Special Celebrations
Check this out — Brad Ruggles is celebrating his birthday in a very special way!
http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/10/31/celebrate-my-birthday/
What a great heart he has for children in need!
And here is a friend that is actually going to “Fast and Feast” on Thanksgiving Day — 
in honor of so many who have nothing to eat. Would you like to join the campaign? There is even a T-Shirt give-away for this event. Thank you Abbie, for your great love for children in need — may God bless this special day for all involved.
More Outcomes
Last week I wrote about the outcomes for Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program, Child Survival Program and Leadership Development Program. But did you know that you are also included in the outcomes? Compassion has identified the following outcomes for Sponsors and Donors:
- Demonstrates a commitment to child advocacy
- Engages in his or her Compassion commitment
- Has a positive Compassion experience
- Demonstrates effective vision and leadership
- Mobilizes resources
- Establishes efficient structures and management
- Reflects local ownership
- Christ Centered
- Child Focused
- Church Based
- Committed to Integrity
Beauty For Ashes
Here are some of my favorite verses, in the shape of a Wordle. During the worship time with Graham Kendrick at the Global Advocate’s Conference, these verses really came alive for me in new way. I realized that the Lord was telling me that I, too, am anointed, and can bring good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted and comfort those who mourn. It was overwhelming to realize that He could use me in this way. After all the heart-aches and struggles in my life, I can now reach out to help others. Amazing. Only God can do this. I truly have experienced His healing, peace and comfort.
Wordle — Global Advocate’s Conference
It’s time I posted another Wordle, so here it is. This is in honor of the wonderful conference I just attended in the Dominican Republic. I met other Compassion International Advocates from all around the world — wonderful, amazing people! I also enjoyed seeing my friends in the Dominican Republic again — such wonderful, real Christians: transparent and honest — sincere believers — loving friends. Of course, the highlight of the week was for sponsors to meet the children they sponsor, although many more are still in need of support. Here is a Wordle to represent some of the highlights of the week:
Positive Outcomes
How do you know if a child is really being helped through your sponsorship? Compassion International has identified certain outcomes for each of their programs.
These are the outcomes for each child that are assessed for the Child Development Sponsorship Program:
- Demonstrates commitment to the lordship of Christ
- Chooses good health practices and is physically healthy
- Exhibits the motivation and skills to be economically self-supporting
- Interacts with other people in a healthy and compassionate manner
- Demonstrates commitment to the lordship of Christ
- Chooses good health practices and is physically healthy
- Exhibits the personal and professional skills to be economically self-supporting
- Displays positive self-worth and healthy relationships
- Demonstrates servant leadership
- Is physically healthy
- Exhibits self-confidence and healthy relationships
- Demonstrates curiosity, interacts with his or her world, and communicates experiences
- Is sufficiently healthy to provide for child’s well-being
- Exhibits the motivation and skills to be economically self-supporting
- Demonstrates commitment to the lordship of Christ
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall!
A great wall often exists between the rich and the poor. Poverty is not a pleasant sight, and is not an easy problem to solve. Many people would rather build walls around it than look closely at the complexity of the poverty wheel. The wall needs to come down so we can see that 30,000 children are dying every day from preventable causes. Who will speak up for them? See here bright faces of children that have been rescued, because they have a sponsor through Compassion International.
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall! Speak Up For Children In Need!
80% of Pastors have never given a sermon about poverty. Why? Don’t they know that we need the poor as much as they need us? We need their joy, contentment and prayers. Without them, we die in greed, as Compassion International’s President, Wess Stafford, has said many times. Bringing down this wall will help us deal with our own greed, materialism and selfishness. We need the wall to come down, too.
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall! We Need Deliverance As Well!
