Supporting Sammy
Last week for family night we did a “Compassion” night where we let the kids help us select a child to support through Compassion International.
I can’t tell you how cool it was to partner with our kids in making a difference in the life of a child thousands of miles away.
It was a great opportunity to remind our kids just how “rich” we are compared to the rest of the world and how important it is to use what God has blessed us with to bless others.
Here’s a little video to show you how God led us to support “Sammy”.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/2303436]
If you’re interested in supporting a child through Compassion just click on the banner below.
Do you support a child? If so let us know who and where so we can pray for them today.
Yes. Me and my friend deciding to start supporting children through Compassion when we were students. We hide the fact we were from our parents though, because we knew they wouldn’t approve of doing so (at the time our parents were less than thrilled that we’d become Christians).
Anyway, I sponsor a boy living in Ethiopia.
Your boys are SO cute!
Meseret Tamiru in Ethiopia
We sponsor Mwajuma from Tanzania.
Your compassion video inspired me. I went directly to the website and had them pick a child for me. I do not know who or gender I just know that God is calling. Since my previous blog on wanting to quit smoking I have that extra $32 a month when I reach my quit day, that is the cost of 1 carton of cigeretts. I truly believe that my calling and purpose is to nurture children. I also would like to foster a child in our area and have been praying for guidance.
@Gina, That is so AWESOME! Very proud of you!
I read along as The Pioneer Woman’s family went on a Compassion International trip recently, and PW’s blog was very moving. She truly felt that her family was changed by the experience of meeting and reporting on the lives of some of the people supported by this ministry.
Sometimes it seems there are soooooo many people in need that a person hardly knows where to start to choose a good cause, so thanks for hooking us up with one very good option!
P.S.: Your son’s face when you suggested he give away a toy he actually likes? Too funny!
I did not know that their were trips, what an experience that would be….we actually sponsor a little girl named Brenda from Zimbabwe through World Vision. She is the same age as my daughter and shares a birthday with my Mom. My daughter will frequently talk about Brenda like she knows her personally…maybe someday.
Irine from Indonesia since 1998 and Claude from Rwanda since 2006.
I love writing and receiving letters and sending them little things like stickers and other fun stuff.
I used to sponsor Winnari from the DR. It has been on my mind to sponsor a child recently a few times and seeing this has inspired me to go check out the website again. Its so fun when you get letters from them, etc. I truly think this is a great thing!! And equally as important as sonsoring children is teaching your own the importance of helping others. That’s awesome that you all did that as a family!
Our family sponsors Sofia in Uganda. I, too, was touched by the Compassion bloggers trip when they went to Africa awhile back. There is not a day that goes by that we don’t pray for her, think of her, or talk about her. I can’t wait to mail her a picture of us so she can finally see us. What a great thing that your family is doing. I’m so proud.
And….your middle guy is so stinkin cute. He totally cracks me up. Simply darlin!
Go Compassion!!
Absolutely…..We have 5 kids and we support…write letters and send goodie boxes. It totally helps them to be kind, thankful and giving just to name a few…our child is a girl named Donalachamea and she live in Africa.
I think my favorite part of that video is when your middle son is playing with your oldest sons hair… twirling it around. And then the oldest son pushes him out of the way. hah! They are awesome! I don’t currently support a Compassion child but I’m definitely going to put some thought and prayer into it and see where God leads me with that. thanks!
Radda in Indonesia. The children chose her because the literature said that she east guinea pigs and because she looks like Molly in the old Annie movie.
I love the look on Gage’s face when you say that maybe he should give a toy he does like. I was thinking, I bet that is what most of us look like when faced with similar challenges.
Your kids make me smile! They are so adorable. I love this idea for a family night because you are really teaching those boys a great lesson! I am so happy for yall, and I can’t wait to sponsor my own child.
My husband and I support two little girls in Honduras through Mission Lazarus. Our 17 yr old daughter also supports a little boy there. It seems like a small amount of $$ to make a big difference. The best part for them is that they get to see the change each year when they visit on missions.
Yeah! Yeah! You’re going to love this as a family, and you’ll see that Sammy is as much a blessing to you as your family is to him. Also — it will develop a mission-minded perspective in your kids. Ours grew up and sponsored children on their own, completely apart from any (direct) influence from me, although I’m a Compassion Advocate. Really neat to see them walking in my footsteps for the needy of the world. I can’t wait to see your video when you go to visit Sammy for yourself (I’m sure you will some day).
Gage — sorry, but you can’t send a toy you like (or don’t like) — you can send extra money for birthday or Christmas though. Or go to visit Sammy — then you CAN take a toy!
Also — I can send child packets to anyone that wants one! One of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your life!
http://compassionjuli.wordpress.com
I sponsor a boy in Kenya named Gerald through Compassion
I hope this is the start of a great new reality show — “Sammy and The Wilson’s!” I’m sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next update!
That video was so cute. Your sons are precious!
We sponsor an 8 year old girl from Kenya, Africa. Her name is Mercy.
