Exciting news

This little adorable munchkin is Janie.

I've been sponsoring her for a few years through 2 different organizations.

And now *cue the excited squeals* she is available for adoption!

If this little face melts your heart, then go to An Orphan's Wish website to get more information.

wear Hope

My favorite accessory at the moment is this bracelet from Show Hope.

My mom and I both got one when we went to SCC's concert in November.

And they are back in the online Show Hope store, if you want to get one for yourself. A great way to show everyone that you care about orphans. I kinda want another one in a another fun color...

You can read a story about my involvement with Show Hope here and here.

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
James 1:27

given

This year, we did a gift exchange for our full time staff Christmas party at camp. They called it white elephant, but I think white elephant is a silly, funny gift. Like rocks in a box or a roll of toilet paper or an old sock. This wasn't one of "those" gift exchanges. We had to buy something nice. Or as nice as you can get for $10.

I instantly knew what I wanted to give. I'm kinda tired of the giving of useless junk just for the sake of giving a gift. It seems like such a waste of money. So, I went a completely different route. I bought a pair of pajamas for a Chinese orphan through An Orphan's Wish. These pajamas will go to one of beautiful children living in the House of Love.

Isn't that the best gift, ever?! Something desperately needed. A sweet kiddo sleeping, all warm and cozy this winter.

After I bought the gift, I wanted to make it special for the recipient of the exchange. I used some craft supplies I had laying around and came up with this ornament for them to hang on their tree as a reminder.


The back has the organization's name to remind them who was getting their gift.

I also included a post card I made with the faces of some of the sweet children that live in the House of Love (including my sponsored sweetie, Shannan). It also had a the web address for An Orphan's Wish so the recipient could see what AOW was all about for themselves (not that I don't talk about it constantly already...)

Just a fun way to think of others this season and not get so caught up in the whole "gift giving" thing. And talk about AOW a little more too!

AOW community

Reverb10 + Community
Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?


I found a whole new community this year. It all started with a photo. This one...


It still makes me gasp a little. A huge lump gets caught in my throat. I get lost in those deep, dark eyes. I image her little voice. Her smell. Her little hands gripping mine. This little face stole my heart.

Janie was a child at An Orphan's Wish. I saw her on a blog one day. A blog I read all the time. Her face wouldn't leave my thoughts. I decided to sign up and sponsor her. That began a beautiful connection to An Orphan's Wish. In February this year, Stefanie wrote this post. I instantly knew that God was calling me to do more, more than just sponsor a child.

So, I sent off an email. I found out that I could use talents I already have, things I'm already passionate about to help out these sweet orphans. It's not much. My time is so limited, but it was something I could do. I said yes with a grateful heart and have been overwhelmed by this whole experience.

I have found a community of people who love orphans. Really, truly love them. They give of their time and finances to advocate for them. They are passionate about making sure they are loved and cared for. They are fighting to see that these dear ones get the surgeries and medical care they need. They are doing everything they can to see these sweet babes are no longer called "orphan" but "sister, daughter, brother and son."

We weep over these children. We bring them before the Throne begging on their behalf. We pray that they are told that they are valued and loved and special. We cheer over their accomplishments and soak in every smile.

I'm so, so thankful to have found AOW. Or should I say, I'm so thankful that God sent them to me. It has radically changed my world. I can't wait to see where we are led next....

Show Hope: part 2

(yes, I took photos of myself in the bathroom of the concert venue. no, there wasn't anyone else in there. yes, I was nervous someone would walk in at any minute. yes, I'm glad I have the photos to remind myself of that amazing evening.)

One of the best parts about volunteering for Show Hope is meeting the other fantastic people that share in the wonder of this organization. Families who love Jesus and enjoy SCC's music and get behind the miracle of adoption. Sponsors who love to help wherever they can. Families who have received grants from SH to bring home their dear ones from around the globe.

During the evening we have down time while the concert is going on and the lobby is empty to chat and get to know each other. Usually this type of thing would be paralyzing to me. I hate small talk. I'm terrible at it. But this night, I was a blessing. Hearing stories of hope and adoption. Oh, my...

That night I was volunteering, there was a family there that was made up of mom, dad, teenage daughter and 8 year old daughter adopted from China. (ps...one of my very favorite things about SCC concerts is seeing the many families with little Asian girls now placed as dearly loved daughters/sisters in their mix. It makes my eyes well up with tears every...single...time.) During one of our down times, I was able to chat with dad. I asked him how he became connected to Show Hope, and I got to hear his family's story.

Mom in the family began praying about adoption. Dad wasn't on board yet. But she kept praying and talking to him about it. They went to an open meeting with an adoption agency. When they were driving home from the meeting, dad looked at mom and said that if they were to adopt, he knew it had to be from China. Mom had complete agreement. And that began their paper chase and 3 years of waiting for their daughter in China. They received a grant from Show Hope to help pay for the adoption.

