Let’s talk Twinkies first.

The Twinkie Project has undergone some serious plastic surgery. Face-lift. Tummy tuck. Lipo. The works. We’ve trimmed her up real nice and purdy. But don’t fret, it’s all for the best.

Who was the surgeon, you ask? Thankfully, not me. I did not excel in anatomy.

This project has been handed off to a team, as in several people, who will be taking it to infinity and beyond. Three highly qualified and ridiculously creative gentlemen are now driving the Twinkie Project to another level of awesomeness. I am still participating in helping to bring it to life, just on a smaller, less time-consuming scale.

Among the many changes that it has seen, the Twinkie Project has been renamed. Granted, the “Twinkie Project” was never on its birth certificate, so the code name still applies for now.

Without giving too much away, I will say this — it has grown much larger than I would have dared to dream.

Turns out the basic idea behind it — sending young people abroad to broadcast their lives to us and teach us about countries and peoples we don’t know — is not so new. As a matter of fact, there are several other organizations and companies that have pioneered this concept.

Only thing is … Compassion is the only one among the crowd that really does something so beautifully different — partnering with the church; equipping pastors to minister to their communities more holistically. We empower and enable people who have the hearts for ministry but not the means.

So while our little “Twinkie” looks like the other Twinkies on the outside, we’re filled with something entirely different on the inside.

Who knew Twinkies could make for such spiritual metaphors? Moving on.

Meanwhile, while the Twinkie has been under the knife, I have been up to some mischief of my own.

Working. Doing my new job. My real, permanent, big-kid job. I GOT HIRED!

I am now an official team member of Donor Services and my role on the team is that of Donor Services Specialist. What all does mean exactly? I have no idea.

KIDDING!

I’m pretty sure I have one of the best jobs in the building. I am hereby responsible for taking the stories and information that we receive from the field (i.e. the countries we work in) regarding the Child Survival Program and working with writers and designers to create crazy-awesome reports that we send to our donors.

See? Uh-mazing job.

And because we serve a big God, donors keep pouring in despite every outside force or news report telling us now is not the time to be giving away your money.

So I stay plenty busy and I couldn’t be happier.

I guess you could say that the intern has finally graduated. God’s timing is not mine, but it is better. His plans have been rich with blessing and had the last year not transpired the way that it did, I would have never known His goodness, His faithfulness or His perfect provision for each day.

So now that I’m not going anywhere … it’s time to have a little fun.

There’s no such thing as detention in the work world, right?

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Did you have a chance to read some of her latest work? Here are some excerpts. Read and pass along. Please. Share her stories.

The Unexpected Picture

In today’s culture it is almost a fad to put money into charities, or to buy brands that support a cause, which is great … but I wonder if that is numbing us to the reality of the world that is beyond our safe and comfortable walls.

I wonder if we have been overexposed to the idea of poverty to the point of forgetting that it is not simply about a continent, a country or a group of people … it is about a life. It is one heart, one mind, one prisoner, one child and one future.

We must narrow our focus, we have to look through the feel-good hype and let our hearts truly feel for the people, not just the feeling of donating.

If we maintain such a broad focus of poverty, it is almost impossible to do anything to put a dent in it … but if we can hone in on one life, think of the difference we can make.

Through Dessiray’s Eyes

Most people would agree, at least to some extent, that “The eyes are the window to the soul.” Somehow eyes manage to tell more about a person than could be said by words, stories or descriptions.

Perhaps it’s because eyes display emotion: They light up when we are happy, look exhausted when we are tired, display fear and worry, and are the gateway for tears when we are sad.

Maybe they say so much because for most of us, they capture our experiences and paint the pictures of our memories. It is through them that some of the most beautiful and also some of the most horrific things become a part of us as we make our way through life.

What we see, who we see and where we see it colors our “window” and leaves a mark on how we will view the world and how we view our own souls. This is why we often wish we could see things through the “eyes of others,” or we attempt to see the world through “rose-colored lenses.” We are aware that things appear different depending on the eyes through which we are looking.

A window is a piece of glass that goes two ways, so if it is true that the eyes are the window INTO the soul, that means they are also the window OUT of the soul. This makes me wonder, as I stare into the eyes of the children, what they see when they look out.

Please pray for the hearts of children that Morgan loved and touched with the grace of God while she was there.

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That’s where I’m at. And I’ve decided that, despite the mystery of it and the frustration that comes with the not knowing, I’m excited anyway.

If you don’t remember or if you are new here, I have been sporadically writing about a program nicknamed the “Twinkie Project,” which has been in development since last August. I have tempted and beaten around the bush for months about what it is and when it will come to light. And I’m still doing so.

But … it is now time my friends to tear off some of the wrapping and let you see a little of what this thing is about. Just a glimpse though. It’s really an out-of-context look, but then again it’s also kind of in the context.

The “Twinkie Project” is about giving an up-and-coming generation, my generation, the opportunity to know, understand and feel who it is that we (Compassion) are, what it is that we are doing, why it works, and how they can become a part of it.

