I’d like to encourage you all to visit Rocks in My Dryer and read her latest post about meeting the young boy she sponsors through Compassion International. And please, consider sponsoring a child through this incredible organization. The money you give doesn’t disappear into some large account that gets dispersed in who knows how many ways. No. The money you give to sponsor a child goes to that child. Take a moment to look at their website.

Here’s an excerpt from Shannon’s post:

We sat down to eat, and his eyes were as wide as saucers.  This was not only his first visit to the city, it was his first time to eat at a restaurant.  He’s nine years old.

We began to go through the backpack full of goodies I brought from home.  His eyes nearly came out of his head.  He couldn’t believe the clothes (they were a perfect fit) and his mouth hung open at the $1 solar-powered calculator.  He must have said “thank you” to me a thousand times.

The Compassion worker from his project in the village made the four-hour drive with him, and she served as our interpreter.  She and Dissan together told me his story.

He lives in the village, in a mud hut.  Both his parents died last year, and the relative he was sent to live with is very sickl.  So is his six-year-old brother (Dissan is healthy).  Because it has rained so much in Uganda the last few months, the front wall of their hut has washed away.

This boy, this precious boy with the golden smile, does not have parents, and he does not even have four walls.

…

I told him that I promised we would continue to sponsor him through Compassion as long as he needs us, until he’s an adult.  I gave him a long momma hug, which he eagerly returned.  I whispered in his ear the blessing I say over my own kids before they get on the bus each morning:  May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you, may He be gracious unto you and grant you His peace.