The Community That Ended Poverty

Just the other day I read something in the Bible that, although I must have read it a hundred times before, never jumped out at me the way it did this time. The words practically threw themselves off the page. I was reading at the end of Acts 4 …

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continues to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands and houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” – Acts 4:32-35 (NIV)

Wait a minute … did I read that right? There were no needy persons among them. How did I miss this before?

Back in July we had a discussion about whether or not we should – or even can – end poverty. It was a good discussion with some very insightful comments.

This verse wasn’t mentioned in that discussion, but as I read the verse I started to ponder something.

If the believers in Acts were able to essentially eradicate poverty among their community, why couldn’t we (the Church) follow their lifestyle and do the same today? What would happen if churches would simply start following the model of the Church in Acts? Could we eliminate poverty?

What do you think? Does this verse change how you think about poverty and the Church’s role in ending it?

The Favor

Hey! Remember me?

Well, I just wanted to share another quick story about what it is like to work with the Leadership Development Program* (LDP) grads.

Something that I have learned in my job is that I’m not necessarily supposed to meet every need but to find people who can. In that way, I serve more as a catalyst than anything else. I guess the way I see it is — if no one else can do it, then I am able!

So that is what happened when Richmond Wandera, LDP grad and Moody Scholarship recipient, was headed to the United States to begin his studies.

I had arranged all of Richmond’s travel plans but hadn’t been able to find someone to pick him up from Denver International Airport. However, my husband and I were available, so we headed off for what turned out be quite an adventure.

Richmond had been traveling all night with no rest. He flew into Denver from Uganda, by way of Belgium, to spend a few days at the Compassion Global Ministry Center before heading to Moody. All of the belongings he would need for the next three years were in his possession. He was leaving behind his family, and we would later learn, his girlfriend whom he intends to marry.

I made a sign that said “Welcome Richmond” because I didn’t know what he looked like, only that his skin was brown, and I figured he would look lost.

I pressed my way to the front of the crowd waiting for incoming passengers and proudly held up my sign, while my husband, Andy, sat back and laughed at me — not wanting to be associated with my dorkiness.

I actually saw Richmond immediately. He did look somewhat lost, yet he also appeared totally confident as he headed up the escalator and immediately saw my sign (he said later that my sign meant a lot!).

Andy and I got out from the crowd and both hugged and welcomed Richmond. We chatted politely about his flight and went to look for his bags, which we learned were lost in transit. Figures! We filed a claim for the lost bags and prayed they would be located.

Richmond was hungry, and Andy and I had waited to eat, so we attempted to ask him which kind of food he would like. He said Mexican, so we went to Chipotle — I mean, what better Mexican experience is there?

He was amazed at the amount of food and could not get over the fact that refills on Coke were free. (I’ll try to get him to tell you that story.)

It was at Chipotle when I realized that we were on holy ground, because Richmond was such a joy and a delight for us to spend time with.

After dinner we headed back to Colorado Springs. About 25 miles from the airport, baggage services called to tell us that Richmond’s bags were (miraculously) at the airport. So we turned around and went to get his bags.

Let me just tell you that by this point I was grateful I would get another 50 minutes with this guy.

Richmond is kind and gracious and had no problem answering all of my 1,000 questions, even though he had been traveling for who knows how many hours.

He shared openly about the struggles he grew up with and the help that Compassion brought to his family and his community.

I think as a Compassion sponsor it is a special thing to hear first hand about the work that Compassion is doing. That’s why, even as a Compassion employee, I felt it was such a blessing to be with Richmond.

All year long we send in our $32 a month and get our letters — but to HEAR it! To SEE it lived out in someone who has overcome! It was an overwhelming experience of joy, and I know my husband and I are forever changed.

The reality is that I thought I was doing Richmond (and God) a favor by picking him up from the airport on that day. What I learned is that God was doing me a favor by giving me time with one of His kids — one who He is madly in love with.

I hope that you someday too will have an opportunity like this . . . and I’m pretty sure that if you keep reading this blog — you may! 🙂

*This content honors our historical Leadership Development Program. To learn more about our current youth development opportunities, click here.