I was in a poor home in the Dominican Republic recently. Several children crowded around us in the tiny home, and never once begged for anything from us. They smiled for the camera, hugged often, chased the bubbles we had brought for play, and told us their dreams. It was not until we asked the mother what she fed these children that we discovered they had no food in the house; no propane. They had nothing to eat. I immediately asked our guide, “If I give you some pesos, will you feed these children today?” You may want to read the rest of the story here. My point? People readily give when the need is right before us.
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall! Reveal The Needs!
More than 10 million children die every year from preventable causes, such as malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia and diarrhea. Most of these children die before they reach their 5th birthday; in Haiti, they often don’t even name a child until he reaches this milestone. Six million children under five die every year from malnutrition. Compassion’s Child Survival Program is addressing this issue. Mothers need to be educated about the dangers of untreated water, mosquitos, lack of proper hygiene and poor eating habits. They also need financial support for food, safe drinking water, medications, clean linens and clothing. Social workers visit the homes, assess the needs and educate care-givers on these topics. It’s an outstanding program, and it works.
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall! Speak Up For the Little Ones!
Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria alone. A malaria net through Compassion’s Bite Back Campaign costs only $10.00, and it WORKS. Imagine how many children can sleep under one net, and how far your support can reach! We can end the threat of malaria completely in our world — it’s only a matter of time and financial support. 
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall! Rescue Children From Malaria!
One of the greatest losses of children dying from poverty is the benefit they could have been to society if they had escaped the cycle of poverty. Here are young adults that were given the opportunity to reach their potential. Through child sponsorship they were given an education, meals, immunizations, spiritual discipleship and health care. They followed their dreams, received education through University studies, became servant leaders and now want to give back by helping others in need. These are some of Compassion’s Leadership Development Students in the Dominican Republic. Soon they will be Teachers, Doctors, Accountants, Diplomats, Engineers and more. They will change their society for good.
Child Advocates — Tear Down This Wall! Bring Healing and Purpose To Those In Need!
What Next?
REST IN HIM
One of the great paradoxes of the Christian walk is that the way to work with Jesus and bear fruit in His name is to rest in Him. It is all about Him, not about us. We have returned to Miami and are heading out into the world in every direction. We cannot do this work in our own strength or effort. We get our marching orders from our head, Jesus Christ, and work only through His effort within us. No enemy can prevail against us — not hunger, persecution, disease or death.
Angelina, the Canadian Compassion Advocate’s Director, encouraged us with an illustration of light. She said that she pictures a little shaft of light ascending to the Father each time a child is sponsored, encouraged or supported in word or prayer. Similarly, each time we phone a Pastor to request an opportunity to share Compassion in his church, a little shaft of light bursts forth from that location. When we share with others about our experiences as sponsors, another shaft of light bursts through the darkness. We are bringing light to the world through our obedience to speak up on behalf of little ones who have no voice of their own. Ministering to children is strategic to fulfilling the Great Commission. But how do we do this? Not by our own efforts, strategies and schemes. Only by His Spirit.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4 (NIV)
This is what I mean when I say “rest.” As Child Advocates, we often feel we must make lists of churches to call, plan our goals for the year and try new methods of getting the needs of the poor before God’s people. This is true and right; but we cannot trust any of these efforts. We must “rest” as we work; we must lean upon the Lord and walk with Him daily; we must be alert to the opportunities the Spirit places around us. We must join Him in His work; not expect Him to join us in ours.
Unity in the Body
We Have One Head — Christ — And Unity in the Body
The Global Advocate’s Conference came to a close tonight and we can only go back to each of our countries better people, better Advocates for children. I had not realized how many partners we have in this fight against poverty. It is so assuring to know that other Christians around the world are doing their part through Advocate’s Networks in other countries. As we all take directions from our leader, Christ, we will accomplish a mighty work. This is truly the body of Christ – loving, serving, suffering together, giving, praising God. It is not a building or a certain denomination, race or fellowship. It is a world-wide body of believers and nothing is going to stop the mighty growth of this entity.
