By Kelly Demo, CFCA preacher

ìIt was the picture that did it for me.î

ìThe priest had four folders left, and I just grabbed two!î

ìI saw on the folder that the childís birthday was the same as my fatherís birthday. It was just meant to be!î

As a preacher for CFCA, I find it fascinating the myriad of reasons people are drawn to a particular child or aging person once they have made the decision to sponsor. Some look long and hard over the folders, reading carefully the personal information inside. Some say they feel called by God to pick ìthis very one.î

I often encourage people to pick someone from a country they would like to visit so they can meet their friend on a mission awareness trip. And for many, the decision is just too hard so they ask me to pick.

The longer I do this work the more convinced I am that God does have a hand in putting sponsors and sponsored friends together. I remember there was one folder of a young man in his 20s. He had special needs and would probably always need help but also had some big plans for his life.

However, for the life of me I couldnít get him sponsored. I must have taken his folder to five appeals and no one would take him. Then, at one parish, a man came up to me, grabbed my arm and looked at me with tears in his eyes. He said, ìI recently lost my 18-year-old son to drugs. He is gone, and now I need another.î

ìI have just the boy for you.î

Those two men needed each other, and God brought them together.

In our family we let our 7-year-old daughter pick a folder. She picked Wendy because she said Wendy looked like someone she would want to play with. When our son gets a bit older we will let him discern who he would like to have for a new friend as well. We are deeply grateful to God for bringing Wendy in our lives and giving my kids an ìolder sister.î

So, what about you? How did you choose your friend? We would love to hear your stories of connection, intent and surprise. We welcome you to share how God brought someone special into your life through CFCA.

How did YOU find your friend?

Share this post: