Compassion

Today, I am thankful for Compassion International.  Compassion is an organization that meets not only the physical needs of children living in poverty, but also their spiritual needs.  Recently, our family decided to sponsor a child in Uganda through Compassion.  Both kids are very excited about it, but I wasn't too sure how much they really understand about what these kids living in poverty were really facing.

Let's be honest, I'm not sure I really understand what it looks like to live a life in poverty, and with no hope. 

It just so happens that Compassion International has offices here in our state.  At their offices they give tours for both adults and children.  On the tour for the children the kids get to go into a life size replica of a home in a developing country, see toys that are made by the kids in these countries, and they get to see what a Compassion center in these countries looks like.  Today, we also got to make Christmas cards for those kids who are not yet sponsored.  It was a really wonderful tour and very hands on for the kids.

Today, I am thankful for not just Compassion International and all the work they do in order to care for those who are desperate for care and hope, but I am also thankful that my kids could have such an eye opening experience, and I am thankful that we are able to be apart of what Compassion does and are able to share some of what we have been blessed with with some one else half way around the world.  I just hope one day that our family can meet her face to face.

Here are some pics from the day:

First, we have both of the kids sitting on Jesus' lap in the lobby of the center:

Here the kids are taking their first look of a typical home in a third world country:

Then they were able to go inside and feel how small it is in there and take a look around at what was there, and what was not there:

And here they are in the Compassion center replica making Christmas cards for kids that are without sponsors:

Thank you, Lord for allowing us the opportunity to be used by you, and for the people that work so hard to make You known to all the nations.