not to us

When the Compassion Bloggers went to Uganda in February of 2008, I didn't even know about them.

Then, I got put on bedrest in June of 2008, and someone told me to read the BooMama blog to pass the time.  She had been a blogger on the Uganda trip.  When she started to promote the second CB trip to the Dominican Republic, I was incredibly interested.  I followed the bloggers as they witnessed Compassion's work in one of the poorest countries in the world.  I was hooked.

And then...and THEN...they went to India.  I had recently seen Slumdog Millionaire, and my heart was in pieces.  I wanted to go.  I submitted myself as a possible Compassion Blogger.  Obviously, I didn't go.

When they announced that they were headed to El Salvador, I still wanted to go.

I wanted to go.  I wanted so badly to go.  I wanted to see the work of Compassion International firsthand.  I wanted to take pictures and tell you all stories that would compel your hearts to help release children from poverty.  I was just sure that, if I could be there, I could write the words that would help fight poverty.  At the time, there were nearly 1,000 people reading this blog.  I was positive that I could convince at least 100 people to spare $400/year to save a child's life and show them the love of Jesus Christ.

I was wrong. I was so wrong.

MckMama is a very popular blogger, and she is currently in Kenya with Compassion Bloggers.  She has a community on her website with over 7,000 members.  She routinely gets hundreds of comments on her blog posts.  She has been in Kenya for several days, writing about poverty and God's love and her own experiences.  She has been posting heart-wrenching pictures of children who need to know they are valued by God and valued by others.   And...she's doing something that I've never seen a Compassion Blogger do before.  She's keeping track of how many people become Compassion Sponsors because of her blog and making it public.  The current tally sits at 158.

158 out of at least 7,000.  Praise God for the 158.  But really...only 158? 

How silly of my to think that I could write words that would persuade people to act.  How silly of me to think that seeing Compassion's work would make me any more passionate about it.  How foolish to want to visit these kids, when I can do just as much good by linking to the bloggers who are already on site.

If Shaun's parable doesn't strike a chord with you...

If Keely's photos don't grab your heart...

If LV's vulnerable honesty doesn't catch in your throat...

If Kristen's future doesn't make you wanna high-five God...

If these things and all the others don't make an impact on you, then there's nothing additional I can offer.  Even if I were bringing you real-time videos and photos of me with beautiful children who need love, it would be pointless.

We know there is a need.  We already know that.  And, in the deepest parts of our hearts, we know there's something we can do about it.  We don't need beautiful photos and emotional posts to remind us that we have the power and ability to change this.  It's simply a matter of whether we will hear God's request and answer or whether we will hear God's request and pretend we didn't.

 ^37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:39-40, The Message)

I'm not asking you to commit to a sponsorship right now.  Sponsorship is serious.  It should be a long-term commitment, until the child graduates from the program.  It should be an interactive relationship, with letters exchanged and photos sent.  Don't do it lightly. 

But do something.  Anything.  Give a small one-time gift to Compassion.  Donate a one-time gift to the American Red Cross.  Sacrifice one meal at a restaurant to give a person clean drinking water for 20 years.  ($20 will do it.  No joke.) 

Or get dangerous: Find your local food shelter and volunteer for a day.  Spend a day at your local crisis pregnancy center comforting women who are panicked and lonely.  The next time you're walking downtown or at the park, look for the ignored and pay them some attention.

Honestly, I have nothing to gain from this.  I don't know why I feel compelled to put this in front of you time and time again...other than the fact that I know I can't turn away.  And I know I can't do it all alone.  This is part of what we're made for: to let other people know that they are loved and they are valuable.  To be the example of Jesus Christ in their life.  He hasn't left us hungry, thirsty, sick, and afraid, and we can't leave them.

Will you do something?  If you're already doing something, will you spend some time praying about how you can do more?  We can't change the world overnight, but we sure can change one life at a time.

I love you.  I'm so incredibly, over-abundantly blessed to have you in my life.  I just want to share you with others who need you, too.  Thanks for letting me put this in front of you.  I hope it makes you think.  I hope it makes me think.  And I really hope it makes us act.