Many of us think we “know” what faith means. When it is time to put our faith in action, however, it’s another story. Honestly, I have failed the faith test many times, but God’s mercy helps me to stand up again and again.

Last year my family had to make a decision that would affect our lives permanently. We prayed together and agreed to pray individually for some weeks before getting together again. At first, I thought I was praying and trusting, but as the days passed, I was more anxious and weary.

At one point, I finally gave up and poured out my heart to God in prayer. He knew how far I could go. It was then when I began to see His hand working in guiding the decision we were about to make. My soul was finally at rest, and my faith grew stronger. An indescribable joy was flowing inside of me. I knew I passed the test this time. God answered our prayer.

At Compassion, we also get together every week to pray. A staff member once asked for prayer for a child’s critical health. She said, “I know this is a group of anointed people, and God will hear your prayer.” We prayed, and healing came to the child’s body. God did it again! We rejoiced and our faith was strengthened.

No doubt many difficulties have come along in this ministry. But God has placed anointed men and women who stand with confidence that God is in control to watch over the millions of children who will be released from poverty in Jesus’ name. Some day they will join us in faith and intercede for others.

God is there for you; trust Him! You will see great results in your life and in this ministry.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. — Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Prayer: Help us, Father, to trust in You even when we don’t see a way out. Amen!

Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

If you are not very familiar with Nicaragua, here are some sobering statistics:

• Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, behind Haiti.
• 17% of the population lives in extreme poverty, on less than a dollar a day.
• Four million Nicaraguans earn less than $2 per day; the total population is 5.4 million.
• Three out of four children suffer from malnutrition.
• 1.1 million Nicaraguans do not have a home.
• Two thirds of the population does not have access to adequate sewer services.
• 33.2% of Nicaraguans are illiterate.
• More than 15% of the population (800,000 boys and girls) does not attend school.

In 2009, my wife Tina and I visited the barrio of La Cruz Nicaragua for the very first time. It was an incredibly eerie feeling. The smell was overwhelming, the people were distant, and there was a strong feeling of emptiness and darkness.

I knew we were not welcome, but I also knew that La Cruz was exactly where God wanted us to be. This is where God had work for us to do.

“Lord, help us spread your good news all over the world, especially to Nicaragua this week. Use our team to transform lives and break down social barriers.”

As I walked around the dump site at La Cruz, God stirred inside of me a fire to do something and to use the resources He has given me to help the people of La Cruz.

Since that day, the organization our mission team was working with began visiting the people of La Cruz regularly and building relationships. They provided daily feedings for the children and the people of La Cruz were being given something they have never had before: hope!

In 2010, we returned to the barrio of La Cruz. The reception our mission team received compared to the year before was amazing. The people of La Cruz welcomed us and were thankful to see us again.

Relationships had been built, and are being built. God’s love is at work. God is transforming lives, and it is incredible to see.

As of today, all of the children who live in La Cruz (about 50 kids) are now sponsored by members of Grace Church, and a brand new school was built for the children of La Cruz!

Only God could take a little barrio in the middle of Nicaragua where people live off of a dump site, call it La Cruz (The Cross), and then use it to impact the lives of so many people.

North Americans simply do not know enough about extreme poverty to get involved. But the bottom line is this: we all have an obligation to help the helpless. We should use the resources and gifts that God has given us to do the work God wants us to do.

For Tina and myself, our experience in La Cruz has inspired us to create ResQrags, a company that uses clothing as a resource to help children living in extreme poverty. ResQrags is partnered with Compassion and inspires others to take action by sharing the message of hope and love.

As you consider ways to help those living in extreme poverty, this is my prayer for you:

“Thank you God for relationships and the opportunity to serve You, the Almighty Creator. Help us work together and fight to end extreme poverty. Help us use our gifts and resources so that we may fulfill Your will and not our own. Help us share Your love, shine Your light and see the world through Your eyes. Help us care about the people You care about and give us the courage and strength to do Your work always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael Gannon and his wife, Tina, are the founders and owners of ResQrags. They live in Fort Myers, Fla., with their twin 6-year-old boys.

Statistics cited from Wikipedia and United Nations Development Program

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

We began our ministry in Nicaragua in 2002, when the Child Sponsorship Program was started. In just seven years of ministry, we have served over 30,000 children in Nicaragua.

Country Director

William José Gutiérrez Rojas joined us as an administrator in 2002 and was appointed Country Director in 2003. Before coming to our ministry, William served as the Country Director for Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua for two and a half years and for the Council of Evangelical Churches Pro-Denominational Alliance for 11 years.

