Villages destroyed by chemical weapons. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) by the thousands who still migrate from their homes every spring and autumn in order to protect their families from the seasonal bombs that are dropped on their villages and farmlands.

A hike into the mountains can bring you in touch with lush vegetation and flora species such as you have never seen, and it can also thrust you into fields of land mines. The people here are ever so hospitable and welcoming, but they are slow to trust too deeply.

The Kurdish Province of Iraq is not alone in having a desperate history. Many other countries sing the song of their homeland in the painstaking melody of a minor key.

Think of places where Compassion works – places like Rwanda and Colombia. The people of those nations recount stories with tears and heartache. Many resort to a cycle of violence that binds their communities like a chokehold – tribal warfare, gangs, drug lords, etc.

Yet some are able, ever so carefully, to move past their devastating and violent histories and rebuild community.

Which people do this? The few who are willing to embrace forgiveness, reconciliation and grace. Where do we find these characteristics that surpass human wisdom in their scope and power? We find them in the person of Jesus Christ.

Compassion’s very strategic approach of working exclusively in partnership with the local church assures that its holistic child development programs — designed to release children and ultimately families, communities and nations from poverty — always bring with them the hope of the gospel of Jesus.

As the gospel exemplifies the power of redemptive grace, people are given the power to break not only the cycle of poverty, but also the cycle of violence.

Being in this area and contrasting what I see here with what I have seen throughout my travels to Compassion countries, I am increasingly thankful for Compassion’s clarity of vision and acute understanding of the importance of the local church in truly changing the lives of our sponsored children around the world.

The hope of Christ in tandem with the education, health care, nutrition and social development provided by the child development centers in Compassion countries is a powerful force against the hopelessness and lies that violence and poverty tell their victims.

It is why I am proud to be part of this ministry that releases children from poverty: because we unabashedly do this work “in Jesus’ name.”

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Thanks to all the media coverage, and the connectivity and immediacy of Facebook and Twitter, it seems like absolutely everyone in the world has World Cup fever.

But this year, the World Cup is more than a global soccer tournament. (Or football, depending on where you reside.)

For one small, devastated country, it’s so much more than that. It’s about hope. It’s about unity. It’s about joining together in support of a team simply for the fun of it. It’s an escape from the reality of daily life.

After six long months of trying to piece their homeland back together, it’s a way for Haitians to relax and de-stress, if only for 90 minutes.

The most recent report I read from our staff in Haiti included this:

When Brazil scored its first goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a cheer went up that could be heard all over this earthquake-ravaged capital.

Haiti, which is still digging out from the catastrophic Jan. 12 earthquake that killed about 250,000 people, did not qualify for the soccer competition in South Africa. But the Haitian people badly need a team to root for to lift their spirits, and most are cheering for the powerful Brazilian team.

Many Haitians hope that, sometime in the near future, Haiti, which played its only World Cup in 1974, will qualify again.

“We are surrounded by the evidence of the earthquake, but the World Cup is at least momentarily resurrecting our people,” said a young man.

Around his neck, another young man wears a light blue rosary, identifying himself as a fan of Argentina, the second most popular team among Haitians.

Crossing the city, it is impossible to escape Haitians’ support for Brazil. Motorcycles and cars fly the yellow, green and blue flag. Men and women wear the bright yellow shirts of the Brazilian team.

“What we really need is jobs, development, and education. But the World Cup is very good for us right now because it is helping us get rid of stress.”

The World Cup is now more important to me. I don’t know why exactly, but competitive sports create a spirit of unity that lifts up battered souls.

It happened after 9/11. It happened after Hurricane Katrina. And it’s happening now with the World Cup.

Even though I’ve never followed professional soccer before, it makes me smile to think of the joy the World Cup is bringing to Haiti. I just might join the Haitians in cheering on Brazil.

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All four of my children were teenagers at the same time. It was challenging.

I would hear things like, “My dad lets me do … ” or “My mom cooks dinner like … ” It seemed my particular “momming” abilities (for my kids or my stepkids) were never good enough. Consequently, my self-esteem took a beating and I felt unappreciated most of the time.

I have to admit, the years of parenting teens left my heart wounded. The pains of these old wounds have stayed with me. I often wondered if I would ever be released from them.

Then, without expecting it, a special gift from God found its way into my life …  all the way from the Dominican Republic.

A Special Call

Last year, Compassion and Moody Bible Institute partnered to raise money for three scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to Compassion Leadership Development Program (LDP) graduates and enable them to come to the United States and obtain a master’s degree at Moody.

When the three scholars were chosen, they flew from their home countries to Colorado for Compassion orientation, and Celina Baldwin put out a call seeking volunteers to host the students while they were in Colorado Springs.

Being a sponsor, I thought to myself, “I wonder if my family should offer to host a student?” and all the memories from parenting young adults came rushing back. I felt a pain in my stomach.

As a compromise, I told Celina to give me a call if she did not get the volunteers she needed. I figured I did my part and was off the hook.

A Divine Appointment

Not so! Celina called. She needed me to host 23-year-old Tony Beltrán from the Dominican Republic. Uh oh! What did I get myself into?

Tony was the first LDP graduate from the Dominican Republic, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in computer engineering. He stayed at my home for 10 days before flying on to Chicago to begin a master’s degree program in theology.

I didn’t know what to expect. Would he be shy? Would he like the food I cooked? Would he want to talk with me? I didn’t know it. But God did. And He had a divine appointment scheduled for me and my heart.

What first amazed me about Tony was the fact that he saw everything through eyes of appreciation and gratitude. He was a computer engineer, but had never seen a dishwasher before. He took great pleasure in saying with a big smile as he loaded his dirty dishes into the machine, “Don’t worry, I’ll wash the dishes for you tonight!”

Tony and I had long conversations about God, school, family and girls. He listened to everything I offered him and took it to heart. He responded with things like, “That’s right, that’s in God’s Word and I want to live an obedient life for God.”

He appreciated the time I spent with him and he was proud to be with me. I made lasagna for dinner and it became Tony’s favorite. He would say to me, “Can you save me a piece of the lasagna? I want to have some later before I go to sleep?” I could feel the healing inside my heart.

Released by a Compassion-assisted Child

Sometimes people can be so kind and caring that my defenses cannot stop the love from coming in. That’s what happened with Tony. He’s such a fine young man and his authentic integrity, respect and appreciation for people (and all that God has done for him) has a healing affect on those he’s in the same room with!

I didn’t realize the full affect Tony was having on me until it was time to say goodbye and I burst into tears.

Looking back, I’ve determined it is because God used Tony to reach the dark places of my heart and heal them. It’s an amazing thing.

I’m an American and I love to sponsor children and release them from poverty (whatever that looks like in their lives), but they in turn release me. Oh we have a very clever God!

If you ever get the chance to host a Compassion-assisted child in your home, don’t hesitate, just do it! You will be blessed in ways you never dreamed of. Oh! You do have that chance.

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