Last time we spoke, it was the week before Christmas and I had just made the move from the Web Team to Donor Services. While I am still under Curtis, I am also working closely with two powerhouse women that I want to introduce you to. 

I would first like you to meet Mrs. Tasha Mulder. She is the Donor Services Manager. She facilitates and oversees the relationships between Compassion and our donors who give consistently and generously. 

Tasha nurtures these relationships specifically through individual Stewardship Reports, which consist of updates about where a donor’s funds have been used and what they have accomplished. It is a colorful report filled with pictures and testimonies of the children and their families who have been blessed by the giving.

By the grace of God, we have a seemingly endless list of Stewardship Reports to be written, edited, formatted and sent. As you may imagine, this is a good problem: The more reports to be written, the more financial gifts the ministry has received. All that to say, it’s often more than one person can handle, which is where I come in. 

In a beautiful and mysterious act of God’s love and provision (which I will elaborate on in just a minute), I have become Tasha’s support in this area. 

I am responsible for helping to manage the reports – editing, formatting, a little writing here and there, and finally preparing them to be sent. Perhaps it sounds mundane; however, it is in fact just the opposite. 

Each report holds its own challenges as we try to make sure that each donor knows that we see and appreciate them individually. I am also being challenged as a writer and a “marketer” in new ways, which keeps me on my toes. 

The true blessing for me though, sinks deeper than my keyboard. I am, perhaps for the first time, becoming acquainted with the feeling of being fulfilled and satisfied with what it is that I do for a living.

I feel as though I am truly contributing and being productive in an area that really needs it. I feel as though my input and talents are not only needed, but are trusted to be used. Also, I am working on a fairly interdependent team which is refreshing. 

I don’t mind working by myself in many cases, but I also like to check in with colleagues. I like to know that we are all on the same page and that my work is helping them, and that I am in fact doing my job well. 

Tasha has been a huge part of making that a reality for me. In a different way, but with a similar result, Mrs. Nydia Teter, who is the new Director of Donor Services, has also played a large part in my new role.

While she is not new to Compassion, she is new to the team. In her first few weeks here, she has brought a light and energy that is dynamic and contagious. Working under her and for her is exciting (I don’t know if she is going to read this or not, but I promise I am not trying to brown-nose my way to a raise). 

Nydia has an optimistic, yet reality-grounded, business-savvy mindset about her. Considering all that she has taken on and all that needs to be done now that she is here, one might think she would get overwhelmed or become so focused that the personal relationships with us, her team, would be put on the back burner. That’s what’s different about Nydia; that is in fact the blessing of Nydia. 

One of Nydia’s first tasks when she came to our team was setting up times to meet with each of us once a week as a way of touching base and making sure that she knew what we were doing and what we needed. She has struck a refreshing balance between professional working relationship and personal care.

Knowing that I am seen, listened to and taken seriously while still being cared for by my superior is that much more motivating. In a nutshell … she is my hero.

In other news: The “Twinkie Project” is coming along wonderfully. Is the secrecy driving you crazy yet? I hate to break it to you, but I want it to. I want this not-knowing to keep you coming back. It’s all a part of my master plan … *evil laugh*

*scratching chin with a furrowed brow, in deep thought*

I think that’s it. Those are the most serious updates and news flashes this side of the Mississippi. 

For your consideration: Did you know that the phrase “Fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible? Once for each day of the year. Maybe He’s trying to tell us something …

My prayer for your heart and mine:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
- Romans 15:13 (ESV)

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

Since we met last, progression on the program has been both productive and sluggish.

Productive in that meetings are set, conversations have been had, and a “plan of action” has been made so that strategic and tactical steps can be taken. 

In the same way, it seems as though little has been accomplished because those all important meetings are not scheduled until later this month to the availability of personnel who have extensive traveling schedules. Unfortunately, patience is not a virtue I possess. 

The conversations, though, have provided the encouragement and affirmation I have needed. Let’s start with the most exciting one.

Compassion Experience Director Scott Barnes has hopped on board with Curtis Fletcher and myself and has been a great help in making contact with field countries. I have met with him on a number of occasions to discuss potential countries that would be open to the idea of our program.

About a week ago, he e-mailed a director in a country of interest to ask them to prayerfully consider coming on board with us and accepting the invitation to be the pilot country for the program. Scott said we would hear from them in a couple of weeks.

A few days later, we received a phone call from the country director saying that he loved the idea and wanted to be a part of it. He’s all in. I don’t know how else to say it, but this is kind of a big deal. 

Then there is the other conversation . . . the one about me.

Curtis, Chris and I had a meeting in my office (and by office I mean cube) to discuss where I belong and to whom I belong. Because Chris has his plate full with “web stuff,” and the web component of this program is only a small fraction of the program’s overall reach, there is only so much guidance and assistance that he can continue to give with regards to this program. 

This means that that the program is more technically a “project,” which now places the program — as well as myself – under Curtis’s supervision. This is good news. Let me explain why.

In terms of finding a potential, more permanent home here at Compassion, there isn’t an open position within the web team. While I love this team dearly, continuing in it would not be conducive to running the program.

However, coming under the supervision and department of Curtis would allow me to continue working on the project as well as a few other items that my skills may be better suited for. 

In addition, Curtis is looking to hire about four new positions over the course of the next several months. Optimistically, should the program be successful after the test and is made a yearly event, a full-time position would be needed to maintain it. 

Enter your’s truly.

None of this is a guarantee. I’m well aware of that. But what makes it such a blessing is that I am wanted here. Chris, Curtis, and others want to see me stay here; they want the project to be successful, and they are advocating for me to be a part of it. That is a priceless feeling. 

Working closely with Curtis has been a tremendous honor. He is brilliant without being arrogant and has taken ownership and control of the project without being domineering. There are still elements that are intimidating to me, his rank being one of them. 

But he has been more than a superior. He has been a wonderful teacher. He has taken time out of his schedule, which is normally booked, to get to know me, challenge me, and encourage me. He is a great listener, and a kind counselor. Best of all is his sense of humor, which has impeccable timing.    

Knowing him has been an honor in and of itself. Working with him is a privilege. I’m looking forward to the months to come.

I’ll keep you posted. 

On a side note, I have recently created my own personal blog and would love for you to visit! I would like to get to know you and would enjoy the opportunity to read your blogs as well.

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