During my second trip to Guatemala, I knew I wanted to find a child to
sponsor through Caroline's Promise. Over the two weeks I was there, I
prayed that God would reveal which child he wanted me to sponsor. One
morning, I was praying for my sponsor child and asking God to make it
clear which child he wanted me to sponsor. The same day we were giving
out parasite medicine to all the kids at the school, which they
absolutely hated.
I had been particularly drawn to one boy in the Prepa class, and we had
bonded over the week. When we were giving out the medicine, I was with a
friend in the Prepa class. All the kids were complaining about the
parasite medicine and some were even spitting it out when we gave it to
them. I gave the medicine to the child I had been bonding with over the week
and he reluctantly swallowed the pills. He came back about five minutes
later with a disgusted look on his face, took my hands, and threw the
medicine up STRAIGHT INTO MY HANDS. At that moment I jokingly thought,
this is going to be my sponsor child.
As we went back to Delmi and Carlos's house that night, I was searching
through the sponsorship book and the kids that needed sponsors. As soon I
turned to the page with his picture, his photo had the words, "high
need" written next to it. I knew that God had pointed him out at the
school that day for a reason. I immediately thanked God for picking him
out for me and making it so clear that day that he would be my sponsor
child.
I have now been sponsoring him for over four years. Over the years, I
have been able to see him grow in school, make friends with his
classmates, and receive a wonderful education with God at the center of
it all. I've been able to invest in him and now his family because his
brother now goes to Casita as well. This past summer we spoke with the
kids about the lies that we believe about ourselves. He shared with me
how he believed he was not smart and friends told him he was dumb, so he
believed it. I was able to share with him some of the lies I struggle
with, but also the truth that Jesus proclaims over me. I prayed with him
that he would listen to the truth that Jesus speaks over him and that
he would be able to discern the differences in what Satan was saying,
and what Jesus was saying. Being able to hear his struggles and
proclaiming truth over them was one of my favorite memories from this
past year. Sponsoring him means so much more than giving money so he can
attend Casita. It means a relationship with a child that I can pour
into, speak life over, and pray for continuously.
Child sponsorship has never been a burden or something I have regretted
giving to. No matter when it is time to give, I feel blessed knowing
where that money is going and how it is impacting the lives of our
friends in Guatemala.
To learn more about sponsorship and to see children who need sponsored, click here
Trauma & Grief Counseling Team:
In February, we will take a team to offer grief counseling and training
for our leaders in Guatemala. Our prayer it that this will not only be a
time of healing for our friends, but that they will learn the skills to
provide trauma and grief counseling in the future.To read more about
the team and to donate, click here.
2017 End of Year Projects
Building of Promise:
Help us complete the third floor of the Building of Promise, providing a
rooftop playground, sports court, classrooms, and space for
horticulture projects. To support this project, click here.
Child Sponsorship: Your gift of $40 a month will support a child in Guatemala. Click here to view the kids who are waiting for a sponsor.
Support for Teachers:
Your monthly gift of any amount will allow us to pay our teachers what
they deserve. If you have a heart for teachers, contact Lisa for more
information or set up your monthly recurring gift here.
We are also raising money for classroom support of our teachers. Your
one time gift will support a teacher and her class. To give a one time
gift, click here.