I sponsor Willington Lucas Batista Braga living in Brazil.
Good for you and your family!!! You will be blessed…
We sponsor 7 children through Compassion and correspond with another 5. It’s such a blessing. Here they are
Dominic…Kenya
Bulu….India
Josseling…Nicaragua
Cristine….Philippines
Nowanda…Indonesia
Portia…Ghana
Mekdes…Ethiopia
Sangeetha…India
Hondy….Dominican Republic
Alcides…Peru
Ayon…India
Sunil….India
We do family nights, too….
@Jill Foley, that is so cool. Wow!
Yes! We sponsor a girl in Thailand — Siriporn — that was accepted to Compassion’s Leadership Development Program. Woohoo! Also a boy in Haiti named Enold. His dad is a Pastor that walks 4 1/2 hours to the church he preaches in every weekend. Also, this family lost their home and all their possessions in the recent hurricanes, so they really do need our prayers. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happened to all his congregation.
I also must comment on the precious honesty & transparency of your child — “I don’t want to give him any toys I like.” Are we any different? Which of your favorite toys are you willing to send to a child in need?
We sponsor Pooja Belvinder in India through Gospel for Asia (another great organization that I’d highly recommend). Glad to read about all who are making a difference, one child at a time. = )
Rodrigo in Honduras through Compassion. Since we’ve been sponsoring him (almost a year now!!) all of his pictures go on our fridge. He’s so cute!
Our “third son” is Engel Gabriel Hernandez Conde from Ecuador. He just turned 5 this year (July 5). He is absolutely adorable and we love him very much!
I support Mediatrix and Phaphama. Amazing little girls.
Please pray for these sponsored Compassion children, past and present. Even if they leave the program, our family still prays for them as we pray for our own children. We mark their birthdays on the calendar and put their picture on our kitchen table and pray for them on that special day.
Some day, we’ll see how much this matters.
Stephen – Kenya (he’s an adult now, a graduate of the program)
Sammy – Kenya (just about to graduate)
Betelehem – Ethiopia
Anderson – Dominican Republic
Alexander – Peru
Angel – Dominican Republic
Abraham – Peru
Wester – Dominican Rep.
Jhoan – Peru
Jose – Dominican Repub.
What a great idea to pray for these kids. Tears are in my eyes as I speak each name.
I think your kids should have their own show! Just stick em in a room and put a camera on them. The world would love them.
They are ADORABLE, smart, funny and SO honest…”I’m gonna give em a toy that I DON”T like!”
HEy, if we were all so honest we’d have to admit, we’ve been pulling stuff like that for years!
I sponsor Catherine in Uganda…I started sponsoring her on Valentine’s Day of this year while the Compassion Bloggers were in Uganda. She has changed my life forever!
(my post, I fell in Love, is actually one of your possibly related post generated thing!)
We sponsor a bunch of kids around the world through Compassion International and just returned from El Salvador where little Roxana was transformed from a small picture on a child packet to a living, loving, praying member of our family. The blessing are many, mostly ours, and our lives have been forever changed through Compassion’s Child Sponsorship ministry. I pray you will host a Compassion Sunday event at your church, if you haven’t already, so hundreds of children may bless and be blessed by your flock.
God bless you and you family!
I read Brandi’s blog before yours and her entry inspired me to sponsor Minerose, a seven yr old from Philippines. I just received my sponsor packet and am excited to start writing her. I am so glad I found both your blogs. They inspire, encourage, and make me laugh.
My Compassion Children…
Clarisse – Burkina Faso, Africa
Marceline – Burkina Faso, Africa
Beatrice – Ghana, Africa
Rebuma – Ethiopia, Africa
My God richly bless you and your family through this experience.
I support a child right here in my hometown – I’m a “Big Sister” to a 1st grader named Rocco. Rocco lives with his grandmother because he has no contact with his father and his mother is incarcerated but scheduled to get out soon.
Although I don’t provide any monetary support, I’m there for him once a week to play and talk and give him whatever emotional support he needs.
Great video. I sponsor Wilber, Darwin, Mariana and Xochlith…all from Nicaragua. I have traveled to Nicaragua with Compassion twice and this ministry is the real deal!
Wow…seriously, this community rocks.
We sponsor Maria from Ecuador.
im sure others have said this – but im so glad you said, “maybe you should send him a toy you DO like.” you can tell by his expression it made him think.
you two are awesome parents. you really are! im looking forward to meeting you two and the boys and undoing all your great work
Thank you, Pete.
If you or any bloggers reading this ever need a thing from Compassion, please get in touch. I’m here to serve those of you using your on-line voice to speak for children in the developing world.
Great video! If anyone has video of a real live sponsorship as it happens, send me a link.
I loved it! “But I don’t know how to cook.”
That’s a classic line!
Robert from Texas
sponsoring Fernando from Bolivia
This is sooo awesome. I love how you involved your boys in the choosing. My daughter is currently serving in India and I am going to forward her this link, she will LOVE it. I think Sammy would enjoy a visit with his new “brothers”
julia