Sponsorship Changes Your Life Too
// Tim DeTellis
Over dinner with Joseph Ortiz from El Paso, Texas, I asked some questions about his family sponsoring a child and what it was like meeting her in Haiti.
When did you decide to become a child sponsor? Deciding to sponsor a child with New Missions was like having our own child. Walking up to the sponsorship table at our church is when we saw a photo of Marriana for the first time. The experience was similar to seeing an ultrasound of your baby. My whole family fell in love with her! I pondered the possibility of meeting her one day in Haiti
Prior to lunchtime at school, our students wash their hands to promote good hygiene.
How was it possible for you to visit Haiti? God totally orchestrated my going to Haiti. I learned to make balloon animals for an event at my church (Cielo Vista Church). The mission team leader said they had one spot open for the Haiti trip, and maybe I could go and make balloon animals for the kids in Haiti while we gave away shoebox gifts. I was so thrilled! Then, I learned the reason there was an opening on this trip. A woman paid for a spot on the trip, but her intent was to scholarship someone else to go to Haiti. I went in her place.
Joseph Ortiz was overwhelmed with joy when he finally met his sponsor child, Marriana, from Masson, Haiti.
What was it like when you met your sponsor child? The moment I met our sponsor child I was so thrilled! She was standing in front of me…and she’s real! I extended my arms and held her for the first time. At that moment, I realized this child is part of my family. She just changed my life forever! She is part of our lives and we are part of hers. We cannot wait to see what God is going to do in her life. Now, because of our journey with Marriana, my daughter Gabriela and my son Juan are using their allowance money to sponsor another child from New Missions.
Inside each classroom, lives are being changed with the gift of education—thanks to our child sponsors. Together, we are changing lives, because each child matters to God.
Today, I encourage you to pray for your sponsor child by name. We are loving God as we love the children He entrusts to our care. Joseph Ortiz and his family are experiencing a greater joy and contentment in their home because of perspective and lessons gained through child sponsorship. When you sponsor a child, your life is changed forever, too. ~Tim DeTellis
