Owlhaven » Compassion

Being grateful, meeting needs

Owlhaven — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:03:29 +0000

Kelli from Generation Cedar wrote about gratitude no matter what, and inspired me to work on that virtue myself, and with my children. One great way to be more grateful for what we have is to notice what others don’t have.

I’ve read enough from my friend Carrien to know she is my soul sister. She and her husband stepped out on faith to open an orphanage in Thailand, and are working to find a way to get their kids safely to school.

After traveling to the Dominican Republic with Shaun Groves in 2008, I can vouch for his heart for needy children. When he learned about a Compassion kid who needs heart surgery, he decided to raise money for his surgery.

Grateful for what you’ve been given in life? Please consider partnering with either or both of my friends in the work that God has placed on their hearts.

Help Haiti Live

Owlhaven — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:58:39 +0000

Help Haiti Live is an awesome concert sponsored by Compassion International.
It’s happening Feb 27th in Nashville and will be streamed live online. Don’t miss it!

Help Haiti February 27th – HelpHaitiLive.com from Compassion International on Vimeo.

Help in Haiti

Owlhaven — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:14:09 +0000

The news about the earthquake in Haiti is overwhelming. So many people missing. So many families torn. So many vulnerable children made even more vulnerable by the tragedy.

As you may know, I’m a huge fan of the work that Compassion International does for children around the world. I was a fan long before they sent me to the Dominican Republic. I became more of a fan when I saw the work they do there. Compassion sponsors assist more than 65,000 children in Haiti. At least a third of them live in the areas that were hardest hit.

I am asking you to please send a gift today to help precious children and their families, and encourage others to do so as well, via your blog, Facebook and Twitter. The people of Haiti desperately need us.

Compassion International is already at work. They anticipate thousands of children and families will have lost everything, and many of their church-based child development centers will have been destroyed. And yet they are deeply committed to helping each child. That’s where we come in. Please reach out in the name of Jesus to bring relief, comfort, love and restoration to precious children and families whose lives have been devastated by this crisis.

WHERE TO GIVE Compassion’s Disaster Relief Donation page.

WHY GIVE TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL?

FINANCIAL INTEGRITY: The FBI is warning of several Haiti charity scams that have popped up in the wake of this earthquake. They are suggesting that donations only be made to organizations monitored and rated by CharityNavigator.org and The American Institute of Philanthropy. Both organizations have given Compassion International their highest approval ranking. Compassion International is the only non-profit in its category to receive eight consecutive years of four star rating from CharityNavigator.org.

FIRST RESPONDER: In this disaster it is crucial that first responders receive support quickly. Because Compassion International ministers through local churches to meet the needs of that church’s neighbors, and because these church partners are respected aid workers in their communities, Compassion is uniquely positioned to assess and meet the needs of its sponsored children quickly.

IN JESUS’ NAME: Compassion International does not accept government funds which could at times restrict their ability to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children in Jesus’ name. Because of this Compassion International’s primary financial support comes from individual donors.

Us.

Please help.

Please ask others to help too.

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Please also visit the Livesay’s blog for a firsthand view of the devastation in Haiti. They are Americans working in Haiti and just sent their kids out of the country in a cargo jet so that they could be more able to help others in need.

The intersection of my want and another’s need

Owlhaven — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:33:34 +0000

Sometimes at dinnertime when I’m pulling out my worn stack of Corelle plates, the same ones I’ve been using for 15 years, I imagine buying new dishes. Something square and sleek and Asian-influenced, perhaps. Like this. Or maybe this?

I look at prices and remember I’d need at least enough to serve 16. I don’t have cupboard space for two sets of dishes. Yet getting rid of a perfectly decent set of dishes sounds wasteful. Which train of thought starts me imagining new cabinets, and a new kitchen floor. And, oh, as long as I’m dreaming of a remodel, how about an industrial range? And suddenly in my head I’m lusting after a $30,000 kitchen remodel instead of a $300 stack of plates.