Born in a rural area, William did not begin school until he was 11 years old. However, his mother had taught him to read, write and do basic math at home.

The earthquake of 1972 influenced William’s decision to work in Christian ministry as an adult. When the earthquake struck, his local church offered services for the children and adults in the community, and he was able to see firsthand the effect it had on them.

William holds a degree in business administration from Central American University in Nicaragua. He serves as a substitute preacher at his church and also gives support and counseling.

Implementing Church Partners

Implementing Church Partners are local churches with whom we work to deliver our child development program and ministry in the field.

• Spiritual Climate
  According to the 2005 census, 22 percent of the population claim to be evangelical Christians. This represents significant growth as just 10 to 20 years prior, evangelical Christians only accounted for 15 percent of the population.

  This growth is most evident among the poor and in Pentecostal denominations. In general, the high level of poverty in Nicaragua generates uncertainty among the population which increases dependency on God. Evangelical churches must have all their legal documentation up to date to avoid persecution from the government.

  Persecution mainly happens at a business level. For instance, churches cannot have a bank account if they are not registered with the Nicaraguan government.



• Unique Challenges
  One challenge for Implementing Church Partners in Nicaragua is that they are located in extremely impoverished areas where church volunteers have a low academic level.
• Typical Contributions
  Implementing Church Partners pay about 50 percent of the electricity, phone, Internet and water service costs. They also provide construction for new facilities, facility improvement, and payment for the land where the child development center is located. The church committee volunteers their time at the project as well.
• Church-to-Church Partnerships
  There are Implementing Church Partners in Nicaragua that have church-to-church partnerships with churches in Canada and the United States. One supporting church partner provided the construction for a kitchen and basketball court, another bought property and paid for construction of a kitchen and classrooms, and yet another provided the construction for two classrooms.

  

• Partner Development Activities
  We develop ministry partners through training, facilitation, spiritual retreats, meetings with the pastors and project staff, and Complementary Interventions.

Child Development through Sponsorship

Your sponsorship of a child in Nicaragua provides a variety of benefits.

Children attend school either in the morning or the afternoon, so the child development centers schedule their meeting times accordingly.

• Meeting Times
  • 3 to 5 year olds: 3 days a week, 8 hours total
  • 6 to 8 year olds: 3 days a week, 6 hours total
  • 9 to 11 year olds: 3 days a week, 6 hours total
  • 12 to 14 year olds: 4 hours on Saturday, 1 additional day for vocational skills
  • 15 to 18 year olds: 4 hours on Saturday, 1 additional day for vocational skills

  

• Nutritional Support
  Each child receives a meal consisting of rice, meat, tortilla and natural juice, tea or cereal. Children also sometimes receive a snack that consists of fruit salad, rice with milk or a thick hot drink made of corn meal.

  This food is intended to complement what they are already receiving at home; it is not meant to be their main source of nutrition. However, when children are malnourished, we use nutritional Complementary Interventions. Also some Implementing Church Partners coordinate with and receive support from other Non Governmental Organizations for feeding programs.



• Vaccinations
  Part of our medical checkup is ensuring that children have received their vaccines, so parents are encouraged to take their children to the local health center for vaccinations. If needed, Implementing Church Partners can request a “vaccination day” at the child development center and the Ministry of Health will facilitate this through the local health center.

  Also, some communities have an agreement with one of the hospitals to do medical checkups and give medical attention in case of emergencies.

• Extracurricular Activities or Community Service
  Children participate in extracurricular activities such as camps, sports, field trips and art. Camps are held once or twice a year, field trips are done once a year, and sports and art are offered regularly throughout the year.

  Children also participate in tree planting at least once a year and cleaning up in their community twice a year.



• Vocational Activities
  We offer vocational skills training because we want to give them the necessary tools to generate their own income. Adolescents are involved in vocational skills such as computers, sewing, carpentry, music, baking and hair styling. They also participate in camps, spiritual retreats and sports.
• Parent Involvement
  We have parents’ meetings either monthly or quarterly depending on the Implementing Church Partner. At least once a year, parents receive training on topics such as hygiene, preventative health care and child protection.

  They also participate in church activities and volunteer work such as cleaning and helping in the kitchen. Twice a year, parents participate in their child’s medical checkup.



