There is a part of this trip that has totally sucked for me.
It’s caused me to shuffle around nervously at times and hide behind my camera at others. The realization hit Allison and I that we were the only bloggers coming on this journey to Kenya who did not sponsor a child from Kenya. I had my reasons, and they were good.
We were contacted about a month before our trip asking us if we would be interested in sponsoring a child from Kenya since we would be going there and blogging about child sponsorship. I declined to sponsor another child because we are currently sponsoring two children; Miriam from Bolivia, and Ana from Honduras.
We were told that there was a good chance we would be able to meet our sponsored children in person if we chose to sponsor in Kenya. I thought about it for a little while, but decided it wouldn’t really be my heart choosing to sponsor a child in Kenya…it would have just been convenient for blogging. Not only that, but we can’t afford to sponsor another child right now. Plus, I wasn’t even sure what Compassion International really provided with our current sponsorships. I just didn’t want to do it for many reasons.
Today was terrible and wonderful at the same time.
It’s Sunday, so we went to church. Little did I know that we would be getting up during the service and leading the congregation in worship for a song. After our rendition of “Lord I lift your name on high”, of which I knew the words, but had no idea a dance went along with, one of our trip leaders spoke for a few minutes while we were still all on stage. Two things he said hit me pretty hard:
“Even though we have different skin color and we come from a different country, we are related to each other. We both have the same Father. Our Father in heaven calls us all His children and that makes us brothers and sisters.”
And then the crusher…
“Compassion International is trying to help release the poor from poverty, but it’s also helping to release us from our wealth.”
As I stood there in front of around 300 of the poorest people I’ve ever seen, I have never felt so rich in all my life. I thought about the $120 I had in my pocket as I stood there and how it could be used to purchase a home here in Kenya…and maybe a goat.
From the church service, we headed to a Kenyan amusement park of sorts. It had animals for us to see, rides, a nice restaurant, face painting, and all sorts of activities for people to have fun with.
Most importantly, it was where all of the bloggers on our trip got to hang out with their sponsored children. Some of the children were picked up from 4 hours away just so they could meet with their sponsors and have a day of fun. Some of these kids had never been in a car before. Most of them had never eaten at a restaurant before.
All of the bloggers on this trip had sponsored children to play with…except us.
Here is Chris (http://blog.compassion.com/) with his sponsored child:
LV (http://www.catalystspace.com/catablog/) with his sponsored child:
Jennifer (www.mckmama.com) with her sponsored child:
Brad (www.bradruggles.com) with his sponsored child:
Patricia (www.jonesbones5.com) with her sponsored child:
Kristen (www.wearethatfamily.com) with her sponsored child:
Kent (www.churchrelevance.com) with his sponsored child:
And there we were. Allison and I. Walking around looking at the animals and taking photos of the others with their sponsored children. I wasn’t feeling guilt. I was just thinking. Thinking that I had missed an opportunity. I thought that it would be ridiculous to sponsor a child from Kenya just before we go there so that it would look great on a blog as I met my child in a third world country.
I was wrong.
It wasn’t about that. It was about an opportunity to begin a powerful relationship with someone halfway across the world. Compassion International goes to great lengths at helping sponsors meet their sponsored children in person. There are stories of children being picked up and driven 8 hours just to meet their sponsor because it’s that important. Sponsorship isn’t about the money, it’s about letting someone know that they have value and that you are pulling for them.
It’s not about $38 a month. It’s about the letters you write and the dreams you instill in a child. I watched as several people began a deep relationship with kids that will last a long, long time today. I heard a voice in my head multiple times. It was saying, “It’s really hard to ask people to give until it hurts when you are not giving until it hurts.” It was a call to respond.
Allison and I got back to our hotel and we sponsored our third child through Compassion International.
His name is Kayoo and he has been waiting for a sponsor for a long time.
I really hope that we’ll meet him someday.
53 Comments
I don’t know what Chris has his head in there but that has to be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen at an amusement park.
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Ryan says:
March 7th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@TheDan, You should have seen the rest of the amusement park of doom. Every ride or attraction would be banned in all 50 states of the US.
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“Compassion International is trying to help release the poor from poverty, but it’s also helping to release us from our wealth.”
wow. i think we need to pray about that one.
looks amazing — its fabulous to read how god is working in all of your hearts! sending prayers!
