PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

WE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION OF THE CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND CHURCH PARTNERS IN WAMENA, EASTERN INDONESIA, WHERE TRIBAL FIGHTING HAD BROKEN OUT.

PRAY.FOR.PROTECTION

PRAY THAT THE COMPASSION-ASSISTED FAMILIES AND FIELD STAFF WILL BE PROTECTED FROM THE MULTI-DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS THAT IS QUICKLY SPREADING ACROSS KENYA.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PRAY FOR OUR CHILD SURVIVAL PROGRAM IN EL SALVADOR, WHICH STARTED RECENTLY. PRAY ALSO FOR THE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN BEING HELPED, AND THE STAFF AND PASTORS INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM.

PRAY.FOR.PEACE

PLEASE PRAY FOR AN END TO THE PERSECUTIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES NEAR ASHA BAL VIKAS KENDRA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND MTU VIDYA KENDRA STUDENT CENTER IN INDIA, WHERE SECTARIAN VIOLENCE HAS LED TO SEVERAL BIBLE STUDENTS BEING BEATEN. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S INTERVENTION.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR GOD'S HEALING POWER TO TOUCH JAHAIRA KATIUSKA ROMERO GALLARDO, 15, IN PERU, WHO CONTRACTED THE H1N1 VIRUS.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PLEASE PRAY FOR VIVIAN NGAIMOKO, 5, IN UGANDA, WHO WAS SEVERELY BURNED AFTER SHE FELL ONTO A STOVE WITH BOILING WATER BECAUSE OF SOME HORSEPLAY BY HER BROTHER. PRAY FOR HEALING AND A MIRACULOUS RELIEF FROM PAIN.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR RUNE BHUYA, 10, IN BANGLADESH, WHO IS SUFFERING FROM AN INFECTION IN HER SPINE.

Mfitumukiza

Mfitumukiza is a 7-year-old boy who needs your help. He lives in the country of Rwanda in Africa and he is living in extreme poverty. He lives with his mother and father who are only sometimes employed as farmers, and there are 6 children in the family.

Can you imagine trying to raise your family of 8 and providing for them when only working during the harvesting season? Impoverished families in Rwanda live on less than $1 a day. Less than $1 for a FAMILY, not just ONE person...

So what can you do?

Sponsor Mfitumukiza through Compassion International. It is only $38 a month. That is only a little more than $1 a day. By sponsoring Mfitumukiza you will give him the opportunity to go to school and get an education so that one day he might have the opportunity to go to college and then get a job. You also provide him with food for each day as well as his regular medical needs. Not only will you be able to provide his physical needs, you have the opportunity to provide for his spiritual needs as well. So often these children living in poverty lack one thing, and that is hope. Be the one to reveal that hope to them, and to tell them that they CAN have hope again, and that hope comes from Jesus Christ.

Mfitumukiza has been waiting for a sponsor for over 6 MONTHS.

He NEEDS you.

Release a child from poverty in Jesus' name.

Just imagine the feeling Mfitumukiza will have when he is told that you have decided to sponsor him, and that someone from halfway across the world loves him and is praying for him. It's an indescribable joy.

Copy and paste this link to your web browser, and choose to sponsor him today :)
http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/waystosponsor/ChildBio.htm?Child=RW3770063

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PRAY FOR KERVENS LAZARRE, 7, IN HAITI, WHO HAD A HEART ATTACK BUT CAN'T RECEIVE THE SURGERY HE NEEDS.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR SPONSORED CHILD APRICO PESIK, 7, IN EASTERN INDONESIA, WHO HAD SURGERY FOR HYDROCEPHALUS. HE HAD BEEN RECOVERING, BUT NOW HIS CONDITION IS DETERIORATING.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.PROVISION

PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUED PROVISION FOR THE CHILDREN AT THE ADWARI CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, LOCATED IN A UGANDAN COMMUNITY WHERE THE EXTREME FOOD SHORTAGE HAS TAKEN THE LIVES OF 10 PEOPLE.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR KANYARAT MALEEWIPA, 18, AND LAR NAWPAISON, 14, IN THAILAND, WHO ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF THE H1N1 VIRUS. PRAY FOR HEALING AND GOD'S PROTECTION.

PRAISE.GOD

WE PRAISE GOD THAT 12 CHILDREN FROM THE ASHA NIVAS HOSTEL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN EASTERN INDIA WERE HEALED FROM MALARIA!

PRAY.FOR.CONTINUED. HEALING

PRAY FOR EDWIN ALEXANDER CASTELLANO MARTINEZ, 9, IN EL SALVADOR, WHO WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA. PRAY FOR HIS HEALING AND CONTINUED GOOD RESULTS FROM TREATMENT.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTH

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY A CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN UGANDA. PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR HEALING FOR INFECTED CHILDREN ISAIAH OPATA, 9, DERICK MAMBO, 10, AND TRACY ANYANGO, 6.

PRAY.FOR.A.QUICK.RECOVERY

PRAY FOR THE MOTHER OF 9-YEAR-OLD FATIMA BEATRIZ FLORES AVALOS IN EL SALVADOR, WHO FELL FROM A MANGO TREE AND BROKE SEVERAL BONES. PRAY FOR HER QUICK RECOVERY.