We have been so blessed by the worship with Graham Kendrick. He has taught us new songs, shared scriptures that we have actually put to music together, and has brought us together in unity in so many ways. One day we were called to repent as a nation, each individually, for the abuse, neglect and harm brought against our children. We gathered around each of our flags in separate groups and brought our corporate sins before Him. It was a moment I will never forget.
But our unity and fellowship was not limited to the nations that came; we were also united with our fellow believers here in the Dominican Republic. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for us from children, parents, Pastors, project directors, country office staff, LDP students, translators, kitchen and waitress staff and by our tour guides. We can never repay them for the kindnesses shown to us.
We have a huge global need to help those who are hungry, broken, and in darkness; and it takes a global effort to bring comfort to those who suffer. The word “compassion” means “to suffer with,” and this is truly what we have done this week. We visited homes today and prayed with the families. We took gifts to the projects we visited. We sat down and played with the children, took their photos and let them take our photos. We giggled and danced and sang with them.
I truly believe we need the poor as much as they need us – they have given us their joy, contentment, humor, love and blessings this week many times. I know I will return home with less greed, selfishness and materialism. I know that I will remember I have a whole army of Compassion Advocates all fighting alongside me for the children among us who have needs. Our speaker tonight, Tony Neeves, said that we are part of a huge network–a huge army. We were certainly united in heart and mind tonight as we prayed again for our countries, for the wonderful Dominican Republic staff that have served us this week, and as we sang together again in worship.
As I have thought about the love I have for so many friends across the United States, in the Dominican Republic and all around the world, I am reminded that we each have our own stories of pain, hardship and suffering. We also have our stories about why we are Advocates today. It is these stories of hardship that have caused us to speak up for children in need. It is the reason we are filled up with the love of Christ. 
I know God has done a mighty work in all of us, and I give Him all praise for His gracious love and blessing.
Bright Stars With a Purpose
HE FULFILLS PURPOSES AND PLANS FOR US
Nothing can stop God’s plans for His church – not persecution, not poverty or the greatest strategies of Satan. When a young lady was kidnapped and raped by a gang in El Salvador, the Compassion staff gathered to pray for her release. She said that she hated these men at first, and then felt sorry for them, and finally prayed for God to forgive them. Then, at the very moment the Compassion staff prayed, she was released.
When Compassion began to organize a project in a dangerous location of Uganda, many man came specifically to attack and destroy God’s work. Those former drunks, thugs and gang members are now elders in the church — transformed by the Spirit of God. The Chief of Witchcraft in another country is now transformed and is the Director of a Project. Nothing can stop the growth and spread of God’s church, and children are God’s secret weapons, God’s change agents in our world. Thousands of Muslims are coming to the Lord through Compassion’s ministry. These are some of the truths shared with us by Tony Neeves of our Compassion partners in the United Kingdom.
The growth of churches is happening all around the world as we partner with churches in third world countries, and as we partner with churches that are supporting the ministry. The benefits happen to those who give and to those who receive. This is God’s plan, and the purpose for each of us – we need the poor and they need us.
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. ‘If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:5-13 (NIV)
This is what is happening all around the world. I know, because we have several nations represented at this conference. As we Advocates wake up the church about the plight of the poor, their congregations are growing because they are drawing nearer to the heart of God as they reach out to the poor. And the poor are what we need in order to recognize our own selfishness, greed and materialism. Jesus is at the heart of this ministry. He saves us from more than hunger and sickness, but also from the broken lives we’ve been living.
What does a life look like that has been rescued from poverty and has found God’s plan and purpose? Take a look at the Leadership Development Students we had dinner with tonight. 
Here are my special friends Ana Luisa and Juan David. She is studying to be an Accountant and he is in Medical School. I am so proud of both of them. Their lives have been so hard, but they are achieving their goals with God’s help. Juan’s father died when he was five, and his older brother was a drug addict who often would take Juan’s book bag and sell it. But this is what he said about that life: ”God allowed me to go through all this to understand that He is big and brings light into the darkness.” Ana Luisa’s mother died when she was young, and it has been very hard for her. But God spoke to her through a dream, and she knew He was calling her to Himself. He said that He had purposes for her life, and the skills He has given her will be used to serve the Lord. He gave her the opportunity to accept Him. These young students are so very special to me, and precious in His sight.
