Did you know that over a billion people live on less than $1.25 a day? That is mind-boggling! And, here I am frustrated because I don't have quite enough money for the kind of vacation that I want to go on. Well, that puts things into perspective!
What would it be like to actually step inside the life of a child who lives in extreme poverty, and then to see that same child break free and have hope for the future?
Change the Story is a brand-new experience from Compassion. It's a mobile experience that travels to various cities within the U.S. It "pulls back the curtain on global poverty and reveals the power of hope". If you've ever wanted to go on a mission trip, but just don't have the resources or time to go, this would be the next best thing! It's an interactive display that allows you to step into the life of a child in another country.
Visit cts.compassion.com/events.php to find out where this mobile experience is traveling to, and then make a point to go. It's a remarkable experience, and a great way to help your children understand poverty and what you can do as a family to help.
In His peace,
Sharon
a blog about God's gifts and the Compassion ministry
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Day 16: Learning about poverty
Halfway through 31 days of compassion, I wanted to share a poverty quiz that Compassion has on their website. It's designed to help us learn more about global poverty. I took the quiz and found myself really thinking about my answers. It brought me back to the reason that I was drawn to sponsoring a child in the first place. Go here and take the quiz.
One question that really spoke to me was:
Every minute?!? Oh my word, that just breaks my heart. We have plenty of food in our house, and about a hundred stores around us. These poverty-stricken children are happy with just a few beans and rice, if they even get that.
Take the quiz, pray about how you can help end poverty, one child at a time, in the name of Jesus.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
One question that really spoke to me was:
"How many children under age 5 die of hunger-related causes every minute?"
Every minute?!? Oh my word, that just breaks my heart. We have plenty of food in our house, and about a hundred stores around us. These poverty-stricken children are happy with just a few beans and rice, if they even get that.
Take the quiz, pray about how you can help end poverty, one child at a time, in the name of Jesus.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Day 15: Living James 1:22
Poverty can be overwhelming. And, I don't mean not having money to pay our bills this month, although that can be quite overwhelming as well! I'm talking about true poverty, as in not having any money at all, not having access to clean water, not having food to eat, saving a can of Spam (a gift from a missionary) for Christmas dinner. So, what does this have to do with James 1:22? For me, everything!
In April 2011, my husband and I sponsored our little Beatriz in Brazil and we absolutely love being her sponsor! But, I felt that God was calling me to do more, to be more, to help more. I just didn't know what that might look like. Then, I took Beth Moore's bible study on the book of James. My Sunday school class at church had gone through the book of James a year or so before that, and it really spoke to my heart, so when Beth Moore's study came out, I jumped on it. And, I liked it so much that I took it again that next year.
In the meantime, God was working on my heart to become more involved with Compassion. I discovered that I could become an advocate. So, after much prayer to seek God's will, I submitted my application and went through the training. During that whole time, one verse kept popping up...James 1:22.
Let me repeat that...God was calling me to DO something with my advocate ministry.
You see, I had gone through the training, and started talking about Compassion but not really doing anything. One reason was that there was already someone at my church who handled the Compassion ministry and Compassion Sunday each year. There wasn't a lot of room for me to do anything at my church, for that reason and a few others. Then, God called her and her husband to another church out of state and that left a big opening. No-one had stepped up...until I took that step and followed God's will.
This verse speaks to me in ways that I can't even explain. It's the verse that comes to mind when I seek God's will in the area of service.
Be doers of the word. Don't just listen and say you'll do something "sometime". Do it now. Pray for God's direction in your life, ask Him to tell you how to serve and then obey. God's plan is the best plan to follow. Be doers of the word and serve however the Lord leads you.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
In April 2011, my husband and I sponsored our little Beatriz in Brazil and we absolutely love being her sponsor! But, I felt that God was calling me to do more, to be more, to help more. I just didn't know what that might look like. Then, I took Beth Moore's bible study on the book of James. My Sunday school class at church had gone through the book of James a year or so before that, and it really spoke to my heart, so when Beth Moore's study came out, I jumped on it. And, I liked it so much that I took it again that next year.
