I'm so impressed with Compassion!

Joyce and I have sponsored four children through Compassion: Carolos and Riquelmys in the Dominican Republic, Roxanita in Bolivia, and Wendy Yoselin in Honduras, who is pictured here.

The sponsorship process has been delightful! We know we're impacting their lives in a significant way by the letters, drawings and pictures we receive from them. And those letters, drawings and pictures (not to mention their prayers!) impact our lives as well. 

I've travelled with Compassion to Bolivia, Honduras, and Guatemala so I've seen first hand that sponsorship money is being used wisely. In fact they made the The American Institute of Philanthropy's list of Top Rated Charities. Most of the folks we met who work with the children were sponsored as children themselves, so they really have a heart for this work.

Compassion is the world's largest holistic child development organization. They have received the highest honor for 11 consecutive years that is bestowed on nonprofits by the watchdog group Charity Navigators. Compassion was also named the number one Christian charity by Worth Magazine in terms of fiscal responsibility. Compassion continues to pride itself on being completely transparent in nature and has one mission only, to release children from poverty in the name of Jesus.

You can read my Honduran Journal with pictures, and watch a video of my last trip: 

I hope you'll choose to sponsor a child today. It will change the world for both of you: Sponsor a child Now!

Allow God to Love You

From our trip to Guatemala last year...
Mark Yaconelli, who ran against me in high school cross country and track we realized, is closing strong. He's sending us forth not as artists and speakers, but as spiritual leaders. His greatest assignment to us is to wait upon the Lord. He said, "Cancer is our Sabbath." So many look forward to getting sick because we don't set aside time to rest. When someone gets cancer they spend time contemplating life as they rest. As spiritual leaders we must spend that kind of intense contemplation on Life even when we're healthy.
He encourages us to keep things small, to follow the thread. The Artist sees the big picture, but He wants us to contemplate on the present moment.

On site

We're at the Compassion site Lluvias de Gracias (Rains of Grace) at Linda Vista (Pretty View). This is one of 125 Compassion sites in Guatemala. At this site about 350 children are served.

La Paz

The tag doesn't indicate which city this artwork represents, but it reminds me of La Paz, Bolivia, the first place I saw Compassion sites.

Questions about Compassion

A student of mine recently interviewed me for a speech she's giving on Compassion at her college. I thought I'd post the interview:

How did you hear about Compassion International and when did you begin working with them?

I was teaching and performing for the Gospel Music Association's Seminar in the Rockies in Estes Park, CO, during the summer of '99. While we were there Bebo Norman and some of the other performers talked about Compassion, and my wife, Joyce, and I immediately knew we wanted to sponsor a child. While filling out the form for Riquelmys, a six-year old boy in the Dominican Republic, I mentioned to the Compassion representative that I toured with one-man plays and would love to help people sponsor kids after my plays. They called me later to set it up.

How many Compassion children do you currently sponsor, and how many have you sponsored in the past?

After Riquelmys we sponsored Roxanita, a seven-year old girl, in Bolivia. She moved to a village that didn't have a Compassion site, so when I was in Honduras on a Compassion artists and speakers retreat I sponsored Wendy, 13, and got to meet her the next day. Compassion people brought me by her home, but our schedule was a bit off, so we missed her parents. The home was quite small, but from the outside it looked tidy. We visited several homes, and they were almost all neat but sparse. Invariably the sponsored children would pull out a beautiful book filled with every single letter they'd ever received from their sponsor. There's a video of the trip at RichDrama.com/Compassion, which includes a girl joyfully sharing one of her letters and my visit with Wendy.

Can you describe the family lives of these children?

The last we knew, Riquelmys' father is a farmer, like mine! His mother maintains the home and he has five brothers and sisters. Roxanita's mother also maintains the home, and her father is "sometimes employed."

What is one thing that has touched you the most about corresponding with your children?

I'm constantly touched by the love for us and God that our kids express in their letters. One memorable note included a prayer request from Roxanita for her parents. She said, "They quarell a lot, and I'm sad for this." Joyce and I prayed heartily and later received a letter saying they were doing better. It was shortly after that we found out that her family moved outside of Compassion's reach. We continue to pray for her every night.

Was there anything that you found difficult or frustrating about working through and with Compassion International?

Nothing at all. I've been impressed by their work on every level.

How have you and your family grown because of this experience?

Sponsorship is something that gives a clear picture of specific lives in developing nations. It helps us pray for the world with much greater specificity.

If you had the resources, would you sponsor another child right now?

