Indonesia is a stunning country found on the archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Made of about 17,500 islands, Indonesia has unique geography. These fun facts about Indonesia will give you a deeper insight into the culture and traditions of this country where over 150,000 Compassion-assisted children live!

Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country in the world, with over 275 million people. The Indonesian archipelago consists of over 17,000 islands — but of primary political, social and economic importance to the country is the island of Java. It is home to more than half of Indonesia‘s population and is one of […]

One might think that celebrating Christmas in Indonesia – the world’s most populous Muslim nation – can be a problem. Even though 90 percent of Indonesia’s 220 million people are followers of Islam, it does not mean that Christmas is not celebrated. The biggest signs of Christmas (i.e. the traditions of the Western festive […]

My experience in Indonesia has been a lot to drink in. Emotionally, I’m both encouraged by the deep faith of people who live in poverty, trusting God to meet their needs, and wrecked by the reality that their living conditions are so terrible. As I visited the Filadelfia Children’s Center in Medan, North Sumatra, […]

Four years ago, on December 26, 2004, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. More than 225,000 people were killed in 11 countries. Banda Aceh was one of those communities devastated by the tsunami. We had no active program in Banda Aceh before the tsunami, and […]

In Indonesia, children’s rights are a critical issue — as in many countries, women and children are often the most vulnerable members of the community. Compassion Indonesia understands the urgent need to address this issue that often remains silent.

[…] children were thrilled to meet the very first sponsor to visit their child development center. “Matthew! Matthew! Look at my picture!” The children called out enthusiastically in Indonesian as they ran to Matthew, carrying pieces of paper in their hands to show off their artwork. Matthew responded in English, a language they had never […]

Frizky’s childhood was filled with challenges, but through the love and support of the local church, he grew a garden that’s feeding and inspiring children just like him.

[…] “We are usually gathered to pray every first Monday of the month. Our main prayer is for sponsors,” says Nie, coordinator of Sola Fide Student Center in Indonesia. The staff and children of Sola Fide Student Center have held a regular prayer time for sponsors since July 2009, an activity started by Nie. She was inspired […]

Of the thousands of villages in Indonesia, nearly 20 percent remain dark, unreached by electricity. Though sources of energy such as rivers are plentiful and accessible, they remain untouched by technology and have not yet been tapped as electricity sources. With a university major in electrical engineering, Ronny has a big dream to minister to […]

Here’s how ministry supporters helped Compassion to step in and offer support for 4-year-old Yoskiel and his family in Indonesia when he was diagnosed with eye cancer at age 3 — just a few months after he joined our program and didn’t yet have a sponsor.

Wolly was a sponsored child in the 1970s and 1980s. At at our Child Letter Campaign in East Indonesia, Wolly shared how his sponsor’s letters gave him strength to reach his dreams.

What if your Christmas gift did more than just bring joy to one child? What if your one act of giving helped foster generosity in an entire city? This is the case for a small island community in Indonesia. Through your gifts, Christmas giving became contagious!

At some point, everyone feels like God has left them. Yunita, one of the youngest translators for Compassion Indonesia, felt as though she had been abandoned by God until she read the words of a sponsor.

Every year from June until September, the people in Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, have celebrated a traditional thanksgiving holiday from generation to generation, called Pengucapan. It is the way the people of Minahasa express their gratitude to God for the blessings of the previous year. The Pengucapan tradition started when the people in this […]

Our staff and church partners in Indonesia benefit from the collaborative effort between Partnership Facilitators (PFs), Sponsor Donor Services (SDS) and Training Specialists. By working together in unity, we help one another succeed in our individual roles.

Estrika is a Leadership Development Program graduate in Indonesia who is passionate about small business and causes that benefit humanity.

Mathilda thanks God every day for her job with Compassion in East Indonesia.

For most parents, the trip to the school may seem death-defying to them, but those trips usually only consist of a quick drive or a walk to the school gates. But the families of Ngandong village, in central Java, Indonesia, take their lives in their hands every day walking to school.

