“Giving Thanks Lightened the Burden in My Heart”
When I reached out to our staff across the globe to share messages of gratitude for Compassion’s Prayer Calendar, I didn’t expect to be as touched by their stories as I was.
The letter below is from Susan, who works in our Compassion Kenya office. She shares the impact of shifting from a heart of frustration to a heart of gratitude – and what that does for her spirit.
Continue Reading ›Odette in Burkina Faso: “Would You Please Pray?”
This month, I want you to meet Odette, a supervisor in our Compassion Burkina Faso office. Odette shared about her own childhood, growing up in rural Burkina Faso in a large family that struggled in desperate poverty … I was touched by her story, and as a sponsor, I was incredibly moved by the way she compares the staff in Compassion Burkina Faso with the love of her amazing mother.
Continue Reading ›
Writing Letters Is Inconvenient — And That’s a GOOD Thing!
Writing a letter is inconvenient. But that’s what makes it so beautiful. Inconveniencing yourself can be a gift to the child you sponsor. And it can also be a gift to you.
When God Answered a Guatemalan Family’s Prayers
It has been such a pleasure sharing stories of thanksgiving from our field staff this year as part of the Compassion Prayer Network’s focus on gratitude. This month, I want you to meet Lidia, who works in public relations in our Compassion Guatemala office. Lidia shared with us the story of a Compassion-assisted child and his mother, Amelia. Lidia’s letter beautifully weaves together the disaster and the hope that Elfego and his family faced. I hope you find encouragement in this story and that it reminds you to look for the hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Let’s Make 2021 an Epic Year of Gratitude and Praise
The only way through hard times is … well, through it. You can’t go over, under or around difficult seasons. You simply plow through, one step at a time. Last year was hard. And that didn’t go away because the calendar flipped to 2021. But there is good still in the world.
10 of the Most Unique Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas traditions vary from family to family as well as culture to culture. Travel the world with us as we explore unique, quirky and wonderful Christmas traditions across the globe!
These Kids in Togo Need Your Prayers This Christmas!
This Compassion center in southern Togo knows how to throw a memorable celebration at Christmastime. This year, however, a shadow of uncertainty is cast over the children and their families. COVID-19 restrictions have been enforced across Togo, prohibiting the center’s traditional Christmas gathering. Kids at the center are still grappling with what this Christmas will look like. Read their words below, and lift up a prayer for children like them around the world who are grieving this year.
Not Convinced Your Letters Matter? Meet Kenenisa.
Letters. They are a source of joy and discouragement for nearly every sponsor I’ve met. If you sponsor a child, you might wonder: Do my letters really matter? To answer that question, let me introduce you to 6-year-old Kenenisa in Ethiopia!
Dignity and Diversity: Honoring the Children You’re Helping
The Latin term “imago Dei” is one that I first heard in a college Bible study. I remember sprawling on the floor of our dorm lobby, rolling the funny words around in my mouth.
Imago Dei. Image of God. That phrase has meant a lot to me over the years. For an organization that works in 25 developing countries, each with its own cultures, languages and customs, it is so important to see the imago Dei in every church and child we work with. Simply put, we must always make sure we are honoring a child’s dignity.
Why These Flood Survivors’ Heads Are Above Water
February feels like a lifetime ago now, doesn’t it? But on Feb. 29, we posted this prayer request in Compassion’s monthly prayer calendar: “Pray for the families of 1,558 children in Sri Lanka affected by recent heavy rains and flooding. Pray for grace and provision.”
Grace and provision. Those are things that we need today, too. That’s why we wanted to share with you some GOOD NEWS about Densy, whose family was among the thousands affected by flooding in Sri Lanka. As a reminder that God hears our prayers. He never stops listening.
5 Helpers Caring for Kids Behind the Scenes
My favorite thing to do when visiting a Compassion center is to look for the helpers. I hug the cook and thank her for lunch. I find a tutor and tell her how the sacrifices she makes are changing lives. And I shake hands with a pastor and thank him for showing each precious child the love of Jesus. Today, will you wander with me to find the helpers?
Children Answer the Question “What Makes You Happy?”
Children are good at finding joy in any situation, aren’t they? That’s why we asked Compassion-assisted children from across the globe to share with us the things that make them happy. We pray this will inspire you to look for the little things that you can praise God for today.