PRAY.FOR.PEACE.AND.COMFORT

PLEASE PRAY FOR KAVITA, 5, IN INDIA, WHO RECENTLY LOST HER FATHER DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. HE WAS THE ONLY WAGE EARNER FOR THE FAMILY OF FIVE.

PRAY.FOR.COMFORT.AND.HEALING

PRAY FOR NIZEYIMANA DAVID, 13, IN RWANDA, WHO HAS BONE CANCER AND IS GOING TO HAVE A LEG AMPUTATED. PLEASE PRAY FOR COMFORT AND GOD'S INTERVENTION SO HE WILL HEAL.

PRAY.FOR.SAFETY

PRAY FOR A QUICK AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE STRIKE IN EASTERN INDIA, WHICH HAS CAUSED TWO CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS TO SUSPEND ACTIVITIES. ALSO PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN.

PRAY.FOR.PROTECTION

PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUED PROTECTION OVER OUR STAFF AND CHILDREN IN HONDURAS FROM THE CONTINUED POLITICAL UNREST.

PRAY.FOR.PEACE.AND.COMFORT

PRAY FOR PEACE AND COMFORT FOR TAUSI, 13, AND HER FAMILY IN TANZANIA AFTER THE RECENT DEATH OF HER MOTHER. TAUSE IS VERY SAD AND CRAVES YOUR PRAYERS.

PRAY.FOR.RELIEVED.SUFFERING

PRAY FOR RITUPORNA DAS, 8, IN BANGLADESH, WHO SUFFERS FROM HEART DISEASE.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING.

PRAY FOR DIEGO MARC TOVAR PAYANO, 6, IN PERU, WHO WAS INJURED WHEN HE WAS RUN OVER BY A MOTO-TAXI. HE NEEDS COMFORT AND HEALING.

SPONSOR.A.CHILD

OF THE 2.2 BILLION CHILDREN IN OUR WORLD TODAY, NEARLY HALF LIVE IN DESPERATE CONDITIONS, AND YET IT IS THE CHILDREN WHO HOLD THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF DEPRIVATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT CHILDREN ARE "A GIFT FROM GOD" AND HE IS THEIR GREATEST DEFENDER. TIME AND AGAIN, THE BIBLE DESCRIBES GOD AS A DEFENDER AND PROTECTOR OF THE POOR, THE OPPRESSED, ABUSED, IMPOVERISHED AND THE FATHERLESS.

ALL CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS IN GOD'S SIGHT. HIS HEART IS MOST DEFINITELY ENDEARED TOWARD THEM AND HIS EAR INCLINES TO THEIR WORSHIP (PSALM 8:2). WE ARE TOLD THAT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS TO SUCH AS THESE (MATTHEW 19:14).

BUT WHAT OF THE 1.1 BILLION CHILDREN WHO ARE HOMELESS BECAUSE OF ARMED CONFLICT, OR WHO HAVE BEEN ORPHANED BECAUSE OF THE SCOURGE OF AIDS, OR MALNOURISHED AND CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN THEY LAST HAD A BITE OF FOOD, OR THE ONES WHO ARE CONTINUALLY ILL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD MALARIA MEDICATION?

THEY DON'T SHOUT THE LOUDEST; INDEED, MANY SEEM TO HAVE NO VOICE AT ALL. BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEIR CRY SHOULD NOT BE HEARD, AND THIS IS WHERE WE STEP IN.

COMPASSION EXISTS FOR THE ONE.

SPONSOR A CHILD TODAY, AND RELEASE THEM FROM POVERTY IN JESUS' NAME.

PRAYER.FOR.UGANDA

PRAY FOR THE COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN AND STAFF OF THE 16 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN NORTHER UGANDA LOCATED WITHIN THE FAMINE REGION. COMPASSION UGANDA IS ASSISTING AFFECTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

PRAY.FOR.PROTECTION.AND.COMFORT

PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUED PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN AND STAFF IN INDONESIA, AND FOR THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES IN THE RECENT HOTEL BOMBINGS IN JAKARTA.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTH

PLEASE PRAY FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION FROM THE H1N1 VIRUS FOR OUR COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN AND STAFF IN EL SALVADOR. SO FAR, NONE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

PRAISE.GOD

WE PRAISE GOD THAT KRUSHNA JAHAGU GAVITH, 3, IN INDIA HAS RECOVERED FROM MALNUTRITION!

PRAY.FOR.HEALING.AND.PATIENCE

PRAY FOR RANJAN DAS, 8, IN BANGLADESH, WHO HAS A BLOOD DISEASE AND NEEDS A TRANSFUSION EVERY TWO MONTHS.

PRAY.FOR.THIS.LOST.CHILD

PRAY FOR JOHANA, 13, IN ECUADOR, WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE MAY 9. PRAY FOR HER SAFE RETURN AND COMFORT FOR HER FAMILY.

PRAY.FOR.COMMITMENT

PRAY FOR THE NEW CSP MOTHERS IN TANZANIA, WHERE CHURCH PARTNERS HAVE JUST STARTED IMPLEMENTING THE CHILD SURVIVAL PROGRAM. PRAY THAT THE MOTHERS WILL COMMIT THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST.