Compassion, which reopened its East Indonesia ministry in 2005, has brought new life to the ministry of some churches. Pastor Pangkey is one pastor who has been inspired by Compassion to begin new patterns of ministry. He had the opportunity to take part in the Global Leadership Summit in 2007 in Jakarta. At the […]

[…] in natural resources would have a problem getting water. But for many years, struggling to find fresh water was a way of life in Meagama Village in Papua, Indonesia’s largest province. Longstanding agreements with other villages limited the sources where each community could draw water. For the villagers of Meagama, accessing water meant a two-hour […]

Music has long played an important part in Indonesian culture. The Indonesian jofa is one of the most common traditional instruments and it is used in every occasion or celebration. In Watuliney, a small village in southeast Minahasa, Indonesia, most of the people love music. Those who are able to play the  jofa also […]

[…] basement? Does Compassion’s headquarters even have a basement? Do Santa’s workshop personnel kick it here during the off-season addressing and licking envelopes and sleighing over to Togo, Indonesia and Honduras to drop off sponsor letters? Payroll and finance must have a tough time keeping up with the influx of elfishness. No genies. No basement […]

Dreams of representing Indonesia in the Olympics in Wushu Sanda are not too big for this 14-year-old whose father is training her well. Training her to fight like a girl.

“A child in Indonesia wanted to know if people in Canada had hair on their feet to protect them from the cold.” Another child asked, “Is math the same in every country?”

[…] or beef, onion, and serve it with rice. You can add chili or soya sauce to make it more delicious. It is served hot. – Cris, 13, Indonesia We like to eat bananas and beans. We boil beans and water until it is ready to eat. After we mix the beans and banana and […]

West Sumba Island in Indonesia is blessed by its natural resources. Tall trees, fertile soil, mountains, and beaches fill the land. But although it looks like a lush paradise, poverty is still severe in this part of the island, and the villagers struggle to have clean water. “The Marada Kalada village community is characterized […]

[…] does her daily chore of watering the plants behind her family’s home. Mexico Mayra, 13, uses a recycled container to water the vegetable gardens behind her home. Indonesia By giving special care to her spring onions, 8-year-old Velove won a gardening contest. Nine-year-old Meisy and her mother, Lusiana, peek around the bean trellis they […]

Looking for new games to play with your kids? Get some ideas from these fun games that children play in Asia! A popular game in Indonesia involves racing on coconut shells to a finish line. As a parent, it’s always fun to find new and creative ways to play with your kids! For me, activities […]

[…] hot home during the day, spending time in the shade of the thatched entrance. Other homes in Burkina Faso are made of woven reeds like this family’s. Indonesia In Papua, Indonesia, some families live in the traditional homes called “honai” made from wooden slats and thatched roofs. Traditionally, fires are built in the center […]

[…] he was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. His health has since turned around! The lively toddler now keeps his mother on her toes. Klarisa’s family in North Maluku, Indonesia, loves color: Their bright home is painted like a rainbow. “My favorite thing about the program is that I get to study the Bible,” she says. […]

[…] hold of your right hand. Do not fear; I will help you.” Compassion Asia: Silas Balraj Silas Balraj, the regional Vice President of the Asia region, in Indonesia Greetings, Compassion family. It is a joy to share with you what the Lord is doing in the Asia region during this pandemic. As you can […]

[…] rest assured about his daughter’s growth and development, allowing him to join Compassion’s work and give to others as he has received.   Being Salt and Light  Compassion Indonesia doesn’t just provide for families financially. They have also laid out a family discipleship program to equip caregivers to care for their families spiritually and emotionally. Through facilitators, […]

[…] live in extreme poverty in East Asia and the Pacific. Those are the places where Compassion works, including communities in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. The day-to-day routines in the communities still grappling with extreme poverty can be vastly different from those of other parts of Asia and from our experiences […]

[…] his wife and four kids at 8 p.m., with around $9.50 for his efforts. However, life has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 outbreak hit his hometown in Indonesia. Since the local government issued quarantine restrictions in March 2020, the father has lost his job. As the weeks without work went by, the family’s small […]

[…] need to study hard to make it happen. I hope all this is possible one day.” 8. Ghana: In a motorcycle truck with lots of friends 9. Indonesia: On the back of a truck A remote village in Java, Indonesia, was isolated from the outside world for one simple reason: the gaping holes in […]

[…] tank. The drains and pipes from her roof channel rain into a storage tank. A few good days of rain can provide water for three months! Kalimantan, Indonesia: From the Swimming Hole Water is for more than just drinking. Families also have to find water for bathing, doing dishes and laundry, and for toilets. […]

[…] birthday child. These children in Kenya are enjoying a group birthday party at their center, complete with cake, party hats and lots of fun. Celebrating Birthdays in Indonesia Most of the parents of the children we serve in Indonesia work as casual laborers, making a dollar or so a day — not enough to […]

