As I think of all the things I have to be thankful for this year, I can't help but think of the many many people who have quite the opposite. No food, no shelter, no shoes, no mommy or daddy.... and what's more, no knowledge of Jesus. Almost a year ago, I attended a retreat with my church and met a really cool speaker who shared with us this story...
http://vimeo.com/867930
... and his story:
"Yanci is six. She loves to draw, swing, and spin until she's green. She likes to drink from my Gatorade bottle and put bows in my hair- I look good in pink. Her favorite think is being tickled. When she meets someone new she holds my hand and hides behind my leg. She doesn't like to walk and she prefers to ride on my back. Just like my kids.
Unlike my kids, Yanci lives where children are often in need of medical attention, food, shelter, and have never been told the Jesus story.
For what I once spent on fast food, I'm able to help meet Yanci's physical and spiritual needs today. I write a check to Compassion International each month and they, through a church in her neighborhood, see to it that Yanci is loved and taught and healthy. And she is.
Since I visited her last, she's written to share small victories like learning how to write her name and snap her fingers. She says her father is going to church now, her roof has been fixed and breakfast is her favorite meal.
Thirty thousand children, it's estimated, die every day because they don't have the essentials my children and Yanci have. Please consider saving just one of these children through Compassion International today. Simply visit www.Compassion.com to get started."
... And So i was hooked. My thoughts are "how can you hear this and NOT respond by doing the exact same thing!?" But I realize everyone's circumstances are different. All I do know is how these children have impacted my life. Each month I take 32 dollars out of my bank account to provide food/clothes/shelter/education for one sweet 4 year old child from Kenya, Africa. Miriam. I've written her letters with stickers and pictures of me and my family and where I live. And she's written me back! I've always wanted to sponsor a child in another country, but I never knew how personal it would be. But when I recieved that letter from my little Miriam, it brought tears to my eyes. She wrote to me in response to my letter, asking me questions about my family and where I live. I even got a picture of Miriam, her brothers and sisters, her parents and grandmother. I keep this picture in my car, on the dash, if only to remind me everyday that there are other things in this world that matter besides me. I dream of the day
I can meet this sweet child face to face and what an amazing reunion that will be. To God be the glory!
With that said, there is so much more that I should do. That I could do. I pray that if you have the same passion, you will act on it. We can all make a difference if we only try. For it is written, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for thiers is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
"When we love the least, we love Jesus." -shaun groves
MERRY CHRISTMAS Everyone!!
For what I once spent on fast food, I'm able to help meet Yanci's physical and spiritual needs today. I write a check to Compassion International each month and they, through a church in her neighborhood, see to it that Yanci is loved and taught and healthy. And she is.
Since I visited her last, she's written to share small victories like learning how to write her name and snap her fingers. She says her father is going to church now, her roof has been fixed and breakfast is her favorite meal.
Thirty thousand children, it's estimated, die every day because they don't have the essentials my children and Yanci have. Please consider saving just one of these children through Compassion International today. Simply visit www.Compassion.com to get started."
... And So i was hooked. My thoughts are "how can you hear this and NOT respond by doing the exact same thing!?" But I realize everyone's circumstances are different. All I do know is how these children have impacted my life. Each month I take 32 dollars out of my bank account to provide food/clothes/shelter/education for one sweet 4 year old child from Kenya, Africa. Miriam. I've written her letters with stickers and pictures of me and my family and where I live. And she's written me back! I've always wanted to sponsor a child in another country, but I never knew how personal it would be. But when I recieved that letter from my little Miriam, it brought tears to my eyes. She wrote to me in response to my letter, asking me questions about my family and where I live. I even got a picture of Miriam, her brothers and sisters, her parents and grandmother. I keep this picture in my car, on the dash, if only to remind me everyday that there are other things in this world that matter besides me. I dream of the day
I can meet this sweet child face to face and what an amazing reunion that will be. To God be the glory!With that said, there is so much more that I should do. That I could do. I pray that if you have the same passion, you will act on it. We can all make a difference if we only try. For it is written, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for thiers is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
"When we love the least, we love Jesus." -shaun groves
MERRY CHRISTMAS Everyone!!
