Meet our first “son,” Shimwamana Emmanuel. He’s 10 years old, and lives in Rwanda. We’ve sponsored Shimwamana through Compassion for almost two years now, and have had his picture posted on our refrigerator, where we are reminded to pray for him daily. Today, we were excited to receive a brand new picture of him. Clearly he’s grown, and the baby-faced little boy is now becoming a young man. We’ve enjoyed exchanging letters with Shimwamana, and knowing that he is being nurtured physically, mentally, and spiritually. I can’t wait for his younger brother and sister to meet him someday.

What does $38 a month in the life of a child do? Does and investment of a little over a dollar a day make a difference? I had always wondered, until I watched this video. I know the video is a bit long, but please don’t just skip over it. I promise it’s worth the investment of time. If you are like me, your life will never be the same.

 A word of caution: have some tissues available.

This is what sponsoring a child can do: forever change the course of a child’s life, break the cycle of poverty, and make a difference for eternity. Not everyone is called to adopt as we are, but I do believe that everyone is called to the cause of the fatherless.

Our Pastor asked us several years ago to consider the question, “What are you willing to give up so that an orphan might live?”  That question, coupled with this video, profoundly changed our lives. We believe it has profoundly changed Shimwamana’s life.

And we hope to change the lives of two more children soon! Thank you for being part of our journey!