[…] environment. Saving the Beach – and Sea Turtles – on Bali The sun is setting, but the heat lingers on Kelecung Beach on the island of Bali, Indonesia. A group of children wind their way up and down the shoreline, picking up litter. They come twice a week to clean the beach. Kelecung Beach […]

[…] the span of several days, more than 7,000 kids were sponsored. That number is staggering. Every child waiting for a sponsor in Tanzania, Rwanda, El Salvador and Indonesia were sponsored. What a humbling experience to partner together with these world changers! // m a k e h i s t o r y // […]

[…] about the love of Jesus, and many accept Jesus as their Savior. They end the week with a Sunday resurrection service and Bible school for children. In Indonesia, children participate in a “torch relay.” They get up before dawn on Easter morning and march with homemade torches, singing songs about Jesus and his resurrection. […]

[…] praise God and shout, “Amen!” Jump to: Africa: Burkina Faso | Ethiopia | Ghana | Kenya | Rwanda | Tanzania | Togo | Uganda Asia: Bangladesh | Indonesia | Philippines | Thailand | Sri Lanka  Central America and the Caribbean:  Dominican Republic | El Salvador | Guatemala | Haiti | Honduras | Mexico | […]

[…] World Toilet Day Suffering in Silence: The Menstruation Taboo Suffering in Silence: The Menstruation Taboo World Toilet Day World Toilet Day Prayer Calendar Prayer Calendar Giggling in Indonesia Two girls stand outside a bathroom, giggling. Karen The History of the Toilet Karen’s New Toilet The History of the Toilet: A girl stands in front […]

[…] It’s in our dining room. Occasionally, we pause to see whatever we’re facing through the bright eyes of these children whose playground is a garbage dump in Indonesia. At best, our conversations are speculative. But there’s truth in these talks, too. And our perspective is refined bit by bit. When we sit down for […]

[…] quality education. But they don’t all get it. I want to tell you the stories of two girls I have met. The first is 10-year-old Halena in Indonesia, who reminds me of education’s power to end generational poverty. Halena lives on a remote island called Sumba, where her parents work as subsistence farmers. Her […]

[…] and planting the seed of the love of God in their hearts, helping them be different, and blessing their lives in amazing ways.” Octa, a Missionary in Indonesia When, as a youth, Octa had the opportunity to visit a remote and deeply impoverished village in Indonesia, he began to feel a calling to become […]

[…] especially those who live in more remote and rural areas — face quite an adventure to gather their daily water. This is Arnold and Stevi from rural Indonesia. We invite you along with them on their daily trek for water. Little House in the Big Forest Welcome to Stevi and Arnold’s home! They live […]

[…] beautiful produce, but these goods are often a rare treat for children in poverty. The fruits of this widow’s labor are the sole income for her family. Indonesia Petro, 16, used a financial gift from his sponsor to start a stall in his local market. He began the shop with just a few sweet […]

[…] competitions between centers in reading, singing, making speeches, sports and art. These activities make the center popular in the community.” — Pastor Theo Kumendong | Gereja Bethel Indonesia Church | North Halmahera, Indonesia This church in Thailand is fighting the sex trade through youth soccer programs. 7. Making Dreams a Reality “Several of our […]

[…] are 15 photos of churches that partner with Compassion around the world! ASIA The Philippines Stephen, a sponsored young adult, sits on a pew in his church. Indonesia Three girls in Compassion’s program sing at the entrance to their church. Thailand Oosamai and his three sons, who are all sponsored, walk to their church. […]

[…] how to ensure they get protection. And I assessed the development center to improve the standards of care we offer,” Ririn shares. Learn about child protection in Indonesia. Children and Caregivers Each year, children receive age-appropriate training in Child Protection through Compassion’s curriculum. This ensures that children know what their rights are, how to […]

[…] 25: She Knows She’s Beautiful Karunia has a rare congenital disease called Apert syndrome, but she knows she’s beautiful just as she is! People in her East Indonesian village shied away from her at first, but our staff at ID233 believed in her and were determined to help. Now, Karunia radiates self-confidence and lets […]

[…] group of boys standing together behind a ripped soccer goal, net. One is wearing mint t-shirt. Another is wearing black t-shirt on the right side. Soccer in Indonesia Boys race around the school playground kicking a soccer ball. Kids playing soccer in Indonesia Four girls playing soccer Playing soccer in Kenya Young boy wearing […]

