During our time in Colorado Springs we took a tour of the Compassion International headquarters. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this organization, Compassion rescues children from poverty in twenty six different countries around the globe by connecting them with sponsors. Since I do not think I could do justice to their cause with my attempt to explain it, I will let you check out their website yourself and will just share with you our tour and our own experience.
Our trip to the world headquarters was not simply a tour of a large facility. Our guide shared with us a replica of a very typical dwelling for most sponsored children. We also saw artwork by some of the children and the area where letters are processed. From our own experience sponsoring children in Indonesia and El Salvador, I can tell you the letter writing is the best part. We have been sponsors for four years now and in that time we have had the opportunity to see these kids grow in their faith and wisdom through the letters they faithfully send us nearly every month.
painting by a sponsored child in Haiti One of the coolest things about Compassion is how they partner with the local churches to minister to the entire family of a sponsored child. Compassion does not send Americans to do the work -- they fund those who are already there, who are well-versed in the local culture and have gained the community's trust so that the needs of children can be met in a way that best serves not just the child but the whole community.
Last May, my friend Kelli (from Minivansarehot.com) was blessed to travel on the annual Compassion bloggers tour to Tanzania. Kelli witnessed firsthand just how well sponsorship works. I won't even try to summarize her words...read her blog posts from that week here.
Last May, my friend Kelli (from Minivansarehot.com) was blessed to travel on the annual Compassion bloggers tour to Tanzania. Kelli witnessed firsthand just how well sponsorship works. I won't even try to summarize her words...read her blog posts from that week here.
It just happened that another cool Compassion event was happening in the Springs while we were there: the "Change the Story" tour was in town. It's a rolling recreation of a sponsored child's life. You walk through his different homes and hear his story in his own words. It's heartbreaking, but it has a happy ending. A recent study showed that child sponsorship really does work.
If you are going through Colorado Springs we would definitely encourage you to visit Compassion and see for yourself what they are doing to bring hope to children living in poverty.
If you are going through Colorado Springs we would definitely encourage you to visit Compassion and see for yourself what they are doing to bring hope to children living in poverty.