Comments on: Poverty’s Shame http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:27:59 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lois http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-8464 Lois Tue, 12 May 2009 21:34:37 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-8464 I have two sponsored girls: ET-602 IN-313 I have two sponsored girls:

ET-602
IN-313

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-6492 Mike Stephens Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:35:20 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-6492 Helena I am sorry to hear you had depression. I have only been sponsoring about 2.5 years but I keep slowly adding children. I was on the Nicaragua sponsor Tour which this blog is about and just like you I took a job as a Taxi Driver here in Colorado, USA and earned about $5,000 in one month!!! So I used that money to pay for the Philippines Sponsor Tour this June!!! I was just going to tell you from what you said I think going on a Sponsor Tour to visit any of the kids you sponsor would encourage you greatly and also the kids you sponsor!!! I know it is not easy to earn the money in time to go on the trips but I know if I can do it you can too!!! I plan sometimes more than a year ahead to start paying etc. I hope this encourages you and doesn't make you think it is too hard to get the money for a trip. IT IS WORTH IT!!! Helena I am sorry to hear you had depression. I have only been sponsoring about 2.5 years but I keep slowly adding children. I was on the Nicaragua sponsor Tour which this blog is about and just like you I took a job as a Taxi Driver here in Colorado, USA and earned about $5,000 in one month!!! So I used that money to pay for the Philippines Sponsor Tour this June!!! I was just going to tell you from what you said I think going on a Sponsor Tour to visit any of the kids you sponsor would encourage you greatly and also the kids you sponsor!!! I know it is not easy to earn the money in time to go on the trips but I know if I can do it you can too!!! I plan sometimes more than a year ahead to start paying etc. I hope this encourages you and doesn’t make you think it is too hard to get the money for a trip. IT IS WORTH IT!!!

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-6491 Mike Stephens Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:29:14 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-6491 I was privileged to get to paint next to Doug and Ron and hear Rachel's amazing laugh!!! I do not think I have ever heard something that unique. The best way I would desribe it is I bet the high pitched sound she makes when she laughs is just a few wavelenghts shorter than a some high pitched whistles I have heard!!! I was not with this part of the group. But it is not hard financially to sponsor!!! But to get down to Nicaragua was not real easy for me. It helped me not argue with my boss at Wal-mart, because as I was stocking those aisles at 2:00 a.m. I thought I will be in Nicaragua soon enough and my goal will have PREVAILED!!! But the sacrifice goes with each individual sponsor...for example if I am praying for my sponsor child daily that is not just the $32 a month. Looking at the question again I think to even be able to be asked that question is a blessing!!! If I could have time to think about I could have said no Juan it is not a sacrifice for me, IT IS A JOY and eternal benefit for me!!! Because by taking care of your children I am getting to know the LORD more!!! And it is not just me!!! All of Compassion staff, Sponsors, and many others are helping to make it a blessing to others. I am one piece in a huge puzzle. It was such a blessing to be able to have been on this trip!!! I am so glad it was made a blog!!! I was privileged to get to paint next to Doug and Ron and hear Rachel’s amazing laugh!!! I do not think I have ever heard something that unique. The best way I would desribe it is I bet the high pitched sound she makes when she laughs is just a few wavelenghts shorter than a some high pitched whistles I have heard!!! I was not with this part of the group. But it is not hard financially to sponsor!!! But to get down to Nicaragua was not real easy for me. It helped me not argue with my boss at Wal-mart, because as I was stocking those aisles at 2:00 a.m. I thought I will be in Nicaragua soon enough and my goal will have PREVAILED!!! But the sacrifice goes with each individual sponsor…for example if I am praying for my sponsor child daily that is not just the $32 a month. Looking at the question again I think to even be able to be asked that question is a blessing!!! If I could have time to think about I could have said no Juan it is not a sacrifice for me, IT IS A JOY and eternal benefit for me!!! Because by taking care of your children I am getting to know the LORD more!!! And it is not just me!!! All of Compassion staff, Sponsors, and many others are helping to make it a blessing to others. I am one piece in a huge puzzle. It was such a blessing to be able to have been on this trip!!! I am so glad it was made a blog!!!