SPONSOR.A.CHILD

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR GOD'S HEALING TOUCH TO COVER CHRISTIAN ARMANDO HENRIQUEZ, 8, IN EL SALVADOR, WHO WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTH

PRAY FOR THE FATHER OF 12-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL STALIN IN INDIA TO OVERCOME HIS ALCOHOLISM AND HAVE IMPROVED HEALTH.

PRAY.FOR.COMFORT

PRAY FOR THE FAMILY OF MEXICAN GIRL YENI JIMENEZ CHACON, WHO DIED FROM A STOMACH INFECTION. PLEASE ASK GOD TO COMFORT AND HEAL HER FAMILY.

PRAY.FOR.COMFORT.AND.PEACE

PRAY FOR PEACE AND COMFORT FOR 11-YEAR-OLD ANALY SANTOS DELGADO DIAZ IN PERU, WHOSE MOTHER RECENTLY DIED OF CANCER.

PRAY.FOR.THEIR.FAMILY

PRAY FOR ATUL MAHENDRA BALMIKI, 8, IN EASTERN INDIA, WHO NEEDS SURGERY. ALSO PRAY FOR HIS SISTER, WHOSE LEG IS SWELLING, AND HIS MOTHER, WHO NEEDS SURGERY TO REMOVE KIDNEY STONES.

PRAY.FOR.BLESSINGS

PRAY FOR THE LORD'S BLESSINGS UPON COMPASSION'S CHURCH PARTNERS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WHO HAVE MADE THE COURAGEOUS DECISION TO OPEN A CHILD SURVIVAL PROGRAM (CSP) AT THEIR CENTERS AND JOIN THE EXISTING CSP NETWORK THERE.

PRAY.FOR.FOOD

PRAY FOR IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOOD SITUATION IN TANZANIA BECAUSE THE COUNTRY HAS NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH RAINFALL FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. FOOD PRICES HAVE SOARED AND MANY FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTH

PRAY FOR KIHUMURO REBECCA, 11, IN RWANDA, WHO HAS HEART PROBLEMS AND IS SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY IN INDIA. PRAY FOR QUICK RELEASE OF THE VISA AND FOR A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION.

PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

WE PRAISE GOD THAT NO COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH THE H1N1 VIRUS IN BOLIVIA. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S CONTINUED PROTECTION OVER THE CHILDREN, STAFF AND FAMILIES.

PRAY.FOR.SAFETY

PRAY FOR THE SAFETY OF COMPASSION CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN HONDURAS DURING A TENSE POLITICAL RESTRUCTURING PERIOD FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL AND EXILING OF THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENT.

PRAY.FOR.COMFORT.AND.PEACE

PRAY FOR SATHY BITHWAS, 5, IN BANGLADESH, WHOSE FATHER RECENTLY DIED. HER MOTHER PASSES AWAY LAST YEAR. PRAY FOR COMFORT AND PEACE.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR GOD'S HEALING POWER TO COVER THE SIX CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS FROM COMPASSION-ASSISTED CENTERS IN NICARAGUA, WHO CONTRACTED THE H1N1 VIRUS.

PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

PRAISE GOD FOR THE PROTECTION OF COMPASSION CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, WHO WERE NOT HURT DURING TYPHOON NANGKA. PRAY FOR PROVISION FOR THOSE WHOSE HOMES WERE DAMAGED.

PRAY.FOR.STRENGTH

PRAY FOR KAVITA, 5, IN INDIA AND HER FAMILY AFTER HER FATHER WAS KILLED RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT. PRAY FOR COMFORT AND PROVISION AS HE WAS THE SOLE BREADWINNER FOR THIS FAMILY OF FIVE.

PRAY.FOR.GUIDANCE

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND THE STUDENTS STRIVING TO BE ACCEPTED! TODAY, PRAY FOR THE SELECTION PROCESS OF LDP STUDENTS IN GUATEMALA. PRAY THE LORD WILL GUIDE THOSE SELECTING THE STUDENTS AND BLESS THE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS INVOLVED.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTHY.WATER

PRAY FOR THE CHHATARPUR AND MAJURNACHA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN EASTERN INDIA, WHICH ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS.

PRAY.FOR.REBUILDING

PLEASE PRAY FOR MISHELL, RUTH AND BRYAN FUENTES, AND JOSE, JUAN AND FREDDY LEON, SPONSORED CHILDREN IN ECUADOR WHOSE HOMES COLLAPSED DURING EXTREME WINTER CONDITIONS.

PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

WE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN AND CENTERS DURING RECENT VIOLENCE AND FIGHTING IN THAILAND. PRAY FOR PEACE TO COME TO THE REGION AND THAT THE CONFLICT WILL END.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTH

PRAY FOR CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA WHO ARE AFFECTED BY DROUGHT AND SCARCITY OF FOOD, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN LARGE FAMILIES WHOSE INCOMES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR ALL THE CHILDREN.

