Sponsors' Stories

“My son returned form (sic) the 2005 Mission trip to Rio Bravo excited about the opportunity he had to serve Jesus. He also returned with a commitment to sponsor a child. It was neat to see a young man age 15 with such a burden.

I had the opportunity to go with my son on the trip this past summer (2006). Following is an excerpt from my journal regarding my introduction to the child we sponsor:

Today I experience one of the most awesome things I have ever experienced. I had the chance to personally meet [child’s name] – the child we sponsor. …A missionary who helps out at [the school] volunteered to sign for me – I introduced myself and my son Ethan – told him that we have his picture on our refrigerator – that we pray for him daily – and that we love him. You could see the gratitude in [his] face as he offered a sincere thank you in sign language followed by a heartfelt hug. Tears filled my eyes and a feeling of love I have never experienced filled my soul.

Later that day he gave me a sign name – A “b” held close to the heart. I had always heard that to meet a child you sponsor … is special. This was beyond special – it will be a highlight of my life!

[My sponsored child's] picture remains on our refrigerator and he and his family are in our prayers everyday. I am convinced that this was a divine opportunity that God presented to our family. We are counting the days until we can once again see [him] and the other special children….”     Barry C. – Virginia

“It is a true blessing to be a sponsor. To give to help a child be able to go to school to learn how to communicate opening their eyes to a whole new world. To teach them that things have names and most importantly they learn that they are special and Jesus Loves them. To hear from the child and see how they are growing and learning is a extraordinary feeling. I encourage everyone to get involved, be Jesus hands reaching the deaf children for Christ you will be truly blessed.” Edgar H. – Virginia

“Child sponsorship … is it merely sending a $25 check each month … simply taking care of a financial obligation? Oh no, it is much, much more! Not only is there the financial responsibility, there is the spiritual responsibility. The responsibility to pray daily for our child, the child the Lord has given the privilege of sponsoring.
But it definitely doesn’t end with the responsibility, because that is where the blessings begin. We are truly blessed to have [child’s name] as part of our lives and as part of our family; and the blessings? They are numerous…
To see him receive an award for excellent progress, to see him play and communicate with his friends, to see him in class, to receive cards and letters from him, … to be able to tell him we love him and that we are praying for him, to hear one of the most precious and dear sounds – his laughter, to have the opportunity to play with him, … to hear he’s growing in his faith, to see him pray, to see him say, ‘I love you and I am praying for you!’
It is not a responsibility or an obligation … it is a joy to sponsor!”     Kevin and Tammy W. - Virginia

“I’ve always been leary of infomercials asking to donate to this fund or that fund. In 2005, I had the privilege of going on a mission trip to a deaf school in Rio Bravo, Mexico. During this trip, I got a chance to meet and play with the deaf children who we were there to help. As it turned out, these children won the hearts of those who were went down. I began asking about child sponsorship before the subject came up. This year, 2006, I had the privilege of going back to school and help again. This year I had the chance to meet with MY child…. Through an interpreter, I told my child that next year, I will talk to him with out help. Thank God for the opportunity to be able to help a child … who has a real need.”     Albert H.

“I get a great blessing by sponsoring someone in need. The child gets an education and is taught about God. I feel this is a mission and that I am honoring God by sponsoring the less fortunate otherwise the child might never know the Lord. It’s a great feeling to know that you may have had something to do with this child coming to Christ. It’s a small token to pay if someone comes to the Lord.”     Bill P. - Virginia

“God has blessed me and my family so much and we feel that it would make God unhappy if we did not share some of these blessings back to those who are His children.”        Sonny S. – Virginia

“My 10 year old son and I went to Rio Bravo on our first mission trip and fell in love with the children. My son fit right in from the very beginning due to the love for sports that they had in common. Communicating was not a problem, just a little slow. After interacting with the children on the soccer field, during the water balloon fight and during the shared lunches, both my son and I knew we would not be leaving Rio Bravo without sponsoring one of the children. The problem was the question of who. They had all won our hearts. It is a blessing from God to my son and I to have the honor and privilege to call a deaf child from ICCD our adopted brother and son.”     Kim A. – Virginia

“It was certainly our pleasure to do the Lord’s work in Rio Bravo last summer. The week flew by and our hearts were touched in so many ways! The children have such beautiful spirits and are such an inspiration to all who come in contact with them. We were extremely blessed in so many ways and wanted to share our love of Christ through sponsorship of a student at the school.”     Jimmy and Pam K. – Georgia

“My wife and I sponsor one of your Mexico deaf children. We have been involved in deaf ministry for many years and have seen little deaf children come to school that acted more like animals than humans. We’ve seen them transformed from 'wild animals' to wonderfully behaved, responsible, and joyful young adults, who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. We realize that this transformation is not cheap. It takes lots of prayer and finances, as well as lots of hard work on the part of your missionaries. We are fully committed to continue the support of your ministry as we anxiously await for this transformation to take place in the life of our Mexico child. Thank you for allowing us the great privilege of being a small part of a wonderful ministry to precious deaf children. May our good God continue to place his hand on ICCD.”