Raising up Godly Leaders in Developing Countries!

(Day 6 continued...)We had the unique opportunity to learn about another aspect of Compassion's outreach and impact throughout the nations. We witnessed Hope- Joy- and True leadership... modelled through the beauty of servanthood:)




   In the same village where I (Jodi) met my sponsored child Erika, we also met two bright and engaging young leaders enrolled in the Leadership Development Program (LDP). Compassion IS releasing children from poverty in Jesus name, but the possibilities for restoration continues after age 18, (after child sponsorship/partnership is completed.) 

   Applying to be an LDP student with Compassion is a high honour. The photo above is one of Compassion's LDP students posing with WJOF leader Maureen Brown!  (as you can see, he was super pumped to meet our group of Canadian Journey women and the Compassion Canada team!) It was so fun to see our names on their welcome board at the Compassion school alongside their countries flag and colours. Reminds us how close we truly are when we connect heart to heart through love and prayers, but what an honour to meet face to face!

   After we spent the morning with the precious little children, we were given the opportunity to listen to a presentation of two LDP students from that community. As the three of us (Maureen, Lisa and I) all had university aged children of our own, it was so humbling hearing their dreams of education and the desire for community impact. We couldn't help but reflect on on our teen/ young adult children back home in Canada who are also pursuing education. As a parent, nothing is more satisfying than to see our own children, the next generation shine and be all they were created to be!  Gives us a glimpse of how God, our Father in Heaven, desires His children to prosper, thrive and live up to their full potential. Serving, giving, mentoring and praying in Jesus name ushers in the possibilities of God's hand to intervene in these precious lives!

    These students know exactly the hardships their community goes through and the painful reality of poverty (both spiritual and physical). With bright eyes and contagious hope oozing from their speech and twinkling smiles, we knew they were chosen to make a difference in their world. With the help of Compassion sponsors for LDP students like them, these young adults have a bright future ahead of them! To learn more about Compassion's LDP program, visit their website.


 A beautiful ending to our time together...There is something special when new friends share a meal together for the first time. They converted their church sanctuary into a dining hall in our honour! To come on a tour like this wanting to serve yet taken by surprise how they want to bless and serve you is one of those "God moments" that simply takes your breath away.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 

Day 6 My Sponsored Child Erika- Jodi's Story

"I let the tears flow freely as I watched Jodi meet her sponsored child Erika. Could my heart get any larger?  -Lisa

To meet Erika for the first time on her birthday was simply a magical moment for us both. Although she came out in a gift box during their service as they introduced us, I cried for joy as she truly is a gift to the world. Being a part of Child sponsorship and making a difference in their lives is a tangible way to let these precious children know how valuable they are to God. We are blessed to be a blessing, but their influence in our lives likewise blesses us. It changes us from the inside out. My mothering heart expanded once again:)

Having the opportunity to visit Erika at her home with her sister, mom and grandma was so special! Although I didn't get to meet her dad, I was just awestruck by the mother's hard work and determination displayed to care for her family with so little. Although it was Erika's special day, her mother gave me a gift: a photo of her baby girl- the only one hanging on her cement wall in their jungle home. She said, (with the help of our interpreter): "any woman who would love her own child as this is a woman she can call family."  Through her love, I felt God's arm of loving embrace. It truly is better to give them to receive!

"As a mother comforts a child, so too shall I comfort you.." Isaiah 66:13 NIV

Dear God,    I praise You for Your "Father Heart" that seeks to protect and provide.  Give us a heart like yours and hands to express this and walk in obedience to the many needs in our own homes, communities and hurting people across the nations! I also ask that you teach us about your "mothering ways"... One that nurtures and cares gently for Your creation, who you ache to call them your own as family. Thank you for this opportunity to partner with Compassion and help release children from poverty in Jesus name!

-Amen:)

Day 6 Another incredible CSP day!