PRAY.FOR.PEACE.AND.COMFORT

PRAY FOR 12-YEAR-OLD PERUVIAN GABRIELA SULLCA GUERRA AND HER FAMILY AFTER THE UNEXPECTED DEATH OF HER OLDER BROTHER. PRAY FOR PEACE AND COMFORT FOR GABRIELA, WHO IS TAKING THE LOSS VERY HARD.

PRAY.FOR.PEACE

PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF 14 COMPASSION CHILDREN WHOSE HOMES WERE DAMAGED BY AN EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK ROATAN ISLAND NEAR THE NORTH COAST OF HONDURAS.

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PRAY FOR HEALING FOR UWAMAHORO ALICE, 12, IN RWANDA, WHO HAS JUVENILE CHRONIC ARTHRITIS AND IS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR.

PRAY.FOR.PATIENCE

PRAY FOR FAMILIES IN BANGLADESH AND EASTERN INDIA WHOSE HOMES WERE DAMAGED BY CYCLONE AILA. PRAY THAT REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED SOON.

PRAY.FOR.NEW.HOMES

PRAY FOR SEVERAL CHILDREN IN THE SAMARIA STUDENT CENTER IN PERU, WHOSE FAMILIES ARE BEING DISPLACED BY A ROAD PROJECT AND DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO LIVE.

PRAY.FOR.COMFORT

PRAY FOR COMFORT AND GOD'S INTERVENTION FOR NIZEYIMANA DAVID, 13, IN RWANDA, WHO HAS BONE CANCER AND IS GOING TO HAVE A LEG AMPUTATED.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF 10 COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN WHOSE HOMES WERE DAMAGED BY FLOODING IN PEKALONGAN IN CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA.

PRAY.FOR.SAFE.TRANSITIONS

PRAY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN MEXICO, GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR AS THEY TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AFTER THE H1N1 VIRUS FORCED SCHOOL CLOSURES.

PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

WE PRAISE GOD FOR 41 YOUNG ADULTS IN INDIA WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (LDP)!

STORY.OF.EPHANTUS

MY NAME IS EPHANTUS, AND I AM HERE TODAY AS A TESTIMONY THAT THE LABOR OF COMPASSION AND THE MANY SPONSORS WHO COMMIT MONEY AND WRITE LETTERS IS NOT IN VAIN. I WAS BORN INTO A FAMILY OF FOUR. MY DAD WAS A DRUNKARD, BUT MY MOM WAS A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN. SHE WOULD TAKE US TO CHURCH WHILE MY DAD WENT TO THE BAR TO DOWN A DRINK OR TWO. AT CHURCH, WE WERE TOLD THAT GOD LOVES US, BUT WE COULDN'T CONNECT WITH WHAT LOVE WAS. WE DIDN'T EXPERIENCE LOVE IN OUR HOME.

THEN ONE DAY AN OPPORTUNITY CAME, COMPASSION CAME. I GOT A SPONSOR, A MAN CALLED JACK MAC DONALD, A MAN WHO WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. FOR 11 YEARS HE WAS COMMITTED TO WRITING ME AND SENDING MONEY TO SPONSOR ME--A PERSON I'VE NEVER MET. TO SEE THAT SOMEBODY 8,000 MILES AWAY WOULD COMMIT TO MAKE SURE THAT I WENT TO SCHOOL AND DRESSED NICELY AND HAS MY HOSPITAL BILLS PAID--THAT IS WHERE I FIRST SAW LOVE. MY HEART STARTED UNDERSTANDING WHAT MY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TOLD ME ABOUT LOVE, AND I HAVE MY LIFE TO THE LORD.

WHEN I WAS 15, I GOT MY FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD. MR. JACK MAC DONALD WISHED ME A MERRY CHRISTMAS. IT BLEW ME AWAY THAT SOMEBODY CARED SO MUCH TO SEND ME A CARD. THAT WAS OVER 10 YEARS AGO, AND I STILL KEEP THAT CARD WITH ME. TODAY I UNDERSTAND WHAT LOVE IS. I'VE NEVER SEEN GOD, BUT I KNOW LOVE BECAUSE MY SPONSOR, WHOM I HAVE NEVER SEEN, HAS SHOWN ME LOVE.

MY DADDY WAS STILL DRINKING. HE WOULD COME HOME WITH A HANGOVER AND SIT, WONDERING "WHO ARE THESE GOOD PEOPLE WHO WOULD BUY MY SON CLOTHES AND GIFTS? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO GOOD?" THAT KEPT PRICKING HIS CONSCIENCE. ONE SATURDAY HE GOT VERY DRUNK AND WENT TO BED. ON SUNDAY MORNING HE WORK UP AND SAID, "TODAY I WANT TO GO TO CHURCH." FROM THAT DAY, MY DAD HAS NEVER MISSED CHURCH A SINGLE SUNDAY. TODAY HE IS A PREACHER AND IS DRUNK BY THE HOLY SPIRIT--BECAUSE SOMEBODY FROM THE U.S. CARED ENOUGH TO SPONSOR A CHILD. BECAUSE OF MY SPONSOR'S LOVE, MY ENTIRE FAMILY WAS TRANSFORMED.

