This is Iba, and he is 9 yrs. old. Him and I share the same birthday. I’ve sponsored him now for two years.  My wife sponsored him for me on my birthday in ’07, and I sponsored a little girl who shared her birthday for her birthday gift that year.  We thought it was a good way to get involved with sponsorship.  Instead of figuring out what birthday gift to buy for someone who doesn’t really need anything, we chose to provide for someone who needs a lot.  It’s really a no-brainer considering how blessed we really are.  

Iba lives in Burkina Faso, which is a landlocked country in Northwest Africa. It was originally occupied by the French, and Iba’s letters are translated from French to English to me….pretty cool. I have never met this young man, but I think he is just the coolest little guy. His entire family is Muslim. In fact, 50% the est. 15+million people of Burkina Faso are Muslim, with 10% being Christian.

Through Compassion’s program, Iba has been told the Good News of the Gospel.  

Compassion International works exclusively with local communities around the globe – specifically churches in villages and communities in 24 countries, rescuing close to 1 million children from poverty. Our $38 a month helps my specific child, Iba, in Burkina Faso to participate in programs that educate him, feed him and shares the story of the love and hope found in the gospels. And, for another $8 a month, Compassion’s AIDS program helps educate Iba, as well as his family about AIDS and provides preventative information, and medical care, should him or his family need it. So, $46 a month does all of this. My wife gets a $3.50 coffee almost every morning. That adds up to $105/month…that gives a little perspective to us, don’t ya think? I know that getting glimpses into this little boy’s life has certainly derailed my selfish thoughts and priorities.

I encourage you…if you’ve been thinking of sponsoring a child, but are feeling a bit overwhelmed with it or just not getting around to it…take the risk. Consider it. God has called us to something bigger than ourselves. Bigger than Starbucks, our iphones or my guitars. The Kingdom of God is a safe place to learn and to eat to Iba – not music and golf for me. God is calling us all to be a part of seeing His kingdom coming to earth, just as it exists in heaven.

That prayer – that calling begins with the oppressed and the poor.

You can join the effort to help the oppressed and the poor by choosing to sponsor a child today. I encourage you to consider.  I realize $38 a month may be  a little much to some, but there are several ways to get involved in serving the least of these.  Compassion is just one way.  I’ll be highlighting other ways in future posts.  And remember, helping someone in need doesn’t have to go through an organization necessarily…..look around in your community.  I guarantee you’ll find opportunities.