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Many of you graciously walked along with me as I journeyed with Compassion International through Calcutta, India. You were right alongside me so I know that you will rejoice when I tell you that as of today Compassion International has officially sponsored its 1,000,000th child!
1,ooo,ooo children.
On a way way way smaller scale, it is also an exciting day for the Compassion India bloggers, for the 900th child has been sponsored as a direct result of our trip to India a couple of weeks ago. Please know and rejoice that the LPM blog was a huge part of this effort. 900 children who look a whole lot like the ones below are being released from the tight grip of poverty because of the generosity of bloggers like yourself:
Oh man. I love those kids. They really do move me. Not everyone does. But they do.
To celebrate such a momentous occasion we are going to do something really fun.
Are you ready?
Oh, I love this.
If you followed along during my trip to India and your heart ached because you would have given anything to sponsor a child but you absolutely cannot afford it, listen up: Living Proof is going to give scholarships for ten of you to sponsor a child in East India through Compassion International. This is the way it will work: We will leave comments open for exactly one hour ONLY FOR SIESTAS WHO DESPERATELY WANT TO SPONSOR A CHILD FROM EAST INDIA BUT CAN’T AFFORD IT AND WHO WILL COMMIT TO FAITHFULLY CORRESPOND WITH THE CHILD CHOSEN FOR THEM.
At the end of the hour, comments will close. We will then do a random drawing of 10 names from those who participated and, after those selections, will post the winners right here. Each winner will then email us with her contact information (name, physical address, phone number, and email address).
It will then take several weeks, maybe even a month, for the winners to receive their packets in the mail. I want to repeat again that the ten winners will be entrusted with that crucial process of corresponding with the child. Each winner will receive the letters and updates about this child; in other words, ten of you will be the official sponsors of these children. The responsibility to correspond with the child will be left entirely up to you, not to Living Proof Ministries. In fact, the children won’t know who or what Living Proof is.
We are so excited. Ok, you’ve got an hour! You’ll know that the hour is up when you see comments being posted. If the comments are still at ‘0’ then there is still time!!! Disregard the time recorded below because it is usually wrong.
P.S. Don’t be discouraged when the comment line keeps reading “0 Comments” for the first hour. We won’t post them until all are in. At that point comments will close but we will then make them visible. You’ll be able to see that you are in the running and then we’ll do our random drawing from those.)
Cheers to the only Wise God!
Melissa
Oh this would be such a blessing! I think it would be great if we could have a boy that is my son’s age which is 7y/o so that we could both correspond. However, I have a 2y/o little girl so whatever child needs us we would love the opportunity.
God Bless
Shannon
Oh, I’m afraid I missed the one hour deadline, but I would so love to be considered for this!!1
I have always been amazed at how many people, organizations, groups, etc reach out to children beyond the borders of America. It is such a blessing to know there are avenues beyond the poverty stricken countries that help children in need of monetary possessions or the word of God. I currently sponsor a child in Africa and would sponsor more if I could financially. It is such a joy to receive letters from my sponsor child in Africa. I pray for her and her family daily. I will spiritually and faithfully support a child if I am chosen.
I would LOVE to sponsor a child!! We could do it this summer, but, I am headed back to school for a masters starting in the fall and so we will be going down to one income in our little family. While it could eventually work, having this drastic change coming up makes me unable to commit to the monthly responsibility of those little ones. I know I could always sponsor a child when our income becomes a little more stable, but I would be thrilled to start now and then take it over on my own as soon as everything shakes out at our house in a year or two. If you all would scholarship me, I promise to take care of this great child!! Jess
Oh, my heart nearly lept out of my chest when I heard about the scholorship available!!! I had never heard of Compassion until I began to read of your trip to India. You see, God has been working in my heart so much about missions and His desire that ALL nations should know Him. I have been checking the Compassion page almost daily just looking and crying over those beloved faces that need HIS love. I just did not feel like our family could take on that financial responsibility right now, but prayed that we would be able to in the near future. Then last weekend I went to the Arkansas Homeschool Convention and Compassion International was there! It was so exciting to talk to their representative. I just felt like God was “scouting the trail” to make a way for us to sponser a child. I have 2 boys, ages 3 and 6, and they are quickly becoming aware of the need the world has to hear of Jesus. To make a long story short, my sister-in-law and her family just left a month ago to serve in Botswana Africa as missionaries (they were commissioned with the IMB last October at Houston FBC). So, those young little ears at my house are geared up to listen to the names of other countries, especially if it concerns children! We soooo want to sponser a child and are more than eager to correspond and do whatever we can to share Jesus’ love with another child. Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It has just added to how God is stretching out the tent stakes of my heart in this area. I am honored to be your fellow Siesta!
