Remember several months ago when I told you I had a special service opportunity that we could all participate in together? I’ve been so excited to share this with you – but there has been one delay after another…technical difficulties. Finally, after months of hard work on the part of the One Child Matters Team, I am able to announce a ministry I’d love for you to join me in!
The more I get to know you, whether it is “in real life” or through your emails and comments, the more I feel like we are all on a journey together. A journey toward healthy living, a journey toward raising godly families, a journey toward making our homes heavenly, and ultimately, a journey as we all strive toward our heavenly home. The whole concept gives me chills, that through this blog, we can all be working toward so many positive goals together.
That’s why I’m so excited to share this opportunity with you. Together, we can work to make a difference. The best part of this opportunity is that it isn’t just something you and I can do. It is something our families can be involved in too! (Selfless, servant-hearted focus, here we come!)
There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes here at Heavenly Homemakers, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally announce this new ministry opportunity to you!
Actually, the opportunity itself isn’t new. One Child Matters has been around for quite some time. (You may have known them as Mission of Mercy.) What is new is a partnership I’m eager to share with you – a partnership between my family, your family, and One Child Matters.
First, let me tell you a little bit about this ministry.
One Child Matters is an organization based out of Colorado Springs that truly cares about kids on a holistic level. They work to help children in 16 countries in the world, meeting their spiritual, physical, socio-emotional, and mental needs. At this point, they are serving over 40,000 children. What a blessing!
All of these children live in poverty. Many of them are on their own much of the day – even the little ones – as their parents work away from home for hours to put food on the table each night. One Child Matters provides schooling, guidance, nourishment, medical care, and most importantly – they teach these children about Jesus!
If you spend some time at the One Child Matters website, I guarantee you’ll be drawn in and begin to fall in love with these children, just like my family has. Together, we’ve spent time learning about the One Child Matters mission, how they work, what they do, and how much they care. Above all, we’re seeing the faces of the children they care for as more than just pictures. These are kids – just like yours and mine. They have needs – and together, we can help One Child Matters meet these needs!
How can you help?
Well, this isn’t a ministry that you’ll decide to jump into on a whim (unless after these few minutes you already feel called to participate!). This is something that I encourage you to pray about with your family. Study this ministry to see if its something you might feel called to be a part of. How cool to think that we can all be a part of this ministry together – your family and mine!
After prayer and discussion, Matt, the boys, and I have signed up to sponsor a child in Honduras. (I’ll share more details soon. I can’t wait to introduce you to our adorable new “family member!”) Our sponsorship involves a $34 per month donation, as well as a committment to connect with our sponsored child, and most importantly, a pledge to pray for our child.
This is something all six of our family members have chosen to be a part of. The $34 monthly donation? Well, we’ve talked to our kids about the fact that while it may mean we need to give up something we want – doing so will help our sponsored child receive the basic care needed each day. Our kids are on board, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Please consider joining my family in a ministry that will surely be a blessing to all involved! We can make a difference in the lives of children around the world – and in doing so, we will be teaching our families more about being like Jesus. If that’s not a win-win situation, I’m not sure what is.
Please head over to the One Child Matters site and spend time in prayer about joining with us in this ministry. I’ll be sharing more in the upcoming weeks about how we can all work together in this!
Heather says
Very excited to hear about this! I am personal friends with Huldah Buntain – the original founder of Mission of Mercy. She is an amazing woman and I would encourage you to read her and her husband Mark’s story. They have several books – the Compassionate Touch and Treasures in Heaven are two of my favorites. To everyone who is interested sponsoring a child – prayerfully consider it! My family sponsored a child in India when I was growing up… And we eventually got to visit her in India… Can I just say life changing!!!
Heather says
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you are getting involved in this ministry. I am personal friends with the founder of Mission of Mercy, Huldah Buntain. She is an amazing woman. She and her husband Mark went to India in the 50’s and worked for years… in fact Huldah, now in her 80’s, still spends part of her time in India each year and travels in the US raising money. I would encourage you to read the books about Mark and Huldah’s life and ministry. The Compassionate Touch and Treasures in Heaven are two of my favorites. To those thinking of sponsoring a child… I would encourage you to prayerfully consider it. My family sponsored children as I was growing up, through Mission of Mercy, and eventually we had the opportunity to meet one of our sponsored children in India! All I can say is Life Changing!
R says
Thank you for your heart for serving these children. At this time, my family is already sponsoring children through World Vision. I’m listening, though, and looking forward to hearing more about this ministry.
May God continue to bless you and your family. Thank you for your part in the body of Christ.
Elizabeth Goertzen says
What an awesome opportunity! My husband and I have been trying to decide what our next “step” should be, in terms of missions and outreach. I can’t think of a better outreach than to support a child.
2angels4me says
Children are so important! Helping children worldwide is such a blessing!
I wanted to tell you about a ministry that helps children here in the US as well. They take children that have come from many situations and give them a loving Christian environment. It’s called the Tupelo Children’s Mansion. The website is http://www.mansionkids.org
I would be so thankful for you to check it out as well!
God bless!
Daisy says
We have been sponsoring a little girl from Jordan through One Child Matters for over a year now. She’s about the same age as our oldest child and they write one another and we pray for her. This ministry is so amazing!