Dad says that waiting those three years was so, so hard. But the moment that their little A was placed in their arms, it all disappeared. It melted away, he said. Dad also said that they just had a 3 year reunion with their travel group (many families meet other families who are adopting at the same time in China) and I will never forget that he said he was blown away at how different these girls were 3 years later. When these girls were placed in their arms, they were scared and hopeless and sad. Deep sadness. Now, they are changed children. They laugh. They have hope. They run and play and have a secure place in their families. It was noticeable on their very faces. They looked different.

It was a great chat. And little A was just so sweet. I got to talk to her for a while. I could see the love she had for her family and the love they had for her. Deep abiding, forever love. Hope-filled love. She was a happy 8 year old girl just like any other kid at that concert.

Dad asked me how I got involved with Show Hope and I told him my story. I have always wanted to adopt, but it isn't possible in my life right now. Instead, I sponsor Show Hope so other families can adopt and bring little ones home forever. I love it! It brings my heart eternal, abundant joy. He said, "that's great! Thanks. We were able to adopt because of a grant."

At the end of the evening, we were packing up the table and sponsor packets and saying our goodbyes. We thanked Julia for allowing us to help, and she ran off to catch the tour bus. As I was about to turn to go, dad turned to me and grabbed my hand in a strong, firm shake and looked deep in my eyes and said (I'm going to paraphrase because I can't remember the exact words), "thank you for what you gave. I have my family, my little girl, now because of you. Thank you."

Can I just tell you....I got out of that place as fast as I could because I burst into tears and sobbed the 1 hour trip back home. I cried when I told my small group the story last week. I'm crying now. There are few times in life, friends, where we get to see the impact that our small lives and the things we do in them have in this world. $35 little dollar a month. It's nothing, really, to me. It's eating out a few times a month. It's a trip to Target. But combined with other sponsors, it is a little girl's welcome into a loving family. It is HOPE. It is life. It is the possibility of an orphan hearing Jesus' love whispered to them in love. These dear, sweet children abandoned and told they are worthless are loved and part of a family forever and told they are valued and precious. Sweet treasures of heaven here on earth.

I thanked God (and continue to) over and over and over for that moment. I didn't have to have it. I would have still supported SH. But now, each month, I will think of the face of that little girl, a happy, dear, sweet treasure now home, forever and loved. The Lord was so gracious to let me peek behind the veil of the eternal, to see what really matters in life and to receive a "thank you" on earth. I will never, ever forget that moment. I will forever be grateful for it.

You can find out more about being a sponsor for Show Hope here.

You can make a one time donation here.

You can see what Jesus says about orphans here.

care for them

(source)

It's Orphan Awareness Sunday.

What a perfect opportunity to advocate for adoption and the care of the least of these. God commands us in James (James 1:27) to care for the orphans. It isn't a choice. It's easy to think that it is. It's easy to say, "oh, that's someone else's place, not mine. I have my own family to consider." Nope, sorry. If you are a believer, it is your responsibility to love orphans.

What will you do to help the orphans of the world?


See the sidebar for some great organizations where you can help ---------->

And check out this video from Cry of the Orphan.

one month left

(sweet Shannan, the little one I sponsor)

There is only about 1 month left in the 100 sponsors in 100 days event at An Orphan's Wish. I'm so excited that 5, yes five, of you have stepped out to help these dear little ones. Thank you from the very bottom of my orphan loving heart. I know each and every one of your precious kiddos are saying thank you too.

If you still want to get in on the fun and sponsor a cutie of your own, click here. If you sign up before the 100 event is over, you can get a free AOW shirt to share the love with everyone around you. Plus, you'll get those heart melting reports about your sponsored kiddo full of photos that make you melt into a puddle and wish to high heavens you could reach through the screen and kiss that face. What precious treasures they are...

What are you waiting for?

heart wrenching thing

Can I tell you one of the heart wrenching things in the world? I experienced it for the first time right before I left for vacation. It may seem so simple, but I promise you I teared up about 10 times and gulped back a sob or two.

The little girl I sponsor through An Orphan's Wish turned one last month. I wanted to send her a card, so I went searching for one in Target. Now, you wouldn't think that buying a birthday card for a one year old would induce tears, but, dear goodness, it did.

Imagine with me, if you will, what the inside of a birthday card says. Something like this....

"hope your year is full of happiness and love"
"may you be surrounded by the love of your family"
"grow big and strong and always know you are loved"
"since the very first day we met you, we knew you were special"
" you are loved. you are unique. you are beautiful."
"happy birthday from your family who loves you very much"

See? Every single one of those things may never be heard by a child in an orphanage. They may never have the love of a family. They may never be told they are beautiful, special, created by a loving God. Their year may not be filled with love and happiness and laughter.