In the meantime, God was working on my heart to become more involved with Compassion. I discovered that I could become an advocate. So, after much prayer to seek God's will, I submitted my application and went through the training. During that whole time, one verse kept popping up...James 1:22.
"But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."Up to that point, I had served at church with the women's ministry and a few other areas, but I felt that God was calling me to something more. Going through the book of James, this particular verse stabbed my heart every time I read it. I knew that God was calling me to do something with my advocate ministry.
Let me repeat that...God was calling me to DO something with my advocate ministry.
You see, I had gone through the training, and started talking about Compassion but not really doing anything. One reason was that there was already someone at my church who handled the Compassion ministry and Compassion Sunday each year. There wasn't a lot of room for me to do anything at my church, for that reason and a few others. Then, God called her and her husband to another church out of state and that left a big opening. No-one had stepped up...until I took that step and followed God's will.
This verse speaks to me in ways that I can't even explain. It's the verse that comes to mind when I seek God's will in the area of service.
Be doers of the word. Don't just listen and say you'll do something "sometime". Do it now. Pray for God's direction in your life, ask Him to tell you how to serve and then obey. God's plan is the best plan to follow. Be doers of the word and serve however the Lord leads you.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Monday, October 14, 2013
Day 14: Mail Call Monday
Saithan is learning lots of things at her project! She has learned how to respect her elders and friends. She is also learning about how "God is all powerful and the father of living and non-living things".
Under "message for my sponsor", she writes:
Dear Roland and Sharon Landers, Thank you for your letter and sweet family photo. I'm fine due to God's grace. I'm proud to be your sponsoring child. Please pray for me and my family."
She drew a picture of a very colorful house...purple and blue and orange and yellow, with flowers in a pot. She wrote "bai bai" on top of the house.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Sharon
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Day 13: Beatriz...changes
We received our new pictures and information in the mail about Beatriz, our sponsored child in Brazil. When we first started sponsoring her, she looked so young. She was 8 years old, and now she is almost 11. We hope to someday visit her on a sponsor tour. She is so precious to us!
Look at how much she is growing!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Look at how much she is growing!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Day 12: Child Survival Program
In our most recent issue of our advocate newsletter, there is an article by Karen Spencer, Advocate Ministry Manager for the Southeast Region. The article is call "Spotlight on CSP...the Child Survival Program".
I'll admit that I don't know all that much about this program, but I do know that it's yet one other way that Compassion serves poverty-stricken children and their mothers.
A few take-away points that I learned from this article are...
You can start a sponsorship for this program for just $20 monthly. This sponsorship helps to provide food, supplements, health care, and many other development training and tools for the mothers and their children.
I learned a great deal from this article, and I encourage everyone who is an advocate to read it and pray about how each of us can help raise awareness for this program.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
I'll admit that I don't know all that much about this program, but I do know that it's yet one other way that Compassion serves poverty-stricken children and their mothers.
A few take-away points that I learned from this article are...
- CPS (Child Survival Program) will expand to Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Togo in the fiscal year 2013-2014. Once they expand, CSP will be operational in all 26 countries in which Compassion ministers.
- CPS provides a home-based and center-based approach to ministry
- Survival specialists go on home visits to give their support, encouragement and benefits of this program.
- These specialists make sure that babies and toddlers receive nutritious food and supplements to help them grow strong and healthy. They share spiritual guidance and teaching to the mothers.
- On a practical basis, they train the mothers to prepare nutritious meals, how to interact with their children, how to recognize when their child needs a doctor, and other great information.
You can start a sponsorship for this program for just $20 monthly. This sponsorship helps to provide food, supplements, health care, and many other development training and tools for the mothers and their children.
I learned a great deal from this article, and I encourage everyone who is an advocate to read it and pray about how each of us can help raise awareness for this program.
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Friday, October 11, 2013
Day 11: How you can help
Did you know that, as a sponsor, you can affect the life of a child living in a developing country and help that child grow in confidence and faith?
