Category Archives: Compassion International

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A Letter to Myself

In 1983, most of my Sundays started out the same. I woke up, got dressed, grabbed myself a bowl of cereal, then hopped on my bicycle and pedaled off to the neighborhood church.

My best friend Diana introduced me to this church. She had moved to a new neighborhood recently and was attending a new school. I missed her terribly. But one day, I spent the night at Diana’s new house, and the next morning, a shiny silver bus pulled up and carried us to church. It was a church only blocks from my own house, and after that day, I was hooked.

The Sunday School teachers were so kind, and I really enjoyed learning and singing all of the songs. I got to see my best friend every week, too.

But my favorite thing of all was earning stickers for memorizing Bible verses. Some mornings I would memorize up to four or five verses before heading home happily with my new stickers.

When I found out I could earn my own Bible by attending church for 12 weeks in a row, I committed to that goal. I was so proud the day my name was called to go up in front of the gathered Sunday School classes and receive my brand-new blue Bible.

But one day, the unintended actions of a few pierced my happiness, and doubt began to trickle into my heart.

I had just arrived at church, and like I did every Sunday, I was chaining my bicycle to a bench outside because there were no bike racks. While I was bent over clicking the lock, I sensed someone watching me. As I turned my head, from the corner of my eye I could see a couple of adults in a small group, and they were looking at me and chuckling.

My fair, freckled face turned red and hot instantly. I may have been only 10 years old, but I knew when someone was having a laugh at my expense.

And that was the beginning of a year-long battle in my head. I continued to go to church most Sundays, but the joy I had once felt in being there was being eaten away by doubt and embarrassment.

I was different from most of the children going to church every week, and I knew it. But before the bike-chaining day, I had been able to ignore it. Now it was all I could think about, and the differences began to loom before me, stacking up like bricks in a wall that eventually would block me from going to church at all.

Most children did not ride their bicycles to church. They came in a car, and not only that, they came with their parents. I saw them holding hands with their parents as they walked to the Sunday School room each week. And I saw them leaving with their parents after church, happily detailing what they had learned in class or deciding where to go for lunch.

Their parents brought them to church each week, while mine were still in bed, sleeping off the previous night’s drinks.

And most children came to church dressed appropriately, while I was dressed in the only clothes I had. Jeans with holes and old t-shirts and ratty tennis shoes made up my wardrobe.

As the weeks went by, I began to make excuses to myself not to go to church anymore. And because no one at home cared if I went, it was easy enough to just stop. It was about two decades before I returned.

Knowing what I know now, there are a few things I would tell my 10-year-old self if I could. If I could write my 10-year-old self a letter, just like the encouraging letters I send to my sponsor children each month, I would pour love and praise into that unworthy little girl, and build her up so she wouldn’t even consider leaving church.

Dear “Younger” Kerri,

How are you? I pray that you are healthy and happy, and that God is blessing you every day.

I am so happy to receive your recent letter, but something in it worried me. You said you might not continue going to Sunday School because you feel so different from the other children there.

I want to tell you, I know how hard it is to feel different. Sometimes it can be so embarrassing and painful that you just want to disappear, right? I remember feeling that way. 

Did you know that your Heavenly Father loves you no matter how different you are? In fact, he loves you just as much as he loves the girls in their pretty Sunday dresses, and the boys whose mothers kiss them on the cheek at the Sunday School door. Those things don’t matter to him. He loves you.

Job 34:19 says, “Who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?”

You will be a teen soon, and it is so important for you to continue your relationship with God. It is so important for you to have fellowship at church, where people can encourage you and teach you.

You are about to enter some difficult years, Kerri. I know those adults who laughed at you made you feel small and embarrassed you, but I am sure they meant no harm. They probably were impressed and surprised to see a child like you taking on the responsibility of getting yourself to church. Please don’t think badly of them or let that day ruin the many years ahead when you will benefit from a close and personal relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Please persevere, continue going to church every week, and pray that God will ease your feelings of discomfort and unworthiness. He will be there with you. And please write to me, and tell me what you are learning each week.

You are a special and unique young lady, and I send you lots of love.

I leave you with this verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Love,

“Older” Kerri

Won’t you sponsor a child today and share the encouragement and love that is unique to your personal experiences? There is a child out there who will benefit greatly from your words.

Click here to sponsor:  http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=129652

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When One Door Closes

Last week, I received the phone call that no sponsor wants to receive. It was Compassion calling to tell me that my sweet Roxana from Guatemala has left the program.