I wish I could tell you about each one of these special young students, but there was not time to hear all of their stories. These are the bright stars of Compassion’s ministry, and their lives will bring much glory to God’s kingdom. They will each realize the purpose for which God has created them.
Heavenly Realms
OUR BLESSINGS ARE IN HEAVENLY REALMS
Today was truly like Heaven. Imagine a room full of children of all ages meeting up with their sponsors. Mothers and project directors stood by as the sponsors’ names were called and the children often ran right into the arms of their sponsors. Everyone hugged, some cried together in joy, and others just couldn’t even think of words to say. It was a joyous event, and all I can do is post some photos here to tell the story. Can you spot the twins below?
Satanic Strategy 101
WE HAVE MANY ENEMIES
If you want to hurt someone deeply, hurt their children. That is what Satan is doing around the world – attacking our greatest potential, our greatest achievement, our greatest goldmine – the children. If they can feel rejected, abandoned, ignored, or worthless, they will not be able to achieve the purpose for which God created them. Mike Hinckfoot, who oversees Ministry Integration and Innovation at Compassion International, said “Poverty is the most complex, cruel problem in the world today.” He explained that there’s corruption in government, lack of interest in the needs of children and a lack of resources. Compassion partners with local churches in third-world countries. We don’t start churches or send missionaries out; we come alongside churches to provide support, accountability and resources.
Another speaker – Patrick McDonald, of an excellent ministry called “VIVA,” said “Children at risk are the very call of the Great Commission.” If you can change the heart of a child — give him education, good health, social skills, economic support and the teachings of Christ — then you can change a whole community. No wonder Satan is attacking the weakest members of society – the children – through malnutrition, malaria, abuse and neglect. 100 million children are living on the streets; 130 million have no access to school. A child dies every 30 seconds from malaria alone. The challenges are huge.
Compassion is on the front lines of this war against poverty. Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International, spoke in our meetings twice today. He likened the Advocate’s Network to a group of volunteers flying into enemy territory. He also pointed out that as we worshipped together today – along with several partner countries represented here – we were holding back the hordes of hell, for the hosts of Heaven rejoice when even one child accepts Christ as Savior. Last year, 154,000+ children accepted Christ, and that doesn’t include their siblings, parents, and extended family that also come as well.
We attended workshops that explain the ministry of Compassion – how it works, where the funds go, and how we can open the eyes of others to the needs of the poor. We have four core programs:
Child Development Sponsorship Program (CDSP) – This is the one-to one relationship between child and sponsor. The goal is developing, discipling and equipping children for life…through the local church, and the outcome will affect the child’s spiritual, social/emotional, physical and economic needs.
Child Survival Program (CSP) – Emily Kagiri, Director of this program in Kenya, said that it is a call to action to save the lives of expectant mothers and their babies. They promote healthy communities and families. The goal is rescuing, nurturing and discipling both the mother/care-giver and the child. She said that what we say to these mothers is, “Shake off those chains that want to kill your baby!” These are chains of low self-esteem, of malnutrition and health issues that are preventable. All the mothers need is education and support, and that child can live to be a benefit to society.
Leadership Development Program (LDP) – Educating, training and discipling servant leaders is the goal. They work with 12 Biblical leadership principles to develop godly servant leaders. These are students that have excelled academically and have potential to be powerful Christian leaders in their communities. They can be sponsored through University studies.
Complementary Interventions (CIV) – This program completes all of the ones above. Without these, the children will not succeed. These involve disaster relief, AIDS and malaria intervention, the provision of Bibles to all children, infrastructure development, water projects, parental education, non-formal education such as Vo-Tech Schools, medical assistance and many other types of support.
