cards to the unsponsored kids. It would be great if every child could get a personal card along with the gift. By the way, how lovely that you give all the kids gifts.
I sponsored a child in China (until I adopted her!). I was always so conscious of the other kids, so whenever I sent her something, I sent lots of extra things (like stickers, pens, barrettes, etc.) for the other kids. It isn’t the same as having your own sponsor, I know. I was told later that when I sent her presents, the orphanage officials distributed them instead of giving them just to her. Although I was disappointed that my gifts did not reach her, I had to admit the wisdom of not singling a child out for gifts.
Hard to juggle all the different considerations. I’m inspired by your work and I am going to check out your website about sponsoring a child. Bless you all!
Murray Lahn says
Wow! What a wondeful idea. I can hardly wait until tomorrow to hear all about it!! In the meantime I’m going to pass this idea onto the lady who runs our “Club House” program at our church. Your idea of the kids all work on cards is a wonderful one!!
Robin ~ PENSIEVE says
As a Compassion blogger (who doesn’t correspond nearly enough :/) I’m thrilled to see any initiative to reach the kids who aren’t yet sponsored. SO thankful to see incourage and Compassion (two of my favorite lovies) partnering to make this happen!
I am a little curious, Michelle, by what you meant about having sent Christmas packages. My understanding all along has been only money can be sent through the project to purchase packages. Can you clear that up?? Thanks!!
🙂
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says
Each of our children this year got a Christmas card, nativity sticker scene from Oriental Trading along with cardboard cross ornaments to color and paper angels and ornaments to also color. We also included a couple of Silly Bands in each card since I was recently told we can now send a couple with our letters.
You’re allowed to send packages of items that are thin (paper or cardboard) but are up to 8″ X 10″ by 1/4″. Check out my blog and I have links in my sidebar with the mailing requirements and some ideas for items you can send in packages. Hope this helps!! 😀
Caroline says
Wow, really excited to hear more tomorrow!
I have been feeling so lead towards working with Compassion, especially lately. I’m in the same boat as Nickie, though, but I know that God will provide a way and a time for my family to sponsor a child through Compassion.
And wow again on God’s timing. I just read 2 Corinthians 9 to my son tonight before bed. I love how that works!
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Yoli says
Definitely, This message touched my heart deeply. I was looking how to help somebody this Christmas, and suddenly I was cheking my email and I saw they were requiring a sponsorship this Christmas for children in Ecuador, my Country. I’m working in Canada now and even though I don’t still have a good economical position, I can say I have much more than poor children in my country. I know well the poor conditions which many children live in Ecuador.
I would like to know how to have an unsponsored child this Christmas.
Phearum Gnea says
We thank our Living God that he sent His only Son to this lost world to live a perfect life, died on the cross to pay for our sins, raised from the dead on the third day. He is in heaven now and he will offers us a free gift of eternal life.
May God bless you!
Phearum Gnea