As I was heading up to my room last night after posting, I kept thinking things like, "Oh I should have said that,"or "I should have worded that differently." or "I should have linked to Compassion straight from my post." There are just so many experiences and things I would love to share, but there just isn't time, the right words just don't seem to come, and sometimes (i.e. at night when I am tired) my brain just moves a little slow! If you have any questions about this trip or Compassion feel free to leave one in a comment and I will do my best to answer.
So, it is Wednesday morning. I woke up at 5:30 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to get up which is why I have time to write this post before the day starts.
At the two Compassion centers we visited yesterday, when we arrived we were treated like rock stars. It was a very warm welcome. We were then treated to a program. One young boy ministered to us by reading John 3:16 and then shared a message on that verse. Children sang and acted out skits. And then at the end of each program, a surprising thing happened (at least to me). The children placed their hands on us (on me) and prayed for us (me). I was so touched. I was so blessed.
Today we will be visiting another center. Then tonight we will be having dinner with kids who have graduated from the Compassion program. I am looking forward to the day.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Compassion International in El Salvador, Take 2
Well, I just completed another day in El Salvador. It has been such a good day. Two things stand out to me that I want to share before I shower up and hit the sack.
1. We visited the home of a little girl (about Mya's age). Her house was smaller than my master bathroom and housed a family of 5. We got to talk to her parents. Her mom and her dad. It is very rare for a dad to be involved. As we were talking, the little girl started to cry and whine a little. She was tired and needed a nap. Jill made the comment that kids are the same no matter where you are. It is so true. Circumstances and environments may differ, but we are all human.
2. As we were about to get off the bus at the second project we visited, one of our guides Roberto referred to the Bible verse where Jesus says that if you minister to the "least of these" you minister to me. As we went into the project the kids led us in worship. Two little girls were sitting beside me. As I sat there listening with my arms around these little girls, it hit me that I was treading on holy ground. I had my arms around Jesus. I felt so unworthy to be there in that place. To put my arms around Jesus. Words fail.
3. I know I said two, but I have to add one more. The work Compassion is doing is amazing. They are so well-organized. They are making a difference and changing the world. And, the amazing thing is that for $32 a month, you can partner with them. You can impact a child for Jesus. This organization is the real deal and if you don't sponsor a child, I would highly encourage you to (if you scroll down to an earlier post with a picture of my sponsor child Yesenia, you will find a link to their website).
That's all for tonight. I am tired and am looking forward to my bed! (By the way, they are putting us up in a wonderful hotel - as a friend said on a trip to Ukraine - "Hey man, anything for the kingdom!")
Love you all, hopefully I will be posting more throughout the week. Thanks for your prayers, I can truly feel them.
1. We visited the home of a little girl (about Mya's age). Her house was smaller than my master bathroom and housed a family of 5. We got to talk to her parents. Her mom and her dad. It is very rare for a dad to be involved. As we were talking, the little girl started to cry and whine a little. She was tired and needed a nap. Jill made the comment that kids are the same no matter where you are. It is so true. Circumstances and environments may differ, but we are all human.
2. As we were about to get off the bus at the second project we visited, one of our guides Roberto referred to the Bible verse where Jesus says that if you minister to the "least of these" you minister to me. As we went into the project the kids led us in worship. Two little girls were sitting beside me. As I sat there listening with my arms around these little girls, it hit me that I was treading on holy ground. I had my arms around Jesus. I felt so unworthy to be there in that place. To put my arms around Jesus. Words fail.
3. I know I said two, but I have to add one more. The work Compassion is doing is amazing. They are so well-organized. They are making a difference and changing the world. And, the amazing thing is that for $32 a month, you can partner with them. You can impact a child for Jesus. This organization is the real deal and if you don't sponsor a child, I would highly encourage you to (if you scroll down to an earlier post with a picture of my sponsor child Yesenia, you will find a link to their website).
That's all for tonight. I am tired and am looking forward to my bed! (By the way, they are putting us up in a wonderful hotel - as a friend said on a trip to Ukraine - "Hey man, anything for the kingdom!")
Love you all, hopefully I will be posting more throughout the week. Thanks for your prayers, I can truly feel them.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Coming to You, Live from El Salvador
Greetings from San Salvador. I can't wait to crawl into my bed tonight! We got into Houston late last night (around 12:00), and had to be back at the airport at 7:30 this morning. I never sleep good in hotel beds the first night, so I feel very tired today.