THERE ARE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN IN AFRICA WHO NEVER GET AN OPPORTUNITY. BUT EVE THOUGH THE STATISTICS ARE LIKE THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS, I THANK GOD BECAUSE THERE IS ANOTHER STORY. LIVES ARE BEING TRANSFORMED BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GIVING US ENCOURAGEMENT, COMMITTING TO SEE US ACHIEVE SOMETHING IN LIFE.

KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN. I AM JUST ON IN A MULTITUDE. THIS PROJECT IS LIFE FOR US. FOR OUR FAMILY IT MEANT MY SALVATION, MY EDUCATION, MY HEALTH, AND MY FATHER'S SALVATION. WE HAVE HOPE BECAUSE OF COMPASSION.

I HAVE NO COMMITTED MY LIFE TO MINISTER TO YOUNG PEOPLE. IT'S MY JOY TO CARE FOR THEM, TO SHOW THEM LOVE, TO PRAY WITH THEM. THE HARVEST OUT HERE IS TRULY PLENTY, AND WE ARE SEEING LIVES TRANSFORMED. IF YOUR MISSION IS JUST FOR A YEAR, PLANT CORN; IF IT IS FOR FIVE YEARS, PLANT SOMETHING THAT WILL GROW FOR FIVE YEARS; BUT IF IT IS FOR A LIFETIME, PLANT PEOPLE.
[TAKEN FROM 'HOPE LIVES' BY AMBER VAN SCHOOENVELD]

PRAY.FOR.HEALING

PLEASE PRAY FOR SPENCER IN NICARAGUA, WHO WAS RECENTLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDS TOTAL RECOVERY.

PRAY.FOR.HEALTH

PRAY FOR THE COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN IN BRAZIL WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES DUE TO HEAVY RAINS AND ARE NOW AT RISK OF DENGUE FEVER.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PRAY FOR ATUL AND HIS FAMILY IN EASTERN INDIA. ATUL IS HAVING AN OPERATION SOON, HIS SISTER SUFFERS FROM SWOLLEN LEGS, AND HIS MOTHER NEEDS SURGERY FOR KIDNEY STONES.

PLEASE.PRAY

PLEASE PRAY FOR FIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN SOUTHERN HAITI THAT HAVE BEEN FLOODED BY RECENT HEAVY RAINS. ALSO PRAY FOR PROTECTION DURING THE UPCOMING HURRICANE SEASON.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PRAY FOR NKOMEZI PATRICK, 16, OF RWANDA, WHO HAS AN INFECTION IN HIS MASTOID BONE AND NEEDS SURGERY.

PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

WE PRAISE GOD THAT COMPASSION STAFF IN MEXICO CONFIRM THAT NO COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN WERE INFECTED BY THE H1N1 VIRUS AND THAT THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN HIDALGO AND CHIAPAS HAVE RESUMED REGULAR ACTIVITIES!

ITS.ABOUT.SOULS

I REMEMBER ARI, THE GIRL WHO GREW UP ON THE TRASH DUMP. SATAN'S GOAL WASN'T JUST TO DESTROY HER PHYSICALLY. IT WAS TO DESTROY HER SOUL: TO CONVINCE HER THAT SHE DIDN'T MATTER, THAT NO ONE LOVED HER, THAT GOD DIDN'T CARE, AND THAT SHE WAS GARBAGE. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING--WHAT GOD CARES ABOUT AND WHAT SATAN WANTS TO DESTROY--IS A PERSON'S SOUL, A SOUL LIKE ARI'S. I NEED TO BE EVER MINDFUL THAT POVERTY ISN'T JUST ABOUT AIDS. IT'S NOT ABOUT CLEAN WATER. IT'S NOT ABOUT A LACK OF SAFE HOUSING. IT'S NOT ABOUT POOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. IT'S NOT ABOUT LACK OF SANITATION.

IT'S ABOUT SOULS.

IT'S ABOUT A BOY ORPHANED BY AIDS, WITHOUT PARENTS TO LOVE HIM AND TELL HIM HE MATTERS. IT'S ABOUT A MAN WHO FEELS NO DIGNITY OR PURPOSE BECAUSE HE'S NEVER HAD THE EDUCATION OR OPPORTUNITY TO BE WHO GOD CREATED HIM TO BE. IT'S ABOUT A WOMAN WHO BURIES HER SOUL AND SELLS HERSELF BECAUSE SHE FEELS SHE HAS NO OTHER CHOICE AND DOESN'T MATTER ANYWAY.

PEOPLE MATTER. GOD CREATED EACH UNIQUE SOUL AND LOVES EACH ONE AND HAS A PURPOSE FOR EACH ONE--EVEN IF THAT INDIVIDUAL IS LIVING IN A SLUM SURROUNDED BY DARKNESS, FILTH, AND DESPAIR. GOD HAS AS MUCH A PLAN FOR PEOPLE IN POVERTY--EVERY SINGLE ONE--AS HE DOES FOR ME.
[TAKEN FROM 'HOPE LIVES' BY AMBER VAN SCHOONEVELD]

QUOTE

IT'S THE GREATEST POVERTY TO DECIDE THAT A CHILD MUST DIE SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE AS YOU WISH. -MOTHER TERESA

