Inside the Secret Sponsorship

Even in his death, President George H.W. Bush continues to be an influential advocate for child sponsorship. In the wake of President Bush’s passing, former Compassion International president, Wess Stafford, revealed a heart-warming secret which rocked the country: President Bush was a Compassion sponsor.

Wess agreed to censor the letters between Timothy, a poverty-stricken child, and the most powerful man in the world. Initially, President Bush abided by the security guidelines, writing sweet letters and encouraging him to do his best. He praised the boy’s hand-drawn pictures and progress in school. Timothy shares his perspective:

“I remember receiving so many encouraging letters from him, a calculator, and colored pencils and markers. I was eight years old then and really loved drawing pictures. I sent some of my drawings to him and realize now that I was sending my drawings to the White House! Now I feel embarrassed because my drawings were not good.”

Eventually, Bush’s sense of humor broke through, and he began to cleverly “break the rules.” It began with a picture of his dog: “This is my dog Millie…she knows many famous people!” Later, he wrote another encrypted message: “This year for Christmas we are going to celebrate with my son at his house…he lives in a big White House!”

Timothy was raised by a single mother who provided for her children by washing clothes. He shares that they “were so poor that my mother could not buy school supplies and other things for us…sometimes, not even food. These are the things that Compassion provided.” Through his sponsorship with Compassion, Timothy was provided with the opportunity to become a healthy, happy, well-educated and God-loving child.

After graduating from the Compassion program at age 17, Timothy finally learned who his sponsor was. As a stunning revelation, he shares it changed his life.

“I will forever be grateful. I am now the father of a three-year-old girl, and will do my best to be a great father to her, provide for her, and lead her to the ways of the Lord. From being a former beneficiary, I was molded in the right path and in the ways of God.

To the late and former president of the United States of America, Mr. George Bush. Thank you very much for being my sponsor.”

When you sponsor a child, you’ll be personally connected with a boy or girl like Timothy who will know your name and treasure the thought that you care. Your support of $43 per month provides life-changing opportunities like the opportunity to attend school, receive medical care and nourishing food, and most importantly, opportunities to hear the gospel.

Will you follow in the footsteps of our nation’s leader and make a difference in the life of a child in poverty? Allow God to work through you – sponsor a child today!