Does Sponsoring with Compassion.ca Work?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

 

In the spring of 2014 we received some exciting news in the mail.  Canadians now sponsor 100,000 children through Compassion! That’s 100,000 kids who are being released from poverty in every sense—by having their practical needs met and hearing the good news about Jesus!

compassion-logoMy family has been sponsoring a child through Compassion.  Let’s face it, in North America we have an increased responsibility to steward the wealth that we have been allowed to accumulate.  My wife and I made an agreement that no matter how low money may get in our family, we will make sure we can make this donation.

Read here how we joined with compassion (coming).

The big question is: Does sponsoring a child with Compassion work?

Many groups collect money to help children.  Each one has unique values and strategies on how to bring children out of poverty.  They will always share with you stories about how they are doing great work.

However, many do not have independent evaluation of the work being done from outside the organization.

I always thought ‘Why has no one ever done an independent study?’  Yes we get the great stories from the organization receiving our money. If what they are doing is true, which I believed, an independent study should reveal this.  There is always the challenge of money to get the bigger study done.  However, we could be talking about a lot of money being wasted.

In the spring of 2013, I read a report in a Compassion magazine about an independent study.  As I read the article, I was impressed that there was a recent study done.

The results of this study support the work Compassion is doing around the world.  The study looked at the impact on the adult life of formerly sponsored children.  The study reveals that there is positive impact in many areas of life.  Does there need to be more studies, yes; do some of compassion’s areas of work need improving, most likely. However, the study reveals the benefits of such work with these children.

Some of the results (http://www.compassion.com/does-child-sponsorship-work.htm)

  • Education – Sponsored child stays in school longer
  • Better employment opportunity.
  • Leadership – Many of the children become leaders in their community

For those who want greater details, you can read those here in the Journal of Political Economy

The conclusion was that Compassion is working and helping, while recognizing that more studies need to be done.

Does it work? Yes.  Should you sponsor? Yes?

Go here to learn how?

100,000 Children Sponsored! from Compassion Canada on Vimeo.

 

 

Life and Obstacles

Posted on by Matthew Laker

In spite of the obstacles in our life, whether we put them there, or others, God is still at work.

ONEWAYI remember my first time driving downtown Ottawa.  I had walked down certain streets before, but found out you could not drive down those streets.  There were arrow signs that were obstacles to where I thought I needed to go.

Obstacles are part of every ones’ life. Some, we bring in ourselves (Gen. 12:10 – Abram leaves the promise land). Some, we do not always see as obstacles (Lot in Gen. 13:7), and some obstacles come from other people’s choices (Sari – Gen 12:13-20).

In John Walton’s commentary on Genesis (NIV Application Commentary Genesis) he shares some great ideas on obstacles that come into Abram’s life.

In Genesis 12:10-20 and Genesis 13 we see two different moments where obstacles come into Abram’s life.  He makes a choice he most likely thought was good for his family. In doing so, he leaves the land God had called him to.  In spite of the obstacle, that Abram put there, God would redeem Sari and bring the family back to the promise land.   Then in Genesis 13, we see the “Lot Obstacle,” but this time Abram pauses and puts faith in God to guide his path.

In spite of the obstacles in our life, whether we put them there or others, God is still at work.

Obstacles will come into our life as we live out kingdom values in our kingdom roles. However, God is still at work.  Even if we make a poor choice, and put obstacles between us and Christ,Jesus will call us back.  There will be consequences, but God is still with us.

Isaiah 42:16 (ESV)

“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.”

Obstacles sometimes crowd the pathway, obstructing the vision and seeming at times to be quite unmoveable.  However fear not, listen for the spirit guidance.

“Vision is the ability to see God’s presence, to perceive God’s power, to focus on God’s plan in spite of the obstacles.” ―  Charles R. Swindoll

Jesus says “Come all who are weary and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Exercise: Do you have an obstacle in your life?

1. Write it out it?

2. Then write a prayer giving the obstacle to Jesus.

When fear comes, put faith in God and not the obstacle.

The obstacle may slow you down or stop you, but trust God to guide your path your path.  Do not let the obstacle be your identity.  Pray and trust in the word of God, make a decision, and live in your identity in Christ.