In order to rescue children from enemy ground, Compassion is committed to the following core principles; we are:
- Christ-centered
- Child-focused
- Church-based
- Committed to Integrity
As Child Advocates all around the world, we will continue to speak up for children who have no voice of their own. We continue to speak up as the Bible commands:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)
God’s Presence — And a Boy Remembers
HE IS PRESENT ALWAYS
Guess who I got to see in the Dominican Republic today? 
Bicente, the boy who gave me a precious gift five years ago when I visited his project. We had a very special time talking to each other today, hugging nearly the whole time. He’s much taller than me; a fine and handsome young man. Amazingly — although I’m not his sponsor — he remembered much about me. He remembered about my children, and about the fact that I play the piano for the school choirs. We each have a letter than the other sent, and have cherished it ever since, and have been praying for one another.
He told me some very sad news — his sponsor has not been writing to him all these years. He used to write to his sponsor, and tried to get him to write, but never got a response other than once about three years ago. He finally stopped writing to him. He also told me he has been struggling lately, and has not been close enough to visit the project regularly. I think it was very timely for me to see him today and tell him that God has plans for his life — he is very precious to Him and to me, and should realize that He has great potential in this world. He’s a brilliant young man, has the most wonderful smile, and is very friendly. He has several dreams — he hopes to learn English and perhaps become a translator. He’s thinking about many other career choices. I told him to find out what God has planned for him, and to believe it can com to pass. It was a very emotional day, and I couldn’t help but think of God’s presence in this young man’s life.
His presence was so evident all day. We visited a Child Survival Program that ministers to many young mothers, and visited the home of one of them. The social worker took us to her home and we observed as she assessed the needs of the family,
prayed with the mother and sang a hymn before leaving. This baby, as well as the older brother, would not have lived without Compassions intervention. God is present.
Mindy got to see Francisco today, and Jane spent the afternoon with her teenage girl, Irlin. We will see them again on the sponsor visit day, but since we were at their project today (Bicente’s project), we got to see them today as well. This is an excellent project; they also minister to dozens of young mothers. They have a basketball and a baseball team, and do activities with the children, such as camping in the mountains and sharing the gospel around a campfire. They also use this opportunity to teach the young boys how to prepare and cook food properly. They have an excellent computer room and sewing machines so the children can learn a skill to use in the real world.
Tonight we had excellent speakers from the Compassion UK who shared about the Advocacy Network in England, Scotland and Ireland. It was very moving and inspirational! Even after only 2 hours’ sleep last night, I have not been tired until now. The day has been very fulfilling and glorious!
Trusting In Adversity
TRUST IN GOD
Yeah! We’re in Miami! We spent last night here — Jane and I sharing a room — and spent the evening in a lot of uncontrollable laughter and giggling. One of my Advocates called from the airport and woke us up at midnight in a panic; she didn’t know how to get to our hotel. I was seen leaping out into the hallway saying, (a la Buzz Lightyear) “To Eternity and Beyond!” I felt like I was heading out “beyond the call of duty” to rescue a fellow Advocate! So the giggles began.
What was the view from our room? – a construction site. It wasn’t until we were on the elevator with a man that he viewI realized how God had taken care of us. He said, “Good thing it’s the weekend, huh – can you imagine what it would’ve been like if they were working?” And then, as he stepped off the elevator, he said “God bless you ladies.” We looked at each other and Jane said, “The Elevator Prophet.” Yes, God is present and taking care of us; He even cares about the smallest details. And He sent that man to remind us.
I have been thinking a lot about the issue of trust. It keeps coming back to me. Mindy said she had been afraid of the hurricanes and kept watching the weather channel. Then she went to her Pastor to ask him to pray about it and he said, “Mindy, I detect an issue of trust. You aren’t in control, are you? You can’t control the weather, the pilot or anything about this trip, but you know who can. Trust Him.”