I'm so very thankful that Shannan is the clubfoot unit at AOW because I know that she is being told those things. I know that she is surrounded by people who genuinely love her even though they are not her forever family. She is being told that she is beautiful and special and loved.

But what if she wasn't? What if she was somewhere else? Tears are welling up now just thinking about her never experiencing love from someone. Her birthday would go by and no one would care that she was another year older. There would be no hugs or kisses or extra special bedtime stories and snuggles.

I thought about my niece and nephew (above). They are showered with love from the second they wake up. And if they happened to be around Nana or Pop Pop or Autie, look out! They will be smothered in hugs and kisses even more so. They know, more than anything in their lives at this point, that they are loved. It's the reason so many of the photos I have of them are full of smiles. They are hope-filled, loved, happy kids.

So, when I finally found a card that would work for the special little one that I was celebrating, I was very precise in my note to her inside. "You are loved. Your are special. You are important." All things that I hope and pray that she might have felt on her special day. All things that I pray she hears whispered to her by a forever family one day.


If you are interested in sponsoring a child through An Orphan's Wish, click here. It could change the life of a little orphan in China forever.

Thank you, friends!

Violet, Holly and Olivia now have sponsors!!!

Thank you, my sweet friends for jumping in and caring for the orphans in China. You are my heroes!

There are still kids waiting for sponsors. You can sponsor an orphan, by heading over to An Orphan's Wish. 100 Sponsors in 100 Days in still going on. That means you can get a free shirt when you sign up!

Questions about AOW? Let me know. I'm happy to help. And if you just want to hop on over and stare at those adorable little faces for a while, I'm happy to do that with you too!


ps...check out these beautiful necklaces from Hip Mom jewelry. I'm in love with the Hope for China/Africa ones. You can enter to win one at Stefanie's blog Ni Hao Y'all (Stefanie is on the board for AOW, and her blog is how I discovered AOW.)
I also love this one made especially for An Orphan's Wish by Wheat and Wildflowers.

100 sponsors in 100 days

An Orphan's Wish, whom I am honored to volunteer for, is offering a really cool intensive if you sign up to be a sponsor in the next 100 days.

You can get one of these fantastic shirts to help spread the word of AOW. FREE!! That's right.


It's really beautiful. I have one and get compliments on it all the time, which of course is great cause I can talk, talk, talk about AOW and the wonderful work they are doing in China.

They are changing lives and loving children. Little cuties like Shannan....


She's the little one I sponsor. I just love getting my reports on how she is doing, how she is growing and just staring at those adorable chubby cheeks!

If you have any questions about AOW, what sponsorship is, how long it lasts or anything else, just leave me a comment. I'll happily talk about AOW forever!

And if you do sign up, be sure to let me know. I'm praying that a few of you, dear readers, will feel a tug on your heart to help these precious ones.

Could that be you?

hop on over

Want to help the orphans in China, but not sure how?

Well, this is as simple as it gets...

Just go to Ni Hao Y'all (one of my favorite blogs) and comment on this post. Stefanie is donating one dollar to An Orphan's Wish for every comment. It's that easy!

I'm already a sponsor for Shannan and LOVE getting updates about her each month. Plus, I'm honored to be able to volunteer for AOW. It's a wonderful organization that is doing amazing things for orphans.

So hop on over, and spread some love!

a day of happy colorful balloons

(source)

One of the wonderful ladies that I volunteer with at AOW sent me a quick email this morning telling me to hop on over to Love Without Boundaries' blog. And low and behold, there was sweet Janie. WALKING!!! I can't even tell you....the joy that filled my heart....the tears that pooled up in my eyes. That sweet smile of hers has been cemented in my heart forever in a way that I can't explain.

If you are interested in helping other orphans like Janie walk and run too, check out An Orphan's Wish. They do amazing things for the little ones in China. And maybe when your sponsored child is done with their treatment, you can follow then to another organization (like Love Without Boundaries) and support them there too. It has been one of the coolest things to watch Janie grow and WALK and have HOPE.


Today is a day full of happy colorful balloons for sure. Congratulations, sweet Janie!


***feel free to email me if you have any questions about sponsoring an orphan. I'm always happy to help!

mush, mush I tell you

Photos like this make me go to mush. A giant puddle. A pile of nothingness.

This is the newest little one that I'm sponsoring through An Orphan's Wish. Isn't Shannan just the cutest thing?! Don't you just want to scoop her up and kiss those chubby little cheeks?! Don't you want to whisper in her ear that she is loved by the God of the universe?!