I would LOVE to be included in those who correspond with Compassion kids…count me in!
I have wanted to do this! Especially from India. I followed ALL the bloggers and have felt deeply moved by the experience. They joy in the eyes of these children are just awesome. I would love to be a part of this if I get choosen.
~Melissa in CO
There aren’t any comments posted yet but I think the hour is up but I’ll try anyway. As a struggling single Mom it has really hurt my heart following all the Compassion posts by Melissa and the other bloggers. I want to sponsor a child but right now we’re having trouble putting food on our own table. I keep praying for God to show me a way. Thank you for all you all have done!
Blessings
Michelle
Hi Melissa,
I was one of the faithful followers of your blog the whole time you were in India, praying for you and the team each and every step of the way. I would LOVE to have the priviledge to sponsor one of the precious children in East India, but like so many others during this hard financial time, I cannot afford to do so. I’ll spare you of my financial sob story, but I would be so blessed for to make this dream a reality. I cannot wait to be able to write to him or her and tell them how much Jesus loves them, and how much I love them already! Thank you so much for your faithfulness!
In Him,
Stacie
Wow what an amazing opportunity and blessing. I would love to be able to love on one of these precious children and have them be a part of our family. Thank you so much.
Ever since my first trip to Russia I have had a heart for the lonely, impoverished and abandoned. The moment I saw those children’s faces in the orphanage I desired to do everything I could to give them the essentials they needed.
Being a poor college student with a sad balance in my bank account doesn’t give me the opportunity to give of my money to children in need. I give my time when I can and would continue to do so for a child in India by writing to them. Oh how precious that opportunity would be for me. My eyes are filled with tears just imagining the possibility.
I would LOVE to sponsor a Compassion child. I read your blog as you were in Calcutta and wanted to sign up. My husband’s company has had to close because of the economy. We are desperately trying to stay afloat. Sponsoring a child at this point in time is not at all an option for our budget. But I would love to be part of the drawing. I promise to be faithful to love the child chosen for us through letters and correspondence.
Blessings,
Vicki Cluxton
Yes!!! I would love to sponsor a child there, but have never had the opportunity to do that. We are a childless couple. I am a freelance musician and my husband is retired, so funds are never available for us. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE KIDS and would love to do this!
Oh MY what an absolutely beautiful
heart of COMPASSION you all have and God Bless YOU! I am from Minnesota but have been working in Mexico since 1996 with the children here and I know how much this will mean for those 10 sponsor families & more importantly those 10 new children in India! I obviously cannot sponsor a child, living already below poverty level myself and a fixed monthly income…but I want to comment you Melissa & Living Proof Ministries for such a heart!!! I know that those children touched your heart like these in Mexico move mine! 1,000,010 here we come. I would love to correspond with one of them. I was just praying my GDOP and had gone to WIN the 10/40 and looked up INDIA from the 67 countries there, to pray & upon returning I see this message come up on my dashboard with this GOOD NEWS! I rushed over to read &
WOW…what a true blessing you are!
…God bless you LPM & Compassion International! Much LOVE
& blessings!!!
In Christ's service,
Peggy
I would LOVE to sponsor a child via Living Proof! I followed Melissa there via the blog and was so wanting to join in to help these children. I was wanting to do this with my daughter, but we don’t currently have the funds. I would write faithfully if selected! Thank you!
Praise GOD!!
I would love to be a part! Please count me in the drawing! Even if I don’t win, I have been praying that the Lord opens up a door for my family to afford a Compassion Child.
Keep up the Good Work!!
Lindsey Stelly
I was already being led to sponsor a child when I heard about your trip. Your trip pushed me over the edge and our family sponsored a child from Indonesia. I have 2 children of my own and would love to sponsor a second so they can each have a “little buddy” as we call our child. What a great way for my kids to learn that Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world!
Am I too late? My name is Tracey Hicks and we would love to be able to correspond with a sponsor child from India!!! Today is my birthday and I couldn’t think of a better present!
