Shannon

Hi Friends! 

I wanted to share this with you. It's a story of someone just like you. 

Her name is Shannon. Her story may resonate in your heart.  Maybe what you are feeling RIGHT NOW.

"I first heard about Compassion ten years ago when I was in high school, but never thought more than two minutes about it. It was always something that sounded like a great idea, but I never considered sponsoring a child.

It was kind of always like one of those really sad commercials you see on t.v. that I never watched. I always change the channel because my heart couldn't bear to look at those children in great need. What could I possibly have to offer them?

I didn't hear about Compassion for several years. Then, a year or so ago, a friend of mine wrote on his blog that he and his wife sponsored a child. The story was, of course, heartfelt. Then I learned that my best friend and roommate sponsors a child in Peru. I also learned that another friend of mine sponsors a child, as well. I couldn't help but wonder how my friends felt inclined to sponsor a child when I didn't. It was still one of those, "Aw, that's really sweet" ideas to me.

I started reading Heather's blog about a year ago, and as I read her Compassion stories, my eyes filled with tears and my heart cried out. For the past month, I couldn't shake the thought of these children all over the world who need so much, yet so little.

It suddenly hit me that here I am, single, living by myself, with no children of my own...no one who depends on me. Of course I have something to offer at least one of these children. Yes, there's the $38 a month, but I can offer someone hope, love, encouragement, prayer, and the reassurance that yes, they ARE important and they DO matter.

Of course it was difficult to choose a child to sponsor. I wanted them all! I prayed about it, and three times this happened: I chose a child, went to click on the "Sponsor this Child" link, and came to find out that she had already been sponsored! While this is a FANTASTIC thing, I couldn't help but wonder if God wants me to sponsor a child. Then I found her. Her profile grabbed my heart. I immediately sponsored her.

Meet Suwimol. 

She is five years old and lives in Thailand with her mother. I don't know her yet, but I already love her. 

I am praying for her. 

I am praying for her mom. 

I wrote her my first letter the other day. 

I cannot wait for the opportunity to actually meet her one day."

OK.  It's Heather again.

Thanks Shannon for listening to God's voice and changing the life of sweet Suwimol! 

So maybe if you feel led... sponsor one of these beautiful children from this amazing country right now.

Thanks for listening!!!

H

Comments

[jennifer ward]

just caught the end of your live stream tonight. you looked great! what an adventure. keep up the awesome work. love to you.

[Connormcc]

It was through one of Shaun Groves concerts in Belfast that I really started thinking about Compassion, then through the bloggers trip to Uganda as well, and I have been sponsoring 6 year old Emorutu Ronald in Uganda for a while now, £21 a month isn't exactly a lot to make a difference to a child's life. My fiancée and I are getting married in 2 months, wedding favours (like little jars of bubbles for each person or something) cost about £2 or £3 per person, and is a bit of a waste, so I think we will make a donation to Compassion in place of this, as it is totally worth it, especially when a wedding costs so much, the least we can do is give a donation for something good.

[Lindsey]

LOVE this post...
gosh, I seriously can't get enough of these posts :)

[courtney stephenson]

oh my gosh Shannon is one of my best friends! This is crazy!!! I have always read Kelly's blog and consider her a sweet sweet friend and so I wanted to read all of the other Compassion blggers's blogs and walla, there's my good friend Shannon :) What a small world. I have sponsored a little girl in Indonesia, Putri, for 7 years. Oh how I love my sweet little girl. What a great surprising post for me to read tonight!