It was the middle of the night, but something was bothering me so I stayed up. Now I’m sitting here in tears. CNN just announced that the search and rescue efforts in Haiti are over.
I guess when I started sponsoring and ended up at OurCompassion, it was no accident. I know most other organizations don’t have something like this. A place where we can go and really share our feelings about what is going on in the world. A place for those of us who can see beyond our own neighborhood. Knowing there are people in the world other than those who live in Haiti who will be changed in some way by what happened there.
Some of us have made attempts to post things about Haiti, or about Compassion in general on Facebook. Most of the world doesn’t respond. Most don’t even bother to say, “Wow! It’s great ‘you’ feel that way.”
Truthfully, though, a few months ago, would I have cared? I don’t know.
The other night at work I was telling my lunch buddies about Julie’s husband and son, and their trip, and got one comment about it being sad. That was it. No one else even said anything.
I can’t even imagine what they would say if they knew I have sponsored kids in just about every corner of the Earth, and that I actually love these kids. I mentioned once about sponsoring a young girl in Africa; I thought I was talking to someone who might have an interest in it. Nope.
I have spent the last few weeks questioning “things” in life. Not life, but “things.”
I have no problem going out and buying things I need, or paying for rent, etc., but it just seems like everything else I am questioning.
Do I really, really need this? Do I need that? Or is giving a few dollars to a kid across the globe who will hopefully grow in the Lord and become a responsible adult more important?
I can’t change the world. Too old to try. Being a missionary and going to a different country was never on my list of things to do. But the kids I sponsor can go out and do that. And I can sit here and pray for the all the people who are working in Haiti and elsewhere. My prayer life, which was sad for so many years has changed so much lately.
So, I just want to thank everyone here that we can write our true feelings and concerns, and that we can cry together or rejoice together and know that people here will understand our heart because they feel exactly the same way.
Reprinted from ourcompassion.org with permission by Debbie Tovar, child sponsor and OurCompassion member
I must say that I agree with those comments. It is wonderful to have other people to discuss my joys and concerns with who also share the same heart for children. Although I don’t visit the site as frequently as most people who use social media do, it is wonderful to hear other sponsor’s stories and learn more about how Compassion works. Sometimes it is more an issue of people who could answer my question not being involved with OC as only a small group of sponsors are members.
Debbie,
I appreciate your blog about OurCompassion,you really hit the nail on the head.I am very fortunate that people I have contact with personally or at work are very compassionate,they asked me today,What can we do for You??
I am truly blessed
I could not have said it better. I do not have much time to visit the site, but to know it is there for me is a great feeling.
I too feel that Compassion is the way to go if you want to help at least one child have a better life. I have always had the Lord in my life and used to take it for granted. Now that a good friend has steered me to this organization, I realize it is our priviledge to share what we have with others not so lucky.
I agree — Our Compassion is a safe haven to share our tears with one another. I love it! But don’t give up on Facebook and other avenues of contact. A young college-aged girl just sent me a message saying, “I just wanted to say thank you for all you do. Your dedication to the Lord through the Compassion Ministry is very encouraging and is a Godly example for me and many others. I also appreciate the heart God has given you for others. Thank you for being a fellow sister in Christ.” I was amazed — and this came just after I thought all my status updates about Haiti were probably being ignored! You never know how God will use it, and who He may be calling to step up into the ministry to join us. For me, I need to be involved in both social networking sites.
I have to disagree with one thing said:
>I can’t change the world. Too old to try.
>
You ARE changing the world…one child at a time.
“I can’t change the world. Too old to try. Being a missionary and going to a different country was never on my list of things to do. But the kids I sponsor can go out and do that.”
****************************
That really spoke to me! (The entire post resonated, but that part most of all.) It is good to know that we are not alone, and that our efforts may change the world in ways we can’t even envision. All it takes is a bit of effort and the ripples will take over….
Thank you for sharing your heart and saying what so many of us feel. To have been born in this wonderful country is something we may often take for granted; but these little ones that live in a place without many things need our love and prayers and the generosity that we can provide.
I too am crying as I think of all the lives lost and of those who are left who need to leave their sorrows behind and return to what is left of their life. I keep thinking there should have been something more we could have done, but I also realize that many were doing all that they could. I am very blessed to have 8 children I sponsor with Compassion and I too have been trying to cover the world. I have them in Africa, South America, Haiti, Dominican Republic and India and if I had the money I would probably add even more. Yes, we all share not only a common purpose and interest we also share our compassion for the world not just for our own communities, churches, families and friends.
What I am hoping will come out of the Haiti disaster is a willingness by others around us to do more than they have been doing, not just for Haiti but for the children in all the countries that Compassion has projects located in. I am going to step up the push to have more presentations and to reach out to more people in my church, my community, my state and around the U.S. Thank you God for putting a compassionate spirit into all of us involved with CI and thank you for the children we have been able to help and will continue to help. Amen!
