Compassion International & My One Hundredth Post

After almost a year of blogging, I have reached my 100th post.  I've been thinking about what I wanted to write about for this entry the past week or so, as I knew it was approaching.  I knew that I wanted it to be more than just about me.

If I could tell you about just one thing, I think I would focus on Compassion International today.  The timing is perfect, because right now, there is a group of some really great writers who are blogging from Guatemala now through September 11.

Each morning, I anticipate the entry of Amanda Jones.  And I have recently discovered the beautiful writing style of Canadian Ann Voskamp.  {Seriously, if you read one thing today, check out her post on meeting her sponsored child.}  There's also Lindsey Nobles from Nashville, and South African Gypsy Mama, Lisa-Jo.  Each of them provide a unique perspective on how this week is impacting them.  

But one thing they all have in common is the obvious difference sponsorship makes in the lives of one child, the difference it makes in their family, and the difference it makes in the community where Compassion International is working.  It's really incredible.  

For a long time, I had heard people at church encourage people to adopt a child through Compassion, but it wasn't until last October that I finally decided to take it upon myself and find a child that I could connect with.  

After searching, I chose to sponsor Juliet in Uganda.  It's kind of overwhelming because there are so many children in need, but I just finally picked one.  I thought it would be a sweet reminder to find someone similar in age to the twins I keep, J and G.  And she loves music, which we also have in common.

Last week, I picked up some mail from my parents house, and I realized I had received not one but two letters from Juliet.  One was a thank you for her birthday gift, and another one was just to say hello, and it included an updated photo.  I cannot tell you the joy it brought me to find those in the mail, especially the one with a new photo.  Juliet has grown so much!  I loved seeing her.  And if I get excited about mail from Juliet, I can only imagine what it must be like for her.  

When I see her picture each morning, Juliet reminds me that this world is so much bigger than myself.  But our God is bigger.  And although we come from very different backgrounds, he loves us the same.  It is so humbling to me.  And you know what else is humbling?  She tells me that she prays for me and my family.  

So with this one hundredth post, I would like to encourage you to consider sponsoring a child.  For $38 each month, they are fed, clothed, educated and poured into spiritually.  Often times, it ends up impacting the entire family.  

And if you already sponsor a child, then I encourage you to write them today.  I did.  It only took me a few minutes, but I'm already anticipating the letter I'll get back.  

I'll leave you with a quote from The Hole in Our Gospel that I mentioned briefly in my last post really struck a chord with me.  

"Bob Pierce once said, 'Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything.'  These are wise words to anyone overwhelmed with the magnitude of human suffering in our world.  We are not asked to help all of them at once, just one at at time."  (page 152)

Kids in Kenya

Today, these 15 kids (and a few adults) leave for Kenya.  I've watched most of them grow up in our church and can't believe they're old enough to go half way around the world.  I am so excited for them!  And I kind of wish I could go along.

I've had several of the girls in my Winter Weekend group (aka Disciple Now), and they have the most amazing hearts.  I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses them and opens their eyes to the wonderful things He will do in Kenya.

Our old youth pastor, Tom Stickney, and his wife, Kerry, and their two kids are moving to Kenya to live there full time and take over the ministry his dad started years ago.  It will be quite an adjustment, I'm sure, but I can't wait to hear more about their time their as well.  You can read their blog here.  This is the third year they've gone to Kenya with our youth in the summer, and the Stickneys will stay there after the kids leave.

Linley, one of the girls headed to Kenya today, wrote this:

"That's why I'm going to Kenya. Because I need to tell people that God is the same God who has been around since the beginning of time...and even before then."

They will be in Kenya from July 6 through July 22.  Will you pray for them?

How well do Yogurt and Zambia go together?

I went to choir last night with a bad attitude.  I really just didn't want to go.  I walked in about 20 minutes late.  But I'm glad I went.  Let me explain...

In January, our choir director, Todd, had new choir members stand up. On my row in the next section over, was a cute 20-something girl.  I made a beeline for her because I just knew we needed to be friends.  I LOVE sitting with "the grannies" (Papa's wife Jonita and her girlfriends) as they call themselves, but I'd been praying for a friend in choir that was closer to my age and just hadn't found one yet.  Enter Holly.

{Holly and Me at Yogurtville last night}

I went straight over to her and introduced myself.  Thankfully I didn't scare her off.  She was warm and personable, and we got to talking.  I love making connections, and I quickly found several.  I discovered that she works for Family Legacy Missions, and I know a couple people that work there, too.  Hooray for connections!  I told you I love them. 

Well, we have developed a sweet friendship each week at choir, and she sits with me and "the grannies" in the Alto section even though she's really a Soprano.  Such a rebel.  Altos definitely have more fun.

Holly is so passionate about her job.  To her, it's a lifestyle more than a j-o-b.  I so admire that.  Family Legacy Missions runs camps for orphans in Zambia in the Summer.  Americans come for one or two weeks at a time to love on these children and provide a fun camp experience, and  most importantly, they share the Gospel and change the lives of so many children.  Family Legacy Mission makes this happen, and also provides tangible needs like safe housing, clothes, food and education for the children there year-round.

Now here's where the story fits together with Papa & Jonita and Holly:

{Holly and Bupe in Zambia last Summer...I took this off their website!}

Holly leaves for Zambia in 9 days.  This was her last choir practice until she comes back in August.  I wanted to catch up with her and also with Papa and Jonita since I hadn't seen them in a while, so we all went to Yogurtville for an after-choir snack. Jonita had never been, so I got to educate her in the ways of self-serve yogurt and toppings.  I think it changed her life. 

We sat outside for about an hour chatting.  It was delightful.  And for that hour, we learned so much about Zambia and the people there.  Jonita and I asked her lots about this ministry, and to see Holly light up when she talks about Zambia is great.  But to me, the best part was watching Papa ask her questions and show genuine interest (not that he's disinterested in missions, by any means.)  It's amazing to me that two 20-somethings can connect with two 70-somethings over Yogurt and Orphans in Zambia.  I think it shows the awesome power of the Gospel of Christ.  I was bursting with joy when I left Yogurtville last night, and I just had to share it today.

Please join me in praying for Holly, the staff and volunteers that will be in Zambia this summer.  I can't wait to hear about it when she gets back