[…] Because we work in so many diverse cultures, each of our country offices has the freedom to contextualize the curriculum to their specific needs. For example, in Indonesia, one of the lessons had been designed to teach the children how to tie their shoes. However, in some of the communities in Indonesia, they wear […]

[…] de Rábanos in Spanish) occurs each year in the city of Oaxaca, where people carve oversized radishes into Nativity scenes, with the best ones receiving prizes. 8. Indonesia Many Indonesians put up artificial Christmas trees made of plastic. But crafters in Bali create another special type of Indonesian Christmas tree from chicken feathers. These […]

[…] allow her to make more money as a wholesaler and stay closer to her family. Graseldy: Makeup Artist Graseldy and her husband with their daughter, Eklesia, in Indonesia. “I have a dream to be a teacher and study about law after graduating from senior high school,” Graseldy said. With her dream of university in […]

[…] would be better if you just went to the forest. I can’t stand any more of your attitude.” But after he joined the child sponsorship program in Indonesia in 1979, Wolly got sponsors from the U.S. named Robert and JoAnne Cottone, and he felt he had received new parents. Wolly found people who saw […]

[…] children and their families lack enough food and safe water. Before you dive into the main course, pray for God’s provision for Togolese people. Dessert: Asia Nastar, Indonesia Asia is the world’s largest continent, and with that fact comes a large variety of cultures, landscapes and foods! But even as vast of a continent […]

[…] to each country to get stories of sponsored children. In your year and a half working for Compassion, how many countries have you visited? Ten: El Salvador, Indonesia, Greece, Philippines, Colombia, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Uganda, Sri Lanka and Kenya. What did you do before you became such a world traveler? Before, I was an independent […]

[…] offering and sacrifice to God.” — Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)” What name has God given you? The Importance of Names: Yudea’s Story I recently saw a story from Indonesia that highlights the significance of a name. Yudea is a 21-year-old mother and has been part of our Survival Program (CSP) for three years. She has […]

[…] I motivate you to trust God and not to be afraid. Amen. God bless you!” Kerren (on right), hugs her best friend, Jesika. This 11-year-old girl from Indonesia knows herself and has a sense of humor. “Proverbs 6:6 is my favorite verse: ‘Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!’ […]

[…] to do something greater than myself. I wanted to impact someone’s life that I didn’t know. January 1st, I chose to sponsor a 3-year-old (now 4) from Indonesia through @compassion because I loved that they incorporated faith into their teachings. The little boy’s name is Gilbert. We write letters back and forth and this […]

[…] Today This Baker Is Proving That You Can Rise Out of Poverty Sponsor a Child Today How does sponsorship help a child mentally? Children in school in Indonesia School in Indonesia David and ruth standing side by side smiling at the camera Carine wearing a blue shirt writing on a chalkboard Schooling in Burkina […]

[…] do something great, but to do something right and kind with whatever He has given me, no matter the size. Ministry staff serving on the field in Indonesia. I realize the main problem is not what I have or what I do not have. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction are merely in my heart. When I […]

[…] come back until you do.” They wanted nothing more than to teach us how to be brave. Putri and her friends racing through the palm trees in Indonesia. Parenting in our generation is so different, isn’t it? I don’t know whether it is an intense need for control or the fact that we are […]

[…] hard in Uganda. Nicholas and his friends say grace before their meal, reminding us all to have a childlike faith. 13. A first (ever) birthday party in Indonesia. Aurel and Hansen’s families cannot afford to celebrate their children’s birthdays. But, this year, for the first time, the children experienced the joy of a party […]

[…] and think, “This isn’t that great” when we compare it to the over-the-top luxury we see. It’s sad. We have so much! Think of Joshua’s home in Indonesia. Home security in Indonesia. Vanity dresser. Mood lighting. Kitchen island. He and his family all sleep together in one big room, his father with the two […]

[…] us also courage to take a step of faith when You call us to be the answer. Amen. Join our Prayer Network › ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dewi Sartika Batubara is a Training and Support Manager for Compassion Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals. dirt street in Indonesia Philippians chapter 2 verse 2 banner

Simon, pastor of a church in Indonesia that partners with Compassion, stands with some of the children he ministers to. At Compassion, we are constantly in awe of everything our staff members do to help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. But we also know that some of the most important contributions to our mission come from people who will […]

I never imagined that I would be like a missionary as a facilitator in Compassion eastern Indonesia, living far from relatives, friends, and everything that satisfies my eye. West Kutai is one of the regions in East Kalimantan. Here, there is no public transportation; sometimes we need a boat to cross the river, and […]

