We became involved with Hope for Children nearly a decade ago sometime after the launch of our series of children’s books, The Adirondack Kids®. As the books began to do well, we wanted to "give something back”, so we decided to sponsor several children.
I can’t even remember exactly where we picked up the Hope for Children brochure, but do recall scanning the checklist printed inside - list of areas in the world we could choose from with eligible children.
The checklist included:
Africa/Caribbean/South Pacific/Asia/Central America/Where needed most...
I looked at the list and said, "Lord, how do we choose? Which one?" So we prayed and checked – Africa.
Hope for Children then sent us our packets with the information for the 3 children in Zambia, Africa we would be sponsoring, all from the same family.
Fast-forward 10 years, and Carol and I find ourselves in the ministry as a pastoral couple and become foreign correspondents for Global Partners - the missionary arm of the Wesleyan Church. And where did GP want us to go on our first assignment?
GP: "Africa."
Us: “Where in Africa?”
GP: "Zambia.”
Us: “Zambia?”
So I called Hope for Children and asked:
Us: "I know Zambia is the size of Texas - but is it possible for us to visit our sponsored children if we are anywhere near them?"
HFC: “Absolutely.”
And guess what? Our children were less than 20 minutes from two of the missionaries we were scheduled to stay with and photograph! And they knew the family. And knew them well. And they drove us directly to their home and then to their budding church. Amazing. Which God is, right?
The family photo accompanying this piece has the faces blotted for security reasons. That is my wife Carol interacting with them.
Honestly, standing there with the family that incredible day, I could not remember exactly when we began our sponsorship. While I was stumbling over my tongue trying to figure it out – the children's father knew and spoke the exact date immediately.
Several months have now passed since that moving visit when we were able to see first-hand what such sponsorship means to these children around the world and to their families. Each sponsored child at $34/mo. receives clothing, nutritious food, an education and some medical help and maybe most importantly - hope.
Two weeks ago, I had an idea of inviting others to join us in sponsoring the balance of the eligible children in the same village where our children reside. I learned there were 7 still eligible from the village. I issued a challenge on my personal Facebook page and now there are only 5.
Encouraged, I called Hope for Children and dared to ask how many children HFC hopes to enroll – what is their goal?
Hope for Children currently has some 3,500 children enrolled – but are positioned to handle up to 10,000!
So - here's the challenge. If you are interested in sponsoring one of the five remaining children who need sponsorship in the village where our 3 children reside – let me know at garyvanriper@yahoo.com If God leads you to consider a child in a different location, you can contact the organization directly, (www.worldhope.org) click on Hope for Children, and ask God to help you choose.
WARNING: Be careful about the country you select. You might end up there yourself one day!
gary.
