My Attention Deficit Disorder Sociology Professor had
meandered off the beaten path of our topic for class that day. (I am not being
flippant, honest! My Professor warned us he had A.D.D. and it definitely made for
an interesting and spontaneous class that was slightly difficult to study for.)
Once again he was sharing yet another quirky story about working in the GM
plants of Flint from "back in the day". Some of these stories were
hilarious, but I had heard this one before.
Like a typical nineteen year old, I rolled my eyes in annoyance and
stretched my neck from side to side, trying to stay focused. Tapping my fingers
on the pages of my book, I let my eyes wander the large grey lecture hall for anything of interest. Finally
propping my head in my hand, I looked down scanning the pages of my text book
for any important information that my unpredictable Professor might put on our
next exam.
I can still remember the moment when my eyes came to rest on
the photos. One picture in particular drew me in. It was of a little girl and
her large woeful eyes were staring right back at me; they seemed as if they
were locked on mine. Suddenly I heard the professor dive back in on the
intended topic for class, with the harsh facts of human trafficking.
"Did you know in
Thailand these girls are on average 8-12 years of age when they are sold into
the sex trade?"
Startled, I looked up…
The words reverberated out of his mouth sounding a gong as he
continued on to explain the horrors of the sex slave trade. Each fact and
statistic was permanently imbedding itself in my brain like a gun shot in my
head. I was in shock. My mouth went dry. I looked down again at the photo; her
little face looked so despondent, hopeless...
Who would tell her that she mattered? How could anyone stop
this?
"Care for the least of these"
The words began to echo through my head. (Matthew 25:34- 40) That
is the moment when I knew the Lord was finally giving me the go sign on
sponsoring a child. I had been praying about sponsoring a child with Compassion
International for over a year, but it was crystal clear to me in that second
that I was to find a girl from Thailand and give her hope. It was my small step
toward saving her from being sold by her parents into a brothel. This was what I
could do to help insure her freedom.
At nineteen years of age, I sponsored my first little girl
from Thailand named Tairinee. I vowed that Tairinee would not be sold into the sex
trade like so many other girls her age. She would grow up to have a future
filled with hope and freedom. She would mature knowing she was cherished and
loved by the people at the Compassion Center and through my letters and
prayers.
A few weeks ago I challenged you, that if you were unsure of
where to start with missions, to start with one. To realize you could do for
one person, what you wish you could do for all people. At nineteen, I remember
being overwhelmed by the facts I was given, but God showed me I could start with
one; one little girl in Thailand.
Friends, I encourage you to live God’s love into action every
day.
Start with one person and watch how love grows.
Love does.
Love is
amazing.
So who is your one? Has God revealed them to you yet?
Have you ever sponsored a child or are considering doing so?
Please share your questions, your stories, or experiences.
I
will be in prayer for each one!
Here is the link for Compassion's fantastic Child sponsorship program.
I truly praise God for this wonderful organization, and the
people who are being God’s hands and feet daily for us to these children.
Remember how truly blessed we really are and to share these blessings with others.
Remember Love Does.
So... Let's stop studying love and what it might look like to love others and actually get around to loving people now. :)
May God Bless you greatly!
May God Bless you greatly!