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Thank you Ryan & Allison for bringing this blessing into my life today. I found your extraordinary journey this week through the Pioneer Woman and it touched my heart. My family and I feel fortunate to have been able to sponsor a child today…something I probably wouldn’t have ever done had it not been for your moving photos and stories. I hope your experiences this week bring many more people to sponsorship. In case you are interested here is the child we’ve sponsored. He’s also been waiting for sponsors for over 6 months and his mother is deceased.
https://www.compassion.com/Account/Child/ChildDetails.htm?Child=KE4030650&Name=David+Asila&Country=Kenya&Type=Child
I really believe you are his sponsor as well because if it weren’t for you sharing we never would have done this. Thanks again and safe travels!
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Ryan and Allison-I’m completely crying reading this. I think God had you walk down this road for a reason. You guys are amazing and I think what you’ve done is extremely powerful.
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I would have loaned my sponsored child, who lives near Mombasa. This a sweet post. God bless you all and God bless Kayoo! Thank you for your wonderful pictures. You did bless everyone today!
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Your honesty floored me. Thank you for a “behind-the-scenes” look not only at how each compassion blogger happens to have a sponsored child to meet in country, but the more important “why.” Our pastor preached today about how relationships are not supposed to be like teflon but rather like velcro.
Talk about the beginnings of some amazing velcro relationships!
Incredible.
Thank you for sharing.
~Lisa-Jo
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Wow Ryan, you made me cry! I am so privileged to share this trip with you and Allison. THANKS for this beautiful post and sponsoring another kid. What a day.
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Absolutely beautiful Ryan and Allison…your honesty and willingness to let God stretch you are examples for all of us. I pray many more follow your example.
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Beautiful post. We sponsor 2 kids from the same church/center. It is my goal to introduce my biological children to their compassion sisters/brothers.
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Another great post. I think your honesty here is so amazing! I may have said this in an earlier comment on an earlier post, but when I first began sponsoring a child through Compassion, it was a girl from Kenya. When she graduated, I began sponsoring a little boy in Kenya…he is now 19!
So cool that you have added a Kenyan child to your family through sponsorship. And what an amazing story behind it…not done so for better blogging opportunities, but done so through the power and conviction of the Spirit. God’s timing is always best.
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Wow! I got a little teary-eyed there. I am definately going to pray about sponsoring a child. It would be amazing to build a bond with a child and I know that I would spiritually benefit from writing letters and praying for someone else.
Thank you so much for the inspiration.
~Kendra
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Count me as another one of your newest followers (thanks to Ree) of what is such an inspiring and amazing journey. Your photos and poignant words are truly making me think about this opportunity.
Kayoo is lucky to have you and Allison. And, I suspect, you are lucky to have him.
(Is there ANY possibility or chance for you to meet him on this trip?)
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You are a good man Ryan and your wife is pretty special too - Kayoo has good sponsors and I bet Ava will draw some good pictures to send Kayoo. Bless you - and I pray your example will be the grain which began a landslide of sponsorhip!
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Your honesty is refreshing! I agree with We Are That Family, there’s a reason. It may even be, just so this post could be written. The paradigm shift that you’re going through, will inspire many to stop making excuses and begin to give! We have so much here, so much we take for granted.
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Oh wow. I have also found your site through Pioneer Woman… and honestly only clicked on the link because we sponsor a child through Compassion from Kenya (and another from El Salvador). What an amazing and humbling journey God is taking you on. I’m so thankful that we can see a little piece of Kenya through your eyes as well. I too am crying at the comment about “releasing us from our wealth”… we do have so much compared to those Compassion families. I’m always amazed at the letters we receive from “Junior” (our Kenyan son!) and how much our $44 (AUS) does for him… and that we buy him a goat for his birthdays! I always thought that we’d have one sponsor child per child in our family… we have 2 children and another on the way… and I have been struggling to justify having another sponsor child… maybe I need to re-budget and justify some of the other things we don’t “need”… and we’d be able to sponsor another child. Sorry for the long comment! Just please know that there are people praying for what you guys are doing… all over the world!!
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Hello,
I found your site through the Pioneer Woman post. I want to say thank you. I have just signed up to sponsor a child. I am now the proud sponsor of a 7-year old girl, who has been waiting for sponsorship for at least 6 months. Your photos and words have made me cry and laugh. I have been unemployed (aside from odd and temp. jobs) for the past year. I started a new, amazing full-time job on Friday. Your blog posts convinced me that I need to give thanks for my good fortune. Thank you for opening my eyes. Please continue to post your inspiring photos and know you are helping more than just the children you individually sponsor.
