Three Things All Sponsors Should Know
What three things do you wish someone had told you when you first began sponsoring a child? What three things do you wish you understood about our child sponsorship program?
We asked numerous employees throughout our organization the same questions, but with a twist. We asked them to share the three things they thought you should…
A Skeptic’s View on Child Sponsorship
A friend of ours in Facebook, Sara Campion, brought this Relevant Magazine article to our attention yesterday. It starts off with some questions we hear quite a bit.
“Do you ever wonder what happens to that $35 you donate every month to a child sponsorship organization? Are you a little skeptical that the money you give…
Heroes Don’t Always Wear Capes
I sat in a crowded, dank space and listened to the rain water dripping.
I squinted in the dark and leaned in to hear the quiet voice of Vincent, a sponsored child, living in the heart of Kenya, in the middle of Hell, known as Mathare Valley. He was an orphan, a child thrust into…
As soon as I completed my Advocate training, my first thought was to host a Compassion Sunday at my church. I was on fire, passionate, and thought that was the obvious next step. I was wrong.
When you put a Mentos mint into a bottle of soda it explodes like a volcano, just like an explosive phenomenon taking place all over the country on behalf of children in poverty. In both cases this explosive phenomenon is about multiplication.
I Command You to be Openhanded Towards the Poor
Last month, Wess visited Australia and we grabbed him for a chat about why he is sold on child sponsorship as a way to help children, and what the Bible tells us about poverty.
You can also view this video, What Does the Bible Say About Poverty? on Vimeo.
There will always be poor people in…
The children at Souri Child Development Center squeezed together under the thatched-roof shed, safe from the wind and rain. They eagerly anticipated the visit of the local political leader of the ruling party and a few other political leaders.
The political leaders were visiting the center to address the children with words of encouragement, as the local…
No more than three children from the same family can be registered in our Child Sponsorship Program, though each country may choose to limit this to fewer children so they can help a larger number of families.
I No Longer Sponsor a Child
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…
One of my earliest lessons in the importance of our gifts came from Tausi (Tanzania). I began sponsoring her soon after her stated birth date (which later proved to be wrong, but…) and immediately sent a gift of $25.
Tony Beltran: My Best Day in Ministry
Moody Bible Institute scholar Tony Beltran shares his amazement and excitement about a child he met who was determined to help others, just like Tony’s sponsor.
Bloom Where You Are Planted
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
When I was asked to write my first post for this blog, I sent an e-mail to my family and friends joking, “Apparently my ability to drone on and on, (and on), about Compassion International…
Child Sponsorship Crisis Response
Phil Fleischman of Prime Time America interviewed Rachel Wolf, World Vision’s Communications Director for International News, and our own Mark Hanlon, Senior Vice President of the USA Group.
The eight-minute segment aired on Moody Radio on July 31.
[gplayer href="http://blog.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/my-best-day-in-ministry/moody-radio-broadcast.mp3" ] Prime Time America [/gplayer]
It’s Personal
Social media is my job. I manage this blog. I send out the tweets for @compassion. I create the photo sets in Flickr, upload videos to YouTube, update our Facebook status, etc.
I have a good job. I like it a lot. I don’t want to do anything else. My fellow webbies are great peeps.…
The Lie of Poverty Is a Double-Edged Sword
First, poverty lies to the poor by telling them over and over that they do not matter, that no one cares for them, and that they are forgotten. Poverty speaks to the heart of a person (especially children) and tells them, “Give Up!” But that’s only one part of the lie of poverty.
We’ve noticed variations of this question – Can I stay in contact with my child if he or she graduates or leaves the sponsorship program? – popping up in several of our posts about letter-writing. So we approached our contact center to help answer it.
Jesus Knows Me
You’ve met Rafonzel once before. In the photo at the end of Eric’s post about the Leadership Development Program. But photos are so last year.
Watch this short video (just under 10 minutes) and you’ll hear Rafonzel talk about the meaning of Compassion’s programs in her life – like Michelle did –…
Measurable Outcomes
Why do we do the things we do? You and I.
Why bother getting that advanced degree? Just for the credentials?
Why eat the whole pint of Ben and Jerry’s ONE Cheesecake Brownie when 500 calories of poverty fighting creaminess would be good enough? Why buy the pint to begin with?
Maila’s Dream
I’m willing to bet that every person, at some point during your involvement with Compassion, ponders some variation of the following question:
“Does Compassion’s ministry really work? Compassion knows how to share stories, but how do I know it’s actually making the difference they claim?”
Guess what? We’ve wondered the same thing. So 11 years ago…
Finding Christ in Burkina Faso
It was noon when I reached the family’s house. There was too much sun. Rasmata and Aguirata were sitting with their mother, Fati, in the small living room because there was no shade outside. Only a small tree that was planted by Aguirata could be seen in the courtyard.
The family lives in an area that…
Share Your Umbrella
A few weeks ago my little girl Brooklyn asked me for some cookies and milk for herself and her 2-year-old brother. They sat down in front of the TV in their pajamas (we call them jammies at our house) and watched their favorite DVD while I served them cookies and milk.
That’s when it hit…
Compassion International Tanzania (CIT) registered* its 50,000 child two months ago on Februray 16.
This historic registration ushered in a new era for us. It was a moment to put down our tools, celebrate the Lord’s favor, and thank Him for what he has done and for His faithfulness. It was a milestone for…
Equipping the Church
An short video explaining how we work with the local church in the developing world to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
Proof
I sponsor a child in Haiti named Youvens. In the seven years I’ve sponsored him, I’ve never, ever seen him smile.
Even when I visited Haiti and brought him a soccer ball. No smile. He played soccer with me, ate lunch with me and never let go of the ball. But he never smiled.
It’s…
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