Do You Sponsor a Child in Ecuador?

If you sponsor a child in Ecuador, at one of these child development centers*, let us know.

• Vida Abundante Student Center (EC-431)
• Eden Student Center (EC-479)

Tom Emmons is traveling to Ecuador next week (January 12-16), and he has agreed to TRY to get a photo of your child for you.

Please don’t leave your child’s name or Compassion number in a comment. Use our contact us form, and we will reply to you via e-mail.

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*UPDATE: 1/6/09 – The first five characters of a child’s number represent the country and child development center the child lives in and attends. Children with numbers that begin EC431xxx and EC479xxx are in the two development centers Tom will be visiting.

New Year’s Resolutions

I’m not much into New Year’s resolutions. I find it an odd tradition. If you really want to change your life, why wait until January 1 to start? But perhaps it’s a positive thing if it helps us to truly focus on being better human beings — even if our New Year’s resolutions only last a few days or weeks!

Take a look at some of these popular New Year’s resolutions for 2009:

• In 2009, I resolve to eat better.
• In 2009, I resolve to keep my home in better shape.
• In 2009, I resolve to take better care of my body.
• In 2009, I resolve to be better about what I spend my money on.
• In 2009, I resolve to look for a new job.

Any of those look familiar?

Now, go back and read those resolutions again … but this time, from the perspective of a person living in poverty.

Imagine a little boy in Kenya who resolves to eat better because he’s tired of going to bed hungry. Imagine a single mother in Peru who resolves to keep her 6’x6’ shack clean. I’ve seen families that sweep their dirt floors just to try to keep their humble homes presentable.

Imagine a little girl in India who wants to take control of her own body instead of falling prey to the men who abuse it. Imagine the family that scrapes together spare change to eat today. Imagine the father who is desperately searching for a job so he can give his children an education and a shot at life.

This year, I urge you to resolve to do something about global poverty. Get involved. 

Here’s a list of suggested, revised New Year’s resolutions for you:

• In 2009, I resolve to go on a mission trip.
• In 2009, I resolve to help my church start a food pantry — or donate to an existing one on a regular basis.
• In 2009, I resolve to pray for children trapped in poverty.
• In 2009, I resolve to support a ministry that cares for the poor.
• In 2009, I resolve to think beyond myself and truly make a difference in the life of a child living in poverty.

And let’s try to make these New Year’s resolutions last.

I Resolve

On behalf of my sponsored child, I resolve . . .

Best Post of 2008

Do you have one? A favorite? A blog post that meant something special to you?

We’re interested to know if what we like is even remotely similar to what you like.

And if you’re not much into leaving comments on blog posts, this is a great opportunity to work on that New Year’s Resolution we know you made. You know, the one about becoming a blog extrovert. 🙂

Happy New Year!

New Year Reflections for 2009

Happy New Year! We hope as you celebrate the beginning of 2009 you take time to reflect on the grand blessings and immense grace of the Lord . . . and prayerfully consider what the year ahead may have in store.

Here are a few of our highlights from 2008. In fact, they might be some of yours too; after all we could not have reached any of them without you!

• We registered our one millionth child.
• We opened the first Compassion child development center in Togo.
• Compassion Tanzania registered its 50,000 child.

Of course, a year can be marked with trials as well. But through these trials the Lord is faithful to refine us as gold.

Many children and families already struggling to buy food have been, and are still, greatly affected by the Global Food Crisis. Although, with the guidance of God and your heart much has been accomplished:

• 79,016 children have been able to receive immediate food relief because of your Global Food Crisis (GFC) donations.
• In the Dominican Republic your GFC donations provided food certificates to 775 Child Survival Program participants. The main recipients being mothers and infants.
• In Honduras your donations created productive micro projects such as poultry and fish production farms, to fight the crisis long term.
• In Ethiopia, GFC donations helped provide therapeutic supplements, staple food grains and medication to nearly 11,000 families.

Thank you so much for your commitment to children in poverty this past year. They truly are blessed by your passion and faith.

In all things we can be confident that no matter where the Lord takes us, what situations He brings us into, or what blessings He has in store we will honor Him and be filled with His love.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3, NIV