Introducing Suriya, my sponsored child

About 7 years ago, I felt led to sponsor a child.  At that point in my life, I had been on a handful of mission trips to a few places around the world.  I had seen the poverty and desperation that many children face.  One memory that I will never forget is ministering to children that literally lived and ‘worked’ in a dump.  A landfill. A place so filled with trash as far as I could see and layers upon layers of waste.  I still do not know how I managed to keep most of my emotions in check.  Our group was here to play and love on those children.

Those children thought that life in the dump was normal.  To scavenge for food, eating what others had thrown away.  Searching for treasures of cans and plastic to clean up and sell for a few pennies.  Their home was a landfill.

Why?

How could this be?  We have plenty of food. Plenty of water. We waste it everyday.  Why are these kids growing up in such an environment?  I don’t think the why’s will ever cease to be asked.

But there must be HOPE. There must be something we can do about it.

That I can do about it.

And thats where Compassion comes in.  Compassion International is an organization focused on finding sponsors that will be willing to give just a little each month to feed, clothe, teach, and minister to these children.  This is where Suriya comes in.

Suriya was born on July 29th, 2001 in the mountains of Thailand.  He lives with his father, mother,and 5 other siblings.  Homes in this area are constructed of wood and bamboo and have corrugated iron and banana leaf roofs.  Foods consist of fish, beans, chicken, pork, and rice. His parents worked off and on as laborers when jobs were available.  Their earnings were the equivalent of $24 per month.

When I first began sponsoring Suriya, he was around 5 years old.  At that time, he loved to play with cars and run.  Typical boy activities!  He was also responsible for running errands.

 

 

One of the many blessings of sponsoring a child are the many letters and drawings sent by the child worker or the child once they have learned to write.  Through these letters, I can visualize at least part of Suriya’s daily life.

                                  

 

Here is the latest letter I’ve received written by Suriya.

 

 

Have I inspired you to change the life of a
child through sponsorship?

 

I hope so.

 

I can’t wait til I have an opportunity to meet Suriya in his country!  And guess what, Compassion offers trips as well so that you can meet each other and experience a small bit of your child’s life.