Now we have a more serious and uncomfortable situation before us. It’s midnight and we’re still in Miami. We were supposed to have flown out at 7:35pm, but here we are still. We’ve had mechanical problems, paperwork problems and now they’ve had to bring in a new crew. They finally decided to have us deplane and return to the terminal. It’s been a long ordeal, but let me tell you – there’s no better group to be with in a situation like this than a group of Compassion Advocates. We’ve told our stories to each other, made friends with a delightful young advocate from Australia, and we’ve shared our food (with free vouchers from the airline) with others. Some have had a slumber party and others enjoyed pizza parties. We’ve made friends with passengers and crew. One of the flight attendants said to me, “What is this Compassion about anyway?” They were all interested in hearing about our ministry (I think they were surprised that after 3 hours on the plane, no one had gotten mad at them or demanded anything). We had a nice long talk about children in poverty, and she took my business card. A young man that is a border agent with the Coast Guard spoke with me a long time and is interested in sponsoring a child. I’ve watched several other Advocates sharing with others on the flight, in some cases sharing child packets. We’ve made new friends and helped mothers with small children. Mindy has lots of chocolates to hand out; that helps the tired mother as well as the child. We’re making the best of it, and there’s been much laughter.
How can we laugh in this situation? Why do we not worry about mechanical problems? Why do we not demand our rights, or a solution to the problem? Because we know who we can trust, and He has everything under control. And – best of all – we can’t wait to see what else He has for us in the Dominican Republic. If waiting for hours in the airport can be this much fun, what will it be like when we reach our destination?
UPDATE! We reached out destination! I’m posting this from the Dominican Republic — we arrived at the motel at 6am this morning! And we’re up and ready to go! Just meeting friends again is a huge thrill!
Junior and Francisco
In a continuation of the story about our trip to the Dominican Republic in January, I need to tell you now about visiting our sponsored children, Junior and Francisco. Nothing could have prepared us for what happened.
We spent a whole day with both boys and their mothers. 
I didn’t realize Junior would be much taller than me now; he had been so small five years ago. His mother, Rubia, came with him as she did last time. Rubia and I are fast friends now — we’ve cried together, hugged and shared our concerns for our children. Unknown to me until that month, Junior was leaving the Compassion project, and we would not see each other again. I had known all along that he was special to me, but I had never dreamed I was just as special to him. He cried nearly the entire day that we were together. His mother and I cried just as much. He and I cried on each others’ shoulders most of the time. It was a very bitter-sweet reunion. I told him I would never stop praying for him, and that God would fulfill his plans for him, wherever he goes. Junior was especially sad that we would not be able to write letters to each other any more. So was I. You can imagine how difficult it was to part ways that day, but how grateful we all were that God had brought us together again one last time.
Mindy and Francisco had a wonderful day together. They had taken us to a ranch where we could look at various animals, use the swimming pool, play games, or have a picnic lunch. We found out that Francisco’s family were Christians now! Remember how the neighbor had said, “They need to know Jesus?” Well, they did come to know Him, and the family was doing much better. The father still could not do the small appliance repair that he had done so well before his accident (which severely injured his hands), but Francisco was learning the skills from his dad. The most special thing to me about being with Francisco and his mother, was that every time she walked past me she would put her hand on my shoulder, or give me a hug or pat my back. She knew I was the one that had gone home five years ago saying, “This boy needs a sponsor.”
On our way home from the day, after Francisco and his mother gave a tearful farewell to both of us, Mindy and I were riding on the bus and looking through all the hundreds of photos and movies she had taken. We giggled to see Francisco jabbering away in Spanish to the camera and then running to do a cannon ball into the swimming pool. We laughed about Francisco’s first ride on the back of a small burro, and watched him being thrown about in the swimming pool by the wonderful young man that translated for us. But in a few minutes, I heard Mindy gasp, and she said, “I just deleted all my photos!” We couldn’t retrieve them, and they were lost forever, except in our minds. After a few moments, the only thing I could think of to say was, “God has just brought you down to Francisco’s level of poverty. He didn’t have hundreds of photos to take home from this day.” She liked that. It was true. Now, those memories stay in our minds even stronger, perhaps, than if we’d had her photos to review.