• Areas of expansion for the Child Sponsorship Program
  We would like to expand into the Western and Southern areas of Nicaragua, because these areas have some of the greatest educational and nutritional needs.

Complementary Interventions

Our core Child Sponsorship Program, while comprehensive, does not address all obstacles to a child’s healthy development. The Complementary Interventions program was created to work with our holistic child development model to provide additional services, such as our AIDS Initiative, funds for Bibles for All Children, disaster relief and water projects.

Our main priority for Complementary Interventions in Nicaragua is nonformal education because we are working toward successful departures.

We have also provided dental, visual and nutritional Complementary Interventions. Our goal with dental and visual Complementary Interventions is to cover all children younger than six years old, and we are taking a more preventative approach to nutrition.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

It’s the middle of December, a midmorning in the middle of the week. Most people are working, but at this hour of the day the church is full. What’s going on?

Wind carries the sounds of songs and shouts of joy from the Hermon Baptist Church that can be heard from a block away.

Once inside the building, happy faces, balloons and nice decorations complement the sounds heard from the distance. There is a celebration, a Christmas celebration for children of the Fe y Esperanza Student Center located in Managua, Nicaragua.

Activity begins with a devotional time where the word of God is shared with the audience to emphasize the real meaning of Christmas.

The event also includes a fine display of talents from children who sing, perform drama, and other activities. Parents are proud of their children’s performances and applause follows each presentation.

All the plans for this final activity of the year are a great success. The time spent in planning, preparing the budget and organizing everything is well worth the final result.

The Christmas excitement began a few weeks ago when each registered child attended a toy and clothes exposition where children could select from among a variety of items to indicate what they wanted for Christmas. Once selected, presents were marked with children’s names and codes to be set aside for the day of giving the presents.

Weeks passed and the big day is finally here. This morning is Christmas for the children. They will soon have in their hands the long-awaited toy or clothes they chose.

The older ones might wait until Christmas day to open or wear their gift, but the little ones will open their presents as soon as they leave the center. Either way, all registered children, sponsored and unsponsored, are pleased with what they receive.

After the devotional time, children stand in lines by age to receive the presents, a little snack and candies. All of them go home happy.

Development center director Lidia shares,

“Traditionally, the church celebrates Christmas with a special service on Christmas day. Dinner is served for all families that want to stay at church after the service and everyone fellowships until midnight.

For children in general there is a toy fair. The church gives children play money starting in September. This is given for attendance at church services, participation in class, good behavior, bringing a guest and other requirements.

In December the collected play money will serve to ‘buy’ toys, imitation jewelry, clothes, etc., that church leaders have gathered from donations in the previous months. Children who attended church regularly have more ‘money’ to ‘buy’ at the toy fair.”

It’s a fun activity for the children and their parents. Children can get as many things as they can afford with the amount of play money they have. Whatever children get from the toy fair becomes a new item for their Christmas.

No matter how difficult their situations might be at home, children can always expect their present.

While adults are immersed in problems and crises, for children there is no crisis that can take away their joy for the arrival of Christmas.

“Christmas is a special date for children when they expect a gift, something very important for them because they know it comes from their sponsors.”

Taking into consideration the living conditions of these children, none of them could get a nice present like the one received at the center; that is why older children understand and value the help received from the student center and church.

Parents are also aware of the benefits and value the support received from the center.

Many of them are self-employed and do not have enough income to cover the weekly family expenses.

That’s the case of Thelma, mother of a registered child. She is sometimes employed washing and ironing, and her income changes from week to week.

Although she only has one child under her care, hardships come her way.

“An average of what I make a week is $13.00 dollars. This is not enough to cover all of the expenses of my son and me.”

People in the community are mostly self-employed (selling tortillas, street vendors, small grocery store owners), or are domestic service or factory workers. Lidia tells us,

“There are many homes of registered children that have a very difficult economic situation, which cannot afford to buy all products of basic need, neither a gift like the one they received today.”

This year is not the exception for families who cannot buy a present for their children; however they find relief with the student center. Thelma shares more,

“They do an efficient job. I am thankful with God for giving us the opportunity to have our children here. It’s a great help and all children of the community are benefited with the center.”

In the middle of it all, the meaning of Christmas is of great importance. The child development center staff and church leaders make sure that each child understands the reason behind the presents.

Thelma’s son Kevin wants us to know,

“Christmas is a family time and also a celebration that Jesus was born.

I am also more than thankful with my sponsors for all they have done for me, because of the support they send me, because they write to me.”

