Comments on: Passion to Serve Poor Children http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:27:59 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5429 Mike Stephens Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:26:11 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5429 Yes, Linda I agree with you!!! The kids are amazing!!! After I was down there in Nicaragua and came back I was able to sponsor a child from one of the projects we visited. I sent Compassion a picture that had me and Joceling in it and they found her and she did not have a sponsor so I decided to sponsor her. Almost the same name as the child you sponsor!!! Take lots of pictures please and video when you visit Nicaragua!!! I hope to take tons of pictures of the Philippines and some videos if I can get a hold of a camera for myself and for the benefit of the kids and so others can plainly see the work Compassion is doing!!! Dios le Bendiga!!! Mike Yes,

Linda I agree with you!!! The kids are amazing!!! After I was down there in Nicaragua and came back I was able to sponsor a child from one of the projects we visited. I sent Compassion a picture that had me and Joceling in it and they found her and she did not have a sponsor so I decided to sponsor her. Almost the same name as the child you sponsor!!! Take lots of pictures please and video when you visit Nicaragua!!! I hope to take tons of pictures of the Philippines and some videos if I can get a hold of a camera for myself and for the benefit of the kids and so others can plainly see the work Compassion is doing!!!

Dios le Bendiga!!!

Mike

]]> By: Linda http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5378 Linda Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:27:41 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5378 <a href='#comment-5321' rel="nofollow">@Mike Stephens</a> - Thank you Mike for your response. The dance was beautiful, and I just recieved this past summer a picture of Joselin in a dance dress, only it was a colorful one. I know the Lord is leading me to go, May of 2009. I'm already in prayer, and I know if it's the Lord's will He will provide the money. Aren't these precious children amazing. I love Compassion, and am so happy and blessed to be a part of it. God Bless you, and keep in touch with you compassion travels. On God's Path, Linda @Mike Stephens – Thank you Mike for your response. The dance was beautiful, and I just recieved this past summer a picture of Joselin in a dance dress, only it was a colorful one. I know the Lord is leading me to go, May of 2009. I’m already in prayer, and I know if it’s the Lord’s will He will provide the money. Aren’t these precious children amazing. I love Compassion, and am so happy and blessed to be a part of it. God Bless you, and keep in touch with you compassion travels.

On God’s Path,
Linda

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5326 Mike Stephens Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:59:27 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5326 Sell your house, sell your car, sell your old clothes and visit your Compassion child before it's too late!!! I do not have a car to sell or a house for that matter but if I did I hope I would sell them if I needed to in order to visit the kids I sponsor with Compassion!!! I believe it would be more than worth it!!! Sell your house, sell your car, sell your old clothes and visit your Compassion child before it’s too late!!! I do not have a car to sell or a house for that matter but if I did I hope I would sell them if I needed to in order to visit the kids I sponsor with Compassion!!! I believe it would be more than worth it!!!

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5324 Mike Stephens Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:57:15 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5324 Prais the LORD!!! He was with Shammah in the field full of lentils against hundreds of Philistines in II Samuel 23:8-23 and HE is with US!!! God please give us the faith, BOLDNESS, COURAGE, FIERCITY and OBEDIENCE that Shammah had in that field on that day!!! Thank you for Shammah's example in the Bible!!! Hallelujah!!! Prais the LORD!!! He was with Shammah in the field full of lentils against hundreds of Philistines in II Samuel 23:8-23 and HE is with US!!! God please give us the faith, BOLDNESS, COURAGE, FIERCITY and OBEDIENCE that Shammah had in that field on that day!!! Thank you for Shammah’s example in the Bible!!! Hallelujah!!!

