The Fingerprint That Changed Everything

Meet the newest addition to our family! Her name is Ikoit Gabdesia, and she's Clara's age (5). Isn't she beautiful? We actually got a letter from her this past week. It was so sweet...she wants to be a doctor someday. Her favorite game is skipping rope. And do you know what else? Her fingerprint looks like this:

When I saw this little smudged fingerprint, tears sprung to my eyes and goosebumps covered my body. This isn't a sweet little charity project to teach the kids about giving. This isn't just another few bucks to put in the debit column of our budget. This is a beautiful, smiling, rope skipping little girl. And she's counting on us.

I am 100% committed to this little sweet-pea. I want to help her stay healthy. I want to help her go to school. I want to see her face to face some day. I want her to feel love from half way around the globe.

Oh Lord, please keep and bless little Ikoid Gabdesia.

An Addition To Our Family

Ha! Mom, Dad...be honest. Did you heart stop for just a moment?

No. I am not "in the family way".

But I did just sign up to sponsor a Compassion child.

Her name is Ikoit Gabdesia. She's Clara's age: 5. She lives in Uganda, and is one of 8 children. She and her siblings live with her unemployed father. She is also so very beautiful! I was looking for a girl Clara's age, so I had Clara help me choose. All those beautiful faces staring at me...I just couldn't pick! Clara didn't hesitate a bit. Ikoit, it is :)

So why did I do this? Why now, when money is tight and we have our own 4 kids to support?

Well, go read Shannon's Africa posts at her blog, Rocks In My Dryer, and you might understand. Something about her trip and the way it impacted her...just made it more real for me too. I wanted to do something to help.

I also trust Shannon. She saw the difference that Compassion sponsorship made in those kids' lives. I believe that my money is going to a sweet 5 year old little girl, not into a giant "help the kids" slush fund.

And frankly, after looking at some of the pictures Shannon posted, I'm ashamed to even use the phrase "money is tight".

I'm excited! I'm excited to have taken a step...a small one... but a step all the same to DO something about the unspeakable mess in Africa right now. I'm excited to get to know this little girl. I'm excited to see her grow, and hopefully go to school with our help.