Comments on: Would You Immerse Yourself in Extreme Poverty to Get a Job?

By: MaryLee

MaryLee — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 05:24:37 +0000

I’ve been on three missions trips to Haiti. I have not lived with the families by the mission, but at times we did not have electricity, hot water, no privacy in the restrooms, no ability to flush toilet paper…it was not what the immersion experience consists of, but it was enough to give me an idea and enough to help me appreciate the life I have in the US. The amazing privilege we have here. Until you experience life in a poverty stricken country you really have no idea. I think it would be vital to any organization operating in these countries, to make sure their employees knew exactly what the people they are helping are facing. I applaud Compassion for recognizing this. I would gladly sign up for this! To me, this would be like a true dream job – crazy as that may sound to many.

By: dave wells

dave wells — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:41:20 +0000

I think I’d do it for no job.

By: Marvin

Marvin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:41:23 +0000

I just found this post. On October 6th I was in the Philippines on a mission’s trip…so I find this post interesting. When I am on mission’s trips I tend to be a risk taker and wonder around and smell and feel the local life. I am tall and white so I stand out and it’s hard to just watch what is gong on. Street kids come up to me and ask for a Paso or try to sell me flowers or chewing gum for a Paso. Going and visiting the poor is an interesting idea; I have a Filipino’ pastor friend that spend a week in a garbage dump in metro Manila to learn and understand the poor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSkhhbuhTUw

By: Becky

Becky — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:20:30 +0000

@Steve

Yes, all Compassion field employees are nationals of that country. And you’re right, some may have a better grasp at the reality of poverty than we in the developed world do.

However, in many countries where we work (the Philippines is a great example) there is such a wide variety in economic status that even though someone may be born and raised in that country, they may still never have experienced or even seen poverty before.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:45:04 +0000

Aren’t all foriegn Compassion workers hired locally, from their own country? (If not, where can I apply for a job?) I would think they already know what poverty is like. But what a great way to discover a persons real intent.

By: compassion dave

compassion dave — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:19:41 +0000

Hmm. I think I need to do this…

By: Marci in MO

Marci in MO — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:27:41 +0000

I just got back from the National Advocates Conference this past weekend. I heard a number of peope say, myself included, that they became Advocates after a Sponsor Trip to visit their child or children. For me, it was there that I saw and understood, in a way that I never had before, what poverty looks like and smells like. I am continually faced with the differences of what I saw in Africa and what we have here in America. It propelled me with the desire to do more to help find these children sponsors and to help my kids and their families as much as I can, as God has blessed me. I learned a lot during my visit; I’m sure that I would learn much more if I was to experience an immersion experience.

By: Kathy Parker

Kathy Parker — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:26:39 +0000

I just loved this insight into the heart of the Philippines staff. An immersion experience would truly clarify any person’s vision and calling. In a small way, I look at the sponsor tour experience as helping me to gain this insight. I know it’s not comparable, but my experience of all that I saw, smelled, &felt in Africa and in India has helped me gain even more compassion and passion for the work of Compassion International. I’ve learned that it takes at least 24 hours for me to “get past” the horror of seeing such extreme poverty and all that goes with that, and to begin to really see the people. My heart breaks and then God begins to show me that there is something I can do to make a difference. Through Compassion International’s work there is hope and joy. Letting my heart be broken is healthy for me and changes my attitudes and priorities.
I’m looking forward to my upcoming sponsor tours to do that very thing once again.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:36:08 +0000

Great capture of a sincere effort by PH leadership to really “test” the mettle of their candidates and ongoing staff.
Even though I understand “Caren’s” Warner quote, it is opening your heart to be moved and truly impacted that will be life changing, and takes you beyond mere observer.

By: Josh Valley

Josh Valley — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:55:38 +0000

Thanks for sharing this Becky. What a great way to test peoples character and provide opportunities for those who are called to do field work. I guess If you don’t try you’ll never know.