This past summer, I had the opportunity to meet Les and Rita Peters, Canadians who began a ministry in Guatemala several years ago. They have been long-time friends of my sister and her family, who have been active in supporting their work from the beginning stages.

I also took the time to read a recent book Rita has written to tell how God has blessed them in very practical ways as they made the journey to Guatemala and have set up different aspects of their work.

For several years, my sister volunteered as the Child Sponsorship Coordinator and it is through her, I decided to sponsor a child. While visiting her six years ago, I told her I would like to support a girl around the same age as my grandchildren. She gave me some profiles to look at, and Nancy was chosen. She was five years old at the time and in Grade 1, with several family members living in their humble cement block home.

Nancy is one of over 1,500 students receiving a Christian education through Impact Ministries. The teachers and staff are personally involved in the lives of their students. I’m happy to be able to play a small part in her life as well through child sponsorship.

I’ve received some artwork and brief notes from Nancy (translated into English). One summer, my sister and I shopped for some small gifts that she could take on a visit to Guatemala. She climbed up the very steep side of a mountain to get to Nancy’s home and give her the gifts. She was most impressed to think that Nancy did that climb every day to go to school.

Child sponsorship helps break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy for many children around the world. In addition, most child sponsorships provide health care, and Christian sponsorships also help them learn about the love and hope they have in Jesus Christ.

If you’ve ever sponsored a child or supported a missions program, why not journal about your experience as an encouragement for others to join in?