My husband and I gave our son, Samuel, a Compassion sponsor child for his 1st Birthday, in 2009. We wanted Samuel to know that his life is such a gift to us that we would celebrate and commemorate his Birthday by celebrating and contributing to the life of a child less fortunate then himself. We chose a child who shares the same birthday, as a symbolic means of placing value upon that child in Guatemala.
Every year now, we gather family and friends to celebrate both their Birthdays. Friends are given the opportunity to give a donation toward Samuel's sponsorship of Daniel in Guatemala, rather than gifts to Samuel, if they'd so prefer... This not only creates opportunity for growing awareness, it also creates a pathway of love and care and generosity between our son, Samuel, his peers, AND Samuel's sponsor child... AND very importantly, makes for a transformed life for little "Carlos Daniel" in Guatemala...!!
If my husband and I can shape the life of our little Samuel to care and to shape the life of one other child, then we have not only made a start, but we have changed the lives of two children and their whole community. One step, two hearts, multiple changed lives. That's the wonderful contagion of love...!
