Asia and Chocolate

welcome back to the comfort zone

The Compassion bloggers are headed home.

I know what it's like to be in another country, in the midst of total poverty (and yet hope) and see life without all of the comforts of home. I've been there before. And the re-entry process is not an easy one - and it's hard to describe all of the thoughts and emotions one will go through. Each re-entry is different.

So, my prayer today is for the bloggers. That through the process they will learn what God wants for them to learn, and take back to their community what God wants them to take back. I pray for times of silence and the ability to put thoughts into words. And for the ability to communicate and remember. Sometimes remembering is the hardest part.

Pray for the bloggers as they return to the States.

J-Walking

A Simple Journey

Queen Anne's Lace

Spence Smith

Tom Emmons

rocks in my dryer

flowerdust

BooMama

Shlog

Ethos

The Phil Files

Doug Van Pelt

Chris Elrod

Ragamuffin Soul

Whittaker Woman

And sponsor a child - now.

Crying at the office ...

I usually don't watch videos at work, but this morning I couldn't wait to see Shannon meet the boy she sponsors through Compassion. I cried like a baby - and had to keep stopping the video to collect my emotions. After watching her video, I hope (even more) to meet Naomi someday. Actually, I plan on it.

See the video here.

Shaun answers questions about Compassion here.

Sponsor a child NOW.

Happy Love Day!

Meet Naomi. She's five and lives in Uganda. And I'm now her sponsor through Compassion. I can't think of a better Valntine's Day gift - the blessing of being involved in a child's life.

Will you do the same?

Giving: how to change a life.

"No one has ever become poor by giving." - Anne Frank

My life changed today - in a way I did not expect, but is more than exciting.

After following my blog friends: Carlos, Anne, Randy, Shaun, Heather and others (see all of the blogs if you click on "read" on the widget to your right) I knew it was time for action.

As you probably know, they are all in Uganda right now on a missions trip with Compassion International. It's an organization that provides physical and spiritual needs to impoverished children and families all over the world.

This afternoon I couldn't wait one more minute and I sponsored a little girl from Uganda. Her name is Naomi and she is 5. (I didn't copy her information before I sealed the deal, and I can't get back in until I get my kit in the mail ... so pictures and more info to come.) She is precious with her sweet smile and cheery yellow dress. I look forward to being apart of her life as she grows into a beautiful young lady. I anticipate many letters between the two of us, and hopefully someday I will get to meet her face-to-face.

If you know me for more than five minutes then you know that I love kids. Love, love, love them. And I want nothing more than to scoop up all the kids of the world and save them all from poverty, hunger, abuse, or anything else that might harm them. But $32 seemed like a lot of money for my little budget. And I'm trying to get out of debt, save money to go to Jakarta, save money to buy a new car, and wishing desperately to move. BUT then I thought, this is a child's life!!! I have been more than blessed. I have plenty of money - and God will take care of all my needs. I can give $32 a month to change a child's life forever and get to experience a relationship that will last for eternity.

So, run - do not walk - run to the Compassion web site and sponsor a child right now. Go.

(Sponsor a child.)

When you've sponsored a child go tell one of those bloggers that you are giving a week's worth of Starbucks money to change a child's life forever. But more than that, I believe that your life and my life will be changed forever.

Who else is in this with me?

(P.S. I'm not blogging about anything else until they get back - so go ... sponsor a kid)