Two of my passions are related: my passion for being a grandmother and my passion for Mennonite Central Committee's Global Family program. Both passions are centered on children.

When I began working as a regional associate for MCC in Ohio in 2003, most of what I knew about MCC concerned its work in Africa. That was where our family had served, and that was where my interests primarily lay. As a new staff member for MCC, I was initially overwhelmed to learn about all the many program areas - and geographical areas - in which MCC was at work: health, shelter, clean water, food supply, creation care, agriculture, peace and justice, education, and more. And I learned for the first time about MCC's Global Family Program.

Many agencies and organizations have child sponsorship programs. What makes the Global Family program unique and special (other than the fact that it is a Mennonite child sponsorship program) is that the focus of the program is on education. Global Family children aren't supported just for the present with food and clothing. They receive the resources they need to attend school, which gives them the tools for healthier and productive futures.

I've found a way to connect my two passions. For each of our grandchildren, Steve and I have sponsored a Global Family child. For Nickolas, we support a child in Paraguay; for Ava we support a child care center (one that I have visited) in Colombia. And, in May, we'll be adding both another grandchild and another Global Family child to our family! We'll be twice blessed.

Karen Metzler