]]> By: Helena Dworeck http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-4376 Helena Dworeck Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:49:58 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-4376 I am Helena from Finland. This year I have begun to support 7 children:1 via finnish missionary organization FIDA, 2 via Finlands World Vision and then I found Compassion, the left 4 children I have via Compassion. I am recovering of deep depression, I have became retired because of it and I am only 45 old. The retirement salary or how to say isn´t too much. When I had 4 children, I decided to stop getting more. Well, I took 2 more anyway. Then I sat down and began to do some maths - it showed me, that I had to live with 51 € a week after all payments. I have tried to live so this December and failed badly, not only because of Christmas presents. I have two cats, they have be fed and also their sand has to be bought. And so on. So I took one more child. Well, then I found that I had forgotten, that my mother will give me each month 150€, because she says, that I pay too much rent to her. It made things easier. Now I have been thinking how dependent those children and their families are of me. I thought of the presents for childrens birthdays and the possibility that their families sometimes might need family gifts... how to pay all this? (I know that it isn´t a MUST to spponsor children at that way, but I want to do so). Wee, I found the solution. Even if I am retired, I have a permission to earn a little money. I have to search out, how much it is. Then I would like to find a job, two days a week, maybe six hour each day. It isn´t much, but I am not in the best condition yet. But the good thing is, that my childreen put me to think of working, which means going further in recovering! When I saw that 51€ a week, I felt like I was sacrificing, but the truth is that I am getting more! I am Helena from Finland. This year I have begun to support 7 children:1 via finnish missionary organization FIDA, 2 via Finlands World Vision and then I found Compassion, the left 4 children I have via Compassion.
I am recovering of deep depression, I have became retired because of it and I am only 45 old. The retirement salary or how to say isn´t too much. When I had 4 children, I decided to stop getting more. Well, I took 2 more anyway. Then I sat down and began to do some maths – it showed me, that I had to live with 51 € a week after all payments. I have tried to live so this December and failed badly, not only because of Christmas presents. I have two cats, they have be fed and also their sand has to be bought. And so on. So I took one more child. Well, then I found that I had forgotten, that my mother will give me each month 150€, because she says, that I pay too much rent to her. It made things easier.
Now I have been thinking how dependent those children and their families are of me. I thought of the presents for childrens birthdays and the possibility that their families sometimes might need family gifts… how to pay all this? (I know that it isn´t a MUST to spponsor children at that way, but I want to do so). Wee, I found the solution. Even if I am retired, I have a permission to earn a little money. I have to search out, how much it is. Then I would like to find a job, two days a week, maybe six hour each day. It isn´t much, but I am not in the best condition yet. But the good thing is, that my childreen put me to think of working, which means going further in recovering!
When I saw that 51€ a week, I felt like I was sacrificing, but the truth is that I am getting more!

]]> By: Monique http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-1740 Monique Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:04:16 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-1740 It is easy for us and we American's know it. God bless this family and these workers in the field It is easy for us and we American’s know it. God bless this family and these workers in the field

