The other day Shelby came up to me and handed me this note...
"Dear Daddy, Guess what! I saved up enough money to do a Compassion each month! I already know what girl I want. I will show her to you. Love Shelby :)"
She was so excited when she handed me the letter. Here is the part I'm not proud of - as soon as I read the letter I thought she was asking me for permission. I couldn't see how my 9 year old daughter could possibly sponsor a compassion child. My mind began swirling with questions, "How is she going to sponsor a child at $38 per month? Where is she getting this money from?..." I said, "Shelby, I will talk to your mommy about it." I figured the two of us saying 'no' would make me less of the bad guy. Shelby immediately said, "No Daddy. I'm doing it. I already have the money." I still didn't believe her. (Aren't I just filled with loads and loads of faith?)
I checked with Tammy and sure enough, Shelby had it all figured out. She saved all of the birthday money that her grandparents had given her and several weeks/months worth of allowance. She had 4 months worth of support raised already! Her plan is to save her allowance every week and apply all of it toward her sponsorship, she will also save any extra money that she finds or has given to her. Basically this means that every dime she comes across will be going to sponsor a child. One way or another Shelby is determined to make sure that she sponsors a child in need.
The day after handing me the letter, Tammy and Shelby got on the Compassion website and made all of the arrangements for Shelby's sponsorship. Meet Worekenesh...
Shelby chose Worekenesh because she had been waiting for a sponsor for nearly 9 months. Shelby told me that it concerned her that Worekenesh was old enough for school but couldn't go because she didn't have enough money and no one had chosen to sponsor her yet.
Worekensh is part of our extended family now. Letters have been exchanged, prayers have been prayed, and photos will follow. Because of a faithful little girl across the world, Worekenesh has clean drinking water, medical care, an education, and most importantly Worekenesh will hear about Jesus.
I'm so proud of Shelby. Her generosity to bless someone else by giving all that she has humbles me. Shelby's willingness to give all that she has reminded me of the woman at the temple who dropped in two small coins. Jesus noticed her generosity and remarked that she gave more than any other person; it was all that she had, but she gave it all. Mark 12:41-44