To become a sponsor, the small cost of $38 each month provides a wealth of opportunities and service to these children and their families. It helps to provide:
You also have the very great blessing of writing your child and receiving letters from your child. You get to know them through this personal correspondence. You can give them encouragement and hope. YOU can play a vital role in your child's life!
Being a sponsor is one of the greatest blessings I've received in my life. I love being a sponsor, and you will, too. Take a look at the many children listed on Compassion's website. One of those sweet faces could be the face of the child that is just waiting for you to take the step of sponsorship!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
To become a sponsor, the small cost of $38 each month provides a wealth of opportunities and service to these children and their families. It helps to provide:
- educational opportunities
- basic health services
- encouragement, love and guidance through a local church
You also have the very great blessing of writing your child and receiving letters from your child. You get to know them through this personal correspondence. You can give them encouragement and hope. YOU can play a vital role in your child's life!
Being a sponsor is one of the greatest blessings I've received in my life. I love being a sponsor, and you will, too. Take a look at the many children listed on Compassion's website. One of those sweet faces could be the face of the child that is just waiting for you to take the step of sponsorship!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Day 10: Compassion International
Who is Compassion International? This is taken directly from one of their brochures...
Compassion International is a Christian child development ministry founded in 1952. They assist more than 1 million children in 26 developing countries. Their goal is to develop children in poverty so they will become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
Compassion is:
~Christ Centered
"We ensure that every child hears the gospel in a culturally relevant way, and has the opportunity to trust Jesus. We hope to lead children into a lifestyle of faith and commitment to God."
~Child Focused
"Compassion engages children as complete individuals, addressing their spiritual, economic, social and physical needs."
~Church Based
"All of our programs are carried out by the local church in the communities where the children we serve live. We minister to children, regardless of religious affiliation."
~Committed to Integrity
Compassion consistently receives high ratings from independent auditing firms and watchdog organizations. Every year, more than 80 percent of total expenditures are spent directly on children's programs."
In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.
Become a sponsor and change the world for one child!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Compassion International is a Christian child development ministry founded in 1952. They assist more than 1 million children in 26 developing countries. Their goal is to develop children in poverty so they will become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
Compassion is:
~Christ Centered
"We ensure that every child hears the gospel in a culturally relevant way, and has the opportunity to trust Jesus. We hope to lead children into a lifestyle of faith and commitment to God."
~Child Focused
"Compassion engages children as complete individuals, addressing their spiritual, economic, social and physical needs."
~Church Based
"All of our programs are carried out by the local church in the communities where the children we serve live. We minister to children, regardless of religious affiliation."
~Committed to Integrity
Compassion consistently receives high ratings from independent auditing firms and watchdog organizations. Every year, more than 80 percent of total expenditures are spent directly on children's programs."
In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.
Become a sponsor and change the world for one child!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Day 9: Christmas letters
Compassion has said that if we want to send Christmas packages and letters to our sponsored children,we should send them by no later than October 31st. I'm working on my letters and cards. Just need to shop for some goodies to send!
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Day 8: Focus on Burkina Faso
This is the first of a series of posts on Compassion-sponsored countries. Let's look at Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso is a country located in West Africa. It's surrounded by Mali, Niger, Benin, togo and Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. It's slightly larger than Colorado.
The population is a little over 15 million, with 57% being below the poverty line. About 77% of the population is unemployed.
The life expectancy for males is about 51 years, and for females it's 54 years. Now, that makes an impact! Infant mortality is 86/1,000 live births.
Provided by Compassion International
www.compassion.com
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
Burkina Faso is a country located in West Africa. It's surrounded by Mali, Niger, Benin, togo and Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. It's slightly larger than Colorado.
The population is a little over 15 million, with 57% being below the poverty line. About 77% of the population is unemployed.
The life expectancy for males is about 51 years, and for females it's 54 years. Now, that makes an impact! Infant mortality is 86/1,000 live births.
Provided by Compassion International
www.compassion.com
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
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