[…] and this family’s love and bravery! Watch Her Disability Is a Blessing in Disguise and subscribe to Compassion YouTube for more stories. When Chandra, a farmer in Indonesia, saw his baby girl for the first time, he wept. “When my child was born, I knelt down and prayed,” he says. “I thanked God she […]

[…] a little bit, here’s a glimpse of what Joe’s team sees everyday. A portion of one day’s mail, ready to be sorted by country Sorting bins for East Indonesia and Indonesia Sorting bins for all countries Letters packaged and ready to be sent to our country offices via DHL. Letters are mailed once each week to […]

[…] Compassion International. LINK IN OUR BIO. A photo posted by Compassion International (@compassion) on Oct 10, 2014 at 8:32am PDT 7. September 15 Four boys in # Indonesia proudly display Bibles they were given through @Compassion’s program. In Indonesia, over 100,000 kids participate in more than 500 child development center through Compassion’s partnership with […]

[…] finally, the wait is over! It’s kind of a big deal! Today, in partnership with Hillsong, we want to introduce you to Halena and her family in Indonesia. They have been waiting for a long, long time for someone to sponsor her. They have been marking off days and weeks on their calendar in […]

[…] — and no shoes? Each morning, Ronal hooks a machete onto his belt, leaves home barefoot and risks his life climbing 100-foot coconut trees. The 30-year-old from Indonesia walks about 2.5 miles to the coconut farm where he’s working for the day. Ronal stands at the base of the first tree and looks up, […]

[…] was so excited and overwhelmed to deliver my wife’s baby, our first child … I was so nervous because she’s my wife. She might kick me!” Revika, Indonesia Described as “the center of information” by the grateful moms in her community, Revika works hard as a midwife in North Minahasa, Indonesia. She challenges unhelpful […]

[…] the child, she knew that being pregnant and unmarried would earn her a bad reputation in her culture. Though her hometown, Medan, is the third largest city in Indonesia, and city dwellers are individualistic and somewhat detached, she would still be unable to hide the shame of an unwed pregnancy and single motherhood. Without parents to help […]

[…] do best. Owning a canoe meant that I could make more money than I used to for my family.” – Jackson, Frank’s father A Bicycle Ten-year-old Novi from Indonesia has received multiple Family Gifts from her sponsor. Most recently, her family, with the assistance of the center staff, decided to buy Novi a bicycle with a […]

[…] I can tell you exactly why. Because our Compassion staff across the globe definitely shop like my Aunt Betty! Staff and volunteers Christmas shopping for children in Indonesia. A few years ago, I was able to go along with several groups of volunteers from Compassion centers to do their Christmas shopping. I hope that […]

[…] an easy world for my daughters. After all, challenges also help us grow. I want them to be strong and proud of who they are. Maharti, 40, Indonesia I would typically get orders to make around three pieces of “ulos” fabric each month. During the early months of COVID-19, fabric orders hit the bottom […]

[…] Bolivia “I like math, but I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up because I love animals. I have dogs, bunnies and chickens.” Buyung, 16, Indonesia Through Compassion, Buyung has received funding to enroll in a heavy equipment training course to fulfill his dream of operating machines. “I always try to do […]

[…] of a letter and thin as paper, my brother and I opened them slowly, simultaneously. Please be a check. A picture of a beautiful little girl from Indonesia, about my age, came to light as I slowly pulled the contents out. I looked at my parents, utterly confused. “I don’t get it.” I said innocently. […]

[…] Bravery From fighting harmful traditions to braving dangerous jobs, the work of these courageous humans offers inspiration and perspective. Don’t forget heroes like Karunia, the girl in Indonesia who is helping her whole community learn the beauty and worth of people who are born different. READ MORE › 4. The 18-Year-Old Who Raised an […]

[…] usually accompanied by his mother, but lately he has taken the initiative to walk by himself. Nathan has attended the Ekklesia Student Center in Motoling, South Minahasa, Indonesia, since it was established three years ago. Since Nathan joined the center, the 8-year-old boy has experienced much growth and progress. He is not only showing […]

[…] have a different perspective.” After graduating from Compassion’s program, Jacky took and finished a master’s degree from the Asian Theological Seminary and is now working/doing ministry in Indonesia. 7. There is a misconception among some who believe that Compassion force-feeds children a Christian doctrine. While I know that this is false, I do know […]