Joyce is now in grad school, otherwise I'm sure we'd sponsor our fourth child when we go on our next Compassion artists and speakers retreat in Guatemala. If anyone has a sponsor child in Guatemala we can take three dimensional gifts, film the child receiving them along with a greeting to the sponsors. If anyone's interested in this unique opportunity and doesn't have a sponsor child in Guatemala, go to RichDrama.com/Compassion, click on a Compassion link and select a child from Guatemala. Once you have a child sponsor number send an email to Rich at RichDrama dot com (spelling it out keeps it off spam lists) and we'll sign up to visit that child. Because we divide into groups and each group sees a limited amount of sites we'll request visits in the order we receive requests.

How do you see God working in the lives of your sponsored children?

That's the neatest thing about the whole process! Roxanita shared that she wanted to be a part of a program that helped others grow in their relationship with the Lord, called pequeña manada (small flock). She said, "I decided to serve the Lord, interceding for others. It is a small group of children that pray on Saturdays at 10am."  All of our sponsor children have expressed their growing love for the Lord and those around them. At one of the sites in Honduras I asked the pastor how many of the students accept Christ as Savior. He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Todos."  (All of them.)  At another site, after performing a short piece entitled "La Gente Que Jesús Conocia" (The People Jesus Knew) I asked if any of them wanted to know Jesus more. You can see their response on the video: Todos.

How have you seen him/her grow as a person through your correspondence?

As we write to them about our love for the Lord we see that love grow in them as well, especially as they offer up precious prayers for us.

Can you share an excerpt or two from a received letter that touched your heart?

Wendy writes, "I want to tell you that I always pray for you both so that you will be well where ever you are." Travelling as much as I do I really appreciate that one! Riquelmys often says, "I close with a kiss and a strong hug for you and your family."

What would you say to a college student who is looking to serve through Compassion?

I remember what my finances were like in college. I would have loved to have had someone sponsor me back then! But I've seen many children sponsored after college performances. Sometimes students make enough from part-time jobs or they partner with parents or room mates. A couple of times I've even seen whole dorm floors go together. Students can also volunteer for Compassion. I saw a Michael W. Smith concert at Radio City Music Hall for free that way. Look for more information through the links at RichDrama.com/Compassion.

Is there anything else that you can say or share that would help someone better understand the cause of Compassion International or possibly even consider joining with Compassion and sponsoring a child of their own?

I kept a journal on the trip to Honduras. It has a lot of insights into the way they care for children so tenderly. Check it out at, you guessed it, RichDrama.com/Compassion.

Compassion

Joyce and I sponsor two children through Compassion: Riquelmys in the Dominican Republic and Wendy Yoselin in Honduras:

The sponsorship process has been delightful! We know we're impacting their lives in a significant way by the letters, drawings and pictures we receive from them. And those letters, drawings and pictures (not to mention their prayers!) impact our lives as well.

I've travelled with Compassion to Bolivia and Honduras, so I've seen first hand that sponsorship money is being used wisely. In fact they made the The American Institute of Philanthropy's list of Top Rated Charities.

You can read my journal with pictures, and watch a video of my last trip:



I hope you'll choose to sponsor a child today. It will change the world for both of you: Sponsor a child Now!

Wendy

The Honduran Director of Compassion, Orestes Zuniga, spoke to us this morning.

He compared us, as Compassion artists and speakers, to Miriam, who was the mediator between the princess who wanted to help baby Moses and the mother who raised him. In the end, the slave and child of poverty became the national leader who led his people out of bondage.

He thanked us on behalf of the local churches, who are partnering w/ Compassion.

I got to meet the next child Joyce and I are sponsoring today. Her name is Wendy.

She and the other kids in her class performed some songs and dances for us, and I performed La Gente Que Jesús Conocia (The People that Jesus Knew) for them. At the end I asked if any of them wanted to know Jesus more. All of them I could see raised their hands, including Wendy. I led them in a prayer of Salvation. Without hesitation that was the highlight of the week for me!

I played a game with them in which they would grab hands with a friend, creating a loop and a third child would stand in the loop between their arms. When the teacher would give the command the children would raise their hands and the third student would need to find a different place. It was like musical chairs in that someone would not have a place to go. I was drenched in sweat after five minutes of scurrying and ducking!

Wendy told me she wants to be a doctor! Lord, help Joyce and I to give her all she needs from our letters and gifts to overcome the poverty all around her and bring healing to her patients and to her nation. Amen!

We went to her home but her parents had already left for work. Though the door was locked, I could see that her home was slightly better than some around it. It's made out of concrete and painted green. She has both her parents living there, so that gives me even more hope for her success.

As we were walking away I was told that there have been girls kidnapped from this neighborhood that attended the Compassion project. They believe the girls were taken by a group known to kidnap kids and sell them as sex slaves in Mexico and America.

Wes Stafford, president of Compassion, happened to sit next to me at dinner. He has a vision that one day a Compassion child will grow up to be president of his or her country.