About the time I start getting all revved up over the new kitchen idea, I happen to watch the news for the first time in weeks, and hear the staggering quote that a million kids a year die of malaria in Africa. Malaria. An entirely treatable disease. Killing a million kids a year in Africa alone.

That same evening I spend an hour chatting on facebook with my sister in Ethiopia. Talk turns to malaria again, along with all sorts of other ailments that Sophie treats every day. Polio. Mossy foot. Other ailments so ancient that Sophie’s been hunting 1930′s medical textbooks online, seeking lost wisdom about illnesses that modern Western doctors have never seen.

She tells me that some days she literally doesn’t know what to do next, she’s looking at so many people in need all at once.

“Do what’s in front of you, ” I tell her simply.

Clarity is always easier when advising others.

The next day I open an email from Shaun Groves, offering me free tickets to go see Hillsong’s new documentary The I-Heart Revolution. I’ve practically worn out two Hillsong CD’s, so I give him a quick and emphatic yes. I don’t know what the documentary is about, but if there’s Hillsong music, I’m there. (If you live in Australia or Asia, your date to see this movie is Nov. 18th, by the way)

Two evenings later I was there, traveling via film with Hillsong to some of the poorest areas in the world, listening to person after person spell out the dilemma that is continually in my mind: how much impact can I have on my world? Can my life make a difference?

In the middle of that movie, while watching a man offering gracious hospitality in the doorway of his 5 x 6 foot shack, my longing for new dishes and new floors in my comfortable home seemed as stupid and frivolous as socks on a turkey.

Walking out of the theater I clutched that feeling tight to my heart, knowing that in that moment my heart was aligned a little more closely with the heart of God, and wanting desperately for it to stay that way.

I’ve had that clarity before when coming home from travels, after seeing poverty in Ethiopia and in the Dominican Republic. Seeing the faces myself feels different, somehow. It makes me more ready to act, even if acting might take me beyond my comfort zone. Even if it means I miss out on bits of puffery here and there.

The trick is to remember the faces, and not get confused by the puffery.

May God grant that clarity each time I open my wallet.

—————

Right now a group of bloggers is in El Salvador, experiencing the work of Compassion International in that country. If you are longing to make an impact in this crazy mixed-up world of ours, would you consider sponsoring a child?

When trials come

Owlhaven — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:53:16 +0000

In honor of the Compassion bloggers who are in India right now, I am repeating a story that I wrote from the Dominican Republic on my trip in November. Please also visit the above link, and read the new stories being written about children around the world who are in need.

—————–

I feel like I’ve told you most of the highlights of my trip to the Dominican Republic by now. But there’s one boy whose story still needs to be told. He was one of the children in the 9-11 year old class that I visited on my last day there. The kids were just beginning their devotions when we all showed up, and they carried on, seemingly un-phased by the ring of strangers gathered around their little patio classroom. First came the singing, including You Saw Me When Nobody Saw Me. Then a little boy stood up and proceeded to read us a story out of the Bible.

I was impressed with how fluently the boy read. Because of the class he was in, I know he couldn’t have been more than 11. I currently have three 10-year-olds, and know for a fact that plenty of kids years older don’t read that expressively and well, especially the Bible.

Once he had gotten done reading, our interpretor read us the same story in English. It was the story of Peter walking to Jesus on the water. After the interpreter finished reading the story in English, she said, “Now, he is going to explain the story to you.”

And he began. I was expecting a sentence or two that highlighted the key point of the story, similar to what I ask from my children in their daily Bible journal. But he went on. And on. For three minutes he spoke earnestly, pausing only to give the interpreter time to relay his words to us.

There are difficult times in life, he said, times when we may be afraid, times when we feel like we are sinking. We shouldn’t try to walk alone. This is the time to reach out to Jesus. Jesus will pull us up out of the water, and bring us into the boat. He spoke eloquently and in detail.

I looked at his handsome face and thought of the rough and ragged neighborhood just beyond the gates of this Compassion project. The filthy water going down the middle of streets. The tin shacks and the barred windows and the need for us tourists to leave our valuables in the van so desperate people won’t steal.