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him"- Psalms 127:3 NLV

When you sponsor a child through Compassion, our "mothering/nurturing hearts" grow larger. It's a gift to partner with another mother across the nations and make a difference.  Their lives are changed, but so are ours. How can it not? We are blessed to be a blessing, and in reaching out- we experience unexpected blessing from above once again. God is the giver of good and perfect gifts... Lisa, Maureen and myself had another heart enlarging day visiting another Child Development Project in a remote village in the jungles of El Salvador.

                                                                                         "Playing games with the kids, joining them in singing, seeing them at work on their computers, sewing machines or in the hairdressing shop; it was absolutely amazing!  The skills that they were learning there and the joy on their faces  was fascinating to see! My heart just wouldn't stop feeling like it would burst!" -Lisa  

 This particular project was very special. They hadn't had Compassion visitors for many years and it was such an honour to spend time with them.

 Surrounded by joyful children, we were convinced that Compassion is the forerunner in Child Sponsorship who understand the holistic needs of the Child, including Christ Jesus' admonition to His disciples as found in Luke 18:16-17:

 

 “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 

We have much to learn from the many precious children just ready to be sponsored by people like you and me:) Childlike faith, so pure, so innocent... there is nothing quite like it!

Isaiah 58- Rebuild & Restore (Day 4)

The Isaiah 58 passage is stencilled on the walls of the church office of where I attend. Although I honour and love the work of my local church, I am keenly aware of what we are a part of: God's family, His Church made of up believers across the nations. The Word of God speaks to us both personally and corporately. Isaiah 58 is a transformational passage of life changing truths that we simply cannot ignore. It talks about what "True Fasting" is- which in a nutshell, is looking after the needs of the poor, oppressed and to set the captives free. Although that is a clarion call for the Church to do in our own homes and communities, we were able to see the tangible expression of Isaiah 58 through the work of Compassion. The passage talks very clearly about what breaks God's heart and if we listen closely, if we seek to be obedient to God's Word and compassionate to those around us, it clearly states that we will experience incredible answers to prayer when we make His priorities our priorities. This tour reawakened us to that mandate. After our women's event on day four, we had more opportunities to visit some homes to see first hand the lives that are being touched through their efforts. Women's Journey of Faith team member Lisa Braun shares some highlights:

"As we walked down the trail to our first home visit with a young mom and two small kids, my heart grew more and more. I was so very humbled to walk into her simple home, greet her with a smile and hug her. Bringing her the bag of groceries and praying with her was such a God moment! My heart flooded with compassion for her. 

I couldn't believe it when she began giving us gifts in return, wanting us to take them with us. I could hardly take them! She had nothing...we had so much and here she was blessing us!  I had never experienced such generosity before. 

"Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes." Isaiah 58:12

It was such an honour to meet this young family and to shake the hands of a father who wanted me to pray for him that he would be a godly father who looked after his family, who desired to be a man that would follow God's ways and raise his children in the church. I was so blessed! Sadly, it is not the norm for a man to stay with his wife and children here in this country. This man wanted to be different! He wanted to be the man God wanted him to be. Here again, when we blessed them with some groceries, he overwhelmed us with gifts of oranges and coconuts!   We had too much to carry so he put the bag of oranges on his back and started to walk with us. Generosity so amazing once again. I am at a loss for words and my heart is flooded with emotion as I look at my pictures and relive these moments and try to write them into words to share with you. A piece of my heart was staying at each of these homes we visited. Their smiles, the looks in their eyes and the hope they have because of Compassion, this will stay with me always."  - Lisa

 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry⁷     and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood." Isaiah 58:6-7

Day 4 Our CSP Women's Conference!

Imagine the surprise when we got off the bus on day 4 of our tour to visit a CSP (Child Survival Program) at a Compassion church project... We were greeted by an adorable marching band filled with excited children in uniforms playing so proudly to welcome us to their community! On top of that, they went through the effort of creating a float of reeds, branches and balloons pulled by a mule (with a poopy bum:) We giggled so, riding that float all the way up the street to their beautiful little church. Who knew that we'd have this much fun!  They blessed us big time when we least expected it.

