Be the Hero

Can you be a hero today?  Would you let your mouse lead you to a new, great, big role that promises to change at least one life, not to mention yours....forever???

Sunday, April 21, 2012 is a critical day in the ministry of Compassion International.  Dubbed Compassion Sunday, this is our chance to Change the Story for over 20,000 children who are in desperate poverty around the globe.  So today's post is dedicated to those children. Real children who need our help.  And to their families who are no doubt eagerly waiting for news that their lives have been changed.  That they have the means to escape a life without hope or opportunity while hearing the powerful message of Jesus' love. 

On my blog I've shared the wonderful stories of the precious girls we sponsor and consider part of our family.  Pascaline lives in Rwanda and Elibie in Burkina Faso. 

Today I want to introduce you to a new girl named Bethlehem and share her incredible sponsorship story.   It is one that touches my heart and reminds me that there is more than one way to become a sponsor...

Isn't Bethelehem so cute?  This little girl was sponsored by my parents to honor the life of Hannah, the granddaughter of their friends, their former pastor and his wife.  Hannah went to live with Jesus on Easter Sunday last year.  A letter my mom wrote to Hannah's parents will be read at her memorial service this week.  And because it really captures the amazing way God used several lives to transform Bethelehem's, I asked Mom if I could share it here: 

To Hannah's Family, 

When I heard that your family had begun to sponsor a child through Compassion International and that it had delighted your precious Hannah, I committed in my heart to find a child for us to sponsor.  We want you to know that because Hannah lived as a sweet and wonderful Christian girl who is now living with Jesus, Bethelehem who lives in poverty in Ethiopia has a new family and will be assured constantly that she matters, to us and to Jesus.  She had been on the waiting list for a sponsor for approximately six months. 

I believe that one day Hannah and Bethelehem will see each other in Heaven.  When Bethelehem is a little older,  we surely want her to know about Hannah and how we were directed toward the sponsorship because of Hannah,  

We have prayed for you and your family and will continue to do so.  We have not borne what you are going through, but as parents, and as fellow Believers, we grieve with you.  We wanted you to know that this is just one of the many ways in which Hannah touched lives. 

Sincerely, 

Maureen and Jim

Just this week Maureen and Jim received the first of many letters from their sponsored child.  She told them about her best friends, favorite color and holiday. 

 

She's a little spunky sprite like my Teagan! Plus, she seems just as obsessed with cats. In addition to her request for a picture of my parents she asked if they could include one of the cat they hopefully own! 

We also talked about how many children in Compassion's programs are newly able to attend school as most countries charge fees and require uniforms that parents in poverty can't afford. We are not sure what her situation was prior to her sponsorship but are delighted that in this letter Bethelehem tells my parents that her family is so happy she gets to go to school now! 

Wanted: A Few Good Heroes

It is easy to be a hero today.  Sponsorship costs $38 a month, the price of a meal out on the town.  But to families like Pascaline's that make $5 a month it means the world. Is there someone you would like to honor?  Would you like to teach your children the gift of compassion?  Perhaps find a child who shares their birthday?  The possibilities for sponsorship are endless.  

Whatever your situation today, I pray God will prompt you to feel a true connection with one of these children. I can promise the relationship will bless your life as much as theirs! Have a great Sunday, everyone!

In Jesus' Name, 

Michelle

Waiting

Waiting.

I must say, it is not a strength of mine...

Waiting.

At the doctor's office, for my name to be called.

At the traffic light for it to turn green.

Waiting.

For an opportunity to travel the world despite a college girl's tiny budget and closing doors.

For the man who was meant to be my husband to come into my life in my late twenties.

For God's perfect timing in placing two sweet babies in my arms in my late thirties and early forties.

Waiting.

When I think of it, we do a lot of waiting in our lives and my list does not even begin to scratch the surface. And if you were to ask him, I'm sure my husband would tell you I am the poster child for impatience. I like to be in control at all times. Now I ask you, is that soooooooooooo bad?? Plus, I am on the move so much that I find it really tough to just.sit.still. And watch a movie, for example. Never mind waiting. 