This was where he lived. I wondered about the difficulty he had faced in life. You could tell he’d seen challenges, plenty of them, because he owned those words. His understanding went way beyond head knowledge, beyond trite Sunday school phrases. He spoke with conviction and with power.

He knew without a doubt where his source of strength was in life.

And he laid his faith out fearlessly to his friends, to his teacher, and to the ring of strangers standing around his outdoor classroom with its chipped formica tabletops and tiny rickety chairs.

I thought again of my precious children, my privileged children, and the ease they’ve had in life. We in the Western world consider it a blessing when children grow up having everything they need. And yet I stood marveling at the rare and obvious strength that God had grown in this young man through trial.

In the midst of bad water and rickety houses and outdoor schoolrooms, powerful work is happening in a young boy’s heart.

I am so afraid of trial. I avoid it. I complain when my plans are thwarted. I take all sorts of measure to stay comfortable, to keep my life easy, to protect that to which I think I am entitled.

I’m not going to pray for adversity, because I’m just not that brave. But I want to always remember that little wise-beyond-his-years boy. And when adversity comes– as it always does– I pray that I will have similar courage. Courage to lean on God as my source of strength. Courage to survive– to thrive. And to share my source of strength with those around me.

Compassion International in India

Owlhaven — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:59:41 +0000

The Compassion bloggers are off to India! Read their stories, and pray for the children!

Travels in India

Owlhaven — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:45:29 +0000

I love these scenes from Journey Mama’s travels through India with her young children.

Speaking of India, a group of Compassion International bloggers is heading there at the end of May to see the work that Compassion International does there. Check out the above link to find out more about their trip.

Sunday: Let them come

Owlhaven — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:02:46 +0000

Brian Seay with Compassion kids in the DR from Mary on Vimeo.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

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I took the above video in the Dominican Republic in November. Read about my trip by clicking the button in my left-hand sidebar. Brian (featured in the video) and his wife will be leaving for Ethiopia very soon to adopt two children. I’m sure they’d appreciate prayer as they prepare for this great adventure!

And remember, even if you don’t think you could adopt a child, you can make a difference in the life of a child through a Compassion sponsorship.

When life gets tough

Owlhaven — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:00:03 +0000

I feel like I’ve told you most of the highlights of my trip to the Dominican Republic by now. But I’ve decided there is one child I missed, because his face won’t get out of my head. He was one of the children in the 9-11 year old class that I visited on my last day there. The kids were just getting ready to do their devotions when we all showed up, and they carried on, seemingly un-phased by the ring of strangers gathered around their little patio classroom. First came the singing, including You Saw Me When Nobody Saw Me. Then a little boy stood up and proceeded to read us a story out of the Bible.

Once he had gotten done reading, our interpretor read us the same story in English. It was the story of Peter trying to walk to Jesus on the water. After the interpreter finished reading the story in English, she said, “Now, he is going to explain the story to you.”

He knew without a doubt where his source of strength was in life.

And he laid his faith out fearlessly to his friends, to his teacher, and to the ring of strangers standing around his outdoor classroom with its chipped formica tabletops and tiny rickety chairs.

In the midst of bad water and rickety houses and outdoor schoolrooms, powerful work is happening in a young boy’s heart.

I am so afraid of trial. I avoid it. I complain when my plans are thwarted. I take all sorts of measure to stay comfortable, to keep my life easy, to protect that to which I think I am entitled.

———–

COmpassion sponsorship page

They have a piece of my heart

Owlhaven — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:53:50 +0000

I’ve written lots about the children in the Dominican Republic who stole bits of my heart. But I haven’t adequately explained my feelings for the people I traveled with. (Warning: Mush ahead).

I had vague impressions about several of the people before I left home. I felt like I was already friends with Shaun- among other things we’d already talked about our 3 year olds both of whom prance around in swimsuits and heels, Miss America-style. I guessed by their blogs that Melanie and Jennifer would be people I would enjoy. But the rest of the crew was a mystery to me.

