Isn't she precious?I've been wanting to sponsor a child for the longest time.
But somehow, the time was never right.
"I'm not making enough money."
"I'll do it another time."
"I'm already sponsoring other people on missions."
Etc.
etc.
Last night, I went to a Girls Night Out event with a great message from speaker/author Grace Fox. I got to CAC thinking that the event starts at 7:30pm only to be met with locked doors. It seemed like a long time until someone finally decided to let me in. For a brief moment, I thought about turning around and just going home.
Sure glad I didn't.
Grace's life story is inspiring, as she and her husband started out as missionaries in Nepal early on in their marriage. Her courage is one thing, but her honesty in sharing her experiences and struggles is really something else. Somehow, I think the hundreds of women there with me that night all felt a connection of some sort with her. And her encouragement for us to live free from fear is also very valuable, though I'd have to say that nothing has taught me more about courage than missions did.
Speaking of missions... I was debating for a while whether God was really calling me to Mexico for this summer. Especially with all the uncertainties for the summer, I was really beginning to question whether I should go. I've been praying over it and now, I think God has clearly showed me that it truly is His will. In Sunday school yesterday, Brian taught about discipleship, what it meant and what it requires. As he came across the point, "expect God to do great things", I immediately thought about Panama. And at the exact moment after that thought crossed my mind, Brian had asked me to share what that point means, knowing that I have been on missions. Clearly, it was no coincident. I remember quite vividly the times that I would pray to God saying, "I have no idea what's going to happen but I trust that You will take this time and make something amazing happen". And time after time, God did things that just swept me completely away. There was no doubt that He was present with us there at camp. His power and greatness was felt in every heart. I had no doubt about it.
So when I heard Grace share about her experiences in Nepal and India, I knew deep in my heart that my passion is for missions - just as I know that God has given me the passion and love for children. When she made the call for people to sponsor a child, I knew it was my time. A HopeChild lives in an area with a high prevalence of HIV, has been identified by his or her community as "vulnerable," and requires extra assistance. Mine is Chan Vina. She is 4 and a half and lives with her parents in a poor area of Cambodia. It is my wish to be able to meet her some day, just like Grace was able to meet her sponsor child in India. But whether God will allow me to or not, I will still continue to support and pray for her and her family.
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