Category Archives: Compassion International

Blog Action Day: The facts and faces of poverty

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Today, 30,000 children will die as a result of living in extreme poverty.

2.8 billion people live on less than $2 per day.

More than 1 billion live on less than $1 per day.

More than 800 million people go hungry daily.

100 million children around the world are homeless.

I don’t like numbers. Too easily dismissed, no emotional impact. Tell me you have X number of children, I understand the number.

But show me their photograph, and I’ll smile, thinking of my own. I’m emotionally involved when I see a face.

I understand the severe problem of poverty by reading the numbers, but it’s not until I see pictures that it begins to get down into my gut.

People, many of them children, are dying as a result of living in poverty.

Normally when I post a video, I tell you to enjoy it. You will not enjoy this video, I want you to see it because it serves a purpose: to show what numbers – 30,000, 800 million, 2.8 billion – can’t accomplish.

You can’t comprehend death and suffering only with a number.

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All numbers provided by Compassion International.

Christmas in September: Compassion International Christmas card writing party

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As a mom, I’m always on the hunt for fun and interesting ways to help my children understand that not everyone in the world has access to McNuggets, Toys R Us or Awana. At the moment, my involvement with Compassion International is very much a MommyThing. I talk to my children about the organization and our sponsored child in Indonesia, but I know there is a lot they don’t understand.

Today we had a great chance to let our kids feel part of the process of child sponsorship and have fun at the same time.

Along with other Compassion International sponsors and volunteers, we attended a Christmas card making party at The Presbyterian Church in New Providence. (By the way, the church was packed. They are adding a second contemporary worship service next month, to run concurrent with the traditional one. Whoa. Way to go, Presbyterians).

So why did we make Christmas cards in September? Because it takes weeks, often months, for a letter to reach its final destination. Especially if the child lives in a remote area, like our girl does.

Here are our Christmas cards going into the mail this week:

Finally, a picture of Compassion International volunteer Nancy Vandermeer, who lead the card making event. Nancy has sponsored children with Compassion International for 50 years, since she was 10 years old.

Friends, that is inspiring.

And you know she didn’t start helping a child through Compassion alone, she had to have some help.

I pray my children have a lifetime of Christmas card making ahead of them too.

To learn more about how you can help a child overcome a lifecycle of poverty, learn about the transforming power of Jesus Christ, and get real neat Christmas cards, click over to the Compassion International website or blog.

Move along, people, there is nothing of significance here (except a really cool picture of Jesus)

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This is why I have a love/hate relationship with Vacation Bible School. Love the Bible knowledge my kids get, hate the shuttle service. I’ve gotten nothing accomplished this week due to the fact that my morning routine is out of whack. I need my mornings, mentally and physically.

Thank God it’s Friday. Seriously and Amen.

So I got nothin’ for you guys this week besides pictures. Sorry, I know I disappoint, especially after my slam dunk of a post regarding The Demon. Oh, wait! I do have a link to my latest over at the fabulous Relief Journal. My latest thought-provoking post is up for your amazement (or entertainment, how ever you look at it.) It’s a true little story about the Internet and my pastor.

Yesterday I represented Compassion International at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit held at Christ Church in Montclair. Tons of stained glass, murals of Bible scenes on the walls, ornate architecture. So lovely. I wish my church had stained glass like this:

I love the way the light glows around Jesus’ face, don’t you?