This joyful time is made possible because of the generosity of many people around the world that have the willingness in their heart to share with others a little of what they have.

To them, Lidia expresses,

“Thank you to all the men and women who bring joy to many homes. This blessing means something great for us.”

The morning ends with a sense of satisfaction; everything went well. Our child development center staff begin cleaning the work area as soon as each one finishes giving out presents. The place looks as if nothing has happened; it becomes quiet, nice and clean.

There are no more sounds of music or children shouting. Little by little the staff begin to take a seat; this year’s joyful Christmas celebration has finished.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

The word leader sounds big, like something for older people; however, younger people can also do a great job and carry the title of leader. It only takes someone to guide and advise them every step of the way.

To develop leadership principles takes time. One teenager, Axel, is taking time to have a life of strong and Christ-centered leadership.

For almost three years Axel’s mother, Carmen, could not get pregnant. She was not a Christian at that time, but in her heart she prayed that God would let her have a child. She said to God,

“The baby will be yours, just loan it to me.”

Carmen got pregnant and Axel was born.

Axel comes from a simple family in Nicaragua. His father died nine years ago and his mother had to work selling goods at the market when Axel, his brother and sister were very little.

Carmen’s mother helped her a lot, but left the country to look for a better life. Carmen and her children live in and take care of the grandmother’s house. Carmen shares,

“It was very difficult to go to work to the market with the three children. I was desperate. I didn’t have Christ in my heart; my children were growing and becoming disobedient.

“I said to God … if you exist, give me an answer!”

After her desperate prayer, Carmen talked to the pastor of the church and Axel was registered at Mahanaim Student Center.

Not long after Axel´s registration at the child development center, he began to share with his mother some Bible verses  and some stories he learned at the center.

“I would get excited for all his improvement. He was not expressive but now he was telling me he loved me, and gave me hugs and kisses. I was overwhelmed.”

Carmen noticed that Axel spent more time at the center than at home. She would get a little upset but did not stop him.

By the grace and mercy of God in her child, Carmen finally gave her life to God three years ago.

With the lessons learned at the center, Axel and two of his friends began to play church at each other’s house. They would take turns to “preach” and the “congregation” was their siblings. Axel tells us,

“My mom worked at the child development center for a while and I used to see how she prepared herself for every class. Then I also took time to pray for the ‘sermon’ of our church game.”

More children were added to “play church,” and what started as a game became a reality in the church, which later established children’s service every Saturday. Thirty children now meet at church. The first leader was Axel but in earlier this year, he became the youth group leader.

Things are not always easy, especially for a young leader. Axel sometimes misbehaves like any other child, but his mother is there to advise him.

“My mom has been by my side in hard and good times, in my ups and downs, supporting everything I do like studies, ministry, etc.”

Johanna, Axel’s tutor, shares,

“As young leader, Axel has gone through some times where he also wants to give up; however the Nazarene, Axel’s mother, the pastor and his tutor have been there for him.”

When Axel gave his life to God and was baptized, he changed a lot. Axel had a strong character and had no patience with his brother and sister, but now he takes more time for them and helps them with their homework. With his mother, Axel was disobedient, but now he obeys and helps with home duties.

A close relationship with his tutor has also helped Axel to be a better child and good leader.

“I listen to the advice of older people and listening to them helps me to listen to those under my leadership. If the Lord has helped me to be here today, it is because I was under someone else’s leadership.

“My leaders took time to listen to me, so why am I not listening to those I am leading?”

Johanna shares more about Axel,

“Although he’s young, Axel is very mature and respectful in the way he talks and treats his friends. He is a good and intelligent child. Other teenagers follow him and respect him.”

Axel and his friends from church are an example to other children and teenagers in the community as well.

“I wouldn´t be here if it wasn´t for the change God did in me. We talk about God with other young people and our lives are a testimony for them because we are not in drugs or gangs, which give stability to our community.

“I like to tell people what Jesus has done in my life and if the way to do it is preaching, I’ll do it.”

Rosibel, Axel´s neighbor, also notices the difference in Axel,

“When we go out evangelizing, he preaches to the youth. He loves the things of God. I don’t see him doing bad things or saying bad words.”

A mother’s support is very important in the development of a great leader, too. The other two children who played church with Axel are simply attending the child development center because their parents, who are from a different religious background, don’t want them to grow spiritually.

