Changing Children

There is much that could be said after such a silence, let's start with kids.

We recently received a large envelope in the mail from one of the organization we work with to support kids around the world.  I have become well enough acquainted with these envelopes to know that they don't bode well for a long term relationship with a child. Usually, when we get a big envelope from this organization, it means that one of our sponsored kids has moved or left the program and can no longer be supported by us.

I HATE when this happens.

Here's the brief history:
I began supporting a kid in college. Semi-typical Christian college presentation/guilt trip to support a child and maybe not buy yourself a new shirt or CD that will be "out" in 10 years anyways. 5 is more like it. I was convinced.
There was probably about 6-8 months in undergrad when i couldn't keep up with the payments and I'm so thankful that Compassion was patient and generous with me. I guess they didn't have much choice, but they could have kicked me to the curb and passed my precious little one to someone else. Instead  faithfully every month i would check my box and there would be the letter: please support your child, they need your help. Eventually i got back in the game and have tried over the years to write letters, send stickers and pray hope for this precious little ones.

Then the fateful day came when i got my first termination letter. "we are so sorry to inform you, your child has moved and we do not have contact with them. Please start supporting this kid (picture included)."

What!!??
I was heartbroken.
Sigh.

Well, now we support four kids, two through Compassion and two through Food For The Hungry. There is much i like about both organizations. much. And, I lived overseas long enough to know that kids move, and families get out of touch. Heck, that happens stateside!  But it is still disappointing to me every time it happens with one of our sponsored kids or family or friends.

So recently, we got another one of those letters. Sigh. None of the original kids we have started supporting is still in the program. I'll admit, I'm quite skeptical about graduating with a kid out of one of these programs. I guess it happens for some people. Not us.

And, every time this happens, the letters get a little harder to write. Starting over is not my favorite thing.