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5323 Mike Stephens Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:51:56 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5323 I am sure you that have visited know what I am saying, the GRACE and LOVE I experienced was AMAZING!!! It is probably the same phenomenon like every parent thinks there child is the BEST, but man!!!!!!!!! I am so thankful for that visit to Nicaragua!!! I still remember writing letters saying, I am going to visit and when I was down there talking with Osmari's mom and project director they looked at me and said "When you said you were coming to visit, I didn't believe you until they called me." I guess another reason I love to visit (even though I have only visited once) is that 1) it seems impossible to me to make it happen and 2) I think they see it as impossible too!!! and they should see it as impossible b/c I was told I was the first Sponsor from Osmari's project to visit!!! So I was the first sponsor they had seen possibly ever!!! So no wonder they were a little skeptical B/c there project is located a little ways from the country office. Praise the Lord for letting me experience such an amazing trip!!! I am sure you that have visited know what I am saying, the GRACE and LOVE I experienced was AMAZING!!! It is probably the same phenomenon like every parent thinks there child is the BEST, but man!!!!!!!!! I am so thankful for that visit to Nicaragua!!! I still remember writing letters saying, I am going to visit and when I was down there talking with Osmari’s mom and project director they looked at me and said “When you said you were coming to visit, I didn’t believe you until they called me.” I guess another reason I love to visit (even though I have only visited once) is that 1) it seems impossible to me to make it happen and 2) I think they see it as impossible too!!! and they should see it as impossible b/c I was told I was the first Sponsor from Osmari’s project to visit!!! So I was the first sponsor they had seen possibly ever!!! So no wonder they were a little skeptical B/c there project is located a little ways from the country office. Praise the Lord for letting me experience such an amazing trip!!!

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5322 Mike Stephens Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:42:38 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5322 I have to add something else, it is so amazing for me to see eventhough I know there are many Christians around the world I cannot explain how everytime I go to a new place how profound it is to see other Christians like ourselves Praising God, their struggles, Victories and FAITH... it just amazes me and makes God seem that much more BIG, POWERFUL, MIGHTY, and AWESOME!!! And likewise I am sure they are looking at me thinking many similar things. Now that I am on the subject one of the huge benefits for is simply mutual encouragement obviously. Like Paul says in Romans 1:10 10"I keep pleading that somehow by God's will I may now at last prosper and come to you. 11For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you; 12That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine." The Bible says are FAITH is more precious than Gold and that the kingdom of God is like a field with a treasure in it and a man sells all his stuff to buy the field. My point is that I believe our faith being mutually strengthened like Paul is saying in Romans 1:10-12 is like that treasure in the field and visiting your sponsor child to strengthen your faith and their faith and their families' faith and the Country office workers' faith is worth selling my stuff to visit or "buy the field with the treasure in it" my trip to Nicaragua helped me remember how and why faith is so IMPORTANT and strengthening it was worth the effort!!! Also I am a mist and while I visited Nicaragua and I have paid for the Philippines trip I do not even know what tomorrow will bring!!! James 4:14Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]. I always think I will live to 77 years old no problem, but I like how the Bible tells me I do not even know if I will last through tomorrow!!! Even reading the verse I still think I will live decades into the future no problem. Watch it tell me what you think...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vih0N6rmryM I guess it is one of those things were you have to be there, but I still hope the video of part of the trip gives you some of the reality of what we experienced on the trip however small it may be. I have to add something else, it is so amazing for me to see eventhough I know there are many Christians around the world I cannot explain how everytime I go to a new place how profound it is to see other Christians like ourselves Praising God, their struggles, Victories and FAITH… it just amazes me and makes God seem that much more BIG, POWERFUL, MIGHTY, and AWESOME!!! And likewise I am sure they are looking at me thinking many similar things. Now that I am on the subject one of the huge benefits for is simply mutual encouragement obviously. Like Paul says in Romans 1:10 10″I keep pleading that somehow by God’s will I may now at last prosper and come to you. 11For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you;

12That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

The Bible says are FAITH is more precious than Gold and that the kingdom of God is like a field with a treasure in it and a man sells all his stuff to buy the field. My point is that I believe our faith being mutually strengthened like Paul is saying in Romans 1:10-12 is like that treasure in the field and visiting your sponsor child to strengthen your faith and their faith and their families’ faith and the Country office workers’ faith is worth selling my stuff to visit or “buy the field with the treasure in it” my trip to Nicaragua helped me remember how and why faith is so IMPORTANT and strengthening it was worth the effort!!! Also I am a mist and while I visited Nicaragua and I have paid for the Philippines trip I do not even know what tomorrow will bring!!!