“I support his leadership in prayer and fasting. I check if he´s praying or reading the Bible. I also tell him that who he is at church, in the street, in school, he must be at home, too. He can talk very nice in the pulpit, but his behavior at home is what I’m interested in. The Lord is watching over us at home, too,” expresses Carmen.

Letters from Axel’s sponsor have also encouraged his leadership.

“We have good communication and he has blessed me a lot.”

As a young leader, Axel needs a lot of support and guidance.

Johanna tells us,

“The pastor gives him Bible study and as a teacher I help him with other studies to strengthen his faith because the Word is the best guide.

“Axel would also like to study marketing and his mothers wish is ‘that the Lord´s will be done in him because Axel was just borrowed to me.’ Axel’s mother is very proud of her child. Axel is where he is because of God and the hard work of this woman who has known how to raise her kids.”

Carmen adds,

“Our family considers communication very important and that we get along very well. I don’t know if it’s because it is only the four of us, but every night before going to bed we hug each other, talk, pray, argue, cry, etc.”

Axel’s family is also thankful for the blessing the child development center has been to their lives and it has been a second home.

This beautiful family has experienced God’s grace and in gratitude they serve Him.

Inspiring and helping others to find the best area to work is what Axel is after in his leadership.

“We are all leaders but in different areas and that´s what we want for each teenager who comes to church, to find the best place for them to serve. If you like what you’re doing, you do it the best you can.”

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Student center Primicias de Vida in Nicaragua has 279 registered children. More than 90 percent of them are sponsored. Out of those sponsored children, 2 percent are sponsored by other children or teenagers.

Regardless of their sponsor’s age, children are happy to have someone overseas caring for them, someone to communicate with through letters. Josué is in the 2 percent of registered children sponsored by someone close in age.

A soft smile and a sparkling glimmer in his eyes were Josué’s immediate response when asked about his sponsor. With much enthusiasm, Josué was able to say the country and city where she lives. He also added,

“She was 18 when she sponsored me. She’s now 22 and her birthday is in September.”

Josué is a tall, skinny and serious teenager who speaks clearly about how much he enjoys the friendship with his sponsor.

From the moment Josué was registered eight years ago, he has had the privilege of being sponsored. While he doesn’t have much information about his first sponsor, he now has a sponsor with whom he has had consistent communication.

A simple letter can do incredible things in the lives of children and their sponsors.

Through letters, Josué’s sponsor has been a great encouragement to him, as he has also been for her. It is clear that they have become great friends.

“It means a lot to have a sponsor close in age because she understands what I go through and I understand her, too, because she is young.

I love her very much. I tell her almost everything I do in all my letters.”

Josué’s excitement is not only evident when he receives a letter, but also when it is his turn to write her. His teacher Karla shares,

“Josué wishes he could write pages and pages, but the letter format is only one. Most of the time, Josué has to staple an extra page to the format.”

When Josué was younger, his mother, Nohemí, who is also the center director, helped write his letters.

“He didn’t have good handwriting. Today, Josué writes letters on his own. He likes to write a lot and I wish there was no limit for writing.”

Josué recalled one especially meaningful exchange with his sponsor,

“She once told me that she stopped going to school, but the time passed and I shared with her that I passed my first year of high school, then the second one and so on, plus that I was doing good in class.

She would get happy, and finally she went back to school because she says I became an inspiration for her since she saw my effort. She did the same to continue her studies.”

Of all the letters and birthday cards Josué has received from his sponsor, he commented that there is one that affected him a lot,

“Recently I got a letter where she told me that she graduated from a business course. I was happy for her because of that and because she told me that I had impacted her life, so she pushed herself on as I did.”

For Josué, letters are important because,

“We have gotten to know each other and there is confidence between us. In this way she knows what’s going on with me and I know what´s going on with her, too.”

Josué’s teacher Karla expressed,

“Writing letters is important because Josué and his sponsor are communicating to each other. She can find out about Josué’s achievements. Letters are an excellent way of communicating.”

The ongoing encouragement and advice from his sponsor, parents and teachers have helped Josué become an outstanding young man in the child development center and church. He is becoming a good leader.

“He is no longer a shy Josué; he is now working with the youth group board and helping with his group in Sunday school class,” comments Nohemí.

I was very excited and impressed when my son was sponsored by this young lady because of her faithfulness to write and her continuous support when for a time she didn’t have a job. It is not only the monetary support that matters, but her love and interest in writing to my child, and I appreciate that.”

When Josué´s sponsor lost her job, he told her that he was going to pray for her. Communication on her part and prayer on his side have developed a special bond between them.

