For many years I ignored the pleas
to become a child sponsor. To be completely honest, I’d heard it all before. I could
help poverty stricken (often very sick) children by opening
up my bank account to this or that charity. I figured I didn’t
have the financial means to make a major impact. I cared about
kids—don’t get me wrong—I was a children’s
pastor. I said to myself, “I see poverty right here in
the United States. Why not just help those who are close to
home? Besides, poverty is probably the only life they know.” I
always politely turned away, and tried to think about something
else. After all, there never seemed to be a good time to make
this kind of commitment.
In the spring of 2005, I decided to
make an impact in the life of one child in Bangladesh through
World Vision’s
Child Sponsorship Program. His name is Polash. He’s a
real boy with real needs, and for about $1 per day, I could
help meet his needs. We began putting packets with photos of
children like Polash on a table in the lobby of each church
that hosted a Bibleman event. Today, we have seen hundreds
of children sponsored.
World Vision invited me to visit some
of their Area Development Programs in the Dominican Republic.
World Vision gave me the
opportunity to share the gospel with children across the Dominican
Republic. Without my Bibleman armor and without battling evil
villains, I shared a simple message of hope through Jesus Christ
and we saw nearly 1,000 people make commitments to Christ.
I also chose to sponsor a second child—Arismendy—a
boy I met in a small village near the Haitian border.
As a family, we currently
sponsor four children. My wife sponsors a little girl in Chile
named Christiana.
I now sponsor
three boys, Polash, Arismendy and Foyzul. Knowing that our
commitment to sponsor these children provides them with food,
clothing, medical attention, and education makes us feel like
real superheroes. But the best part is being able to share
the love of God with them through our cards, letters, and prayers.
We are pointing children toward the greatest superhero of all
time—Jesus Christ!
In Matthew 9:37, Jesus said, “Anyone who welcomes a
little child like this in my name is welcoming me.” It’s
time to stop making excuses, and start making a difference.
I believe that if we truly want to be like Christ, we must
reach out and help children in need—in our own communities
and around the world.
For $35 per month a sponsor
in the United States can offer food, clothing, medical attention,
education, and hope for
eternity with Christ through their letters and cards. Please
join me in offering hope to children in need by becoming a
child sponsor today.