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I just committed to Compassion Intl. to sponsor a little girl in Mexico. My heart is full. I can’t wait to learn about her and write to her!
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I also found you through Ree. I’ve enjoyed reading your recipes on her website. Today you touched my heart. I have sponsored a little girl in Hondurus for 14 years. (through a different organization) I added a 6 year old little boy Paulo from Kenya today. Thank you for your words and pictures. God bless you and your family.
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Wow. I got here from McMama - I have bounced between many of the compassion bloggers these last few days. Your pics are great. Your post here though, it completed the breaking of my heart that God has started some time ago. Thank you so much for being so honest and transparent. Your words spoke volumes. Thank you for being obedient this week - to our Lord. Blessings my brother,
Janelle
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As always, your photos are heart-stopping - and I have to say that this time, your words are too. I always feel like we cannot save every child around the world, but we it’s true that the ones we can save make our lives so much more worthwhile.
Amazing post.
BB
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Your honesty is refreshing Pastor Ryan! Thank for sharing your journey in sponsoring another child. God bless you and your family.
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thank you for sharing your story. it must have hit pretty deep being there. you and the other bloggers have given me something to think about. my heart has been touched by all the bloggers stories. just awesome that you & allison sponsored another child. god willing you and allison will be able to meet the newest addition to your family. i love his name, kayoo.
blessings to you all.
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Thanks for this post. While we’re not in a position yet to sponsor another child, I just gave our Compassion child’s family a gift online. His last letter said his mom was struggling with pain in her feet and his dad got drunk too often. I think it’s wonderful that the Compassion people will work with them to decide how best to use our gift. I hope it blesses them. Thanks for leading me to that point of giving.
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I’m so proud of you and Allison! Beautiful pictures, I can’t wait to see more photos!
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Thanks for your great post. I love the comment -
“Compassion International is trying to help release the poor from poverty, but it’s also helping to release us from our wealth.”
What a powerful thing to think about.
I have really enjoyed reading all of the blog posts about the Kenya trip. God bless you all for everything that you all are doing.
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I almost sponsored your child yesterday, I choose someone a little older and with the same bday as my twin daughters. It was a tough choice and I kept going back and forth but for some reason I choose the other child, now I know why! I am so glad you choose him, my choice has also been waiting for over 6mths. I think it is amazing that you now sponsor 3 children, what a gift you are giving each one.
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As I read this post and the way God has worked in your hearts today and as I read through the comments, I can’t help but stand in awe of God. God is using your journey in a powerful way to bring glory to His Kingdom! The icing on the cake of how God is orchestrating this story is that Erin almost sponsored your little man yesterday! Amazing!!
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Thank you, Ryan, for blessing me with this knowledge. I just signed up to sponsor my first child…here is his link if you’d like to know more:
https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/ChildBioPrint.asp?Child=KE7450060&DevAct=Null
It was a tough choice choosing, but in the end, I chose Mulinge because of his huge smile, even in the face of his trials. I would have never known about this organization if not for you, so thank you for sharing your trip with us…as I smiled and cried, I realized how truly blessed I am and I felt the urge from above to share my abundance. I spent last year being unemployed and just started a great job a month ago. God has blessed me, yet again, and it is time to pay it forward. I would love to know exactly how many people have wound up sponsoring children because of your posts…your “silly blogging” has inspired many, I’m sure.
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I’ve read several of the posts by the bloggers with you in Kenya, your post today is the one that made my soul quake.
It must be a very powerful experience to be there.
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I posted your blog on my Facebook. I was so touched by your posts the last couple days. Thank you for those. We are thinking of sponsoring a child now too.
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Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your stories and photos of Kenya. As I read through your week today–smiling and crying–I knew what I was being called to do. I am now the sponsor of my first child (because I hope there are more to come).
It was a hard choice by Mulinge’s huge smile won me over! I would never have known about this organization if not for your posts. I would love to know how many others have sponsored a child because of what you have shared this week.
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My daughter sponsors a child through another organization and I have been meaning to sponsor myself. After reading your blog tonight, I decided to go with Compassion and am now the proud sponsor of an 8-year-old girl from Kenya who has been waiting a while for a sponsor. I am excited to hear about her soon.
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Love your honesty. “Compassion International is trying to help release the poor from poverty, but it’s also helping to release us from our wealth.” Tears. Oh my. Great pictures too.