“If she was here in front of me, I would tell her that I love her very much, that as I have impacted her life, she has impacted mine with her advice.”

Josué’s mother, Nohemí agrees:

“If she was here, I would give her a big hug for choosing my son, thank God for her, and tell her that she is a great blessing. My son is very happy to have her as a sponsor.”

The end result of the exchange of letters between people from two different nations is a special friendship where differences of food, language, culture and preferences don’t seem to matter.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Writing letters is something I’m not accustomed to doing. In fact, it is not usual in Nicaragua. At school we study how to write letters but we never practice it. So when some of my friends leave the country, it’s hard for them to send me letters and it takes me a while to write back when I do receive one.

If that is my experience, I can’t imagine how difficult it is for our development center staff, tutors and children to get in the habit of writing letters to the children’s sponsors three times a year, and to make sure they answer according to the last letter received.

Flor, a Compassion sponsor donor services supervisor, explains,

“Nicaraguans are not used to receiving letters and we don’t send any, either. Especially children who live in areas where they only go to elementary school, or their parents didn’t go to school. They don’t know the importance of written communication, and in many cases, not even of verbal communication.”

As the number of registered children has increased, so has the concern over the content of child letters.

“As an office, we train child development center staff and have a follow-up card where translators take note of the sponsor’s questions in the letter. This card is attached to the letter so the development center staff can have control of the questions and answer them in the appropriate time.”

Translators and development center staff are periodically evaluated to check the quality of translation and letter content from children. These practices help improve the quality of the letters.

Débora is a secretary at one child development center and has already helped improve letter writing by passing on the training she received about reviewing the letters that had been received from sponsors. Débora shares,

“Our evaluations were low in sponsors’ questions being answered and in prayer requests, but I passed on the training to the teachers and our evaluations are now 19.9 out of 20.”

Juan, a secretary at another child development center, also shared,

“Once a month I remind tutors about the steps of writing letters. Tutors are also reminded to write the letter in the child’s notebook first, then in the letter format. This process is to help reduce mistakes in the letter.”

Another reason why children don’t always answer questions from your letters may be that the development center staff is new. This is not frequent, but it takes time for a new center worker to learn the process and to make a habit of writing with the children.

In cases like this, development center secretaries play an important role in training their new staff.

And sometimes, but not often, your question may not be culturally appropriate, such as a question about politics. Or your question may not be understood by a child or development center worker. Flor explains,

“Please understand that our culture is different from yours. Don’t get discouraged. Keep writing letters, sending your support, praying for your child and sending questions. You can ask your child to please answer your questions. Let children know that their answers are very important for you and for your relationship with them.”

Thank you for your understanding and patience. We are all in the process of learning to write letters and to improve our communication.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

My wife and I have been on three mission trips to Nicaragua, where we have built several relationships with people living in extreme poverty. Since that first trip, we have made fighting extreme poverty a life-long goal.

I have struggled to figure out how to use the gifts God has given me to do the work He wants me to do, which is how the seed of making a difference was planted for me and has now sprouted into a company: ResQrags.

My concept is to create shirts with a simple design that emphasizes a powerful message of hope and love. Every message is inspired by the Word of God. Every shirt has a purpose.

I donate more than 50 percent of the proceeds from ResQrags to causes I believe in. And if you purchase a shirt, you decide which program your purchase should support.

• Rescuing moms and babies
• Developing future leaders
• Disaster relief and stability
• Health and medical needs

10 Ways ResQrags Make the World a Better Place

1. “My shirt raises awareness.”
Whether it is about extreme poverty or the meaning of the shirt’s specific message, ResQrags raise awareness.

There are too many people who simply do not understand what extreme poverty means. People need to know that 1.4 billion people live below the poverty line of $1.25 per day.

ResQrags give you an opportunity to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. They allow you to share your faith and talk about things that matter to God.

2. “My shirt encourages others to take action.”
Many people want to make the world a better place but they don’t know where to start. ResQrags give you an easy way to get involved.

Buying a shirt provides financial support and wearing your shirt encourages others to take action. There is strength in numbers, which is why I have made ResQrags as affordable as possible.

The more people who wear the shirts, the more of a positive impact we can make in the world. Everyone needs to be encouraged.

3. “My shirt provides disaster relief.”
Whether it is a tornado, earthquake, tsunami or hurricane, when natural disasters strike, people come together and help each other persevere.