[…] cold water to clean herself. In this way, Gita delivered her first baby, Martin, at home without medical assistance. Her at-home delivery is typical among women in Indonesia’s Papua province. Most Papuan women still give birth with traditional methods in a honai – a traditional Papuan house made of wood with a grass bed. […]

[…] to do with what we adults, leaders, society, and governments deem valuable. Shame on us grownups. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lee Ann Vermeulen-Roberts is a writer, composer and music producer. Lee Ann sponsors a child from Indonesia and is the Kids Crew Compassion ambassador for Compassion Netherlands. smiling girl with flowers in the background smiling woman

[…] Rice Inspiring people: Keysha, in the orange shirt, and her friend delivered rice to hungry people in their community. In the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown in Indonesia, 9-year-old Keysha and her family were surviving on food packs from her Compassion center. Though she had so little herself, Keysha knew that others in her […]

[…] the day. I thought about how my plans had gone awry and how disappointed I had been — and God broke into my thoughts. 12-year-old Petrolince in Indonesia shows off a picture of her sponsors. Loosening My Grip He helped me to see that Lorena and I had spent the whole day loving on […]

[…] of homework. But I like English class, and I want to be a teacher and teach English.” Leonardo Ten-year-old Leonardo and his friends live in a beachside Indonesian community where they do their homework every day. The village loses power daily because of the limited supply in the area. But students still have fun […]

Hope in Jesus is the life blood of changing our world and it has to begin with us.

[…] light as you are in the light. Teach us to be doers of your Word, to “be” and not just to “know.” Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ericko Steven Tandayu works as a Leadership Development Program Specialist for Compassion Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals. live out your faith live-out-your-faith one in spirit banner

[…] contestants to represent North Sulawesi in the national contest. Nyopon went to Jakarta for the national audition and competed with 13 other children from other areas of Indonesia. He was supported by the Regent of North Minahasa, which provided tickets to Jakarta for Nyopon and his mother. The judges and audience were impressed with […]

[…] preparing hot, nutritious meals and snacks, and find incredible joy in meeting this basic, life-giving need of each child they serve! 2. The parents and caregivers In Indonesia, Silfia and her parents Yonike and Ismael pose with the pictures they keep on their wall of Silfia’s sponsors from Australia. When a parent gets on […]

[…] all of our children and the children in our ministry, that they will personally experience God and be used by Him. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Petrus Nawawi works as a Learning and Support Specialist for Compassion Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.    stacks of loaves of bread One in Spirit devotional banner

Are you looking for some great Christmas letter ideas for this holiday season? Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to write in your letters to the child you sponsor. Your mind draws a blank when you sit down with that holiday card or as you stare at that blinking cursor on the screen. […]

How big is the problem of extreme poverty? Three billion people worldwide and 1 billion children deep. But despite the size of those numbers, many people at Compassion believe that we can eliminate extreme poverty in our generation, that we can remove or utterly destroy it.

You might think we’re “drunk on the spirit,” that our goal is unrealistic, completely irrational or even not Biblical, and I will be honest with you, I thought it was out of I thought of it as an impossible task, too.

[…] your Holy Spirit to teach us every day to be humble before you and all men. Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Georry Nefiantuty serves as the Country Director for Compassion East Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.    children sitting at desks with boy raising hand to answer a question one in spirit banner

[…] to read through the comments on Three Things All Sponsors Should Know; several of our country staff have added their thoughts on this topic. We’ve gotten input from East Indonesia, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, East India and the Philippines. The thoughts in the post itself are good, too, so you should read that if you haven’t. 🙂

[…] that they will become stronger, mature, complete, and lacking nothing so that they will receive the crown of life. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: William J. Rawung works as a Partnership Facilitator for Compassion East Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.   young girl holding a baby girl near a wooden statue one in spirit banner

[…] child abuse is increasing and becoming more and more alarming. This situation does not exclude the children who are part of our program; these kids’ dignity is what we will never stop fighting for. Read about how Compassion Indonesia is protecting the children our program serves. Who Has the Responsibility for Protection of Our Children?