 Although the electricity went out and the heat was scorching, we were undoubtedly refreshed by God's Spirit as we worshipped together in both Spanish and English! We sang and shared a message of being precious in God's sight using the story of the 'Lost Coin' as found in Luke 7:8-9 . So many of these young mothers have found great support through Compassion's CSP.   Such an honour to sit with these women in small groups and hear about their stories, struggles and hopes for the future. Some were enrolled in the CSP program receiving care for both their infants and themselves. As their child turns 3 and if there is a need, they can then be sponsored through CDP. (Child Development Program). What a beautiful ministry to reach out to these young moms in need. We were touched by their eagerness for hope, grace and love as they shared so freely with us Canadian sisters in faith.

"Afterwards, we had a lunch and sat down with these mothers and I noticed that they weren’t eating. I thought they didn’t like the food, and then I realized they were saving the food to take home to their children. They couldn’t eat while their children were at home hungry.  These mothers love their children, but they don’t have the means. We have the opportunity with our sponsorship to walk alongside them and give them hope.” -Maureen

 “It was extremely impacting meeting the children face to face. Seeing the hope in their eyes because of sponsorship and realizing the impact it makes in their families! How grateful the mothers are that we cared enough to sponsor their children and knowing the letters I send them, changes their life. The work that compassion does and the difference it makes in the life of each individual child is incredible… because the difference is Jesus. Sponsoring a child transforms their life, but it also changes you.”- Lisa

Day 3 Our First Home Visit: Meeting Dora:)

    Compassion staff knows the impact of of a transformed life. They believe wholeheartedly as we do that "restoration begins in the heart, extends to the family and seeks to infiltrate the world." They truly do live up to their mission: "Releasing children from poverty in Jesus name" by caring for the child holistically. By assessing their needs, (physical, economic, social, spiritual..) and caring very deeply about their family environment... transformation is tangible. Some families apply for their child to be sponsored and with the help of others like you and I, the hope is that they don't have to wait too long! Other times, Compassion staff members and volunteers in their communities seek out precious children who could use a hand up. The difference is Jesus... Caring about the whole child: mind, body and spirit and then meeting their individual needs makes an impact in their family too.
Going on our first home visit was eye opening no doubt. Sure, we'd seen the face of poverty, but we also seen the face of hope. We witnessed it in the life of Dora... A mother whose child is a recipient of Compassion's sponsorship. Her joy, her gratitude, her hope for the future was absolutely contagious. On the way to her home, it was an honour to visit her humble bakery where she received a beautiful new stove to help make her dreams a reality. We prayed for "life to the full" for herself, her family, business and community. She has an incredible support network through the work of her local church as they work side by side with Compassion!
 Women like Dora need our prayers, love and generosity. How we go about that is the Holy Spirit's business. I pray that we heed the call and discern what He is saying to us regarding "the restoration of women" across the nations... Meeting her husband and praying for him and the whole family was likewise humbling. The restoration of women is not exempt from the restoration of men. God created the family and Jesus came to restore all that was lost. It was beautiful seeing firsthand the passion to reach children and break the cycle of poverty at the core.

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."  
Ephesians 3:16-18

Restoration begins in the heart, extends to the family and seeks to infiltrate the world!

 Flying back to the "comforts" of home and the various benefits to living in North America, it is apparent to us that we are blessed to be a blessing. Knowing that everything that we have comes from our Father in heaven is key as we seek to be "Alive with Compassion." Visiting Dora and her family in their home was a gift. Seeing families like theirs through the eyes of Jesus gives us the strength and power to give out of a place of love... not guilt. 
-Jodi
Day 3 of this week long tour with our visit with Dora, was one we will not soon forget.

Day 3 Our First CDP Visit, What a Welcome!

"Want to experience fully what it means for a precious child to be sponsored? Visit one of their Compassion projects and see first hand the work of their CDP programs! (Child Development Program). What impressed me the most is that they only work through the local church. Their focus in discipleship/ humanitarian efforts is to release children from poverty in Jesus name. What better way to do just that than to engage the local community church in their area to be the central hub working with Compassion as they assess the individual needs of the child and their family. As we got off the bus, we were greeted with balloons and El Salvador flags waving proudly sharing their excitement for our visit! Humbling really... 

