Three Precious Teens Lost

Last week, I lost four of my correspondent children, due to an organization having to cancel their sponsorships of a large group of children. I logged into my account and saw four missing names, all of kids I've been writing to for a few years. It's always sad to lose correspondent kids, but it hurts even more when you really have gotten to know them over time.

One of the children that I lost was Chintada. He was the child I was was most upset to lose, because he will be graduating from Compassion in January, so he only has 8 more months in the program. I hated the idea of him graduating without a sponsor and I tried to think of a way to cover his sponsorship, but I could not come up with one, especially after my new sponsorship of Veronica last month. To my amazement, a fellow sponsor offered to pay off Chintada's remaining months in the program and allow me to continue corresponding with him until then. I am truly blown away by her kindness. The community of sponsors really is the greatest group of people I know. Having somebody willingly offer over $300, with no strings attached, to somebody they basically only know over the internet is nothing short of a miracle. I hope that there will be a way, someday, for me to repay this sponsor. I am so excited to continue writing to Chintada, and be able to encourage him as he heads off into the "real word".

However, I must say goodbye to three lovely children. Now that I know they all had the same financial sponsor, I can truly see how wonderful of sponsors they were. All three of these children received regular financial gifts and I received great pictures of gift items that were purchased. They really seemed to be great sponsors. I bet that they are heartbroken that they had to cancel these sponsorships. The economy truly is hurting many people.

I wish the best to Abbas, Elias, and Swapna. I will continue praying for them and their futures!