This is the same child about whom I posted earlier on this blog after receiving a particularly sweet letter from her. She wrote that she dreams about playing ball with me, and she hopes to see me someday. She also let me know that she keeps the photos I’ve sent to her in a frame next to her bed.

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Roxana, 9, Guatemala

I’ve sponsored her since April 2011, when she had just turned 7.

The Compassion representative who called me said Roxana’s parents pulled her out of the program.

There could be any number of reasons for a parent to take their child out of Compassion. Moving to another area or some other change in the family’s situation could be the reason, though it’s best not to speculate because then my imagination will go wild and only cause me to worry. Instead, I must respect the parents’ choice and trust in God’s plan.

Of course, that’s not exactly easy to do.

Fortunately, my 8-year-old daughter Ryan was able to push things along. She, too, was sad to lose Roxana, but she was ready to start scouring the Compassion web site that same day to sponsor a new little girl.

I set Ryan up at the computer, and searched for girls in Guatemala around the same age as Roxana, and my daughter quickly narrowed it down to one little girl. I told her I wanted to think about it, but the next day, she was back to campaigning for her chosen girl.

She was fairly relentless. Ryan enjoys writing, drawing pictures and making cards for the girls we sponsor, and she wasn’t going to let me mope about Roxana much longer. And she did pick a very cute little girl, so I sponsored my daughter’s choice, Hania, 7, of Guatemala.

I emailed Compassion later that day to request an emailed digital copy of Hania’s photo on file, and found out I am her first sponsor. I also found out this little cutie had been waiting for a sponsor since she registered with Compassion back in September of 2012.

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Hania, 7, Guatemala

How can it be that almost a year has passed that no one decided to sponsor this little girl?

I immediately sent her an email with photos using Compassion’s online letter-writing tool, and my daughter got to work making cards and drawings for her new friend.

Later that night, Ryan came downstairs at bedtime to show me the photo of Roxana she keeps on her dresser. She leaned in my ear and whispered, “I prayed for Roxana.”

The door may have closed on that special relationship with Roxana, but I am comforted knowing that I’m not alone in continuing to pray for her.

And now we open the door to our newest sponsorship. Welcome to our family, Hania.

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Do Something

The last few weeks at church, as I sit in the pew wrestling my 3-year-old or pulling him off his 6-year-old brother before they come to blows, the message has been persistent: do something.

Do something. Reach out to the people around you. Love them and help them. Give of yourself. Reflect Christ to them.

The pastor reminds us that there are many ministries at the church where “doing something” can be accomplished. Some church members visit nearby nursing homes. Others collect backpacks for school children. The more adventurous travel on missions, both within the United States and internationally.

The choices of ways to do something seem endless, yet each time I consider one of these options, my responsibilities at this stage in my life weigh a little heavier on my shoulders.

As a stay-at-home mom who is homeschooling six children, from high school all the way down to preschool, and shuttling most of them to various activities each evening, I don’t have a lot of free time. The idea of adding one more item to the to-do list seems about as possible keeping the above-mentioned 3-year-old quiet through an entire service, or at least convincing him to sit in his seat rather rolling around under it.

So I shrug, sigh and go home feeling a little defeated, knowing that some day I’ll be able to do something, but it’s going to be a while.

When I arrive home, I fall into the usual Sunday afternoon routine of catching up on chores and making sure we’re ready to start the following school week.

Once those things are done, I usually steal a few minutes to answer some letters to my sponsor children. It’s not uncommon for me to have a stack of three or four letters waiting to be answered, and it’s something I love to do.

I love to hear from each of my sponsored children, and I enjoy writing back to them. It makes me happy to know that I can provide them some encouragement from so far away. Poverty tells them they are worthless, but I’m able to tell them they aren’t. They are so important that a person living in another country, whom they have never met, is willing to write to them, and send them stickers and soccer cards, and love them.

It occurs to me that I am doing something. The proof is in those letters. It’s in lines like this, from 9-year-old Roxana in Guatemala: “I put all of the pictures you sent me in a frame near my bed, that way I always pray for you and your family.”

And this, from 11-year-old Jhon in Colombia: “Thank you for your beautiful letters.”

And from 8-year-old Ritik in India: “Me and my family are thanking you from the heart that you have chosen me to support.”

From 19-year-old Favian in Guatemala: “Kerri, every time that you send letters to me, we read them with my family, and we enjoy them very much… I send a big hug to you with much love.”

I could quote endless beautiful words from these children.