We arrived in El Salvador around noon. Unfortunately, my bags won't arrive until later tonight. They did not loose them, they just decided to leave them behind in Houston (along with 55 other bags).
So far, I am very impressed with Compassion. We visited their El Salvador headquarters today. We will be visiting the centers that work with the kids tomorrow.
There is so much to say already, but I have to meet the group for dinner in about 5 minutes so I will just list a few facts I learned:
- there are 33,000 children in Compassion's program in El Salvador.
- approx 800 letters are received from sponsors each week
- approx 1500 letters are sent to sponsors every week
- there are 25 people on this trip with me from all over the U.S., all with a platform of some kind, all here to learn about Compassion and spread the word back in the U.S.
This post feels very random and disjointed, but my brain is not really working at full capacity right now. So, I will post more when I can. Keep us in your prayers. I think this is going to be an interesting week. :)
We arrived in El Salvador around noon. Unfortunately, my bags won't arrive until later tonight. They did not loose them, they just decided to leave them behind in Houston (along with 55 other bags).
So far, I am very impressed with Compassion. We visited their El Salvador headquarters today. We will be visiting the centers that work with the kids tomorrow.
There is so much to say already, but I have to meet the group for dinner in about 5 minutes so I will just list a few facts I learned:
- there are 33,000 children in Compassion's program in El Salvador.
- approx 800 letters are received from sponsors each week
- approx 1500 letters are sent to sponsors every week
- there are 25 people on this trip with me from all over the U.S., all with a platform of some kind, all here to learn about Compassion and spread the word back in the U.S.
This post feels very random and disjointed, but my brain is not really working at full capacity right now. So, I will post more when I can. Keep us in your prayers. I think this is going to be an interesting week. :)
Thursday, May 08, 2008
A Good Reminder
I read this prayer over at Julie Barnhill's blog and was convicted. How many times do I quickly judge someone instead of opting to show them grace. How many times do I get annoyed at their infringment on my time instead of putting myself in their shoes. This prayer is a good reminder to me to love more.
Heavenly Father,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Heavenly Father,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
An Unexpected Opportunity
Kory and I have had the priveledge of sponsoring children through an organization called Compassion International. Originally, we decided to sponsor a child because it felt like a way to directly impact a child. It was a tangible way to make a difference in someone's life.
Over the years we have written letters to our "kids," and "added to our family." We currently sponsor three children: Lorena from the Philippines, Yesenia from El Salvador, and Jose from Ecuador. It is a unique relationship. Writing letters to children we have never met and receiving letters from them. Praying for each other even though we have never seen each other's faces.
I never thought I would get the opportunity to meet one of my sponsored children. But, next Sunday evening, I will be boarding a plane heading towards El Salvador. Not only will I get to see how Compassion works up-close, I will get to meet Yesenia. A 14 year old who we have been sponsoring for over 7 years.
How did this happen? Here's the scoop. Hearts at Home has partnered with Compassion for several years. Compassion asked Jill Savage, CEO of Hearts, to travel to El Salvador with them to see their ministry first-hand. Jill, her two daughters, and Hearts at Home's Director of Development will be going. And, because I am the only staffer at Hearts with a sponsored child in El Salvador, I will be going as well.
I am very thankful and excited for this opportunity. I never dreamt I would be able to meet my sponsored child face-to-face (although I am afraid her first words to me will be "Why don't you write me more!"). But, I am also nervous. It is always hard to leave my kids, especially when leaving the country. And, although I am glad Kory will be home with our kids, I wish I could experience a trip like this with him!
So, I want to ask for your prayers. Prayers for travel safety. Prayers that I will be Available to His purposes. Prayers for safety for my kids and hubby (and sanity for their babysitters!). And, prayers for peace of mind and courage (this trip is WAY out of my comfort zone).
Jill will be blogging about our trip throughout the week on her blog and I hope to as well. If you want to make a tangible donation to the trip, check out Jill's blog here for ways to help.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Time Flies!
My little man is 5 months old. My baby girl registered for kindergarten this week. Kory and I celebrate our 9 year anniversary next week. I turn *** this year. Where does the time go?!
Or, the more important question, am I using my time wisely? Time marches on whether I want it to or not. The days slip away, whether I am cherishing the moments or worrying about what will come tomorrow. Am I using my time wisely?
Do I use my time for kingdom purposes or selfish interests? Do I invest my minutes in building relationships (with my Maker, family, neighbors and friends) or do I use my minutes to serve myself? Time is flying, how are you using yours?
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
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