Compassion

For Thanksgiving this past year, Shaun and I felt one way we could express our thanks to God for the way He has blessed us would be to give. We chose Compassion International after doing some research. I like this particular organization for a couple reasons, the main one is the resources they receive get put into places and people who are already established in the villages.

The reason we chose this little girl is because she is just months older than Avery and I wanted it to be a real experience for the girls...someone they could relate to. Its very important to me to foster a burden for others in my children. I want them to grow up very aware that 'its not about them'.

This week five bloggers traveled to India to see the work that Compassion International is doing. Two of the bloggers I read regularly and all of them are posting everyday about their experiences. You can go here to check it out.

I was touched by what Melissa wrote specifically to sponsors:

I may have gotten to witness it, but those kids weren’t clapping, singing, and celebrating that ten random and goofy looking Americans came to visit them. They identified with us because we represented to them their individual sponsors. Let me tell you, no let me assure you- your sponsor child knows your name. Not just your first name. Your last name, too. They lined up with drums to usher you into the place you’ve financially provided for them. A place of hope. A place where that abstract verb “to dream” becomes something that just might be tangible. A place where they hear for the first time that they have dignity and worth before the Most High God.

It is both humbling and exciting to read the stories and see the pictures that this group is sharing this week. If you get a couple minutes to check it out, you'll be blessed.

"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' Matthew 25:37