Tony, Michelle, Richmond and Jimmy talk about what they will be doing after they graduate from Moody Bible Institute and share some ways that you can pray for them.

I think I just had my first parental moment.

You know the scene in any coming-of-age movie when a teenage girl is about to go to her first dance and she appears at the top of the stairs and her parent (usually a widowed father) stands there with tears in his eyes and a huge lump in his throat, totally entranced by his daughter’s newly uncovered beauty?

That’s how I feel – entranced by a new level of beauty.

While I was working in our child database I stumbled across a new picture of my sponsored girl – one I haven’t received in the mail yet – and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you my heart skipped a beat. Apparently sometime between three months ago and now, she grew up.

She’s so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes.

You see, I started sponsoring Karina when she was 6 years old. (more…)

Many of you have asked about the impact Hurricane Ida had on your children as it moved through El Salvador. As we receive specific details from the El Salvador office about they’ve been affected we will contact you.

The good news is that no children were physically hurt. But we understand that you want more information.

Here’s an “on the ground” perspective from Shaun Groves and the Compassion Bloggers.

What happens when a hurricane hits the U.S.?

Telethons. Thousands donated.

FEMA. Thousands housed.

Hospitals. Thousands healed.

Insurance. Thousands rebuild.

What happens when a hurricane hits a house made of mud?

When earth by the ton gives way and slides through a neighborhood?

When beds, clothes, and families are swallowed up by flood waters and mud?

What happens when all this happens in a small village in the smallest nation in Central America? With almost no government resources? Without insurance and a hospital nearby or a car to visit it? What happens then?

The Church happens.

Read what that means on Shaun’s blog. And watch the video he included in the post.

How difficult is it for the Moody scholars to transition between the poverty of their homes and life in the U.S.?

Apparently, a singing bunny has made its way into our child sponsorship program in El Salvador. The Compassion Bloggers saw it.

Sponsor a singing bunny in El Salvador.

Thanks for the video Patricia.

Straight from El Salvador, courtesy of Whittaker Woman.

Meet Maricella. She was in a gang, XVIII, the 18th Street Gang.

Our translator was asking her questions about her life: who she lives with, her children, how Compassion has changed their family. With each answer she had a modest smile and giggle. She was nervous. Then the translator asked about the elephant that was in the room. Her tattoo.

Read the entire post at whittakerwoman.com

You’re invited to a live video chat from El Salvador with the Compassion Bloggers.

It’s taking place on Wed., Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. CST at www.livestream.com/compassion.

See you there.