I met James through his comments on my blog and through his praying for kids I post. Eric and I have really enjoyed hearing the creative ways he supports his kids and the fun stories about his sponsored kids. Since we feel so encouraged hearing his story, I asked James if he would be willing to share some of it on the blog. I hope you enjoy hearing James' words! (And seeing photos of some of James' kids!)
"I have been a sponsor for a little over 11 years. I currently sponsor 24 boys. When I first started sponsoring, it never crossed my mind that I could possibly sponsor that many kids. For 21 years I lived on a rented mobile home lot in the country with lots of flower beds and pet rabbits. I loved it there. Things change, however, and circumstances dictated that it would be best to move. My only option was to rent an apartment. At the last hour, literally, through a seemingly miraculous chain of events, the Lord provided a small efficiency apartment that I had been on a waiting list for, but saw no hope of obtaining. It's only 15 feet square, but it meets my needs. I selected a few pieces of furniture and the rest had to go. I either sold it or gave it away. It was hard to do, but after it was done I felt a sense of release.
Because I no longer had any work to do outdoors, I found myself with more time on my hands, especially evenings. I began to spend more time on the Internet. In particular, I was on Compassion's website, reading everything I could find. That's when I became aware of how important my letters were to my children. I always wrote to my boys, but it was usually only three or four times a year. When I realized the impact my letters could have on my kids, I began to write every month, or more.
Because I have a very small apartment, my rent is also very small. My first thought was that now I could save some money, but when I began to see pictures of kids waiting for sponsors, my thoughts changed to, "Oh, I have enough to sponsor another kid." And I did. Then it happened again, and again. I did save some money, but then I found myself thinking, "If I sponsor an older kid who only needs a few years until completing the program, I could save enough and pay his sponsorship up until his completion date and it wouldn't add anything to my monthly commitment." So I did. Then I did it again. You get the idea. Suddenly I found myself with quite a large family!
It didn't stop there. I had a habit of browsing the web page listing the LDP students. I knew I could never sponsor one because of the $300.00 a month sponsorship that it required, but I enjoyed reading their bios and testimonies. I found them inspiring and encouraging. Then it happened. I saw Leandro's picture. I read his bio and testimony, and knew that I wanted to sponsor him. He was a psychology major. His dream was to reach out to young people who were down and out, so to speak, young people bound by addictions, and who thought they were worthless. That was what touched me. I knew I had to sponsor him. But how? I prayed for several weeks, asking the Lord for some way to pay for his sponsorship.
All of a sudden it came to me: my retirement account. Just maybe there were some funds available for withdrawal. I called my financial advisor. He said there was some available for withdrawal. It amounted to a little over two years worth of sponsorship. I took it out. Yes, I had to pay taxes on it plus a penalty, but I felt compelled to do it. I didn't know how I was going to cover his remaining two years and nine months needed, but by God' grace I saved enough to pay his third year, and within the next month I will have saved enough to pay his fourth year. Leandro has frequently mentioned that he believes God meant me to be his sponsor. I agree with him. I don't know why the Lord chose me, but I believe He did, and it has been worth any sacrifice I have had to make. Leandro is an incredibly gifted and talented young man with a passion and zeal for life and living that almost makes me feel tired just reading his letters! He strives for excellence in whatever he does.
Providing "extras" for my boys has been a concern of mine: the birthday gifts, the family gifts, graduation gifts. Those gifts are so important because they provide much needed items. I keep praying for ways to earn extra funds, and the Lord surprises me every so often. One idea that the Lord gave to me a couple years ago has proved to be a tremendous blessing. He gave me the idea of hosting a haystack lunch at my church. No one had ever done a haystack meal at my church. I obtained permission for the elder board and began preparations. I only had three weeks to prepare.
My church has a great history of missions. Most of the people are aware of my Compassion "habit" and think it's great. I prepared my first meal for 100 people. I had a few over and my food ran out at the very end. Donations totaled $1550.00. I was overwhelmed. My goal had been $400.00 for my boys' Christmas gifts. Last fall I hosted another haystack meal. People knew what to expect this time and seemed to be looking forward to it. Some invited friends to come. I prepared for 150 people. Again, my food just reached. Donations totaled $2,171.00. I was again blown away! I was given enthusiastic approval to host my third annual benefit this fall again. I plan to prepare for 200.
This was all by the Lord's blessing, and I give Him thanks. All sponsors are different. Their situations and circumstances are different. I would not necessarily recommend that anyone else do what I did. I am single, I live alone, and I have no one depending on me for support. Because of that I probably took some risks that I may not otherwise have taken. (I also do not have a spouse to tell me when enough is enough:) Ask the Lord's direction and guidance and do what you can do. Many years ago I read a quote in a Sunday School paper. It made a big impact on me. I cut it out and kept it in my Bible. I also memorized it. It has encouraged me many times. It was written by Edward Everett Hale:
"I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
If you can sponsor 100 kids, great! Be the best sponsor you can be. If you can only sponsor one kid, great! Be the best sponsor you can be. The Lord can bless one sponsorship as much as 100. I did give up a lot to sponsor my kids, but it has been worth it. I am almost 60 years old. I do not need much, and the older I get the less "stuff" I want. Stuff is temporary; my kids are forever. That being said, I am well aware that some people need more stuff than others, some a lot more. Do what you can where you are."
