Talking About Africa Top Blogs 2015

A Short Guide to Talking About Africa

As a U.S. citizen, I’ve heard many reactions to my nationality as I travel to other places. A few gems: “We love Americans!” “We hate Americans!” “You can print your own money at an ATM.” “You’re all fat.” People have ample opportunities to see the United States in news and entertainment, so they have ample opportunities to form opinions of us — for better or for worse.

Continue Reading ›
tom, ann, emma and dimas

A Trip of Small Miracles

My trip to meet the children I sponsor actually began in 1955. That was the year my parents-in-law loaded up two toddlers and flew to their new home in Siguatepeque, Honduras.

Continue Reading ›
letter writing

The Worst Mistake You Don’t Know You’re Making

Affirming words from mentors and teachers and even strangers, make us into the people we become.

Continue Reading ›
laundry drying outside on a clothesline in a slum

What Nightmares are Made Of

This slum is what nightmares are made of. Filled with what gifts are made of.

Continue Reading ›
woman standing in the middle of a group of children

Letting Go of the Right Dream

Poverty is a strong force. And it’s lies cripple.

Continue Reading ›
shy boy holding soccer ball being greeted by adults

This One’s for the Men

Sponsorship isn’t just for women.

Continue Reading ›
young girl standing and speaking in front of group of children

Grace and the Lord’s Resistance Army

Freedom came for Grace when soldiers from the government raided the Lord’s Resistance Army camp where she and her mother were being held. After this, for seven years, they moved frequently, looking for a place to live.

Continue Reading ›
gladys and family

We Broke the Bed

We went, seven Compassion sponsors, flush with excitement, filled with the desire to help, hearts ready to connect. We went to Gladys’ modest home to learn about her world. We went with the best of intentions. And then we broke her bed.

Continue Reading ›
angeliz kiss

And, Sometimes, Things Work Out Beautifully (A Short Story in Pictures)

Angeliz lives in a tiny, dark structure on the side of a steep hill, with her great-grandmother. She does not live with her daddy, because he left her and her mommy. And she does not live with her mommy, because her mommy soon left her, too.

Continue Reading ›

The Little Things

Brandy and her group of sponsors are in Bolivia where they recently toured a Child Survival Program and met Rosario on their home visit—a time filled with little things.

Continue Reading ›
A women in a blue flowered blouse sitting next to a little girl wearing a blue shirt both touching their mouths with their hands

The Cost of Being a Sponsor

Our release cost the Father His only Son by the way of His broken, holy, sacrificed body. Release costs. It always costs.

Continue Reading ›
woman embracing boy

To See a Child Smile

The bloggers all sit in a circle and laugh and pretend to know Spanish and laugh some more. But not Ivan. He does not smile.

Continue Reading ›