GOD.ON.THE.MOVE

THERE IS A LOT GOING WRONG IN THIS WORLD. I CAN'T CHANGE EVERYTHING. BUT I'M LEARNING THAT GOD HASN'T ASKED ME TO. I THINK THERE MAY BE ONE LITTLE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE HE'S ASKING ME TO FILL IN, ONE GOOD WORK HE'S ASKING ME TO DO. MAYBE WHEN I'M WORKING ON MY LITTLE PIECE AND MY FRIEND IS WORKING ON HER LITTLE PIECE NEXT TO ME AND SOME CHURCH IN MASSACHUSETTS IS WORKING ON ITS PIECE AND SOME CHRISTIANS IN RWANDA ARE WORKING ON THEIR PIECE...MAYBE THEN GOD'S GREAT MASTERPIECE WILL BE REVEALED. MY PIECE MAY SEEM SMALL, AS IF IT DOESN'T MATTER, BUT I'M JUST ONE PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. GOD IS ON THE MOVE TO CHANGE THIS WORLD ONE PERSON AT A TIME. WHAT IF I COULD BE A PART OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

I'M CONVINCED GOD IS ASKING ME TO JOIN HIM. GOD IS ON THE MOVE TO HEAL, LOVE, AND RESTORE, AND HE'S ASKING, "WHO WILL GO FOR ME?"

WHO KNOWS WHAT GOD WILL DO?

MY HEART CRIES OUT, "HERE I AM, SEND ME."
[TAKEN FROM 'HOPE LIVES' BY AMBER VAN SCHOONEVELD]

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FATHER OF INDIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM STUDENT DAVIDSON SEVASHISH, WHO SUFFERED A STROKE A YEAR AGO AND HAS BEEN IN A COMA EVER SINCE. PRAY FOR A FULL RECOVERY.

SUCH.A.TIME

I COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY BEEN BORN IN UGANDA, RUNNING FROM REBELS AS A TOT. BUT GOD CHOSE DIFFERENTLY. GOD:

DETERMINED THE TIMES SET FOR [MEN] AND THE EXACT PLACES WHERE THEY SHOULD LIVE. GOD DID THIS SO THAT MEN WOULD SEEK HIM AND PERHAPS REACH OUT FOR HIM AND FIND HIM, THOUGH HE IS NOT FAR FROM EACH ONE OF US -ACTS 17:26-27

GOD HAS A REASON FOR PLACING ME EXACTLY WHEN AND WHERE HE DID. IT MIGHT SEEM PRETTY RANDOM, BUT IT WAS NOT.

NOT ONLY THAT, GOD ALSO PREPARED PARTICULAR GOOD WORKS FOR ME:

WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO -EPHESIANS 2:10

GOD HAS BEEN PLANNING AND PLANNING...PLACING ME JUST SO, GIVING ME EXACTLY WHAT HE HAS, THAT I MIGHT FIND HIM AND THAT I MIGHT DO THE GOOD HE HAS PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR ME. WHAT EXACTLY THAT IS, I'M NOT SURE YET. BUT I'M CONVINCED THAT'S SOMETHING.

I THINK OF ESTHER IN THE BIBLE. SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL AND CHARMING AND BECAME A QUEEN BECAUSE OF THOSE QUALITIES. SHE MIGHT HAVE LAIN BACK, EATEN GRAPES, AND GOTTEN SHOULDER RUBS EVERY DAY. I'D LIKE THAT. BUT ESTHER CHOSE TO BELIEVE HER UNCLE WHEN HE SAID:

WHO KNOWS BUT THAT YOU HAVE COME TO ROYAL POSITION FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS? -ESTHER 4:14

"SUCH A TIME AS THIS." ESTHER'S HUSBAND, KIND XERXES, HAD ORDERED A GENOCIDE OF THE JEWS. ESTHER COULD HAVE CHOSEN TO SHUT OUT THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD, STAY QUIETLY AT HOME, AND ENJOY HER VERY PLEASANT LIFE. INSTEAD, SHE USED HER POSITION OF POWER TO SPEAK UP FOR THE OPPRESSED, RISKING NOT ONLY HER COMFORT, BUT HER OWN LIFE.

COULD IT BE THAT GOD HAS PLACED ME IN A POSITION OF COMFORT AND MATERIAL POWER FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS? A LACK OF CLEAN WATER IS KILLING ALMOST 2 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR, 15.2 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE LOST ONE OR BOTH PARENTS TO AIDS, 1 BILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN EXTREME POVERTY, AND 1 MILLION CHILDREN ARE TRAFFICKED INTO EXPLOITIVE LABOR EACH YEAR. IF EVER THERE WAS "SUCH A TIME"--A TIME THAT NEEDS GOD'S REDEMPTION, HEALING, AND LOVE--THIS IS IT.