But today I want to focus on a different type of waiting. One that is so powerful, so full of hope. Children in poverty. They are waiting for us, my friends. They are waiting for the love of a sponsor. Waiting to be told they are important. Special. They are waiting for the hope that is salvation through Jesus Christ. Waiting for an escape from a life of desperate poverty.

I've shared before how becoming a Compassion International sponsor and Advocate changed our lives and the life of our sponsored child, Pascaline. And I shared why I believe in supporting Compassion International when there are several worthy non-profit organizations available offering the same opportunities.

COMPASSION IN ACTION

Today, imagine that Compassion International has come to your village and taken the steps to register you and take your picture. It is a wonderful day of happiness! Becoming a sponsored child means you will receive education opportunities, health care and instruction, nutrition, life-skills training and most importantly, the opportunity to hear the gospel. You are all registered! Now...all you have to do is...wait.

Our sponsorship of a waiting child changes their lives forever. And it will bless you too, I can promise you.  For a little over $1 a day, the price of a meal out each month, you can connect with a child who will write you throughout the year, send pictures and updates.

Watch this powerful video that is less than two minutes long.


Sponsor a Waiting Child from Compassion International on Vimeo.

A CELEBRATION

I hope you will join me in dedicating $38 each month to changing one of these precious lives forever. They need us to care. I am so excited to share today that Brian and I have been thinking of sponsoring a second child for a few months and today provides the perfect opportunity!! We will ask God to match us with one of these children with a heart in the lower left-hand corner of their picture! That child's wait of six months or more is over and a new life of opportunity begins! So today we are celebrating in Jesus' name! I'll share more information about him/her this week in a post.

Will you join me? At a minimum will you link to the post and look at these children? Where are they  from? How old are they? Perhaps it will prompt you to choose one based on the age of one of your grandchildren. Or maybe you homeschool and want your kids to know more about a region you are studying? You can even pick a child based on someone special's birthday. If you are like me a little face will touch your heart. I also want to mention that right now when you sponsor a  Longest Waiting Child you will receive a free Compassion Scrapbook.

Click Here to go to Compassion International's Page for Waiting Children

Dear Lord, thank You that You have offered us so many blessings in our lives. Please give us a heart for children everywhere who are in a battle with poverty that tries to convince them there is no hope, that they are unimportant. Help us to give to them your truth and the resources they need to live a changed life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I so can't wait to hear from some of you! If you are already sponsoring a child, or chose to sponsor a child today please leave me a comment! It would totally and completely make my day to hear about your child or children! Now, on to a great Saturday with you!


Blessings, Michelle

Change The Story

Hi everyone! I am still feeling a little under the weather but have Compassion International's 2012 Compassion Sunday on my mind. This is a truly amazing experience and a way YOU can change the story for thousands of our world's poorest children and their families.

http://www.compassionsunday.com/

Compassion Sunday is a national event that draws the attention of the Church to the needs of the world's poorest children.It's your opportunity to join with thousands of other caring Christians on one special Sunday in April. Whether you're a teen, a retired person, or any age in between, God can use you on this special day to share your heart for the poor and see children sponsored. With God's blessing, we anticipate that 15,000 children will find hope—and a new life story—through the prayers and efforts of people just like you on this important day.

The official date for this year's Compassion Sunday is April 22, 2012.

If that date is not suitable, you can still participate on another date that best suits your church's schedule. Want to find out how you can work with your church's leadership to bring this to your congregation? Visit http://www.compassionsunday.com/

Or shoot me an email at teaganstravels@yahoo.com. I'm a sponsor of a little girl in Rwanda and also an Advocate for Compassion International. I'd be glad to help in any way including coordinating this from where I am.

Have a wonderful day where you are.
In Jesus' Name,
Michelle