God bless Living Proof Ministries!
My heart was completely moved by your Compassion posts and I desperately want to sponsor a child. My husband and I are recovering (by the grace of God) from the collapse of our previously fragile financial house-of-cards. God is good and we ARE recovering…but we have no extra income at this time, probably not until the beginning of next year. What I do have is love to give and I will be a faithful sponspor!
Living Proof is so awesome to think about the economic stress several of us are going through. My husband hasn’t had a steady full time position for over 2 years, BUT Praise the Lord last week he just started a new job he loves! We have been trusting Him for everything for so long, but our heart to give has been very frustrated for this time. To be able to participate in such a special way with a ministry like Compassion would be a blessing for my sons as well as us. It’s hard to always say no when the opportunity is right in front of us, and we know there are no funds for extra anything, even missions.Thanks for doing this in such a wonderful way.
I would love to have a child to call my own. To be able to know a child by name, write to him, and most of all pray for him would be a total joy to me.
Judy
I would love to sponsor a child, but working at a Christian Camp we get paid… let’s just say not a lot. I’ve always wanted to teach my kids about loving those around us and really loving on those kids that have nothing. Thank you so much for sponsoring 10 children even if I don’t get to be involved!
I would LOVE to get in on this contest!
Melissa, I so appreciated your “reports” from India, and my heart just broke for each of those precious children. I added “sponsor a Compassion child” to my mental to-do list for sometime in the future when finances would allow but I am awe-struck at this opportunity that LPM is giving to 10 lucky ladies.
I think this would be a wonderful opportunity for my children (along with my husband and myself) to “live the Gospel” to a child who so desparately needs God’s love. Thanks for doing this, LPM!
I would love to sponser a child. This is a grand idea! GOD IS SO GOOD.
Oh this is WONDERFUL!!! My heart was overflowing for one Indian girl in particular…she was born one month after my son and there was just something so special about her. I prayed and prayed, and although I knew I couldn’t afford to sponsor her, I wanted so badly for her to be sponsored! And sure enough, she is no longer on the website 🙂 🙂 🙂
I would LOVE the opportunity to “co-sponsor” ANY child in need. We currently have a boy in Haiti and would absolutely LOVE to have a child to correspond with in Haiti!! Please include me in the drawing!!
Leslie Fair
Orlando, FL
I would love an opportunity to sponsor a child … my daughter is starting kindergarten this year and as part of her homeschooling and I have prayed about her corresponding with a child (and us as a family) and what a wonderful opportunity and blessing for our whole family this would be.
Amen and Amen! What a wonderful way to make this Compassion Ministry available to 10 Siesta’s who would otherwise not be able to afford it! Praise the LORD and Praise God for the difference LPM has made, and now adding 10 more children to Compassions outreach, and giving 10 Siestas the blessings of sponsorship. Awesome GOD! (Thank you to Melissa for making it possible with your Compassion “vision-trip” to India! Look at all the lives forever changed. I know my life was vicariously touched through the incredible experience).
Hugs in Him,
Pam Houston
So. Cal. Siesta
Please include me in this. I would love love love to do this. God bless you for this wonderful idea!
Wow what a Miracle you are helping someone like me who so wants to sponsor a child and right now just is so unable, I read each day and cried my way through each post, Oh to be there and hold there little hands and tell them how loved they are, You are so amazing to give this chance to people to love someone.. Thank you so much for all the kind things you do… God Bless you ever so much!
R.C. and Bridget Babione
Caleb, Joshua, Isaac, and Micaiah
Some of our friends sponsor children and it has been on our hearts for months. But with one (small) income and homeschooling four kids it isn’t possible right now. This would be a miracle on both ends.
I would love to make a difference in a precious child’s life in India!
Our family would love to support a child from India. He or she would be covered in prayer, showered with love, and contacted faithfully. Not only would the words, letters and drawings be from mom and dad, but the drawings of our two little children. To teach our children about reaching out to others, provide feasible missions work from our home, and bless another person’s life (as well as our own) would be an incredible gift. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and love. Sincerely!
I would like to be a light onto some childs life.
Siesta OC
Molly
oh my goodness! what a blessing! Please count me in 🙂
Jen
Cary, NC
My daughter would love to correspond with a Compassion child. We currently cannot afford to sponsor one because we are heavily supporting a local church plant, less than one year old baby church. So, it would be awesome if she can be chosen as 1 of the 10 scholarship receipients.