Finally, Mindy had said the whole week that she wanted to sponsor an additional older child. Out of the child packets available to us, she chose Oscar. I had been trying all week to get child packets in her hand for the projects our group was going to, but she randomly chose Oscar. I found out our group was not going to his project, which was #247. Our bus was going to another project 30 miles away — we were on the way, and the group leader was standing in the front of the bus describing the other project to us. I was sitting in the back of the bus praying, “Take us to #247…please take us to #247!” But then I remembered this wasn’t right, and I said, “No, Lord — You know which child Mindy should sponsor. You take us to the place You want us to go.” I opened my eyes, and our bus pulled up to Project #247! I jumped out of my seat & exclaimed, “Mindy — let’s go find Oscar!” — and the rest of the amazing, emotional story is told on a previous post here. Oscar was sponsored that day by Mindy, and his life drastically changed.
This week, we hope to see Francisco and Oscar again. Can you imagine our joy and excitement? I look forward to seeing Francisco and Oscar’s mothers again, if they are able to come. The children are always accompanied by a Project Director, Pastor or Teacher when they come to visit their sponsors. Sometimes a parent accompanies them as well. It will be a very special week, indeed! We will keep you posted about our activities this week — and share more photos!
Travels With Mindy
I’m continuing my account of former visits to the Dominican Republic with Compassion International. My friend, Mindy, had asked me to go to the Dominican Republic to introduce her to Francisco, the boy she’d sponsored for five years. The sponsor tour was in January of this year. Strangely enough, I was not excited about going — I wanted her husband to go in my place, but it was not to be. Once we got there, however, God showed me every day why He wanted me to be on this trip. One of the first things our guide said to us was, “You aren’t here by an accident…you were chosen by God to be here.” It was just what I needed to hear! It was even written in the journal that Compassion gave us for our trip.
We visited a very poor area of the country, and saw our first three Compassion projects. We met a very special Pastor whose daughter, Anabel, had been a formerly sponsored child (she’s a Doctor now). 
When she was sponsored, he was an alcoholic and was not a Christian. Through her sponsorship, the family came to Christ and he now leads a church and oversees the sponsored children in the project connected with his church. Anabel’s husband is also a Pastor, and is building a large church with rooms for Compassion’s ministry. Look how much can happen when just one child is sponsored!
We also met other formerly sponsored children that work at the Country Office, are Project Directors or are Pastors. We met some very impressive students that are in Compassion’s Leadership Development Program – these young men and women truly have the potential to change their communities through godly leadership principles, higher education and servanthood. I can’t begin to describe to you how special these young people are! Here is a photo of five of the students with their Director (on the right), provided by Michael Patterson:
We also visited some very special Child Survival Programs, which were mentioned in a previous post. I’m looking forward to telling you about our children that we visited — Francisco and Junior — but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
Little Boy Needed a Sponsor
This is a continuation of the previous post about our 2002 sponsor tour to Haiti. I’ll never forget the special time of worship we had with Compassion’s Country Office staff in Haiti — we even learned to sing a bit in Creole! After visiting projects throughout the week, we flew from there to the Dominican Republic in a small plane. It was sad to see the landscape of Haiti as we looked down from the plane — although there were mountains, the riverbeds coming out of them were completely dry. We could see the line between Haiti and the Dominican Republic as clearly as the line on a map — for the Dominican Republic was instantly green and alive with trees, brush and tropical plants.