]]> By: Paul Sargeant http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-1738 Paul Sargeant Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:28:36 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-1738 I visited Thailand and Burma last year with my son on a mission trip to refugee camps. The people of Burma, just like people in many of the places that Compassion International sponsors children, and does their wonderful work, has suffered greatly over the last 60 years under a brutal military regime. I saw many people in the camps who had only the clothes on their backs, and a Bible, as their wordly possessions - and they seemed content. Not always happy, but content - at peace with what little they did have. Our culture in the US is consumption-obsessed. We are told that success consists in possessions and status, the size of our houses, where we go on vacation, how many cars we have. But there is a trap in such thinking, and the evil ones are trapped by their own snare. More things create the need for - more things. Things (earthly possessions), tether us to earth, not to our true home, heaven. Herein lies a great mystery, the more we give, of ourselves, our time, our money our resources, the more we receive in the heavenly realm, the more treasure we build up there, the more content we are internally, the more peace we have. Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also; so if your heart wants more things, your heart will always be seeking things to appease it - and there is no end. Only Christ takes away that desire, and only God can give the peace of contentment. For me, I love BMW's; the BMW series 5 Touring is the one I say I want. Whenever I see it on the road I glare at it, admiring the design, the lines, the great technology, the speed. But I also know that if I were to buy it, it would possess me, not vice versa. Imagine all the children in abject poverty that I could help if I stick with my perfectly fine 10-year old VW (plus the gas mileage is better!). So, every day, I thank God for whatever He provides, little or plenty, and I try to be content in all things, all circumstances - not that it is always easy. All taken together, there is more peace in self-denial (such as it is...I have a car already, so why would I need a bigger, better, more expensive car anyway?), than there can ever be in self gratification. Denying myself the car, a coffee, a new jacket, a new gadget - whatever it might be, is such a small sacrifice in comparison to the great suffering of so many souls, and my litte denial can provide the possibility of great relief for somebody for whom the $5.00 that I would spend in an instant without thinking on a cup of coffee, is wealth unknown - and means that they can feed their family, heat their house, provide medical care for a sick child. If there is any 'good' in poverty then, it might be that it serves to keep us humbly reliant upon God for our needs. It also disciplines the heart. I think a little more poverty in our own lives, even if we had to induce it ourselves artificially, would do a lot for our hearts, and maybe free up ourselves more to serve him, and those in true need. I visited Thailand and Burma last year with my son on a mission trip to refugee camps. The people of Burma, just like people in many of the places that Compassion International sponsors children, and does their wonderful work, has suffered greatly over the last 60 years under a brutal military regime. I saw many people in the camps who had only the clothes on their backs, and a Bible, as their wordly possessions – and they seemed content. Not always happy, but content – at peace with what little they did have. Our culture in the US is consumption-obsessed. We are told that success consists in possessions and status, the size of our houses, where we go on vacation, how many cars we have. But there is a trap in such thinking, and the evil ones are trapped by their own snare. More things create the need for – more things. Things (earthly possessions), tether us to earth, not to our true home, heaven. Herein lies a great mystery, the more we give, of ourselves, our time, our money our resources, the more we receive in the heavenly realm, the more treasure we build up there, the more content we are internally, the more peace we have. Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also; so if your heart wants more things, your heart will always be seeking things to appease it – and there is no end. Only Christ takes away that desire, and only God can give the peace of contentment. For me, I love BMW’s; the BMW series 5 Touring is the one I say I want. Whenever I see it on the road I glare at it, admiring the design, the lines, the great technology, the speed. But I also know that if I were to buy it, it would possess me, not vice versa. Imagine all the children in abject poverty that I could help if I stick with my perfectly fine 10-year old VW (plus the gas mileage is better!). So, every day, I thank God for whatever He provides, little or plenty, and I try to be content in all things, all circumstances – not that it is always easy. All taken together, there is more peace in self-denial (such as it is…I have a car already, so why would I need a bigger, better, more expensive car anyway?), than there can ever be in self gratification. Denying myself the car, a coffee, a new jacket, a new gadget – whatever it might be, is such a small sacrifice in comparison to the great suffering of so many souls, and my litte denial can provide the possibility of great relief for somebody for whom the $5.00 that I would spend in an instant without thinking on a cup of coffee, is wealth unknown – and means that they can feed their family, heat their house, provide medical care for a sick child. If there is any ‘good’ in poverty then, it might be that it serves to keep us humbly reliant upon God for our needs. It also disciplines the heart. I think a little more poverty in our own lives, even if we had to induce it ourselves artificially, would do a lot for our hearts, and maybe free up ourselves more to serve him, and those in true need.

]]> By: Ron Taylor http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-1735 Ron Taylor Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:10:56 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-1735 I recall Brenda sharing her dream of becoming a Chief. She said that one of her recipes had won first place in a cooking contest (Doug, do you have some additional details?) and she was obviously very proud of her accomplishment. My request is that we pray for Brenda regarding this aspiration. I recall Brenda sharing her dream of becoming a Chief. She said that one of her recipes had won first place in a cooking contest (Doug, do you have some additional details?) and she was obviously very proud of her accomplishment. My request is that we pray for Brenda regarding this aspiration.

]]> By: Compassion dave http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-1730 Compassion dave Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:00:53 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-1730 God bless you Sara--I do not know how the Lord is going to bless you, but I am CERTAIN that He will. God bless you Sara–I do not know how the Lord is going to bless you, but I am CERTAIN that He will.

]]> By: Sara http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-1718 Sara Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:48:25 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-1718 As a college student I sponsor two children and don't have much money to spare. But after reading this post and the responses I am reminded again how much I really have. What I consider a sacrifice is so insignificant compared to Juan and Brenda's situation. As a college student I sponsor two children and don’t have much money to spare. But after reading this post and the responses I am reminded again how much I really have. What I consider a sacrifice is so insignificant compared to Juan and Brenda’s situation.

]]> By: Doug West http://blog.compassion.com/povertys-shame/comment-page-1/#comment-1642 Doug West Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:49:50 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=453#comment-1642 Amen Ron! I couldn't agree more with you. There is no way to fight poverty without getting personal and knowing those who you are serving intimately! Amen Ron! I couldn’t agree more with you. There is no way to fight poverty without getting personal and knowing those who you are serving intimately!

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