3.26.2014

Does Sponsorship Change Lives?

We wanted to make a difference


It was 18 years ago that my date (soon to be my husband) and I decided, at a Michael W. Smith Concert, that we would sponsor a child as a start of our relationship together. For us it was a commitment to the Lord that together we wanted to do something bigger than us… for Him… for others.

We were handed a brochure… her name was Fire and it was our first experience with sponsorship. Over the years we anticipated her pictures and loved watching her grow. We faithfully sponsored her until God called us to our own ministry 16 years later.

Ironically, after going on our first vision trip to a town called Hosanna Ethiopia, we realized that our sponsored girl was in a neighboring town. We were able to visit her and her family. Fire was now 21 years old and graduating. It was our last year of sponsoring her and a new start to that something bigger we had prayed about so many years ago.

We now are Sponsorship Coordinators to 300 children in our first Care Point, and in the process of starting a second site with another 200 children in the same town.

I love that God set this up 18 years ago preparing us for Ethiopia, and that He chose Fire for us to watch grow ~ so that something bigger could grow in our hearts at the same time.

I can’t help but know that God heard our prayer as a couple, and this is the “something bigger” 
– His answer to our prayers. He made all of this happen for Him, His glory and His Kingdom. I want our story to be inspiring to others as they speak and live out the truths in their own hearts. May you know and realize those are God's whispers to you; that you have a purpose bigger than you.

You can change a life…


The first days we laid eyes on these babes were very eye-opening for us. The stark realization of the great need was overwhelming. They were quiet and hopeless, sick and skinny. Eyes full of goop, and torn dirty clothing. Flies were living off of the dirt and open wounds on their precious faces.

That was 2 years ago before Children's HopeChest partnered with us to start a Sponsorship Program.

Dirshaye ~ 2 years ago... and today. A beautiful story in the making! 

Families have stepped up to make a difference in the lives of these children. To love, pray for and call their own. It's a beautiful model that we are privileged to walk along side. Families partnering with these children. Writing letters, sending care packages, and even coming to visit their child.

After just 2 years the children are vibrant, full of life, healthy and most of all they feel loved, wanted and cared for.

They are all going to school, getting fed regularly and receiving the necessary medical attention they need. School supplies, back packs and uniforms make these kids feel proud and full of hope. They gather regularly in their classrooms and in the courtyard and celebrate festivities, experience baptisms, and learn about Jesus who made all of this happen.

HopeChest and our sponsorship program have helped create a Care Point, start a church, and build water points for accessible clean water to the children as well as the whole community. As you can see, sponsorship not only helps the child you are sponsoring, it helps their family and the whole community.
Our Sponsored Children - graciously welcoming the Impact Team when we visited them in November 2013

Team trips


Every year I lead a team of volunteers to Ethiopia to work with our Care Point of 300 children and soon our second Care Point. We are excited and ready to serve over 500 children! 

These trips provide Impact Team members with a life-changing experience…. we get to go be Jesus to these children. And the children get to see how real our love is – they experience and know that we enjoy seeing them as much as they do us. Many sponsoring families participate and see their children. It's an incredible experience when a sponsor family unites and meets each other for the first time!

During our trips we get to encourage and mentor the care givers, hug and whisper "I love you" to the children, do skits, share prayer tunnels and pass out care packages. We hug, love, pray, sing, dance and play. The best part is that they know we'll be back, we are here and they are not forgotten. They are learning to trust us!!! This is huge, because with this trust in us they are learning to trust in the one who loves them the most ~ Jesus.

This is a far bigger picture than just sponsoring a child, it is creating a model of love the whole community is watching, experiencing, and gets be a part of. It is keeping our girls off the streets and teaching boys to be hard-working and responsible. 

Our sponsored children will grow up to become the future leaders of Hosanna, Ethiopia. They will see themselves as capable of doing something bigger than themselves. Because of Christ that is in them ~ because God's answers to our prayers far exceed what we could ever ask or imagine.
 
So we pass it on…. 

Will you?

~ Marybeth


We are in need of Sponsors for 27 more Children! Please consider being the change these kids need.

 To Sponsor a Child go to:

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