Compassion’s Disaster Relief Fund provides food, blankets, shelter and replacement belongings for children and families when disasters strike.

4. “My shirt feeds the hungry.”
The current global food crisis is being called by many a “silent tsunami” that could plunge an additional 100 million people on every continent into hunger.

Food prices have risen as much as 100 percent in some countries since 2006. Compassion’s Global Food Crisis program provides food for the hungry.

5. “My shirt fights deadly diseases.”
My shirt helps break the devastating cycle of AIDS and provides care for people who are often cast out by society.

Compassion’s AIDS Intervention program helps staff, partners and families understand and prevent the disease, care for children who have lost their caregiver to AIDS, and provide treatment and care for people who already have the disease.

Compassion’s Malaria Intervention program helps children and their families receive the resources they need to fight the deadly disease, including mosquito nets to protect children from mosquito bites, prevention education, and access to medical treatment.

6. “My shirt builds unity.”
When people join forces and support a common cause, that’s when mountains can be moved.

Companies, non-profit organizations, churches, governments, faith-based groups, schools, and other groups need to find more ways to work together to help those in need.

ResQrags brings people together and partners with people committed to fighting extreme poverty and providing hope to the hopeless.

7. “My shirt develops leaders.”
Compassion’s Leadership Development Program helps identify young men and women who have shown potential to become Christian leaders who can, in turn, influence their own churches, communities and nations.

The Leadership Development Program assists with college tuition, books, and room and board. Leadership is crucial to making a difference. ResQrags is committed to building new leaders.

8. “My shirt shows compassion.”
Everyone needs to show mercy and compassion. And Compassion’s Child Survival Program saves the lives of young, vulnerable children and helps set them on the path toward healthy development.

The Highly Vulnerable Children program provides food, clothing and a nurturing Christian home environment to children in poverty who are orphans or who have no adult caregivers. Compassion is God’s way of motivating us to do His will.

9. “My shirt gives hope.”
A common theme in poor villages throughout the world is hopelessness. Without hope we have no reason to live. We are told in Romans 5:3-5:

“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Hope reminds us how powerful God is. When we rely on God and follow His lead, He will provide. Hope does not disappoint us.

10. “My shirt shares my love.”
Jesus tells us to love each other as He has loved us. If we did everything in love, the world would be a much better place. I often take love for granted and underestimate its power. Without love we have nothing. ResQrags remind people how important it is to love one another. After all, God is love.

Wear love well. Join the fight against extreme poverty at www.resqrags.com. And show us how you “Wear It Well” by sharing your photos with us on Facebook.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael Gannon and his wife, Tina, are the founders and owners of ResQrags. They live in Fort Myers, Fla., with their twin 6-year old boys.

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Teachers in Nicaragua are very creative in using whatever learning materials they have on hand.

Sometimes they do not have access to all of the materials for a lesson, or they have nothing at all. In either case, our teachers use their imaginations to share the message.

The first classroom I visited in this student center was for the little ones, ages 3 to 5, who were learning about the creation of the woman.

The tutor gave each child a piece of paper on which they created the silhouette of a woman by using glue and different nature items.

Then I went to the class for 6- to 8-year-olds. The teacher, Marisol, was supposed to use flannel for the day’s lesson but instead she used thin cardboard to draw pictures of the story of Elijah and Baal’s prophets.

She then gave the children a copy of another picture related to the lesson that they could color to set the story in the children’s mind.

A second group of students the same age went outside for an exercise class; the subject was “taking care of my body.” The tutor gave a short reflection on the importance of the body’s health before the children began to warm up.

I went to the class for 9- to 11-year-olds and saw children using glue, colors and glitter to write and decorate a Bible verse. They participated in a contest and the best work won a prize. Children do their best to win and, along the way, the verse is memorized through repetition.

The group next door is a class of 9- to 11-year-old students. The teacher divided the class into two groups and gave each group a topic.

Each group prepared a drama. The general subjects this time were “honesty and friendship” and “recognizing sin.”

The teacher had a good mastery on these subjects and the children paid attention. At the end, children came up with great dramas to represent their assignment — a fine display of their talents.

The last class was 12- to 14-year-old students. The teacher had the teenagers discuss the content of the song “The Potter” and extract the meaning of it for their lives. This work was done in groups and then one student from each group explained the work to the class. The subject was “What hinders us from getting closer to God?”

What I saw during the time at this student center reminds me once again that teaching is not an easy task. As simple as it might look, it takes time and preparation; however, the reward is incredible as teachers see children applying the lessons as they grow.

