But recently God spoke to me through a little boy in Peru. One Friday night I was sitting with my computer, enjoying a peaceful night at home. Every so often I check AMG's website for children needing sponsors. I love to look at the kids from Uganda to see if I know any of them. But as I scrolled down, a sweet 5 year old boy caught my attention. His buzzed hair and cheesey smile reminded me of my little cousin Joey, and my heart instantly melted. The information next to his picture said he lives in a very poor neighborhood outside Lima, Peru. His two-room house is built with bamboo and scraps of wood.
But it wasn't his sad story that stood out at me.
For just a moment, God gave me a glimpse through His eyes. I didn't see a poor little boy whose family struggles to meet his basic needs. Instead I saw what God wants him to be. A pastor, teacher, doctor, politician, a man of God with a purpose. And with that thought, a feeling stirred and a still small voice said, "Sponsor him."
Now you've met my sweet girls Mariam and Sophie. I have been so blessed to be part of their life as their Muzungu Mommy but since I started sponsoring them 4 years ago, I have constantly had to rely on God to provide the money for them. At times I've really struggled to keep up with their sponsorship, but I made the committment and I know that God will provide. The funny thing is, when I heard God telling me to sponsor this little boy from Peru I was trying to come up with all sorts of excuses as to why I couldn't.
I don't have the finances.
I can barely keep up with sponsoring my girls.
I have so much on my plate right now with the trip coming up.
I would want to go meet him and I don't know if I could get the funds to go to Peru ever.
Excuse after excuse. But this little boy wouldn't leave my thoughts. I went to bed that night thinking about him. I woke up the next morning thinking about him. That next day I went to Walmart and was buying some supplies for a project I was working on. Without thinking much of it, I spent more than the $28 it would take to be sure he has food and medical care for one month.
And it hit me. I can spend that kind of money on things I really don't need without batting an eye and here I am wondering if I should sponsor another child...I felt awful. I text my friend Karen right away. She works in the child sponsorship department at AMG and I told her that on Monday she needed to take him off the website because that boy is mine. I think she was a little shocked. Not that I would sponsor another child, but that it would be a child from Peru. And others at AMG were shocked too.
God spoke to me through a little boy with buzzed hair and a cheesey smile.
So I thought, what better day than today, my 24th birthday, to introduce you to my son, Rodrigo!
My birthday wish this year is to see more kids just like Rodrigo reach their full potential in Christ through sponsorship. If you're someone who has never considered child sponsorship before, I ask that you would consider it now. If you are someone who has thought about it but you're not sure you could do it, I want to encourage you to take that step of faith and sponsor a child.
For $28 a month you can help a child go to school, receive medical care and nutritious meals. And best of all, he or she will hear about the love of Jesus through AMG's programs. But most of all, he or she will witness that love in a tangible way through your giving.
You can email us at housers4uganda@yahoo.com or visit AMG's website here to find out more.
I want 24 to be the year with the biggest impact so far on these kids. Will you help start it off with a bang?
- Aly
Congrats, Aly! It's great to hear of all the amazing things you've been doing in life. All of those children are lucky to have you. Have a great birthday; you deserve it.
ReplyDelete