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!

God’s Chosen Season: A Prayer

Here is an inspiring Christmas poem written by John Paul Dollar, an inmate at a Florida correctional institution. John, who has earned a doctorate degree in theology while incarcerated, sends frequent letters of encouragement to me.

God’s Chosen Season: A Prayer

We come now worshiping and praising our New Born King,
With the Angelic Chorus we glorify Him as we shout and sing,
Blessed be Immanuel, God’s chosen one above all things.

We thank you, Father, for your servants you’ve sent our way,
Those who are “Special Men” serving us day by day,
Loving, caring, and guiding your flock along life’s way.

We also come praying a special prayer for Your chosen man,
Pastors and leaders who came according to Your divine plan,
Reflecting Your love and preaching the Gospel upon which they stand.

Thank you Lord for our men You’ve chosen who give their all,
Thank you Lord for our women who support, never wavering nor fall,
Thank you Lord for our Church whose gifts beacon’s the Macedonian call.

God you’ve blessed us richly even beyond our wildest imagination,
We thank you, Father, for your Son who brought us unto salvation,
We love you, honor you, Father, for ’tis the season for His celebration.

May we as your Body, Lord, always come glorifying You this season,
May Christ be returned to Christmas as fully the rightful reason,
We pray this in Jesus’ Blessed Name, Our Savior, Our King of this His richly blessed nation.

Amen.