HILLTOP ASSEMBLY of GOD

 
Sponsor Testimonies
 

Dawn Stem

 

My decision to sponsor a child through Compassion was based on the following scripture: Mark 10:14  … "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…”
 
For me, child sponsorship is important because in giving our $32/month, we are helping, not hindering (nor ignoring), the children of the world.  This is the first time I’ve ever taken part in child sponsorship and I must admit it feels great!  Another reason I chose to get involved in sponsorship is because of the impact this could have on my girls and their future decisions.  I’m setting an example to them of the importance of helping those less fortunate than us.
 
We recently just wrote our first letter to little Ada.  Kaylee took the opportunity to write a letter of her own and Lindsey decided to draw Ada a picture.  The girls had a blast.  We also sent Ada a picture of us.  It made the sponsoring experience more personal for the girls and they are now looking forward to continuing corresponding with Ada.  Perhaps in the future we’ll even decide to sponsor another child!
Gail Muhl

My Compassion Child loves me!  I never expected to receive letters that say this over and over again.  She cares about my family and prays for us.  Jennifer's letters are full of pictures she has drawn; she even sent a photograph of her little brother standing beside her.  In the photograph we received from Compassion, Jennifer looks very mature for a 6 year old, but in the picture she sent, you see a little girl with an even smaller brother.  I feel so blessed by her words.  I do so little, and it means so much!  I am humbled.
Brian Smith

More than anything Jefferson (Honduras) and Messaye (Ethiopia) have given faces (faces that we have grown to love) to the immense need that is in the world. While God’s heart is captivated by the great need that is in this world, mine is too often captivated by my own areas of personal need. But when my family comes together in prayer for Jefferson and Messaye I know that God is pleased and if just for a moment, He removes me from my obsession with making sure that “my needs are met.” Kyle says that sponsoring Jefferson and Messaye helps remind him how blessed we are (We are at least blessed enough to help others through sponsorship) and how much God loves “all the children of the world.” I love this ministry because the Compassion Child Sponsorship Program is helping Sandy and me disciple our son while at the same time giving us an additional outlet to live “disciple lives” ourselves.
Bonnie Buchanan

I cannot express the joy I have in my heart knowing that I am doing something to make a difference in a child's life. I have been sponsoring a little girl from Indonesia, Dila, since April of last year, and I just recently started sponsoring a little boy from Honduras, Josue.  I fully believe that if I can help to change the life of a child, then I can help to change the heart of a nation.
Sue Oliver

Being a sponsor has changed my life!    Here I am a single adult but find that I am a parent, a spiritual parent to two lovely children.   I find myself changed in a number of ways.
-    My prayers have switched from being based on my needs to standing in the gap for my two sponsored children and their families
-    My nieces and nephews now ask about our “far away children” and help with collecting items to send and ideas to share.
-    My relatives and I are much more conscious of how poverty can impact someone’s life.
-    I find myself foregoing my usual stops for coffee and snacks just to save a bit more for “my children”
-    I look forward to personal mail from time to time instead of the American junk mail
-    I have learned that more is not better if others don’t have any
-    My heart has learned the joy in giving.
I have found a way to do ministry even into my old age.  I can give to a child!   Being a sponsor is for any age with any talents, any gifts!  You don’t have to be unique except in the area of loving a child!  Everyone can join this ministry.   How about you?
Aaron & Judie Puckett

Sponsoring a child for our family has been a wonderful way to be reminded that we live in a big world with big needs.  It has been really beautiful to watch our children fall in love with Maria Victoria, consider her a part of our family and long to visit her one day.  What an honor it is to partner with God and Compassion to really change the life of a little girl in Honduras and her family.
Joan Puckett

I view life differently since my trip with Compassion to Ethiopia.  One of the highlights of that trip for me was meeting Sitota, one of my sponsored children.  Sitota, a shy tiny framed girl with pigtails and the oldest of 4, lives with her mom and a dad who was described to me as a “dangerous” man.  I fell in love with her the moment our eyes met.  Saying good-bye was so hard. 

Most every night as I lay my head on my pillow, I think about Sitota and my other sponsored children, Noelia and Robel.  I imagine what it’s like for them when they lay down at night to sleep.  As I pull up the down comforter and stretch out in my king size bed, I wonder how these children are able to sleep on mud floors with nothing more than a mat.  My heart aches as I consider how I have so much and they have so little. 

How much is enough?  How much can we afford to give… of our time and our resources… for the kids?  I don’t think the question any longer is – can you sponsor a child?  I really think the question is – how many children can you sponsor?
John, Collee, Toby, & Spencer Muhl

We began sponsoring Norman last June.  Immediately, we felt that he was part of our family. We included thoughts of Norman at the dinner table, when we prayed at bed time, even when we were riding in the car. I use our sponsorship to teach my three year old about the fortunes that we take for granted every day. We keep our sponsor child’s picture in a frame on our dinner table.  When my son decides that chicken and vegetables is not what he would like to have for dinner, we remind him that many children don’t have the choice. When we take him to the Dr. for a check up and he fusses about the possibility of having to have his ears checked, we remind him that many children don’t receive medication when they are sick. More importantly, through letters that we receive from Norman, we are touched by his faith and gratitude. The first letter that we received from Norman stated that he was dying of leukemia. We began to pray for his healing-intensely. Every time we would walk to the mailbox, we hoped and prayed that this would be the day that we receive the news of his healing.  Several months went by.  Several letters came. I just knew that God was going to touch him. I couldn’t imagine what his mother was going through. I began to pray for her-mother to mother. I truly believe that there isn’t a more fervent prayer than for one mother to pray for another. And then it came. “I believe with all of my heart that God has healed me and I thank you for your prayers.”   We continue to pray for Norman, and we look forward to the day when we meet him.

 

 

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