True story: I met a woman who was sponsored as a child by Compassion International, and within minutes of hearing her story, I noticed years of unacknowledged cynicism and suspicion towards missional organizations began to unravel. In an attempt at discernment, I’d become distorted. This startled me, and I immediately began to repent to the Lord for my hard-heartedness! I’d been haughty and arrogant, thinking I’d discerned the hearts of men when only God can do that, thinking I had total command over “my” resources when God’s plan has always been to bless his people that they might bless people. Another problem: I’d been so nervous about and disgusted by saviorism that it prevented me from trusting my Savior. Whew. (More on that another time. This is worth unpacking.)

Anyway, since then, my husband has been able to ask Compassion leaders all kinds of questions. (Discernment does matter — it just needs to be motivated by faith and pursued with humility!) We’ve come away amazed by their integrity, encouraged by their heart for local churches and leaders, and compelled by their deep love for kids in poverty. We began sponsoring two children in El Salvador (one has the same birthday as our daughter!) and leading those in our church to do the same.

It really excites us to have the honor of coming alongside our brothers and sisters at a local church in El Salvador and partner with them to serve these children and their families. (This is one of the many reasons we felt we could trust Compassion! They don’t stomp in and take charge—they work through local churches!) What an honor to participate in the discipleship and thriving of precious families in El Salvador.

It’s $38/month—not a one-time donation—and I think this is part of the beauty of it. My husband always says that we “automate the important” so that we will be faithful to do it. I love this approach and have found that it is not only a practical act of faithfulness but God uses it to cultivate faithfulness in our hearts. (Scrolls down for some graphics on how to give literally, how to give spiritually, and the good fruit that is produced by committed generosity.)

Here’s the point: We’re doing what we can to invite others to sponsor kids, too. I know this isn’t a light choice, and if you’re like me, it may expose some things in your heart. But that exposure may indicate God’s intent to use this to produce a light heart within you—and create a shorter road for families in El Salvador to experience the Light of the World through the light his church extends.

Just as a sort-of disclaimer, I hope you know that I really want to give you things in this space rather than ask you for things. In this online space, we get solicited all the time, and we’ll, it’s annoying. After all, as I’ve mentioned, I’m a girl who has been gripped by cynicism more than not. (By the way, if you also struggle with cynicism, I hope this post is helpful for you.) A compliment from my husband is often met with a distrustful “what’s the angle here?” from me. He’s like, “I just think you’re pretty today!” and I’m like, “Uh huh. I’m watching you.” (I’m fun!)

If I’m that way with my husband, I’m definitely that way with strangers. When a stranger invites me to purchase something or donate to something, I immediately assume there’s something nefarious at play. The emotional manipulation of the sad cats in the Sarah McLachlan commercial has always made me seethe. “These cats are actors!” I would say. (See? I’m fun!)

But 2020 in particular has been a year in which I have seen the Lord untangle me from the perils of cynicism by softening my heart. One way I’ve seen him do this is through generosity. Specifically, two types of generosity:

1. (Automated generosity (deciding once to give in an ongoing way, and then being faithful each month to keep giving)

2. Active generosity (keeping an intentional eye out for places to give and running to do so as soon as I can)

So, yes, I am asking you for something, but I hope you see the heart of it is not an ask. The heart of it is to give you an opportunity to be generous. THIS is a worthy goal for 2021. You will be humbled because you will begin to understand the desperate need of children in poverty. These children are not actors. You will be delighted to see how God has designed giving to soften our hearts. You will be honored to realize you get to play a role in something so crucial to the thriving of families.