How Sponsoring a World Vision Child Changed My Family

Today I’m sharing a cause close to my heart, World Vision and our family’s story of How Sponsoring a World Vision Child Changed My Family #GreaterTogether. I was compensated by World Vision for my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own.

How Sponsoring a World Vision Child Changed My Family #GreaterTogether

Family. It’s the heart and soul of everything I do, even this blog. And if you’ve been here long enough, you know how much our family has been impacted by World Vision. Two words that are a critical part of our lives, today I’m diving deeper into our story and How Sponsoring a World Vision Child Changed My Family….forever.

Would you believe that World Vision impacted our decision to have children? Find out how we can be Greater Together, impact this generation of children, and ultimately change the way we see family.

Before Our Children There Was World Vision

I remember exactly where we were. My husband and I were dating at the time. We went to a concert together on June 29, 2004. The musicians came out during the show and sat and talked to us about World Vision. They knew that we had probably heard about sponsoring kids across the world, and giving children and their families hope for a better future with the help of our monthly support. And to be honest, I found myself nodding my head. I was still in college at the time, how could I afford to sponsor a child?

But then, the performers told us why sponsoring a World Vision underprivileged child was different. We weren’t just providing food, clothing, and shelter for people in under privileged countries. We were giving their towns and communities the resources, education and love to help these people become self-sufficient. We would be changing lives, starting with the children but ending with the whole community. But most importantly, everything World Vision does is rooted in Christ’s love. Every supply given, every class taught, every movement World Vision makes begins and ends with Jesus. The kids are getting so much more than basic needs, but the ULTIMATE need. The Forever need.

Our First World Vision Child, “S”

June 29, 2004 is when we picked up our first child packet at a World Vision table. We took a picture home that ultimately impacted our lives day in and day out. Placing that picture on our fridge, we were constantly reminded how we were making a difference in this world.

“S” is our sponsored child in Mutasa, Zimbabwe. We have watched her grow from a shy little girl into a confident young lady. A few times a year, we get mail from Zimbabwe. My kids rush to the mailbox to look for the Zimbabwe stamps. We get letters, updated pictures and insight on how our donation is impacting Mutasa. From our latest letter, we know that “S” has favorite school subjects, math and science. She plays basketball and enjoys hanging out with her friends. Her community is learning how to purify water and iron.

Our Decision to Have Kids

We didn’t dive right into having kids as soon as we got married. There were many discussions and even arguments on whether we would have children. But many of our discussions stemmed from our World Vision Child. We saw how much we were giving hope to a child we have never personally met.

The impact “S” had on our lives guided is to giving birth to our son 3 years after our marriage. And those discussions continued to the birth of our daughter 4 years after that. And World Vision continues to impact our decisions on future children, especially as we look to adoption.

How “S” Impacts Our Family Today

Every month we faithfully provide a $45 donation that gives this girl a bright future. What does this mean for our family? It may mean that we eat at home one extra night per month. We may not be buying the latest fashions or updating our home as quickly. But we are blessed by having “S” in our lives.

The letters we receive are great teaching moments that we share with our own kids. My kids know “S.” They look forward to hearing how she is doing, reading her own handwriting and seeing a new picture. And they are continually shown how God is blessing our family, and “S” and her family. To put it simply, I will use the words of “S” from her latest letter:

God is so wonderful that he created all these things for our benefit.

Why Sponsor a Child Through World Vision

We are so much greater when we are impacting each other. We are Greater Together. And World Vision provides the opportunity to bless and be blessed. Families, individuals, communities, we are all in this world together. It’s people loving people. The small sacrifice we make every month impacts “S” forever. That to me is priceless. And the joy of knowing that I shall meet “S” in heaven one day, even more priceless.

We are Greater Together. Greater than poverty, hunger and hardship. See how World Vision is changing lives around the globe with this video. From Asia to Africa, South America to the Caribbean, The World Vision impact has been growing for over 60 years. You can stay in touch with World Vision and their continued efforts to reach more countries and more people through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ready to make a difference in your family? Sponsor a World Vision child right now! You can search and scroll through available children right here at Raising Whasians and start the change today. Not ready to sponsor a child yet? You can still make an impact buy purchasing a beautiful handmade gift from the World Vision Gift Catalog.

We sponsor a World Vision child. And though I began the journey with the intention of changing her life, it is our family that is forever changed. “S” is a part of our family and has changed our view of the world forever. With “S,” we are #GreaterTogether.

How has World Vision impacted you? What does sponsoring a child mean for your family?

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