Meet Julia!

Last May, Rich and I began sponsoring Julia through Compassion International. She is an nine-year-old Peruvian girl, living in the coastal town of Moshoqueque, along with her parents and her five brothers and sisters (Henry, Oscar, Maribel, Diana and Kery). Julia likes to roll a hoop, play volleyball, and enjoys art! Right now she's in primary school, attends Sunday School and is in the Promotores de la Paz program. We're excited to be able to show this one beautiful little girl that her life matters... that she's not forgotten ... that her dreams, hopes, and identity were created by God and are precious to Him.... that she has a hope and a future. Through our letters, we hope to help her see how deep the love of God for her is.

New photo, at age 9

Compassion International is a wonderful program, one we very highly recommend. Sponsorship monies go to help children's basic needs - food, safe water, instruction in hygeine; to help equip the children through education and skills training they need to rise above poverty and a bleak future; and, to help the children experience the love of Christ and His heart of compassion.

There are countless numbers of children in this world who have little chance for survival, much less a sense of hope or worth if they do. Through sponsoring Julia, we hope to let her know that she does matter. Our friends are striving to do the same thing with their sponsored children, as well. If you've seen my page over the years, you'll remember that I was a former Compassion sponsor, too. For financial reasons, right before I met Rich, I'd had to let Dani's sponsorship go. But guess what? Immediately Compassion worked to get him a new sponsor and continued his support uninterrupted. And now, his new sponsor is carrying on that message: "You are loved. The body of Christ is here. You matter." I recently checked back in and they let me know how Dani was doing. The woman I spoke with was overflowing with compassion, herself... she even prayed with me over the phone when I mentioned a struggle I was going through. And that was just a phone call to check on Dani! This is a truly wonderful organization.

Julia has now written us four times. She's such a wonderful child, overflowing with love, ending every letter with "big hugs." She's very artistic! At left is one of the first pictures she drew us. She's sent us three so far. In her first letter she told us about her brothers and sisters, her favorite foods, her two dogs, her best friends and how she likes to take walks with her mother. In the second one she told us a little bit more about Peru, and their independence, which they were celebrating at the time she wrote. She also has talked about Christmas celebrations in Peru, and was thankful for the clothing she had received (Compassion sponsors can donate funds to buy presents for the children). Please keep her in prayer for her studies. She loves language/communications and art... and seems to be VERY good at both! Pray that she does not become discouraged. I'd also definitely encourage you to consider sponsoring a child through Compassion. From true one-on-one work in the compassion of Christ Jesus to basic financial accountability, they are the best. I have no question as to their integrity. Check them out. Maybe you can help a child know their life matters!