I know I’ve told you how much of an impact it has made on our family to sponsor two children through Compassion International. My daughter has a small inkling of a bigger world and responsibility to care and give because of our kids who live in Burkina Faso.

I announced a few weeks ago in our forums that I am going a step further with this by traveling with another child sponsorship organization, World Vision to the Dominican Republic. I’ve been asked to be a part of a blogger’s team that will live blog our experience and the work of World Vision in the area.

I’m so excited. Today I was posting on my personal blog about the trip and then ran over here to tell you guys, too. And suddenly I realized I couldn’t tell you about sponsoring a kid in the Dominican Republic when I had not yet done it myself.

I sat at the dining room table and looked through the faces of the kids on the World Vision website. I wrestled with myself—“if I get an older kid, I’ll only have to sponsor her for a few years. If I get a young one, I’ll have to do it their whole life. But if I get a younger one, they won’t care if I come to visit them. An older one will appreciate it more.” And then I felt sick at myself. Good grief! We’re talking about a child who needs clothes, food and shelter. A child who may not get to go to school if it wasn’t for my $35! It doesn’t matter which one I pick–God already knows them. And he’ll use my dollars to impact their life for eternity!

So, I just clicked on the next child. Her name is Mari. She’s 12 years old. She seems old and strong and happy. I hope she’ll be excited when she finds out I’m sponsoring her. I hope she’ll enjoy it when I come to visit her. I hope she likes the necklace I bring her.

Necklace?

Yes, necklace. Lisa Leonard (you do know Lisa Leonard, don’t you?) has designed a special necklace for our trip.

Isn’t it beautiful? She’s giving us 100  necklaces to give to the children, parents and people we meet in the Dominican Republic. I’ll get to place this beautiful necklace on Mari’s sweet neck. She’ll see the one I wear around my neck and I pray she’ll feel the faith, hope and love that God has for her.

Now, here’s the cool part. You can get your own Faith, Hope, Amor necklace. How? By sponsoring a child. Lisa Leonard is donating a necklace to everyone who sponsors a child through World Vision via our blogs. {quantities limited} What a great reminder to pray for and write to your child.

Please look at their faces of the children. See who pricks your heart or just click the first child you see. God will use your money to make a difference in their lives AND in yours.

If you already sponsor a child (especially from the Dominican Republic) OR if you choose to sponsor one today, please leave me a comment! {This will also ensure you get your necklace!}