Our church sponsored a “Compassion Sunday” today and dedicated the entire service to educating the congregation about the needs of impoverished children around the world. Pastor Tim recently returned from an eye-opening and life-changing trip to the Philippines where he was able to see firsthand the dire conditions that so many families are living under.

“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

It’s so easy to get caught up in our own comfortable lives, but just across the ocean, there are millions of children in need. It can be an overwhelming thought, but what about making a difference in the life of one child — for a mere $32 a month? Sure, we can all do that.

“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27, NIV)

For a moment, I wondered if I should pick up a sponsorship packet. After all, Baby Champuru is on the way and I was planning to stay out of work for as long as our finances would allow. It was never our intention to have a baby only to depend completely on my parents or in-laws to raise our child. But yet, the reality of raising a family on a single income in Hawaii is nearly impossible. At the same time, would $32 break our budget? Probably not. But imagine the difference that it could make for the sponsored child: HUGE.

I decided to take the step of faith and I picked up the packet for an eight-year-old boy from the Philippines named Melvin. His mother is raising him as a single parent, and while I don’t know the rest of the story, I know that it must be tough to make ends meet. With our commitment to sponsor Melvin, I know that he’ll have the hope for a brighter future.

If you’re interested in learning more about child sponsorship, visit Compassion International and make a difference in the life of a child for only $32/month.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

(Matthew 25:34-40, NIV)