Advocate: a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. Also known as a backer, a supporter, a spokesperson, a champion. Child sponsorship often turns out to be much more than an updated photo and neatly penned letters throughout the year. It is about relationship. Advocacy. Championing. The effects of advocacy are… Read more
Glowing candles light up Martha’s face. She looks around the table at her friends. The purple, zebra-striped tablecloth and the cupcakes in front of her make her smile widely. Today, Martha celebrates her tenth birthday. As she closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath, she considers all she has to hope for. At… Read more
Mariah slowly opens her eyes. Surrounding her, small voices fling hopes high to a Father – and she feels her heartbeat quicken. Ashwini’s black veil carefully covers both her head and Mariah’s, honoring an Indian custom of women covering their faces in prayer. Ashwini prays aloud next to Mariah, praying over her new friend and… Read more
Adan is a 23-year-old college student who lives at Bethany Children’s Home in Monterrey, Mexico. Recently he served at Back2Back’s Cancun site with his sponsors Ric and Shari Sharrer and their mission team from Apex Community Church in Dayton, Ohio. Ric and Shari have sponsored Adan since 2012. Here, in his own words, Adan shares… Read more
Madhu’s eyes glitter when he grins. He laughs musically, the corners of his eyes crinkling, as he speaks eagerly to whomever is around. He pulls people in naturally, without even realizing his capabilities. So it is no surprise he would return to his home village over the long break from school and begin to share… Read more
Sofia whips down the slide in the Cancun sun and lets her laughter ring through the air as she runs to the open window looking into the kitchen. Glasses of cool, clear, clean water sit on the ledge of the window, beckoning to be consumed; Sofia obliges. As she tips the glass nearly vertical to… Read more
I remember the first time I received a letter from from the child I sponsor in Hyderabad, India through Back2Back Ministries; I tore open the envelope, carefully removed the letter with his beautiful penmanship, and read and reread the words over and over again. I couldn’t wait to soak in his news about school and… Read more
The older I get, the more seemingly comfortable I am with my safe, insulated faith. I think something happens to us as we get older and experience more life. The more life we live, the more we’ve been bruised and banged up. Just last week, I was in a car accident. It was snowing hard… Read more
Have you seen the new IKEA Christmas commercial? If not, check it out and have some Kleenex ready. Kids are asked to write two letters – one to Santa and one to their parents.