A Story of Faith Through Compassion

Many of you took a leap of faith when you made the decision to sponsor a Compassion International child. I want to share with you the amazing story of just one family in our church.

I have to tell you that this was a big leap of faith for my family. During the time that my daughter asked me to sponsor another child, somewhere else in the world, I was going through cancer and unemployment (due to cancer treatment) and was not really sure what God was going to do with my own family. But, I was fairly confident in my God. He has brought us to and through so many valleys and He has never left us, nor forsaken us. My daughter reminded me during this past Christmas season that it really is in the giving that we receive the most.

We went to the Compassion website that day and we sponsored a 4-year-old little boy in Bangladesh, an almost completely Muslim country. And, you know the most amazing thing happened. The same day that I sponsored him I was listening to the Z88.3 on the way to the doctor and the scripture they read over the air was Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future." This is my favorite scripture and I just knew in my heart that I had made the right decision.

As if that wasn't enough confirmation from God that we were in His will and He was in control, I get to the doctor appointment and, on this very SAME day, I was declared CANCER FREE! What an amazing God we serve!

My family has since signed up to be correspondence sponsors through Compassion. There are children who have financial sponsors, but never receive letters of hope and encouragement from their sponsors for whatever reasons. My "Compassion family" has grown from one 4-year-old little boy in Bangladesh to include a 14-year-old boy in Bolivia, a 10-year-old girl in Uganda, and a 15-year-old boy in Tanzania! I thank God so much for the opportunity to share His love with His most precious creation. When you combine the siblings and parents of these children, we are actually reaching out and touching/changing the lives of 21 people through this one act of Compassion!!! And to think, it all started through a Christmas wish!

Click here to find out you too can sponsor a child through Compassion International. Then write to us at tcc@tomokacc.org and tell us your leap of faith story!

Increase Your Knowledge

The Almighty tells Daniel that the end times will be characterized by an increase of knowledge.

But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge. Daniel 12:4

While all of this knowledge causes pride that spreads sin at an unprecedented pace, there is a positive side. The church is able to:

• Share Jesus with unreached and closed people groups
• Grow in faith through an avalanche of Biblical material
• Provide private Biblical counsel to those in need

Here are a few websites that may be helpful to you, your family, or a friend:

E-Sword – free Bible program
Christian Classics Ethereal Library – Great Biblical Resources
Focus on the Family – marriage and parenting resources
Family Life – family resources
Exodus International – deliverance from homosexuality
XXXchurch– deliverance from pornography, sex addiction, masturbation addiction
World Prayer Team – submit prayer requests and pray for others
Celebrate Recovery – freedom from your hurts, habits, and hang-ups
Care Net - unplanned pregnancy
Abortion Recovery
Embraced by Grace - adoption agency
Bible Gateway – online Bible search
Resources for Women - South Daytona pregnancy center
St. Louis Cardinals

Paul penned these immortal words: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” – 1 Corinthians 15:57

A Walk in the Woods

A hike is big adventure for girls who are age 3 and 9. The two set off with their Dad, not knowing what to expect.

Stopping at a couple of spots, we walked a little and saw the river — yet it was not what we were looking for in this particular adventure. We kept going and found another spot off Highbridge Road as we walked (I carried my youngest daughter) and we laughed and prayed. It was one of those special experiences in life that has to be created — but it is not hard to create them.

In the middle of our walk on the sand, half a mile from civilization was an old, rusting engine. I cannot imagine how it got there, yet I am certain someone put it there.

As I wondered about that engine, I was reminded about creation. As Christ followers, we celebrate the creation that we are certain was put here by the Almighty.

In the end, it seemed to my daughters that the best part was just being on an adventure with Dad. From my perspective, it was a memory and a teaching moment. It reminded me how much I enjoy being with my children — made even more special by their adoption into our family and for all of us to be with our eternal Father.