That first afternoon in the Miami airport, as we gradually assembled, I had the chance to chat with various people as they arrived.

Jennifer was warm and down to earth. There was something familiar about both her manner and her face– I never figured out what it was, but I suspected all week she might be some long-lost relative.

Melanie has a deadpan rapier wit that had the whole group dissolving into laughter even in the first few minutes we were together. She continued to make us laugh all week.

When Tim and Nick showed up, I greeted the adorable Nick (it was so nice to have kids in the group) and then immediately assaulted Tim with questions about “Pagan Christianity” a book I’d been reading and wondered if he read. Thankfully he had no qualms about discussing theology with someone he’d known for exactly two minutes. But he’s a blogger after all– we bloggers are used to shooting off opinions to strangers.

Marlboro Man (husband to Pioneer Woman) and I found common ground immediately: horses and homeschooling and our stance on kids and chores. (It’s good for ‘em, in case you’re wondering.) His girls’ escapades on the escalator made me giggle and grab my camera– and miss my own kids a little more.

Shaun jumped in immediately with teasing– it wasn’t til later that I read his blog post speculating whether I was “a little nuts or highly medicated. I got even by running over his feet multiple times with my wheeled carry-on.

Brian (or ’86′, as we called him later in the week) immediately got me yakking about Ethiopian adoption, which is a sure way to make me feel comfortable. Turns out he’s in the middle of the adoption process himself.

Keely had returned from a trip to Peru the previous day, but was spunky and ready to go again. Her phenomenal pictures added so very much to my blog posts during the week.

Steve (once he had wolfed his pizza!) greeted me with that genuine smile of his that made me feel like he was truly glad I was there. And his actions during the week made his warm heart even more obvious. (See, Steve, if you had a blog I’d link to you here, not myself!)

The week gave much more opportunity to get to know each other. The daily bus rides to the various projects. Mealtimes at the hotel and at the various Compassion projects. Then of course there were the evenings, sitting around that horseshoe table in the conference room, yakking about everything under the sun as we tried to get meaningful words out onto our computer screens.

By the end of the week there was such a sense of camaraderie, of rich and honest friendship. We shared so many experiences that it felt like our friendships had been put on fast-forward.

We watched each other reach out to the kids, striving to interact with them in a way that would be bigger and longer-lasting than the short amount of time we had with them. We read each other’s thoughts about the day in blog posts, and in the process saw viewpoints on the day that we missed. We saw each other’s eyes mist up, awash in similar feelings for the kids, sad over the struggles these kids faced, but joyful at the hope that Compassion has brought to their lives. It was tremendously invigorating to me to be in the company of people so like-minded, so passionate about the welfare of children.

When I broke down on Thursday evening, JoAnn, another of the Compassion staff, was there to talk with me, and give me tissues and hugs. “I’m not going to tell you it’s going to get easier because it won’t,” she said. “Actually, the more you see [of children in poverty] the harder it gets.” Not easy words, but ones that resonated. It should not ever be easy to see children in need. Her understanding of my wildly flailing emotions was a comfort to me, even though my hurt was not something she could truly fix.

We asked about each other’s family and looked at each other’s family pictures. Shaun said even hi to my family via Skype. And of course we teased each other mercilessly. Actually, listening to the talk bouncing around that table as we blogged in the evenings, it was a wonder that we got anything of substance written. Most of us walked across two freeways to see the ocean up close and some of the crazier ones of us even did a little cliff-jumping.

Keely cliff-jumping

When it came time to say goodbye to the group in the Miami airport, I was full of regret. It felt like we’d known each other six months, not six days.

Maybe we’ll meet again in this life. I hope so. But whether we do or not, my life is greatly enriched by these new friendships. The chance to see Compassion at work was wonderful. But I count these new friends as some of the best gifts from this trip.

Thanks, y’all. The trip would not have been the same without each and every one of you.

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