So if you’re finding yourself in a busy phase of life like me, why not sponsor a child? You can make an impact right now in the life of a child living in poverty.

You don’t have to put it off because you have too much laundry, and baseball practices, and youth group activities, and whatever else is filling your life right now.

You can do something.

Just click on the following link to get started:

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=129652

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Art Spotlight: Nicaragua

These are some drawings I’ve received from Greyvin, 7, in Nicaragua, over the last two years:

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Always Humbled

Children often have a way of communicating that cuts straight to your heart, brings tears to your eyes, and fills you with love. Sometimes it’s something they say, so innocent and perfect, and sometimes it’s as simple as a tight squeeze around your neck when you need it most.

I know this well because I have six children of my own. But what continues to amaze me is my sponsor children’s ability to affect me in the same way, across the miles and through their written words.

Now it’s not uncommon for my sponsor children to write me that they love me and they send me hugs and kisses or to thank me for being their sponsor. Those things always warm my heart greatly.

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Roxana, 9, of Guatemala

I received a letter today, though, from Roxana, 9, of Guatemala, and it was exceptional in communicating love and friendship. There really aren’t words to describe it, so here is an excerpt:

“I always thank God that he has given me the opportunity to live and to be here with this family. And to have you in my life; thank you for your help. I love you very much. I sometimes dream about you that you are my friend and that I play ball with you just the way I do with my other friends and cousins… I love you very much, and I hope to see you someday.”

Here is a child who lives in poverty in rural Guatemala, and she is thanking God that she is alive, thanking God for her family, and thanking God that she has me, a stranger from another country, in her life. The lessons I learn from these children are priceless.

Oh, Roxana, I hope to see you someday, too, sweet girl.

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Art Spotlight: Peru

One fun thing about receiving mail from my sponsor children is seeing their art work, which often gives me a glimpse into their lives. Compassion’s letter templates often include an area in which the children can draw something special for their sponsors.

This is the first of what I intend to become a regular series on my blog, which will showcase some of these wonderful drawings. Today I am sharing five drawings from 15-year-old Luz in Peru.

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Travel to Nicaragua

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It is my deepest desire to visit my sponsor children at some point. As I try to work that out, I’ll be doing the next best thing this week.

All week, four talented writers are visiting Nicaragua on a Compassion Bloggers trip. Each day, they will visit Compassion’s projects and offices, interacting with staff and children, and coming face-to-face with the poverty that is reality for our sponsor children.

Then, each evening, these women will write about the day’s events, although that description doesn’t really do justice to their task.

It was a trip just like this that first introduced me to child sponsorship. In September of 2010, Compassion’s bloggers visited Guatemala, and after that, I was hooked. Since then, I eagerly look forward to these trips, where I can follow along and visit these countries through the words on my computer screen.

Compassion picks writers who are talented, and who manage to bring the experience to you with detail and emotion. You won’t regret taking some time each day this week and reading their posts. 

To do this, go to http://compassionbloggers.com/trips/nicaragua-2013/. And don’t forget to check out posts from past trips as well. They’re still available at the same web site.

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Add Interest with Pinterest

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Compassion’s letter writing idea board on Pinterest

If you feel like letters to your sponsored children are boring, recounting the same details month after month, Compassion’s Pinterest board “Letter Writing Ideas” might be just the thing to help you.

Rest assured, your children love to hear from you no matter how little or how much you write. But this board has lots of great items to print and send to your children, so you can continue to show your love for them in new and creative ways.

There are templates to make handmade envelopes, instructions for homemade bookmarks and directions to make puzzles for your children. If you aren’t feeling crafty, there are also lots of things to just print and send, like coloring pages, maps and how-to-draw pages.

Go to http://pinterest.com/compassion/letter-writing-ideas/ for many more ideas.

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Dreams of Mothers

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Jose, 6, of Bolivia, and his mother.

Love, happiness, good health and a relationship with God – those are the things I want most for my children. After all, they already have the basics like food, water, clothing and a home.

But many children around the world do not have those basics. And without those, how can their mothers move beyond the basics and dream for more for their children? How can they work toward those bigger dreams?

Compassion’s Child Survival Program can help. This program operates in Africa, Latin America and Asia, providing both education and support to mothers in need. This includes prenatal care, growth monitoring, oral rehydration therapy, breast-feeding support, immunization, female literacy, food and family planning.

Today this program serves 27,652 children and 28,373 mothers, giving them the help they need in those critical early years. Statistics show it’s working. While 12 percent of babies are premature in the developing world, only 3 percent of babies are premature in the Child Survival Program. Also, an infant in Compassion’s program is six times a likely to be a healthy weight as a child in the developing world.