I'M DEFINITELY NOT A SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. ESTHER 4:14 SAYS,

IF YOU REMAIN SILENT AT THIS TIME, RELIEF AND DELIVERANCE...WILL ARISE FROM ANOTHER PLACE

THAT'S A RELIEF--BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. IT SEEMS GOD IS ON THE MOVE, ALWAYS ON THE MOVE, ALWAYS ON THE MOVE, READY TO RAISE UP RELIEF AND DELIVERANCE, PEOPLE WHO WILL GO FOR HIM, WHO WILL BE HIS HANDS. AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, I AM A PART OF THAT PLAN. MAYBE GOD HAS GIVEN ME WHAT HE HAS AND PUT ME WHERE HE HAS FOR JUST A TIME AS THIS.
[TAKEN FROM 'HOPE LIVES' BY AMBER VAN SCHOONEVELD]

NEEDED.PRAYERS

PRAY FOR THE 400 COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN IN BANGLADESH WHO WERE AFFECTED BY CYCLONE AILA. SOME OF THEIR HOMES WERE DESTROYED, WHILE OTHERS HAVE BEEN RENDERED UNINHABITABLE. SEVERAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS WERE DAMAGED AS WELL.

TRUE.RICHES

WHAT ARE THE TRUE TREASURES? THE BIBLE NEVER STATES EXPLICITLY, BUT I SUSPECT THAT, IN PART, IT'S PEOPLE. THE TREASURES OF THIS EARTH ARE TEMPORAL. THE ONLY THING ON THIS EARTH THAT'S ETERNAL IS PEOPLE--THE ONLY TREASURE THAT DOESN'T END WHEN THIS WORLD DOES. JESUS MAKES THE CONNECTION BETWEEN GIVING TO THE POOR AND TREASURES IN HEAVEN:

SELL EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN -LUKE 18:22

WHEN WE USE WEALTH TO HELP OTHERS, WE'RE INVESTING IN AN ETERNAL TREASURE--A LOVE CREATION OF GOD.

ONE OF THE GREAT HARMS OF POVERTY ISN'T PHYSICAL, IT'S ETERNAL, FOR IT TEACHES SOULS WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN CHRIST'S LOVE THAT THEY DON'T MATTER. WITHOUT THE TRUTH OF CHRIST, A YOUNG BOY'S BELIEF THAT HE'S A SPECTACULAR CREATING THAT MATTERS TO GOD AND TO THIS WORLD CAN BE CRUSHED BY POVERTY. AND WHEN THOSE IN POVERTY BELIEVE THIS LIE AND GIVE UP, THESE TREASURES OF GOD ARE LOST. WHAT AN HONOR THAT GOD HAS ENABLED US, IN OUR OWN SMALL WAYS, TO SHOW THESE PEOPLE THAT THEY MATTER. THAT GOD HAS GOOD FOR THEM. THAT THEY ARE LOVED.
[TAKEN FROM 'HOPE LIVES' BY AMBER VAN SCHOONEVELD]

PRAY.FOR.REVEALED.HOPE

PRAY FOR THE COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA WHO ARE READY TO GIVE UP ON THEIR FUTURE. PRAY THAT GOD WILL REVEAL TO THEM THEIR WORTH AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FUTURE.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PRAY FOR THE MOTHER OF COLOMBIAN SPONSORED CHILD MONICA, WHO HAS CANCER AND IS IN AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. PRAY ALSO FOR ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MONICA.

PRAY.FOR.FRUITFULNESS

PRAY FOR THE 50 NEW CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN INDONESIA THAT ARE BEGINNING OPERATIONS IN THE NEXT YEAR. PRAY FOR FRUITFUL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE PARTNERSHIP FACILITATORS AND COMPASSION.

PRAYER

PRAY FOR PROTECTION AND COMFORT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT 7.1-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE IN HONDURAS. NO COMPASSION CHILDREN, HOWEVER, WERE HURT.

CONTINUED.PRAYER

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF SEVERAL BOMBINGS THAT TORE THROUGH TANZANIA.

PRAY.FOR.GODS.CHILDREN

PRAY FOR PERUVIAN SIBLINGS JULIO, 5, AND MARICIELO ARANDA IBANEZ, 3, AND THEIR FAMILY AS THEY GRIEVE THE LOSS OF THEIR FATHER, WHO DIED FROM A HEAD INJURY SUFFERED DURING A SOCCER GAME.

TOUCHING.JUST.ONE.LIFE

THE MOST NOTABLE THING ABOUT JESUS IN REGARD TO THE POOR ISN'T NECESSARILY WHAT HE SAID. IT'S WHAT HE DID. HE HAD ONLY A HANDFUL OF YEARS OF MINISTRY, AND HE CHOSE TO SPEND A LARGE AMOUNT OF THAT TIME IN RELATIVE OBSCURITY HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED. THAT WAS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO HIM. IT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT I'D EXPECT OF A GREAT TEACHER TODAY--I'D EXPECT HIM TO INVEST HIS TIME FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT. HIT THE KEY INFLUENTIAL LEADERS AND BE SEEN BY THE MOST PEOPLE.

BUT JESUS CHOSE TO SPEND MUCH OF HIS TIME IN A WAY THAT, ACCORDING TO THESE STANDARDS, WOULD SEEM TO HAVE LITTLE LASTING IMPACT. SOME BLIND GUY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE GOT HIS SIGHT BACK. HE MOST LIKELY DIDN'T GO ON TO START ANY GREAT CHURCH MOVEMENTS. HE PROBABLY WENT ON TO LIVE A QUIET LIFE. IT WOULDN'T SEEM THAT THIS ACT WOULD HAVE MUCH LASTING INFLUENCE OR POSITIVE REPERCUSSIONS ON THE WORLD. YET JESUS SPENT MUCH OF HIS TIME HEALING INDIVIDUALS, ONE AT A TIME, IN OBSCURITY.