Most children will not have the opportunity to meet their sponsor in person, so we learned quite quickly how our visit represented those who do sponsor them in various countries around the world. Looking deeply into the eyes of such loving children reminded me of our basic core need to be loved, accepted, secure and feel significant. For these children, our hugs became just that: An extension of God's love and the love of others who are making a profound difference in their lives. They had a special program to express their  love and respect for us as their guests. Such hospitality, grace and maturity expressed through the children. Seeing first hand the confidence in their children as they led worship, shared a dance, and while a 9 year old delivered a rip roaring sermon  like you wouldn't believe! She rocked the house through her passion and love for the Word of God.  She was the sponsored child of one of our group members: Ron and Sandi Richard who were also touched by her fiery candour. God knew exactly the right sponsors for this precious gem. It was evident that God was showing us that sponsoring a child with Compassion is truly discipling them to be all that God created them to be!"- Jodi  

"A young boy sat beside me during the program. He was so quiet with such huge seeking eyes. My heart went out to him big time! Finally, he quietly asked me if I sponsor a child. I said "Yes". He asked if I wrote my sponsored child and I said "yes". He looked so very sad. I asked him if he had a sponsor. He said "yes,  but I write my sponsor so much and he never writes me." Sobs broke from the depths of my heart as I hugged him close and silently prayed for this young boy who gave me his little flag to take home with me. I knew from that moment, I would never stop writing my sponsored children.  After their program, we were able to see firsthand what the children do there, wow!  They had such joy showing us their projects, baking, talents, styling our hair... brilliant ideas to help teach the older CDP kids skills to keep them engaged in school and the projects. My heart overflowed with love and gratitude!"-  Lisa  

Visiting the CDP Compassion Church projects bakery class... Lisa, Maureen and I soon discovered that sponsoring a child through Compassion is so much more than what we first imagined. They care about the entire health and wellness of each child: Mentally, Emotionally, Socially, Economically, Physically, Spiritually and Relationally. The CDP program is for children ages 3-18... Classes, groups such as this are proven creative ways to engage older kids at the church to build friendships, give them a safe place to go before or after school to learn skills that will help them throughout their entire lives:) So cool! Way to go Compassion! Rooting with you for each child to find their niche in this world! 

Day 2: Compassion Office Tour & Grocery Shopping!

 Adventurous, Faith Filled, and Passionate to see God at work in our world. That is how I'd describe our traveling crew to El Salvador this past August. Maureen, Lisa and I had the joy and honour of visiting that beautiful country for an 8 day tour. Leroy, Karen and others from the Compassion Canada staff were incredible hosts as we ventured off to see first hand the work they do... El Salvador being just one of the many countries they seek to release children from poverty in Jesus name!

This blog will be an online journal of our time together. Sharing a bit of our experience with you with highlights of "God moments" as well as insights on their work through the various programs offered through them. 

Personally, we were all challenged by the many scriptural truths like 1 John 3:16-17: "Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."

Read below the entries of day 1 & 2 of our adventure of flying off to San Salvador, our visit to the Compassion office there, and the fun we had going grocery shopping in a Spanish Walmart as we prepared food hampers for twelve families we had the honour of visiting during our stay there.

Women's Journey of Faith's vision is the "Restoration of Women"... As we discerned our partnership with Compassion, it was evident that restoration begins in the heart, extends to the family and seeks to infiltrate the world! Excited to share with you a glimpse of that journey with you! 

Day 2 Grocery Shopping!

