I was thinking about what’s surprised me on this trip. A lot hasn’t surprised me: seeing poverty; witnessing the joy among those who are very poor; seeing God very present among people who have very little. All of this is humbling and overwhelming, but not really surprising. I expected that.What’s surprised me most is the role that sponsors pay with these children. Initially I thought that the main role they played is money: providing $35 a month that allows a child to be part of a project. Turns out that’s not it at all. The money is important, but from the perspective of the kids it is far from the most important thing about having a sponsor. It’s knowing that somebody far away cares about them, writes to them, prays for them, and encourages them. They take this really seriously.

A couple of nights ago, the graduates of the sponsorship program spoke about their relationships with their sponsors. Almost all of them wished their sponsor had written more. It was tough when other kids got letters and they didn’t. Ouch. But when the sponsors wrote or sent stickers, it was a huge deal.

One young man spoke of the barriers he faced in finishing high school, and how the encouragement from his sponsor played a huge role. They also talked about really hoping that their sponsor would come to visit them some day.

Dashhouse  Darryl and Charlene went to Honduras January 15th. Start at the bottom of the page and read your way to the top