INDIVIDUALS MATTER TO GOD. JESUS' HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN HAD LASTING, POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THAT ONE MAN, HIS SOUL, AND PROBABLY THE SOULS OF HIS FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND DESCENDANTS. THAT WAS ENOUGH TO MERIT JESUS' PRECIOUS TIME. SOMETIMES I HESITATE TO SERVE, THINKING, "WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE? NOTHING EVER CHANGES; POVERTY WILL NEVER END." IN THAT THOUGHT, I AM UNLIKE JESUS. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO ONE PERSON, AND EVEN IF ALL THE GOOD THAT COME OF MY SERVICE STOPS RIGHT THERE (WHICH IS UNLIKELY), THAT IS ENOUGH. IT WAS ENOUGH FOR JESUS. HE, THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, WAS CONTENT TO TOUCH ONE PERSON'S LIFE.
[TAKEN FROM 'HOPE LIVES' BY AMBER VAN SCHOONEVELD]

PROVERBS.14:31

WHOEVER OPPRESSES A POOR MAN INSULTS HIS MAKER,
BUT HE WHO IS GENEROUS TO THE NEEDY HONORS HIM.

PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

WE PRAISE GOD THAT ALTHOUGH 12 COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS WERE IN THE PATH OF TYPHOON CHAN-HOM WHEN IT HIT THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND OF LUZON, NONE WERE DAMAGED BY THE STORM AND NO COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN WERE AFFECTED!

JAMES.2:15-16

IF A BROTHER OR SISTER IS POORLY CLOTHED AND LACKING IN DAILY FOOD, AND ONE OF YOUR SAYS TO THEM, "GO IN PEACE, BE WARMED AND FILLED," WITHOUT GIVING THEM THE THINGS THEY NEEDED FOR THE BODY, WHAT GOOD IS THAT?

WHAT.LED.TO.MY.SPONSORSHIP

FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FOND OF CHILDREN. AS A CHILD, MY DEEP INTEREST IN CHILDREN LED TO A HUGE COLLECTION OF DOLLS AND BARBIES WHICH CAME WITH BABIES AND KIDS OF OTHER AGES. UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM, MY CATS EVEN BECAME LIKE CHILDREN WHEN I DRESSED THEM UP IN DOLL CLOTHES. CHILDREN HAVE JUST ALWAYS BEEN AN INTEREST OF MINE.

AS I GREW OLDER THIS INTEREST IN CHILDREN BEGAN TO GROW EVEN DEEPER UNTIL IT BECAME WHAT I'LL REFER TO AS A PASSION OF MINE.

IT WAS DURING MY SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL THAT I DECIDED THAT THE CAREER I WANTED TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE DOING WAS A PEDIATRIC NURSE. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE BETTER THAN GETTING TO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEM FEEL ALL BETTER AT THE SAME TIME?

I'M NOW TRYING TO FINISH UP MY COLLEGE CAREER IN MY BSN PROGRAM (BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING). I CANNOT WAIT TO BE DONE SO THAT I CAN FINALLY GET OUT THERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SICK CHILDREN. NOT ONLY WILL I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEM PHYSICALLY BETTER, BUT I WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THEM WHO JESUS IS THROUGH MY ATTITUDE AND ACTIONS TOWARD THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. YOU DON'T HAVE TO EVEN SPEAK FOR SOMEONE TO NOTICE THAT JESUS IS PRESENT IN YOUR LIFE.

I WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL WHEN A GROUP PRESENTED IT AT MY COLLEGE. AFTER WATCHING THE VIDEO MY HEART HAD THIS DEEP ACHE FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO WERE SUFFERING. THOSE CHILDREN WERE SUFFERING NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY WERE LIVING LIVES OF POVERTY, MALNUTRITION, AND LACK OF EDUCATION, BUT BECAUSE THEY LACKED HOPE.

MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE. -ROMANS 15:13

HOPE COMES FROM GOD IF ONLY WE BELIEVE. THESE CHILDREN NEED JESUS TO GIVE THEM HOPE, AND THEY NEED SOMEONE WHO WILL SHOW THEM THEY ARE LOVED AND SOMEONE WHO WILL ENCOURAGE THEM AND SOMEONE WHO WILL SUPPORT THEM BY REMINDING THEM WHO GOD IS AND HE LOVES THEM. THESE CHILDREN NEED SOMEONE TO REMIND THEM THAT THEY CAN HAVE HOPE BECAUSE GOD IS PRESENT IN THEIR LIVES AND HE IS ON THEIR SIDE FIGHTING THE FIGHT JUST FOR THEM.

EVERY.FOURTEEN.SECONDS

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PRAYER.OF.PRAISE

ALTHOUGH DENGUE FEVER CONTINUES TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT BOLIVIA, WE PRAISE GOD THAT ALL 287 COMPASSION-ASSISTED CHILDREN WHO WERE TREATED FOR THE DISEASE HAVE FULLY RECOVERED!