James 4:14Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].

I always think I will live to 77 years old no problem, but I like how the Bible tells me I do not even know if I will last through tomorrow!!! Even reading the verse I still think I will live decades into the future no problem. Watch it tell me what you think…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vih0N6rmryM

I guess it is one of those things were you have to be there, but I still hope the video of part of the trip gives you some of the reality of what we experienced on the trip however small it may be.

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5321 Mike Stephens Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:20:59 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5321 Linda, I too sponsor a little girl in Nicaragua and am very thankful I was able to visit June 2008 for the sponsor tour!!! Her name is Osmari. There were many highlights to the trip as you could imagine Linda, but when we visited this particular project some of the girls from the project did a dance for everyone and at first I didn't think much of it but then this song came on and somehow the song cut through the moment and I felt something amazing. I still am hoping to get a friend to translate the words for me. When I visited I definitely had many high expectations but mainly I wanted the reality of meeting Osmari simply to happen. But this song on that day really spoke to me. I attached the video of it so you can get a glimpse of what my trip to Nicaragua was like!!! It is difficult to explain how this song and dance on that day really made an impact on me, but it did!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vih0N6rmryM I hope this video encourages you to visit!!! A wise man once told me if you haven't visited your sponsor child "go rob a bank and visit!!!" I highly agree with his advice, although honest work with a little planning will do also!!! ;) I am going to the Philippines to visit the 3 boys I sponsor there and realize if I don't visit now I'll blink and 10 years down the road I'll still think "I think I should visit!!!" I highly encourage visiting, I am not sure who receives the GREATER benefit of the visit the Sponsor or the child, all I know is there are so many amazing things that take place that anyone that has visited I believe could right a detailed novel of their 1-2 week trip. I will say it again "Hallelujah to God for helping me get work so I can visit Reneboy, Jay-poy, and Angelo in the Philippines this June!!! I prayed and prayed and worked and prayed and prayed and PAID and now I am all PAID and so thankful that God helped me make my prayer a reality!!! Sometimes Linda I believe it is good to wait, for example I sponsor a boy in Peru who is 3 and I thought best to visit him maybe when He is 7 or so but if I get inspired I might say who knows what could happen between now and then and go sooner!!! I am so thankful I went on my first trip to Nicaragua to see some of what Copmassion is doing with my own eyes!!! In the flesh and blood as I like to say!!! I think the difference is like actually seeing the Red Sea parting as opposed to reading about it in the bible or watching Shammah in II Samuel 23:8-23 actually take His stand in the field full of lentils and kill hundreds of Philistines!!! Imagining is pretty amazing but to actually be there I believe is something DIFFERENT!!! That is the best way I think I can encourage and explain how I experienced my Sponsor Tour to Nicaragua. And probably helps explain a little how I am going to the Philippines to let the kids there know I do exist and also by visiting I think it helps me a little know how to gear my letters, prayers, and gifts. Well I could go on for hours but at the end of the day my advice is just one word "GO!!!!!!!" Again I hope the video inspires and encourages and edifies Compassion but more so God. Thanks for the blogs I love reading them!!! But even more than the blogs I love visiting and meeting my sponsor kids!!! Linda,

