Hello there!
I know it has been a few weeks since I posted here, but honestly, I have not been sure how to assign words to what I have been feeling and experiencing. What the Lord has been doing in my heart and ministry literally has me slack-jawed. So, today I want to attempt to tap out my heart.
As you might know from THIS post and THIS post I have the privilege and joy of serving as an Ambassador for Compassion International. In that role I share the mission and vision of Compassion and encourage people like you and me to sponsor children and release them from poverty in the name of our Jesus. My dear friend, Karen, who is employed by Compassion International, invited me to be part of her Ambassador speaker team in December and it took me about a half a second to say “YES” to that invitation.
In December I set a goal of finding 25 sponsors for 25 children in poverty over the course of 6 months. I realized that if I was able to accomplish that goal it would be because the Lord worked in the hearts of people, not because of anything I would say or do. Sometimes, I believe the Lord just looks at a situation and says, “Step back and watch me work.”
I have shared Compassion at five different events over the past two months. Some events had 5 people at them, while others, like Compassion Sunday at my church, had 300 in attendance. At each event I had the privilege to speak and tell about the children I sponsor through Compassion and what a blessing sponsorship is to me, as well as the ins and outs of sponsorship in general. I am so excited to share that over 30 children have been sponsored in two months. Thirty lives changed. Thirty families given new hope. Thank you to each new sponsor!!
When a child is sponsored they gain access to education and medical care that they would not have been privy to otherwise. They are taught a work skill that can help them earn money to support themselves and their families. So many children in poverty are preyed upon by those who bind them up in sex trafficking and child labor. So for a child to have a usable skill with which to make money is HUUUUUGE! A sponsored child is connected with a local evangelical church in their community where they hear about Jesus and are engaged in Christian mentoring. AMAZING!!!!
Y’all, I am nearly face to the floor over the fact that I get to play a small part in changing the life of children who live in hopelessness and poverty….AND, I get to do it by functioning in my ‘sweet spot’ which is public speaking.
It has been quite a while since I spoke publicly in ministry, and honestly, I thought perhaps those days were behind me. I love doing small group ministry via Tasting Grace and would be content if that were where the Lord had me for the rest of my useful days. Yet, He is graciously giving me the opportunity to speak again.
You know what else? I’m in such a good place because for the first time in the 10 years I have been in ministry I have zero desire to strive for a bigger platform for myself. The constant grasping for more friends, followers, comments, tweets, and pins is draining on the soul, and I am done with it. Please know that I’m not casting dispersions at other who do it. I’m just saying it isn’t for me any longer. My heart is so satisfied with mentoring via Tasting Grace and the Come Away Retreat, as well as sharing the message of Compassion children and the opportunity that sponsorship gives them to meet Jesus and be released from poverty. God has truly changed my ‘ministry want-to’, and I couldn’t be happier and more content with the whole thing!
With that said, if God sees fit to plop this Georgia red-neck on a big stage to share about Compassion, I will not say ‘no’, but it has to be His doing, not mine. This whole Compassion gig is His doing, start to finish. So thank you, Lord, for trusting me with your work. I’m humbled. I’m honored, and I’m as excited as a teenager with her first prom invitation from the cutest guy in the school.
It would be the delight of my day to come share Compassion with your church or group. There is no cost to your group for me to come and I provide everything that is needed. Email me at [email protected] for more info.
Are you feeling the nudge from the Lord to sponsor a child? If so, go HERE to see some precious faces who are eagerly waiting for a sponsor.
Is there an area of your life where God has changed your want-to? Tell me about it.
