Holding Hands in the Kibera Slums
Bouncing over piles of trash and splashing through rivers of raw sewage, Katy held James’ hand in the front seat of the car, telling herself it was to cheer him. Later she would realize that she needed his hand to steel her and keep her brave.
They Shall Not Want
It is OK to feel forsaken. If David, Job, and Jesus did, it’s not a sin.
Easter in Kenya
It’s dawn in the village of Burendwa, western Kenya. On a chilly Sunday morning, children wake up anxiously as they wait for their mothers to prepare breakfast. Sebastian rubs his eyes and rises from his bed.
It’s Easter Sunday and all children, youth, women and men are eagerly waiting to go to church and celebrate…
What’s So Important About Being First Anyway?
For four days we hiked up Mt. Kilimanjaro, experiencing breathtaking scenery and great camaraderie along the way. Up to this point, the ever-increasing altitude was not a problem. But would we make it to the summit?
A Sponsor’s Letter Inspires a Child’s Dream
In a community where the size of land, number of children and herds of cattle define one’s worth, Suyianga’s family is considered among the lowliest in the community. But today Suyianga is more confident about himself as a result of the encouraging letters he receives from his sponsor.
Ministry Highlight: Kenya
We began our ministry in Kenya in 1980, with the Child Sponsorship Program. In 2001, we started the Leadership Development Program began, and the Child Survival Program followed in 2004.
In the midst of post election violence in Kenya one entire church was burned down. We lost all of our paperwork and child documentation — nothing was left.
“Lord, If You Had Come Earlier”
Jesus is quick to remind us and to demonstrate that it is never too late for God.
Where Is Gratitude in the Midst of Death?
How do you give thanks in the midst of overwhelming grief?
Poverty Changed My Life
Compassion UK Advocate Martyn Legg was in a highly pressurized work environment, living with big demands and no room to back off. He and his wife Heather visited Kenya on an Advocate’s trip for ten days – ten days that changed their lives.
Creating Sustenance in a Thirsty Land
Our staff saw an opportunity where many did not, and went all-out to prove that something good could come from thirsty soil.
Are You Ignoring Their Prayer Requests?
My sponsored child asks me to pray for his studies and please pray for rain for the crops. I toss the letter on the couch and move on with my day. I’ve read it all before and as a city girl the request for rain means little to me.
Drought in Africa: Where is Compassion?
You’ve watched as the crisis in East Africa has unfolded, you’ve been praying and now you’re ready to respond. Now the question is, “What is Compassion doing amid this crisis?”
Circumcision, performed on both males and females, is a major cultural practice throughout the Kurya ethnic groups. It is such an important practice among the community members that when an uncircumcised foreigner comes to live among them, he or she is forced into circumcision.
Out of the Slums of Kenya
When Joshua Miago’s mother heard about Compassion, they went to a church and enrolled in the child sponsorship program. Then everything started to change.
God ordained a decision I made in 1986 to sponsor Jewel, a small decision really. It was ordained by God, not only to bless Jewel. but to bless me.
Vastly Different Lives Connected in Christ
We speak different languages. We live in separate time zones. We follow different customs and practices. We lead such vastly different lives but we are all connected by the fact that Christ dwells in our hearts.
The challenges churches face when serving a poverty stricken community can appear almost insurmountable. However, when the will of that community is to have a better future, children have the opportunity to accomplish great things.
Representing the Cheetah Generation
I’m grateful that the man overseeing Compassion’s work in Africa believes in my sponsored children. And, I’m thankful that the church staff will continue to breathe life into them and help them run with the speed of cheetahs.
A New Way of Doing Mission?
Our Church to Church (C2C) program focuses on building long-term relationships between well-resourced churches in the U.S. and our partner churches in the field. C2C is now active in nine of the 26 countries where we work.
Just Believe
I know that the only way I can express my gratitude to my sponsors for helping me as a child and for reconnecting with me to support and encourage me even more is through hard work.
Many sponsors have the misconception that Compassion runs schools. We do not. However, we do facilitate a holistic child development program that complements and supplements the school systems in the countries we work in.
Most children we serve attend government schools; however, some of our church partners do run their own schools. These schools are…
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…
Counting Malaria Out
At the center of Riaciina village in Kenya lies a semi-permanent house, traditionally constructed. The walls of the house are made of mud and smoothly smeared with cow dung. The roof is thatched with iron sheets. There is a big gap between the mud and iron sheets. Mosquitoes penetrate freely day and night.
This…
The Saturday program at Mathare Community Outreach begins by focusing on the spiritual development of the children. It starts with devotions and worship and is followed by 30 minutes of small group Bible study.
For the children who have accepted Christ as their Savior, the center staff conduct a discipleship class which occurs during…
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