A Gift for Anna

Our first baby turns eleven today. She told me last week, "I can't wait to read what you write for me for my birthday this year!" Yikes. The pressure. I hadn't really thought of it that way, but I guess I do write a little something for her every year. Last year was the first time I published it on my blog (with her permission, of course).

This year, I'm doing it a little differently. I'll probably still write her a letter about how she has grown and changed this past year, along with a little motherly advice. I may or may not share it with the world. But this. This needs sharing.

You see, my sweet Anna has been agonizing over what to she "wants" for her birthday. Everyone asks, "What would you like?" Last year, our aspiring veterinarian requested items that could be donated to a dog shelter. This year, she has toyed with the idea of donations to an orphanage that has captured her heart. As she astutely acknowledged last week, "I have a lot of stuff. I really don't need anything." If only I could remember this myself as I walk the aisles of Target needing only one item. Suddenly, POOF! I am magically at the checkout with a full basket. Ahhhh, I digress. Just like in Target.

While in the shower last night (I do my best thinking in the shower and while running), it occurred to me that perhaps the perfect gift for Anna was sitting in the corner of my room. I just need YOU to make it happen. You see, I have the great privilege of advocating for three special children during the month of October. I am partnering with Compassion International for their Release3 campaign, as each of us works to release at least three children from poverty. I am the ONLY person working to find sponsors for these three children this month. The enormity of this privilege and responsibility does not escape me.

Which brings me back to Anna. No one prays more fervently for our sponsored children than Anna. Our little girl possesses both the gift and burden of extreme empathy, especially after having visited Guatemala two and a half years ago. It has been a joy to receive the letters and photos from our little Rudy and Estefany. In the most recent photo we received from Estefany, she is pictured with her mother and sister... grinning from ear to ear while the items they purchased with a little extra gift we sent are pictured in front of them. Her smiles get bigger and her letters are signed with more "hugs and kisses" every year. She wants to be an attorney in Guatemala when she grows up. Time and again over the past 60 years, Compassion International has proven that one-to-one child sponsorship works.

Estefany and Her Family

So... my great big dream for Anna's birthday is that I am able to tell her at the end of the day that we have found sponsors for all three children. She would sponsor them all if she could.  She was beyond excited when I pitched the idea to her this morning. For only $38 a month, you can provide educational opportunities and mentoring, healthcare, hygiene training, supplementary food if necessary, and a caring and safe Christian environment. The program attends to the child's physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Many of you have told me that you have thought about adopting a child, but aren't sure that is where God is calling you. Guess what? You can be a part of keeping children with their first families when you sponsor a child through Compassion. Orphan prevention at its finest.

So who are these sweet kiddos? I will give you a brief overview of each child's current situation. I have additional information in a packet that I will send to you when you fall in love and can't resist their cuteness. I apologize for the photo quality. They were taken very quickly this morning before Anna headed off to school. I think you get the idea, though. :)

Anna with Bekalu, Francisco, and Purnima in front of her birthday streamers

Purnima Mree... (PRIORITY- lives in a country with a high risk for child rights violations and has been waiting 8 months- IMMEDIATE sponsor needed)

Purnima lives with her father and her mother in Bangladesh. She is responsible for running errands. Her father is sometimes employed as a laborer and her mother maintains the home.

Purnima is not presently attending school. Art and playing with dolls are her favorite activities. She also attends church activities regularly.

Bekalu Kassu... (PRIORITY- lives in an AIDS-affected area and has been waiting 6 months- IMMEDIATE sponsor needed)

Bekalu is from Ethiopia. In his home, Bekalu helps by running errands. He lives with his mother. His mother is sometimes employed. There are two children in the family.

Soccer and hide-and-seek are Bekalu's favorite activities. In pre-school his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities.

Francisco Guerrero Perez...

Francisco lives with his father and his mother in Mexico. He is responsible for making beds, running errands, and cleaning. His father is sometimes employed and his mother maintains the home.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Francisco participates in church activities and Bible class. He is also in primary school where his performance is average. Art, reading, and playing group games are his favorite activities.


I ask that you join me in prayer for each of these children. They are so vulnerable and in need of stability. Our pastor shared last week that according to a recent study, people are 40% less compassionate now than they were in the 1980s. Let's prove them wrong, friends! True compassion demands action. It requires giving up something we love (in this case money), for something we love even more. When it seems as though the world is crumbling around us, remember that it only takes one person to change the life of another. Each of us can do SOMETHING to ease the burden of another. When you sponsor a child through Compassion, you are part of generational change. When our little Estefany goes to college (and she will go to college), she will change the future of her children and generations to come. And it all started with a letter and $38 per month.



As for Anna, don't worry. She's not Mother Teresa. She'll be getting a few other gifts that will be cast aside within a year. I'm a mom. That's my job.