"Things that we take for granted, like a weekly shopping trip is a miracle for a family in El Salvador. It was humbling and such a blessing to be part of a shopping trip that would provide food hampers for 12 families that we would deliver during our stay. " -Maureen

"We have so much....we have so much.....we have so much!'  These words went over and over in my mind as we walked through the aisles of the store. I've never spent an hour in a Walmart anywhere enjoying myself as much as I did on this afternoon! We were not filling our carts with whatever our eyes and mind desired...much thought and preparation went into this grocery shopping list. This list needed to be planned with great care, knowing what food would last in the conditions they would be stored in. We were going to be bringing a bag of groceries to 12 homes and it would provide them with food for a month. I had never done this before. It was extremely humbling... Lord forgive me when I've wasted food, time and money and help me to be more careful in my grocery shopping when I return home.What a blessing this was! How warm my heart was! How overwhelmed I felt when the reality of what we were doing set in! Father, I need to be more grateful for what I have and not to take it for granted in any way whatsoever!!  Oh what a blessing this was indeed!"- Lisa

Day 2 Compassion Office Tour- Servant Hearts

On day 1 of our El Salvador adventure, we toured the Compassion office.

"I wasn't sure what to expect in El Salvador, but I knew that God had a plan for us and that He was in control of every detail of our visit. I knew that He had divine appointments prepared in advance and I prayed that we would hear His voice and not miss one thing that He had for us  The joy of the Lord was so evident at the Compassion office. Such beautiful humble servants of God.  They were eager to share every detail of how they operate.  Staff members are thrilled when they receive sponsor  letters for the children  It made us realize how precious each child is to the staff." - Maureen  

Maureen and I had both  previously decided to sponsor children from El Salvador and were excited to have the opportunity to meet them face to face at some point during our tour. Lisa began the tour differently, yet was touched by God with a surprising response:

"My family already sponsored numerous children through Compassion and so I began this journey with a bit of a complacent attitude. I wanted to remain open to what God had in store, but I didn't want to sponsor another child JUST because we were going to El Salvador. We already sponsored children. But God had a plan... Our day began with going on our bus to the Compassion Head Office for a tour and to spend the morning with them. My heart was beating hard from the moment we stepped off the bus. This is where the staff worked, this is where lives were changing because of letters and gifts that came from this place. We began the day with devotion and prayer time. The Lord was stirring my heart. Wow, look at all these people, so enthusiastic, so full of the Spirit, so full of joy...they were all so beautiful. We spent some time walking through the grounds praying for families, praying for children, praying for parents...it was very moving. As we toured through the offices and saw the different departments, we met fabulous committed workers joyfully serving the Lord together for one purpose...changing the lives of children in their community. I was meeting the people that would be reading/translating my letters...if I sponsored a child. I was meeting the people who would be purchasing gifts for my child with money I sent them...if I sponsored a child from here. I was meeting people who would be praying for my child and working together with my child and my child's family , if I sponsored a child from El Salvador. My heart broke! How could I not?  How could I say no to sponsoring just one more child especially a child right here from El Salvador...the faces I was looking into would be forever engrained in my mind/heart. Yes Lord, I now know this is part of the reason you brought me here...Yes, I will sponsor another child, but you have to pick one for me, it should probably be a boy because we already sponsor a few girls. Well, the one God had picked for me was a girl - Marcella - she looked so sad and alone, she didn't stand out in any other way...it just felt right that I would be her sponsor.  The staff clapped for joy! I shook hands with many, they were all so excited! And yes, I was excited too for I knew that at one point on this tour, I would meet her, but I really had no idea yet how that encounter would impact me forever. Right at the moment, I knew I had another child and I was right here in her country and meeting so many of  her people! WOW! (And day 1 wasn't even over yet!)"- Lisa 

"It was so moving and humbling seeing their staff so excited to receive a shipment of new Bibles to send the children in their country. Compassion's vision to 'release children from poverty in Jesus name' is apparent from every person working alongside the children from the office workers, the field staff and all volunteers representing their organization. Blown away by their hard work and commitment to discipling the children and their families, we knew that we were in the company of servants of the Lord."- Jodi    

Based on the first day of our journey together in El Salvador, it is apparent that we were all going to be immersed in our hearts desire as we pray: "Please Lord, break our hearts for what breaks Yours! Give us your heart of compassion!"


"for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..."  Mark 10:45 NIV