Siesta: Aimee Esparaz
Siesta’s Daughter: Alyssa
Oh, I would dearly love to sponsor a child from India! My husband and I already sponsor 2 Compassion kids in Kenya, but we have always desired to sponsor 3 because we’ve been blessed with 3 biological daughters. Alas, we’ve never been able to reach the financial point where we could commit to taking on a 3rd sponosred child.
This is such a neat idea! God bless you all for your heart of compassion!
Barbra Keeler
Oxford, PA
I would love to do this!
Thanks so much for the possible opportunity!
Thanks for all you do at LPM.
Leslie from Louisiana
Oh how I’m praying God’s will. I am a busy stay at home mom of 2 and for over a year now HE has laid on my heart something with children and water and it may be that of watching Life Today with seeing that ministry at work. Last year our church went to Guatemala to an orphanage. I have never been on a mission trip and now i have two small babies and have been torn if I am to leave them so I chose to give what “Little” we have to send someone else in my place. I have heard that when you go out to minister to someone that you in return are ministered. How awesome is this!! We do live on one income and I’m not sure I am the chosen one for this but will continue to pray. Not for me to be chosen but for HIS WILL TO BE DONE. I don’t want to miss the REAL blessing here. Whoever is chosen I believe we should all continue to pray for this ministry. Thanks in advance for all you do.
In HIS Love,
April Lyon
http://www.lyonsden4.blogspot.com
Oh what a blessing your blog was today. I was so touched by your trip with Compassion International to India. I read each one and laughed and cried and prayed. To be able to have the privilege of praying for and corresponding with a child would be an answer to prayer. I have been praying for a way to do so and this could be it!
I thank you all for your posts. Each one is like we are chatting over a cup of tea!
Blessings,
Lynn
Yes! I would love the opportunity to serve and love a Compassion Child.
My husband and I have been talking about Compassion every since I followed along on the cyber journey. I am a stay at home mom and we have been trying to figure out how to make our budget work to sponsor a child. We’ve been praying that we will be wise with our decision. The chance at this scholarship would be wonderful, but know that even if we do not win, we are praying that God will show us how to do this thing. We want to be a part of this wonderful organization and the chance to love on a child in need. Thank you a million times.
What a wonderful, wonderful idea. Thank you LPM for your generosity. I have been sponsoring one child for more than 5 years. She is a joy and I love to correspond with her. I enjoyed reading Melissa’s updates from India and really wanted to sponsor another child, but currently my husband is in law school while I stay home with our eight month old. Thus, in this season, we can support in prayer alone.
Thank you again LPM!
I am very interested in the scholarship. I am a single mom of one and attend Lifest in Oshkosh, WI every year. Compassion is there, but I just haven’t found the money in my budget to sponsor a child. I would love the opportunity to do so if I am chosen.
Blessings,
Vanessa
Oh my stars! This is so incredible. I would desperately love to be able to sponsor a child, but my home situation would take more explaining than I feel appropriate. I would love for my boys to know the joy of giving in this special way. Thank you for this opportunity!
Would love to sponsor a child from India.
Pam Nelson
[email protected]
Please add me to the drawing! !!!!!
Kim
Oh I would love to sponsor a child! It’s been on my heart for SO LONG, but my husband is super resistant. I would totally uphold my end of the deal with letters, etc….
Would love to be part of this ministry, but with four children of my own, have just never felt like I could commit to this financially. Thanks for doing this and can’t wait to see who the LORD selects to sponsor these children.
I think I might be too late, but I’m a teacher so I couldn’t even read this until school was out.
Oh please hear my heart’s cry. I had the Compassion website up on our computer a few weeks ago, waiting for my husband to come home from work so we could pick out our child together. But he called on his way home to tell me he’d been laid off.
We would love to sponsor a child. We will correspond. There will be pictures. There will be letters. There will be lots of prayers. And Lord willing, one day our circumstances will be different and we will be able to visit our child.
LynnAnn
I would love to be a part of this. My husband’s development co. is folding, so he is now at a new job making a fraction of what his salary was before. I hope my name is drawn. This is a great idea! Blessing to you all. Kelly Miller, Hickory Corners, Michigan