From Guatemala with Love

Sweet friends! In the past few months, God has truly opened my eyes to see and hear what the "least of these" experience.  Our family has prayed about what it is He wants us to do during this season.  In addition to mission trips--local and foreign--He has shown us something that we can do which is such a  small thing in my opinion.  Let me explain.

As many of you know, we have two boys.  Boys that are very athletic and very active and busy.  The boys also have humongous appetites!  Imagine that. The manager at both Costco and Publix love it when I come strolling in several times a week!  We TRY to maintain a food budget at home, but it is amazing some weeks. Throw in eating out once a week....usually not even twice a week, and the budget has been destroyed.  We love to see our boys eat....especially when it's something healthy :).  So, whenever we  go out as a family, the bill at the end of the meal is over the top! Seriously. Even chic-fil-a can have a huge dollar amount on the register. Can any of you all relate?  I thought so.

A while back, we were given an opportunity to sponsor a child in another country.  Basically, it meant that we would just not eat out one of those times when mama didn't feel like cooking. And, the amount that we would spend on our meal was usually more than what it costs to sponsor a child.  Ya'll, it is only $38.00 a month....not even a meal out at your favorite restaurant...to sponsor a child!  Most of you readers are able to do this.  Unfortunately, in our busy lives, we don't think about this until later. I have done that many times over.  After our first foreign mission trip last summer, I am trying to make a conscience effort to make a difference.  Our family sponsors two children in two different countries.  We have a little boy (8) in the Philippines and a little girl (9) in Guatemala. That's two meals that we don't eat out each month. Just two!

I encourage you to click on the link and read about these precious little ones that need your help! Compassion International has been around longer than I have been on this earth! (And, that's quite a few years!). It serves needy children through their local churches....churches that have known and served and loved these children and their families. 

Just go here: http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm

I challenge you to sit down with a glass of iced tea or Coke or coffee and surf this page instead of catching up on Face Book or reading your email.  Those will still be there in a while...promise! I have stepped out in faith to be a voice for these children by becoming a Compassion blogger (which means I truly need to blog on a regular basis again!) And, for another piece of exciting news, I am going to Guatemala in January with Compassion International to meet our little girl that we sponsor! I am beyond excited about this opportunity.  I promise to keep y'all posted on this adventure! And, it will be one!!

So, will you come back by the blog and let me know that you did spend time on the sponsor website and that you and your family will prayerfully consider sponsoring a child? Please?? And, if God whispers to your heart to take this leap of faith, would you let me know?  I will be praying for you.

Sweet blessings,
Susan