I too sponsor a little girl in Nicaragua and am very thankful I was able to visit June 2008 for the sponsor tour!!! Her name is Osmari. There were many highlights to the trip as you could imagine Linda, but when we visited this particular project some of the girls from the project did a dance for everyone and at first I didn’t think much of it but then this song came on and somehow the song cut through the moment and I felt something amazing. I still am hoping to get a friend to translate the words for me. When I visited I definitely had many high expectations but mainly I wanted the reality of meeting Osmari simply to happen. But this song on that day really spoke to me. I attached the video of it so you can get a glimpse of what my trip to Nicaragua was like!!! It is difficult to explain how this song and dance on that day really made an impact on me, but it did!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vih0N6rmryM I hope this video encourages you to visit!!! A wise man once told me if you haven’t visited your sponsor child “go rob a bank and visit!!!” I highly agree with his advice, although honest work with a little planning will do also!!! ;) I am going to the Philippines to visit the 3 boys I sponsor there and realize if I don’t visit now I’ll blink and 10 years down the road I’ll still think “I think I should visit!!!” I highly encourage visiting, I am not sure who receives the GREATER benefit of the visit the Sponsor or the child, all I know is there are so many amazing things that take place that anyone that has visited I believe could right a detailed novel of their 1-2 week trip. I will say it again “Hallelujah to God for helping me get work so I can visit Reneboy, Jay-poy, and Angelo in the Philippines this June!!! I prayed and prayed and worked and prayed and prayed and PAID and now I am all PAID and so thankful that God helped me make my prayer a reality!!! Sometimes Linda I believe it is good to wait, for example I sponsor a boy in Peru who is 3 and I thought best to visit him maybe when He is 7 or so but if I get inspired I might say who knows what could happen between now and then and go sooner!!! I am so thankful I went on my first trip to Nicaragua to see some of what Copmassion is doing with my own eyes!!! In the flesh and blood as I like to say!!! I think the difference is like actually seeing the Red Sea parting as opposed to reading about it in the bible or watching Shammah in II Samuel 23:8-23 actually take His stand in the field full of lentils and kill hundreds of Philistines!!! Imagining is pretty amazing but to actually be there I believe is something DIFFERENT!!! That is the best way I think I can encourage and explain how I experienced my Sponsor Tour to Nicaragua. And probably helps explain a little how I am going to the Philippines to let the kids there know I do exist and also by visiting I think it helps me a little know how to gear my letters, prayers, and gifts. Well I could go on for hours but at the end of the day my advice is just one word “GO!!!!!!!” Again I hope the video inspires and encourages and edifies Compassion but more so God. Thanks for the blogs I love reading them!!! But even more than the blogs I love visiting and meeting my sponsor kids!!!

]]> By: Chris Giovagnoni http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-5068 Chris Giovagnoni Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:19:49 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-5068 Judy, Here ya go. :-) The "official" answer from our International Program Group. <blockquote>The specific practices are different in each country due to the different economic and social realities in those countries. However, there are general statements that are true globally. The first is that our church partners recruit volunteers from their communities to minister to the children. Second, these volunteers are not Compassion staff and are not paid, though many, but not all, are given an offering. We are so grateful for their hearts and willingness to serve their local church, the children and the Lord. </blockquote> Judy,

Here ya go. :-) The “official” answer from our International Program Group.

The specific practices are different in each country due to the different economic and social realities in those countries. However, there are general statements that are true globally.

The first is that our church partners recruit volunteers from their communities to minister to the children.

Second, these volunteers are not Compassion staff and are not paid, though many, but not all, are given an offering.

We are so grateful for their hearts and willingness to serve their local church, the children and the Lord.

]]> By: Judith Tremblay http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-4961 Judith Tremblay Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:01:08 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-4961 Not a problem, Chris. I had to go back and look to even see what I had asked! :) Thank you for following up on all of the issues and questions we in comment-land bring up (such as with wanting to give a community gift like to Kamrul). Not a problem, Chris. I had to go back and look to even see what I had asked! :) Thank you for following up on all of the issues and questions we in comment-land bring up (such as with wanting to give a community gift like to Kamrul).

]]> By: Chris Giovagnoni http://blog.compassion.com/poor-children/comment-page-1/#comment-4954 Chris Giovagnoni Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:20:20 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=2540#comment-4954 Judy, I didn't miss the question you asked waaaay back. I'm trying to get a hold of someone in our International Program area to answer your question. The person that has been suggested to me as having the answer travels a LOT. He is out of the office until 2/23. I'm trying to find someone else that is in a position to comment. Thanks for your patience. Judy,

I didn’t miss the question you asked waaaay back. I’m trying to get a hold of someone in our International Program area to answer your question. The person that has been suggested to me as having the answer travels a LOT. He is out of the office until 2/23. I’m trying to find someone else that is in a position to comment. Thanks for your patience.

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