"...and whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me." -Matthew 18:5
My heart is to go and love little children! But right now I am called to be a college student, instead of traveling to the ends of the earth. And while I am loving on the people around me, my heart has been aching to do something more!
Over Christmas break I had been asking the Lord if He wanted me to sponsor a child through Compassion International, but I never got the definite answer of yes. I looked through hundreds of pictures of children online, but there was no way I could pick just one. I knew I wanted a little girl from a Spanish speaking country, but that was all I knew. I was looking for something specific to jump out at me!
I had put it in the back of my mind until yesterday, when a guy from Compassion came and spoke at school. But what was cool is that he didn't pressure us to sponsor a child or talk about how rewarding it was. He didn't even show emotion provoking pictures. He just talked about what it means to be a true worshipper of God!
Then he asked us to come up and just simply pray for the children. I went up to the front table and there were only 2 children from a spanish speaking country, a boy and a girl! I picked up Katherine's packet and just stared at her picture. Then I remembered that I was supposed to be praying for her. I put her packet down and went back to my seat to pray. I asked, "Lord what do you want me to do? Do you want me to bless her like You've blessed me? But I'm just a college student, how can I afford this?" I just sat there and finally said, "Ok Lord if you really want me to sponsor her, I will go up there one more time and if her packet is in the exact place where I left it, I will sponsor her." I slowly walked up there expecting her to be gone! But no, it was exactly how I had left it. I picked it up, read about her. Realized that her profile was one of the few girls I had seen who's favorite thing to do was not playing with dolls, but reading (just like me). Definitely something different and specifice!!! However, I put her down and walked out of the chapel. But the Lord stopped me in the lobby, "Christina, do not walk away from My precious child! Trust me, I will provide a way for you to do this!"
So I walked directly to the table, picked up her packet, and the next thing I knew I was signing a sheet saying that I would be her sponsor, and for just $38 a month I will provide for her!
So now, Katherine Lisbeth Varela Flores is mine, well she is God's child, but I get to have the joy of blessing her. She is absolutely beautiful and I already love her so much and can't stop praying for her throughout the day! my heart goes out to her! She is 8 years old, and will be 9 on May 25th. She is from Honduras and LOVES TO READ!!! I am just filled with so much joy because of this opportunity!
Father thank you for working in my heart and for providing me this opportunity! Be with Katherine throughout the day. Wrap Your arms around her so that she feels Your presence and Your love! Thank You for blessing me so that I may bless others. This is all You and not me at all! Thank You for speaking so clearly to my heart! You are great and mighty and You deserve all the praise. I will worship You and You alone, all of my days!
