The Most Beautiful Letter a Sponsor Could Receive!

I was just thinking the other day that I haven't heard from my girls in Colombia for a while. Well, guess what?  I heard from Sara today and her words made me cry with happiness! The words she spoke for me and about her faith in Jesus Christ are the best thing I could have ever asked to hear!

Dear Brandilyn Yoder,


I send you a big hug and wish you God's blessings.  Thank you for having you as my sponsor.  God is good because he brought a person like you to my life.  This month I learned that I'm God's unique and unrepeatable creation like my fingerprints.  The time I've been part of the project, I learned that Jesus is the son of God and He paid for my sins on the cross.  I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.


To answer your question, we celebrate birthdays in my country with cake and a special meal.  Madrina, how are you?  I received your letter and I like it very much and also the pictures.  The place where you live is beautiful.  There is no snow in Colombia.  Brandilyn, I send you Psalm 40:5 [Oh Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.  Your plans for us are too numerous to list.  You have no equal.  If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.]  Thank you for your present.  I bought shoe with it.  I love you very much.


-Sara Agudelo Restrepo


PS: I ask you to pray for me and my family.  I will do the same for you.

Diving In!

I have only been an Compassion Child Advocate for a short time and my first opportunity to meet other local sponsors and volunteer for a Compassion event was June 30th.  I signed up to help at one of the display tables at the WFRN Friend Fest-a 2-day outdoor music festival near my home town.  Just having been through my advocate training, I was familiar with the procedures yet still not sure what to expect.  I signed up in the middle of the day so that should be easy right? No set up, no tear down, just 4 hours connecting sponsors to children. 

Well, the experience was beyond my wildest dreams! Not only did I get to see a 7 year old boy's eyes light up when I told him his family's new sponsored child would be so excited to find out he had a sponsor, but I met wonderful sponsors and advocates to share stories with! I spent the majority of my 4 hour block talking to people sharing stories and explaining Compassion. Once my time was up, I grabbed some dinner, and expected to watch Mandisa, Tenth Avenue North, and Casting Crowns with my friends.  As I passed the main Compassion tent by the big stage, I told the workers if they needed help, I was near-by should they need more help. They were as new as I was to helping at events and welcomed the extra help.  So, needless to say, I spent another 6 hours with this group of sponsors and even participated in the  "packet pass."  It felt like our little tent got mobbed as we matched 115 children with new sponsors! It was such an amazing experience I cannot wait to volunteer again!