For this year’s graduating class, the COVID-19 outbreak has meant the cancellation of proms and graduation parties and commencement ceremonies. While closing this chapter looks different than any of us expected, we wanted to honor this time of transition by delivering a commencement address for the class of 2020. Together, we both mourn and celebrate […]

[…] Lord.” Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. —Colossians 3:23, NIV ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Asveen serves as the Country Director of Compassion Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.    interior of restaurant in Philippines Philippians chapter 2 verse 2 banner

[…] Florence now runs a school and rescue center for girls who escaped FGM and early marriage! READ MORE › 2. Fighting Bullying and Changing Attitudes Karunia from Indonesia was born with Apert syndrome, a congenital condition in which the bones fuse together too early in the womb. It affects the skull, hands and feet. […]

[…] a recipe from your sponsored child’s country! Africa: Burkina Faso | Ethiopia | Ghana | Kenya | Rwanda | Tanzania | Togo | Uganda Asia: Bangladesh | Indonesia | Philippines | Thailand | Sri Lanka Central America and the Caribbean: Dominican Republic | El Salvador | Guatemala | Haiti | Honduras | Mexico | […]

[…] strength but only because of Your grace. Teach us to always to be humble and see Your face in everything we do. Amen. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Willem Paulus Tuwankotta works as a Church Partnership Program Manager for Compassion Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.    child in an alley one in spirit banner

[…] well as the arms and legs. For Nia, this meant she was born without fingers and toes. In her remote village of Bongkudai in North Sulawesi, East Indonesia, there are no resources to care for a child with Nia’s condition. It’s understandable that her parents were uncertain how to handle the situation. A Protective […]

[…] on an outcropping of rocks looking into the distance Happy family in Peru A happy mother and her children sitting by a wooden building Very happy in Indonesia A little girl wearing a red shirt smiling so big her eyes are closed Joyful in Thailand A happy newly sponsored child and her mother outside […]

We all have that one most embarrassing moment story to tell, right?! Or for some of us, like me, wayyyyy more than one! Whenever I am asked to share my most embarrassing moment, I have one perfectly polished story to tell. It includes surgery on my middle finger, some unfortunate bandaging and snickering hospital staff. […]

[…] we are here to serve the poor children. Not because of our strength but because of His grace, He has chosen us. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Erlan Santoso works as a Tour and Visit Team Lead for Compassion Indonesia. Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.   person holding a child letter one in spirit banner

[…] and dreaming of helping his community the same way his church family helped him. Frizky: From Heartbroken to Strong in Jesus’ Name Photo by: Abby Chu In Indonesia, Frizky was abandoned by his parents at a young age, leaving him heartbroken. Although Frizky’s grandparents took him in, they struggled to afford nutritious food or […]

[…] in Ambarawa; that’s just the normal life here. It is so rare to find youth with different determination,” Dedy, the coordinator at Pelita Kasih Children Center in Indonesia, explains. “I still remember when I got my first badminton racket; it was such a joy to play with it. It’s a cheap badminton racket. Now […]

Fresh out of college and excited to be in Indonesia, I was finally on the front lines* of ministry. A romantic at heart, I considered the front lines of foreign ministry to be my evangelical destiny. I had trained years for it and couldn’t wait to live it. After a few months, however, the […]

[…] Boy wearing a bright green dress with a black stripe across the front. He is sitting in a church pew and is holding a Bible. Reading in Indonesia Boy wearing a black jacket with a gray hood. He is kneeling down in his yard and is praying with his mother, who is holding her […]

During my orientation with Compassion Indonesia, I was surprised to read a field memo on a sponsor’s concern toward his sponsored child. He asked, “Is my child sick? She looked thinner from the updated photo.” My first question was how on earth the individual sponsor was able to express such very personal care from […]

As the new year begins, I’m always thinking about the calendar. It’s probably because of the yearly planning we all tend to do. (Have to get after those goals, am I right?) Or maybe it’s because every year for the past 16 years I’ve received a wall calendar for Christmas from a dear friend. Whatever […]

[…] uniting us with family and friends as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Enjoy these beautiful photos from our friends celebrating Christmas around the world! Ecuador Indonesia Honduras Ethiopia Ghana India* Philippines Rwanda Colombia *NOTE FROM EDITOR: This content honors Compassion’s historical work in India. While we no longer have an India sponsorship […]

[…] in many poor communities. Rival, Axel and Adrian “The best thing about being friends is playing football. It’s OK when we beat each other.” – Adrian, 12, Indonesia Friendship Prayer Point: Pray that Compassion-assisted children would find friends who share the same interests and passions, and that those interests and passions would bring immense […]

This is the final article in a five-part series answering tough questions people ask about poverty. (Read the previous post.) We put five difficult questions to parents of children in Compassion’s program. In vulnerably sharing their experiences, they hope to break the stigma and reveal the truth about life in poverty. Tough Question 5: “What […]