He gave me great hope for Wendy truly becoming a doctor when he told me that Compassion will bring their Leadership Development program to Honduras. On my Compassion trip to Bolivia four years ago I was able to meet students in the program. They are the best of the best Compassion graduates, who are given scholarships. The developing leaders in Bolivia were preparing for careers in everything from medicine to pastoring. One student had a vision to be an influencer on his president.

Wes said every time he visits Compassion kids and their families he takes a picture with about 10 kids who don't receive letters from their sponsors. He writes those sponsors and tells them what a very special child they've chosen and encourages the sponsor to let the child know that.

Wes is our speaker tonight. These are my notes from his talk:

He said 35,745 kids have been sponsored through the artsts and speakers in this room.

He told a story about a 6 year old who had been hit by a bus. The church was packed with kids for the funeral. Someone asked each child why they were there, and 50 of the 60 children there said they came because the 6 year old (before he died) led that child to the Lord . Wes said the sponsor that encouraged that child will be shocked to know how much he or she impacted the Kingdom of God.

The hero in Peter's denial was the rooster. "The look you imagine on Jesus' face as he looked at Peter when the rooster crowed says everything about your concept of who Jesus is and your relationship with Him." Wes brought up all the arguments the rooster might have had: I'm not the right one for the job. I can't be called there! Why should I? He was obedient.

[A note from the present: When we were standing in Caiphas's courtyard on our trip to Israel we heard a rooster crowing!]

Jesus looked at Peter not with anger, not with disappointment, but with love. Peter's only rebuke was that Jesus asked him 3 times if he loved him to match his 3 denials. Jesus request: Feed my sheep.

During the massacre at Littleton Cassie Bernal was asked if she believed in God. Before Cassie heard the pistol she heard, "Cassie, I believe in you." She said yes at the right time and inspired hundreds of thousands of teens. When God says, "Do it now," go for it!


Tonight we debriefed our experience. One of the things that I was encouraged to do is to speak into the childrens' lives powerful names: mighty warrior for God, talented, beloved. Lord help us to communicate how very much they are loved by the Lord.

Craig Timmer, my first liaison for Compassion, talked about how different the sponsorship process would be if the kids were really there in the back of the room after the performance.

They live in poverty, but they are not poor when they have Jesus.

If you would like to sponsor a child click here: Compassion.

Among the best

This family invited us into their home. The three boys are all sponsored through Compassion:
Dwight, 13, is one of the top two students in Honduras.
Hugh, 11, is receiving a scholarship.
Bruce, 9, is ready to conquer the world.

My liaison with Compassion is chatting with some of the neighborhood children to the left.

Tony Campolo

While finishing up our lunch, Wes Stafford, President of Compassion, complimented the staff of this site on the tremendous work they are doing. They told us that 100% of the older kids have accepted Christ as their Savior.

Tonight we got to hear from Tony Campolo.

This is me with Tony and his grandson, Roman Campolo.

Before you read my notes, you should know you can listen to the talk in full on Tony's website. The talk is entitled, "Carpe Diem! - The Last Great Idea." (It's a recording from a different event.)

My notes:


Tony opened by talking about a Francis Fukayama essay entitled "The End of History." Fukayama says that the last great idea is democratic capitalism. It brings great success, but our society has become about stuff. Couples speak less than 12 min./day, and to their kids less than 5. We have been seduced into a delicious slavery to things we don't need. Soren Kierkegaard said this society will die not from sin, but from lack of passion. There is a deadness falling on the land. That is what we should weep about most. The last great idea is that the Kingdom of God is at hand. In the Lord's prayer we pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." Hundreds of thousands died and continue to die from the Tsunami and more money has come in than they can handle. But 30,000 children die every day of starvation.

He cited Philipians 1:6: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV) We will never make the world perfect, but at the Lord's return He will complete what we've started. World illiteracy has dropped from 80% to 20%. We can alter the course of history. It's part of the movement to bring the Kingdom of God on earth. The extreme poverty we saw today in the Compassion sites was not the result of human error. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12, NIV). God is alive in the world. If it weren't for faith-based orgs like Compassion, America would look even more selfish in the eyes of the world: we make up 6% of world population but consume 43% of the resources. We can be the balm of Gilead and bring healing to a sin-sick world. People say they want to leave their resources to their kids. Tony said, "When I die I don't want anyone to be happy!" The beginning of the vision is small. $32/month isn't much for us, but it's the start of life transformation.

Jesus says where your treasure is your heart will be also. The great sin of our time is ignoring the poor. He referrenced Ezekiel 16:49, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (NIV)

In Harari, Africa, a truck drives through every morning at 6 to pick up the children that die each night and burn them. One day you're going to die. They're going to drop you in a hole and throw dirt in your face, and go back inside and eat potato salad. When you're born you're the only one to cry. What are you going to do so that everyone cries when you die?

If you would like to sponsor a child click here: Compassion.