I finally sat to talk with teacher Marisol, who says,

To teach is a gift to transmit what God has prepared for each child. As teacher I have to think of the different learning styles and prepare for each of them. The visual aids and the page children color are important to help them remember the lesson.”

Sometimes the student center doesn’t have the material that the curriculum requires for a lesson,

…but we all [teachers] get together and share ideas to use in our classes, and we don’t feel it as difficult.”

There are also times when the subject is not an easy one, like talking with the little ones about God’s Trinity, but teachers draw a triangle or an egg to show three parts in one, and children respond well to the explanation given.

I left the student center content. Most teachers get the expected results, and I do too. Observing the classes at this and other student centers enriches my knowledge, and the children benefit most.

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In Nicaragua more than 300 children have learned about the gospel from the Fuente de Vida Church, which runs the Amiguitos del Rey Child Development Center. Dozens of children and families have come to Christ and are an example that the real difference in their lives is their faith in Jesus.

For eight years the pastor, child development center staff, and church committee have worked with these children to help them grow. The results of the everyday effort of these people is rewarded when a child, parent or other relative comes to know God.

Fuente de Vida is very well-known in the Los Brasiles community, located 16.5 kilometers (10 miles) west of the center of Managua. The church has grown and the facilities have been improved to the point that they have a big new temple and the old one is used for classrooms. And, there are plans to buy new properties next to the church in order to continue growing.

Shisel, a Compassion-sponsored young girl is one of the children affirming her faith in God. At only 15 years old, she battles with the fact that her parents, her only brother, and some of her other relatives have different religious beliefs than she does. However, Shisel can tell there is a difference in her since she gave her life to the Lord four years ago. Her family, friends and development center staff confirm that too.

“Shisel is on her way to spiritual maturity. Learning God’s Word, taking time to pray and other spiritual activities at the center are helping her to grow. She’s always willing to open her heart to God. I think that’s good because most teenagers put up a wall when it’s time to be in God’s presence and don’t receive what He has for them,” expresses Alicia, Development Center Director.

“My decision to accept Christ came out of my heart. I used to say that if I wasn’t walking in God’s way I had no right to have eternal life. My aunts have also encouraged me to seek God. I made the decision during a devotional time, and I felt different,” says Shisel.

The activities and benefits at the center are helping Shisel as she’s growing closer to God. At 15, Shisel has benefited from Complementary Intervention Programs (CIV) like attending camp and computer, bakery and beauty classes. The camps for youth in Nicaragua have proven to be some of the most impacting events the development centers offer.

Shisel recalls her experience on the first night of the youth camp:

“In the camp I felt the Holy Spirit, we were all crying, we hugged each other praying and asking for forgiveness. I feel that night I reconciled with God.”

Many teenagers like Shisel felt an experience with the Lord those two days. Since then, the development center staff have seen more faithfulness and commitment from the teenagers in attending church and participating in various activities at the center.

“The games at camp were not simple games; all of them had a message. The one that impacted me most was when we had to crawl through wet dirt. We all were covered in mud and that’s how the devil wants to see us, full of sin,” Shisel shares in tears.

The child development center staff visited every school director to get the schools’ permission for all registered teenagers who were going to the camp. During those visits one of the school directors congratulated us for the work we do.

“I’m happy because the school is most interested in the transformation of the young people. I wish there was Compassion everywhere, it would be a blessing for us. Because of Compassion communication with schools is more open.”

Although we can provide many benefits for children living in poverty, their life really begins to change when the Holy Spirit starts to transform them and shows them the life He has for them.

“The Word of God is what provokes changes in the children. When the Word comes into the life of the children, they begin to understand God’s plan for their lives, they understand what God wants to do in them. It is also central because our work depends on the Word of God. The Bible says, ‘Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain’ (Psalm 127:1, NIV). That’s why the gospel is central to the work every development center does,” shares Alicia.

Half of the children registered in the Amiguitos del Rey Development Center and their parents have accepted Jesus during these years of partnership with Compassion. Some of them go to different churches closer to their homes in the community and their faith has become stronger.

God works in ways we cannot understand to transform people’s lives and that is what’s happening to Shisel and many of the children at each development center. Little by little that faith is becoming unshakable and bringing fruit. People in the area who didn’t want to come to church are now attending regularly, and no one is forcing them to do it.

“I glorify God because of the work He does,” says Alicia. “Jesus is making the difference in their lives.”

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