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I’ve been following your trip and tonight sat down with my husband and decided to sponsor a 8 year old girl in Uganda. Just wanted to tell you guys that you are touching many lives around the world and in this case connecting a girl in Uganda with a couple in Portland OR! We’re so excited! Thanks!
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Your honesty really touched me. I would have had the same thoughts as you about sponsoring another child (I have two already in Tanzania) to “look good on the trip. You’ve given me alot to think about tonite. God Bless!
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I’ve been thinking of sponsoring a child through Compassion for a long time now. Your pictures sealed the deal for me, tonight. I am now the sponsor of a 7 year old girl from Kenya who has been waiting for more than six months. I can’t wait to get her information in the mail and start writing to her. Thank you so much, Ryan, for putting yourself out there the way you do. Just think of all the children that have been newly sponsored- because of you and your site! AWESOME!
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Ryan and Allison,
I don’t even know what to say. I love honesty. I myself lived a life of lies until four years ago. Honesty is facing extinction in our world. God is so good.
As Mordicai said to Esther, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews (Kayoo) will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position (Kenya) for such a time as this?”
May God bless you both,
Terrell Welch
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So many things to thank you for…Thank you so much for being so honest and sharing your heart!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences on this Kenya trip. Thank you for sponsoring another child!! I love the photos…my favorite is the first one of Kristen with her child…too cute!!!
Blessings,
Britt
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Thanks so much for sharing! I have enjoyed getting to know this group of compassion bloggers!
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Well, maybe you weren’t meant to sponsor a child until just now so you could write this post and make so many people break down and sponsor a child.
I’ve been fighting it all week as I’ve read all these blogs and Kenya. My reasoning was that we already committed to a year of giving to our church’s Great Commission Fund, which already stretched us.
But then yesterday, we went shopping for living room furniture and every time I saw a price, all I could think of was “I could sponsor 3 Compassion children for TWO years for the price of this sofa.” We went home with no furniture, but with a conviction that we need to act. Then I read your blog today through tears.
Thank you for this post!
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P.S Found you through the Pioneer Woman a long time ago!
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I found your blog through PW. My husband and I have sponsored through Compassion Int. for many years now and have 3 kids we sponsor from Kenya. You are not going to any of their Compassion centers but I am enjoying reading your blog. My husband and I have 4 kids plus our 3 Compassion kids. We chose to sponsor all our children from the same country because we figured if we ever had enough money to ever visit a sponsored child we could only do it once. So by picking all from one country the chances of getting to see them all in one trip went up. Thank you for your honesty, pictures and heart!
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that’s an amazing story!
glad you picked one that had
been waiting for a long time.
I am trying to convince my husband
to sponsor a child.
you have a really big heart!
tara
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dropped in from Pioneer Woman….. I’ve been here before and absolutely love your photos, but I’m always so sad they don’t load completely as I read your blog. Do others have that problem or is it my internet connection?
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Dear Ryan,
This post broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. Those kids, all of them, are so lucky to have you guys. God works in wonderful ways.
Thank you.
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Oh wow. I really don’t know what to reply to this. My little brother started sponsoring a child through Compassion a year and a half ago (when he was a freshman in college) and when I told him that my husband and I signed up to sponsor two children, he said that now we need to plan family vacations around meeting our “children”. I can’t wait for that day! Thank you for sharing pictures of these sweet meets, and for sacrificing even more than you thought possible. May God bless you and Allison big time as you give beyond what you thought you could.
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I am touched by your honesty about the reasons you did not sponsor a child. It is uplifting to see someone not make excuses about why they couldn’t and focus on the tragedy but focus on the joys of others and move forward and then grow from it.
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Hi–I have enjoyed reading everyone’s blogs about this journey to Kenya. It has been eye opening for me. I have recently started sponsoring a girl named Lepishoi and she is in the same project (Enenkeshui) as your new sponsored child, Kayoo! If you do happen to go there and meet little Lepishoi, give her a hug for me! I’m thinking of her!
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Your stories are beautiful. I also just started sponsoring a child in Kenya!
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Awesome post…
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Wow!
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Ryan, your posts of Kenya make me weep. The beauty makes me weep. The children’s eyes…..
We have now sponsored our first child. Her name is Jeniffer. My daughter’s name is Jennifer.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
In Christ,
Conni
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Thank you for your post. We sponsor a child from Kenya. His name is Joshua. Your post has touched my heart to give more of ourselves to Joshua, not just financially. He needs to hear more from us too. Thanks.
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