I agree and feel the same way!! I love my children so much! My Hatian child was my first compassion child and I sponsored him since I was 17. I am not almost 29 and that boy is still in my life and I love him so much. I remember the day I stood up at a Michael W Smith concert and reached for a packet. I looked at my mom and said “WHAT AM I DOING, WHAT IF I CANT….” well, I think that was easy…at that time it was 28.00 a month and I “COULD” do it because I had the heart to. I’d put his money before my own wants…and now I do mission works and have a heart for needy! It breaks my heart when people dont understand the way I feel or how much I love these kids….and when they question why I do what I do. They will never understand. I dont get it. I just pray about them…that they will find the love for these kids and countries like we do!!! We cant force anyone to love them like we do…so we keep doing what we do…and praying for the ones who dont. I love talking to people who get my love and passion!!!!!!
Praying for Haiti!
I’m gonna piggy back on Juli’s comment. I am amazed at how God can use these networking sites. Obviously, they are good for getting information out. But I was amazed at one thing that happened to me.
I met a guy through a weight loss site. It turned out he lived in the same suburb of Sacramento where I used to live. We became friends on Facebook. When I posted about my Compassion child and how I was praying for him and his family after the quake, this friend responded that he would also pray for my child and that he checked out Compassion’s site and was going to sponsor a child himself.
I know God is in control, but it is so great to see a real time example of it.
I love OurCompassion as well, and I am very grateful that most of my numerous statuses and posts about Compassion/my sponsored kids/Haiti have got some positive comments.
Yeah, Facebook and such can be a big time waster (especially when there is homework to be done), but it can also be a great tool!
thanks you for reposting this for us, it is a beautiful letter. i to thank God that i am able to sponser children from all over the world. my husband and i have been able to add more kids to our list as our finances allow. i am so thankful that i can sponser those children, they mean so much to me, and have helped me out through many a rough spot in our lives
Do not stop sharing on Facebook …. people will not answer you when they are feeling the call of God on their lives and are actively running from it!! Share Share Share!! It may plant a seed today that someone else will water later and someone else may harvest!! Or maybe you are the waterer!!
This is a well written article and your heart comes through clearly, may God bless you! I love the Our Compassion network because we have a sponsored child in Haiti and at this time it is comforting to know that people all over the world in different time zones are praying for Haiti – that is round the clock prayer. It also helps that we are comforting each other and connecting with each other! When the death toll comes out we will need some support also!!
We love our sponsor children …. they are part of our family. I love how the children fight for the mail when there is a letter in the mail and how one of us will be kinda disappointed when it is not for us. We still read each other’s letters and talk about what the childen say and what is happening in their lives! Priceless moments with my children!
God bless all of your and your efforts to connect, raise awareness and pray!! It is appreciated!
Thank you, Debbie, for pouring out your heart. I feel exactly the same way. I am so grateful for OurCompassion…a means by which we can connect with other sponsors who share the same vision and love for these precious children. I agree with Barbara that out of this disaster in Haiti, God will be at work in the hearts of those who love Him. My prayer is that I will be more willing to do more than I have been doing. There is such a great need all over the world.
I feel sad that all the people has lost there lives and that some kids, Don’t even have parents now because of the earthquake. It could have happened anywhere in here in the States. I just pray that every child has someone to watch over them and take care of them and love them . I know that there is one that will always look over them no matter how big the problem or how small it may be and that is GOD! So now matter what happens they will always be loved not just by us but by a higher power that what we are.
Dear Debbie,
I totally understand and agree with your experiences. I have never been on Our Compassion beofre, and was happily surprised to read all the posts after it. I never knew there could be a place to talk to other sponsors and those who understand the whole process emotionally. This is a blessing. I had a post from CI about sponsors getting tpogether but never found it until tonight. Thank you for your openess. Thank those of you who posted for reawakening hope in me to share CI with others. “My children” mean the world to me. They have made my prayer life better and my self esteem increase.
I talk about it with my own friends, even if they are indifferent. I used to be like that, till God put me in the home of a CI employee!!
it was a lot of fun when my buddy pointed out that my shoes were looking a little tired. He said I need new shoes, and I said, no I don’t! sure they look a little old, but they still work just great. and I started to tell him how so many kids are lucky to have a single pair of shoes. I don’t need to be always in a brand new pair. I can put my money to better use. And until I’ve actually worn them out, I’ll keep wearing them. I could see that made him think, so I’m glad God used my tired looking shoes as an opportunity to introduce some perspective into Orange County!
On the other hand, I am making friends online (through blogger by clicking on the interest links. I looked for other people who list CI as an interest). So awesome to see what other CI fans are doing for the kingdom!