With a monthly donation of $23, you can be a child survival advocate by supporting this program. Click here for details, and please consider helping mothers around the world to have bigger dreams for their children.

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Sponsor a Child

As an advocate for Compassion International, I have two children for whom I am currently looking for sponsors. Sponsorship costs $38/month, but the relationship you will build with your child will change your life.

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Jose, 6, Nicaragua

Jose, 6, of Nicaragua, lives with his mother, who is employed as a laborer. His home duties are caring for children, making beds and running errands. There are three children in Jose’s family.

Jose is performing above average in Kindergarten, and his favorite activities are playing a musical instrument, basketball and playing with cars. His birthday is September 10.

He lives in an area in Nicaragua where the average monthly income is $97. Jose’s community has electricity and water, but needs vocational training centers and employment opportunities.

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Jade, 7, Nicaragua

Jade, 7, also lives in Nicaragua. She lives with both parents, who both are sometimes employed as laborers. There are two children in the family. Her home duty is running errands.

Jade attends primary school, where her performance is average, and she enjoys playing with dolls and running.

She lives in an area where the average monthly income is $120. Like Jose’s community, Jade’s also has electricity and water, but needs vocational training centers and employment opportunities.

Your sponsorship would provide these children with Bibles, Bible classes, medical checkups, de-worming, vaccinations, nutritious food, tutoring, sports and special celebrations.

I personally sponsor two boys from Nicaragua, who in the same age range as Jose and Jade, and they are incredibly sweet and loving. I always look forward to their letters!

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A Boy and his Dog

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Humberto: “I want you to know my dog.”

Nine-year-old boys the world over tend to share similar tidbits in their letters.

Almost three years into sponsoring, I’ve found most boys around that age write about games, friends and pets, which are the same themes my own sons would choose.

Humberto is a 9-year-old boy in Bolivia, and he and I have been sending letters back and forth for two-and-a-half years now. He was almost 7 years old when we started writing to each other, and being so young, he generally shares one or two details in each letter, often repeating those details several times over many letters. Over the years I’ve been able to create a picture of this faraway boy in my mind.

Humberto is one of the younger siblings in a family with eight children. He most recently became a big brother again last year, and asked me to pray for his baby brother just before the baby’s birth.

He tells me he loves to draw. Actually, he tells me that in almost every letter. He also loves to play with his friends.

His most recent letter held an unexpected gem, though. Humberto wrote, “I want you to know my dog.” And tucked into the letter was a photo of Humberto and his dog!

His adorable way of writing that made me laugh, but to see that photo of Humberto and his dog was quite a treat. I’ve never received an extra photo of Humberto, so I’ve only seen his growth progress through Compassion’s usual photo updates, which occur every 18-24 months.

Now that I know Humberto’s dog, we’ll have plenty to cover in our letters for years to come.

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Malaria and Compassion’s Bite Back Program

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Today is World Malaria Day – a day meant to bring attention to this deadly disease.

There have been many accomplishments in fighting malaria over the last decade. In that time, malaria deaths have been cut by one-third in Africa and one-half outside of Africa, according to the web site, http://www.worldmalariaday.org. However, 3.3 billion people are still at risk of being affected by this mosquito-born disease, and most often, those affected are people living in poverty.

Symptoms include fever, chills and flu-like illness, which, left untreated, can result in death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 660,000 people died in 2010 alone.

Fortunately, malaria is preventable and treatable. A donation of $20 to Compassion International’s “Bite Back” campaign provides two mosquito bed nets to those in need. You can donate here: http://www.compassion.com/malaria-intervention.htm. Compassion provides nets and education to at-risk families as well as treatment to those already suffering from malaria.

Please watch the following video and consider making a donation today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LftEavUydNk&feature=player_embedded.

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Compassion’s Impact

A recent study of Compassion’s child sponsorship program carried out by independent researchers shows a significant impact on sponsored children’s education, employment and leadership .

The peer-reviewed research will be published in the April issue of the Journal of Political Economy.

Some of the encouraging findings show that sponsored children stayed in school longer and were more likely to finish secondary education than their non-sponsored peers. They were 50-80 percent more likely to complete a university education.

Check out the link below to see more of the study’s findings.

http://www.compassion.com/poverty-facts.htm?referer=128018

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Fun With Words

Fun With Words

Go to http://www.tagxedo.com to make your own word collage – these can be great to send to your sponsored children!