Why Be a Sponsor?
We are all aware that there are MANY, MANY needs in our world. Deciding where to invest our donation dollars can be daunting. Why should you consider sponsoring a child at Jemo is a very good question!
We are Biblically commanded to serve widows and orphans. Many verses such as, James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world,” remind us of God’s desire for US to care for His people. However, if you are reading this, you probably know that!
Child sponsorships are very effective ways of caring for destitute children. There are many great organizations that facilitate child sponsorships. However, in my opinion sponsoring one of our Jemo kids is extra special.
BCC has partnered with Children’s HopeChest at Jemo in a very personal way. It is called a “community to community” partnership. While many great organizations exist to provide individual sponsorship opportunities, we believe that holistic sustainable change in the poorest communities occurs when one community partners with another.
Our vision team went to Ethiopia last spring and personally witnessed the community of Jemo. They felt compelled to create a partnership with that community. Thus, Jemo has become a virtual “extension” of our own church and Church members are able to directly sponsor individual children at that location. Our whole church is able to engage as a community to support a community of orphans! With Transform Church Communities, we are able to be quite involved in the community of Jemo. We are not only blessed by seeing our support touch the life of a child, but also by the knowledge that both BCC and our community are positively affecting, Jemo, the community in which the children we sponsor live. Food, shelter, and medical care help children survive while a supportive community gives them the chance to thrive and reach their highest potential. We are also able to personally witness the changes that take place in the community of Jemo as we will travel there at least once a year! (Our first trip will take place in May of 2013!!!)
To me, that is the biggest difference between this sponsorship and the kids that I sponsor through other organizations. I WILL see my sponsored son at Jemo first hand. I will see hear his story, see his home, and watch this whole community develop throughout this partnership.
So what does sponsorship cost? And how is the money used?
The cost is $34 a month or $408 a year. Your $34/month sponsorship provides for the most basic needs of children in the community. HopeChest will provide food, water, access to basic medical care, education and discipleship.
While $34 cannot meet all the needs of a child suffering through extreme poverty, it does provide significant help. In our community-to-community model, all funds are “pooled” together so that if one child does not have a sponsor, they will still have these needs met.
So, for $408 a year, you CAN provide basic medical care, food, education, water, and DISCIPLESHIP to a child in desperate need. It really is an amazing opportunity!
Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of our Jemo kids today! You can easily sign up at our sponsorship page.
If you have any questions about this project, feel free to call the church office at 701-223-3304.
