Last night, after the first concert of the Gloria! Christmas Tour, a lady walked up to me in the lobby of the church and asked how Compassion decides which kids will be in the program.
I told her everything I knew about the registration process, how Compassion works with the poorest of the poor, how the need of every child is assessed, etc.
“The reason I’m asking,” she said…and then, through some tears, she told me an incredible story.
She went on a mission trip with some people from her church – a couple years ago I think it was – to Guatemala. One day she spotted a little girl there whose picture she just had to take. She was squatting down all by herself, in obvious need, no smile.
She hadn’t thought about that girl much since her trip, until she walked into the lobby of the church last night. Beside a massive banner of Travis‘ head was a long table full of sponsorship packets from Compassion International. And there in all those faces was the girl she and her camera had been drawn to back in Guatemala.
When she stopped talking and crying I explained to her just how incredible her story really was. At any given time, about 100,000 of the more than one million children Compassion cares for do not yet have sponsors. Their care continues, underwritten mostly by an unsponsored children’s fund, while a packet with their face on it sits on table after table at concert after concert waiting for the right sponsor to come along and pay for their care and write them letters.
She didn’t plan on sponsoring a child last night. In fact, she’d heard about Compassion before and just wasn’t ever sure the kids were real. But last night she knew they were. She couldn’t afford $32 a month so a friend of hers sponsored the little girl and the two of them will write letters to her together.
Coincidence or a very personal God?
By the way, 50 other people became sponsors last night. That’s a pretty good start to the tour. Thanks to everyone in Thompson Station, Tennessee (and friends from Birmingham) who showed up last night. Next stop, Morristown.
It never ceases to amaze me just how big our God is. And yet, He is closer than close; He is intimate and in our midst. He plans and ordains everything. Coincidence? I think not.
Thanks for the reminder. He is good, faithful, gracious and deserving of all glory and praise for His provision for that little girl and His sovereignty in that ladies life.
that is SO cool—God is indeed amazingly personal. the rest of the world might see it as coincidence, but I love that God is the one that orchestrates each coincidental scene that happens in our lives!
Just for the record, I’m not as illiterate as I appear to be when writing. Please replace “ladies” with “lady’s.” Goodness, I don’t think my coffee is strong enough.
WOW. Incredible.
Got to watch the concert last night – thanks for broadcasting it. Y’all were amazing, and it was so neat to see the whole church worshipping.
Thumpety.
That is so amazing. God is so cool. He really is.
Shaun,
I’m sitting here on my couch looking at the face of a beautiful little 6 year old girl from Guatemala … that has already stolen my heart – as well as my family’s.
I knew before we left for the concert last night, that we would be sponsoring a child, but I kept it a matter between God and me. Not saying anything to my hubby or kids. Just waiting to see God do what He loves – touch hearts.
During intermission, we were asked to help work the Compassion table, and – as I talked with all the eager folks who were literally flocking around a small rectangle table with round faces FULL of glee!!, I also leaned down – looked at my husband, and watched him help with a smile on his face as wide as the room. His heart was in it all – and I loved the sight! But, Shaun, then I knew—I knew as he was working the table, the Spirit was working his big ole’ mercy-filled heart.
Sure ‘nuff – as soon as we got back in the worship center, he leaned over my shoulder and whispered, “Lisa, we’re gonna’ sponsor a child – did you see all those faces?” I just looked at up at him – smiled right back and said, “Honey, I’m so happy right now, I can hardly stand it. Yes, I saw those faces, and I saw yours, too!”
So now – as I sit here, looking at this precious little girl – with pig tails, little white tenni shoes, and her tiny hands on her hips—I can’t help but cry joy and praise! God, You amaze me!
But you know…I really struggle with that word, “sponsoring” because for me, it’s sounds a little too detached. I sponsor girl scout troops and soccer teams full of kids that I don’t even know their names. But I know Ms. Kimberly Pamela’s name. All I have is a photo and some brief information about her and her family, but because of the “mission” of Compassion…I feel as though I know so, so much more. Little Kimberly is now a part of our family – she loves to sing, play house, and art…all the things my Samantha and Trace love to do.
Thank you Shaun, thank you so much – thank you Compassion International – Jesus, thank you!
Wow, what an amazing story! Thank you for sharing your passion for these children and the work that Compassion does…and the work that God does.
Hey Shaun,
You all sounded great last night at TSC. I was glad to see such a spirit filled worship time and concert. My wife and I (she sang in the Choir last night) signed up to sponsor a child. I have to tell you this is definetly a God thing because at first I was not even going to go because I thought of going to do some Christmas shopping. But I did not feel right not watching my wife sing. When you began to talk about Compassion International, I was not expecting to feel God tugging at me to raise my hand. HE tugged, I resisted at first and then I followed his lead. I have been on two mission trips overseas and have seen many young children. This is going to be an AWESOME experience to share with my wife and two children.
Thanks for your calling to music ministry and to Compassion International.
Praise God, and Merry Christmas.
Leonard
Thank you for all the kind words, everybody. Much appreciated after the first night – we artsy types tend to see all the first-night mistakes. Thanks for magnifying the good for us.
That is beautiful. I’ve always let this kind of stuff be in the back of my mind, but I’ve never sponsored a child.
That will be changing soon.
That is the neatest story I’ve heard in a while. I’m so grateful to Compassion and for the precious children.
Most times I hear a story like this, I can’t help but wonder if its not just another preacher story with (at best) a grain of truth. From you, Shaun, I do believe it. And it is amazing. Both the story and the start to the tour.
By the way, why no Houston? In-laws wouldn’t put you up?
Now I understand! The word, “sponsor” (according to freedictionary.com, doesn’t only mean;
1. One that finances a project or an event carried out by another person or group, especially a business enterprise.
BUT…it also means,
2. One who assumes responsibility for another person or a group 3. One who presents a candidate for baptism or confirmation.
The word “sponsor” doesn’t sound at all detached to me anymore … but perfect!
Euphrony, I asked the same question. I had nothing to do with the booking of this tour or I’d have definitely built a TexMex stop in there somewhere.
I have chills. CHILLS.
And it’s not just because it’s 19 degrees outside right now.
Our God is HUGE. Bigger than we can conceive. That is the COOLEST story. Thanks for sharing it, Shaun.
Ah, well. Enjoy some Amarillo TexMex next weekend – at least it would be in Texas, and served at a gaudy-colored restaurant with accents.
It seems none of the Christmas tours I would want to see are hitting H-town this year. No Behold the Lamb of God, not Gloria, no Love Came Down at Christmas (with Jars of Clay, Sara Groves, etc.). They did have Casting Crowns, which I might have gone to to see Denver and his Mile High Orchestra – but couldn’t the day after Thanksgiving.
I am in tears! (Guatamala is where our little Mario is from.) Our God is truly amazing.. moving in wonderfully mysterious ways.
Okay, this one just about knocked me out. Oh my!! God is just so stinkin’ good. If nothing else happens on the Gloria! tour, this in and of itself was enough. It certainly renewed my faith this evening. Thanks.
Much Love,
~Cheryl