We were greeted warmly by our hosts, and taken to another very nice hotel for our stay in Santo Dominingo. Just as we did in Haiti, we visited the Country Office for Compassion’s ministry. Again, the employees were all so kind and friendly to us. We learned much about their work in this country — the integrity, sensitivity to the children’s needs, and excellence of the staff. We visited several very special projects in the area. One project had three very special children in it –
- Francisco
- Julia
- Bicente
Francisco was in need of a sponsor. I had his child packet with me, and wanted to meet him so I could find a sponsor for him when I returned home. They brought him to me and we spent the day together. I could tell he was very intelligent for, although he was very small, he could read every word I showed him. We took our picture with his child packet:
While we were talking, a security guard from the project came and spoke to him. I asked the translator what he was saying. He said that Francisco had not been to the project yet, and did not know the rules — he must stay in the project until someone comes to get him, because it’s not safe on the streets. When it was time for him to go, I went to the door to meet the parents, but they weren’t there. It was a neighbor that had come for him. I told him that I would try to find a sponsor for Francisco. He said, “This family is so desperate right now — the father was in an accident and can’t work. They need to know Jesus. Please be praying for this family and try to find a sponsor for Francisco.” I could only promise that I would try.
When I got home, I felt God was telling me to talk to my friends Richard and Mindy about sponsoring Francisco, even though they already had another child in Africa. They agreed, and a deep friendship began. Mindy kept all of Francisco’s letters and photos in a special album, and shared them with everyone she knew. This year, she even invited me to return to the Dominican Republic with her in order to introduce her to Francisco. It was a wonderful, glorious visit, and will be the subject of tomorrow’s post.
The second child was a teenager, Julia. She stayed close to me and spoke a lot throughout the day — she had noticed that our names were similar. She was a sweet girl; so friendly and polite. She spoke about her sponsor to me. When I realized Mindy and I were returning to the country, 
I asked about Julia, but was deeply sadened to hear that she had been killed by a car in the streets. I think the security guard was right — it is not safe on the streets for these children. That is why we so desperately need to sponsor children and get them off the streets and into a positive educational environment. Here is a photo of me with my sweet Julia; she’s with Jesus now. I’m certain that her teachers at the project miss her. Believe it or not, Jane sponsors a girl from the same project — I wonder of Erlin knew Julia, and if she could deliver a message of deep sympathy to her family, friends and teachers? I will ask Erlin when I see her next week.
Finally, I want to tell you about my friend, Bicente. He became attached to me from the moment I walked into the project. We became fast friends, although my Spanish was not very good. He asked me if I knew his sponsor, for he wanted me to request that his sponsor write to him. I asked if he had gotten any letters from him sponsor, and he sadly said, “No.” He asked if I could find his sponsor to ask for a letter. I told him I couldn’t make any promises, but would try to get a message to him. In a flash, he was up out of his seat and running off to another part of the building. I had no idea what he was doing, but he came back with a special gift for me. This was his way of saying, “Thank you. I want so badly to hear from my sponsor.” Here is the gift he gave me; a craft project he had made himself:
This gift is very precious to me, and I will always keep it in a special place in my bedroom. It reminds me how important sponsor letters are to the children. It’s important that we connect with the children we sponsor, to let them know we love them and care about them. We can encourage them to study, or to think about special scriptures we send them. They love to hear about our communities and families. They want to know someone believes in them and is supporting them in prayer. I think it’s important for us to realize, too, how much we need their letters, friendship and prayers. I’m always amazed and saddened when I speak to a sponsor who says they are not writing their child. I always tell them about Bicente, my special from in the Dominican Republic. I sent him a thank you letter after I returned home, and Compassion contacted his sponsor to let him know what a bright and precious little boy was waiting for a letter in the DR! We encouraged him to keep in touch by regular correspondence. I certainly hope he has done so through these years. If not, he has certainly missed out on a very special friendship with this brilliant young man.
By the way — if you do not sponsor a child yet, YOU are missing out, and there is one waiting for you that would be pleased to correspond with you!
Sheep Fold