[…] picture of a Compassion church partnership and what 2,400 sponsored children means to him: I recently returned home from a trip to see Compassion’s work in Bali, Indonesia. In Bali, the team and I travelled to a remote mountainous village called Munduk. While I was there I spoke with the local church pastor who […]

[…] for online learning because they can’t attend school. I bought a television on credit, which I paid off for several months, like the cellphone,” says Frangky in Indonesia. In Sri Lanka, Devaki was initially oblivious to the global pandemic because she didn’t have access to the news. “We did not have a TV or […]

[…] that week, we met our new little guy through a cartoonish worksheet he had filled in about himself with crayons and pen. Ezra indicated he was from Indonesia, average height, average weight, enjoyed school and loved his family. In the last section of the sheet, tucked on the back page, he got to ask […]

[…] Hindu countries where evangelism is illegal? I have. The other day I had an opportunity to spend an hour with a couple of our field staff, Mathew from India and Kevin from Bangladesh, and I asked them this question: How can Compassion work in India or Bangladesh or Indonesia? Here is what they said …

[…] me. My family discouraged me from school and were okay with me just working. That is why I only made it to seventh grade,” he says. In Indonesia, Frangky was an excellent student and was selected for university. However, he was forced to drop out after six months because his parents couldn’t afford the […]

[…] to sponsor 19 more children — expanding her total sponsorship to include a child in each country where Compassion works, plus a Leadership Development Program student in Indonesia. Margaret chose to sponsor older children and those either orphaned or living with single moms or grandparents. Her connection to each child she sponsors is personal, […]

[…] Waryanto, learned that one child lived quite far from the center. Curiosity drove him visit Vita’s grandmother’s house. “She lived with her grandmother 14 kilometers from Sidoharjo, Indonesia. Both of her parents passed away; her mother died when Vita was still a baby, and her father was killed in a traffic accident a year […]

[…] For these families, this hurtful myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Long Hours for Low Wages The pandemic meant he lost his job, so Frangky in Indonesia now works two. “I work multiple jobs, finding fish in the sea from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and starting at 8 a.m. to work in […]

[…] and Compassion Advocate living in Salem, Ore. Along with her husband, Nick, and two young sons, she sponsors Barbie from the Philippines and Kris and Rosa from Indonesia. Crystal has written for nearly 20 publications. Her work can be viewed at www.crystaldkupper.com. Photos courtesy of Sheldon Traver of Corban University three students behind college […]

[…] she says. “They are our pride and wealth. We never look at our children and feel sad that we had four children.” Circumstances Change In North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Frangky says he’s heard that “many children mean many blessings.” He has a simple explanation for why struggling parents may have large families: Life is unpredictable. […]

[…] $12. She also learned to weave baskets through the CSP, and sells each basket she makes for about $1. Ryan and Axl’s dads work as fishermen in Indonesia. (And, yes, that is as in Axl Rose. His dad liked rock music.) Their fathers leave for the ocean on fishing expeditions and are gone from […]

[…] at 3:53pm PST And for some extra fun, here’s our favorite Instagram video of the year.     View this post on Instagram   These kids from Indonesia are naturals on the dance floor! We love seeing them embrace their talents, while building confidence and dreaming big together! ?????? (? @syanerungkat) A post shared […]

The presence of dignity doesn’t equal the absence of poverty.

My husband and I first moved into our apartment because of the great view it afforded us — not of an apartment parking lot, which I have grown quite tired of — but of beautiful leafy green bushes and the Rocky Mountains. Pitying myself for still living in an apartment, my view was my solace. […]

[…] mile — literally — to get your letters into those eager little hands. Imagine a farming village on the border of Thailand or a remote island in Indonesia or a rural town in Ghana. Places where electricity, paved roads, running water or modern conveniences — let alone post offices — can be scarce. This […]

[…] purity’ in your sphere of influence, regardless of your age. Whatever their age, my heroes are ageless. They are my examples. Who are your heroes? ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lee Ann Vermeulen-Roberts is a writer, composer and music producer. Lee Ann sponsors a child from Indonesia and is the Kids Crew Compassion ambassador for Compassion Netherlands.

[…] a brick wall. Loving mother in Bolivia Fandy is sitting on his mother’s lap. They are sitting in a wicker chair near a window. Growing up in Indonesia Aylin, wearing a pink shirt and tan jacket, Elian, wearing a blue jacket and black pants, and Leslie, wearing a pink jacket and gray pants, are […]