And to help with all of that, we have a pioneer. A guinea pig if you will. Her name is Morgan and she’s basically my hero.

Morgan left for the Dominican Republic on June 2 and will return home June 29. She is living with a family … in poverty. A family that doesn’t speak English or have electricity or running water.

Morgan is also serving at one of our partner churches, teaching the kids English and Bible stories at school, and loving some seriously lovable kids.

Of course, she has invited you along on her journey.

http://www.morgan-givetolive.blogspot.com/

Morgan is a good photographer, but she is a great writer. Be careful when you read her posts because she will hook you before you know what’s happened, and then you are a goner. You’ll be sponsoring another kid before you finish reading.

Telling you about Morgan hardly seems sufficient. Words cannot describe just how incredible this young lady is and how perfectly she fits this role. Not a stranger to international travel or less-than-comfortable living conditions, she craves situations and settings like those our kids live in.

She is the most naturally gifted person I have ever met, and she has a heart that oozes Jesus and His love. Her passion, in a nutshell, is simple obedience to the Lord. And He is using her in a big way to be a light, a beacon of hope, and an awesome source of love and encouragement to children and their families who are thirsty for truth.

One of the most humble and unassuming college students I have ever met, she gave up a month of her summer to be a part of the “Twinkie Project.” Simply because she wanted to. She quit her job in order to participate.

Yeah. Like I said, she’s my hero.

I hope you enjoy the peek. There’ll be more to come in the future.

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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)

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Like I said, I really, really like this time of year.

But, for all of its constants and familiarities, this time of year also brings about change. I’m getting better at accepting it . . . but I still don’t like it. 

Change means that things that you have always known to be, things that are comfortable because of their consistency, suddenly become different. As in, they are no longer the same. Big and small, professional or personal, things evolve. 

For example, my job.

As of December 1, 2008 (*insert Jaws theme music*) I am under the directional supervision of Curtis Fletcher. This means a number of different things. 

For starters, I will no longer be “on the web team.” Tragic. I will be a part of the “donor services team” helping with tactical assignments as needed (I don’t really even know what that means, but it’s what I have been told). 

More importantly, I will be working more closely with Curtis as we start to shape “the program” for its launch. Most of my time and energy will be placed here as details get clarified and we are able to move forward. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What is this program about? And when is it launching?” 

I’m sorry to tell you, but I’m still not at liberty to say. The web team, though, during a highly critical and important meeting, code named it “The Twinkie Project.” 

I can’t tell you why we named it that. No really. I have no idea. It has zero relevance.      

What I can tell you though is this: Curtis has written a job description specifically detailing my role, responsibilities and the minimum amount of time that I will continue to be needed as a temporary employee for this position. 

I have six months, at least. I’m going to be here (securely) for the next six months. 

*big-wide-eyed-stare*

Allow me to clarify why this is such a BIG deal. As you may recall, while I was on the web team, my contract was renewed, based on current necessity, at the end of every month. That is to say, I had no guarantee of employment beyond the 30 days I was given at a time. But God, in His infinite sovereignty and providence, continued to reopen the door every month. 

As I was recovering from my intense relief and celebration after receiving the six-month-security-news, it dawned on me: Perhaps the Lord finally got tired of the same ‘ol prayer and decided that if He gave me a six-month stint, I’d shut up. 

It worked. Sort of.

Currently, instead of praying for a job, I’m praying for other things; things that perhaps have a heavier eternal weight, things like my heart. 

During Thanksgiving (which I spent at home in hot and humid Texas), I had the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with one of my many precious cousins. Her name is Katrina, and she is a teacher in Austin. I met her long before she ever became a part of the family (by marriage) and she has long been a hero of mine.

She is beautiful. I mean really, really good-looking. But more captivating than her emerald green eyes is her passion and fervency for the Lord. I don’t use those words lightly. I have met few people who, in spending a measly five minutes with them, share just how much they are learning, being challenged, and are asking the Lord to continue to refine and change them.

I don’t know what your experience is with “refinement.” Mine is that, despite the fact that it is necessary and always better on the back-end, you have to be either really stupid or really holy to go asking for it. 

But that’s Katrina. Really holy.

As she shared with me the ways in which the Lord has been shaping her and showing her who He is and who He wants her to be, I became convicted. And I really hate that. 

“I want to go there in my walk,” I thought to myself. “I want to be stretched to new limits and shown new truths about who I am in Christ.” 

The only thing is . . . it could get messy. It will probably be hard. It will undoubtedly be uncomfortable. I will most likely have to confess and accept things about myself that I don’t like, that I don’t want to deal with. I will assuredly have to unpack baggage that I have been toting with me, partially out of habit, partially out of a need for security. And by security, I actually mean insecurity. Just to clarify.

As I wrestled with myself on the flight back to Denver, I decided that, difficult or not, it would be worth it. I’m ready to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before . . .” me (Hebrews 12:1b, ESV). 

Run with me this Christmas. As we welcome the New Year, welcome the change that the Lord has in store.

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