Remember Janie? She has now finished all her casting in the club foot unit at An Orphan's Wish. My sponsorship for her through AOW is now over since her time there was complete. Her little face has continually been on my heart and in my mind. I beg God to send her a loving family who will want her to be theirs forever. A family that will tell her about Jesus and how much HE loves her. A mommy and daddy. Most of the time those prayers come with tears.

If you are interested in standing in the gap for little orphans like Janie and Shannan, being an advocate and helping to heal their physical needs, check out An Orphan's Wish or Show Hope. Both of these incredible organizations are doing so much to care for the orphans in China.

And don't forget....these precious ones also need loving families. Could that be you?!

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:27

give it away

Ok, I just feel like I NEED to this again each year. I know you could read back through any of the other times I've written things similar to this, but it can't hurt to remind everyone again, right?!!

Here are a few of my humble suggestions for GIVING this Christmas. Ways to HELP someone in need. Ways to look beyond my(your)self and see the world that Jesus calls us to SEE and LOVE.

And just so you know (and most likely already do if you have read my blog for any amount of time) I love orphan ministry. It's the burden God laid on my heart when I was little. So, most of the organizations I support are orphan based. I know there are many, many wonderful organizations that do other great works in the world. This is just the path that the Lord led me on.

Okay...onward....

1. Show Hope (Shaohannah's Hope)

Show Hope is an organization that cares for orphans. They give grants to Christian families that want to adopt, but need help with the funds it requires. They also have a special needs orphanage in China that opened this year. I've been supporting them for years and have been blown away with how they operate. They are doing a mighty work in the life of orphans around the globe. And their founders are Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, whom I simple think the world of.
Every month I get either an email or a post card with the story of a family that has been able to adopt because of a grant from Shaohannah's Hope. It's a crazy, God-filled story most of the time. And usually I finish the last sentence with tear filled eyes. How beautiful to see orphans placed in homes where they will learn about the love of Jesus!

2. Amazima Ministries

This one is new this year for me, but it has dramatically changed my life. I found Katie's blog though an adoption blog that I used to read. After hearing her story and seeing her heart, I instantly knew that I had to be involved. Amazima helps children in Uganda. The founder is a 21 year old girl who has adopted 14 little girls. Her organization helps feed, cloth, and educate hundred of children through sponsors. It's incredible. I could go on for hours about Amazima, but instead I suggest you read Katie's blog from the beginning. Be prepared though...it could change your life forever.

3. Compassion
Every time I get a letter from my little sponsored child in Indonesia, I'm reminded of the important work that Compassion is doing. They get it. They do it right. This year I also got a letter from my sponsored child's pastor. Compassion believes in the ministry of the church and how important it is in the spiritual growth of their children. I love, love, love Compassion.

4. Living Hope International
I support a friend who is in China with her family working with Living Hope. Living Hope helps the orphans of China is so many different ways. They run orphanages. They teach English. They show orphans love. You can read more here. Those little faces will melt your heart.

5. An Orphan's Wish
I introduced you all to Janie a few weeks ago. I support her through An Orphan's Wish. This the newest organization that I've been involved with, but I really am loving how their organization works. I found them through another adoption blog I read. The author is the volunteer in charge of the clubfoot unit, so she posts about AOW often. AOW also has a blog, which shows pictures of the adorable orphans and the medical care they are receiving.
An Orphan's Wish helps special needs Chinese orphans. They help them get the medical care they need, so they can lead happy healthy lives. Some of them even go on to get adopted after their life changing surgeries. AOW lets you sponsor a child and directly impact their life. It's amazing!


I pray that God speaks to your heart about giving this year. And not that it has to be to one of these organizations. I'd love to see where He leads YOU! The most important thing is that we step out in faith and do what He asks. Maybe that money sitting in your bank account (which isn't yours anyway...sorry, but it's true) is the money He has set aside to feed one of Katie's children. His money is spread out all over the world in bank accounts of 1,000's of believers who are "saving it for a rainy day." I am totally guilty of that too. But stepping out and giving when we are called, giving when it doesn't make logical sense for our "savings" account, giving when we can't spare a single penny, that is where Jesus lives. That is where miracles are. That is where we see Him more clearly.

Are you ready to let Him lead you on a great giving adventure?!!

stuff and nonsense

(amazing photo found here)

Anyone else feeling incredibly behind in their gift buying?

I'm determined to not go to crazy this year. I've become more and more convinced of the ridiculousness of STUFF in my life and I don't want to force it on anyone else either. I just want to give something that will let someone know that I love and appreciate them in my life. Maybe that's through food, or a handmade gift, or a heartfelt letter. Aren't those things more valued anyway? I mean I keep handwritten notes and cards for YEARS. So many of them are stuck into my Bible or on my walls or in a book as a book mark. I TREASURE those things. True, loving thoughts and moments. That is what life is about.

I'm working on a post for end of the year giving again this year. I truly feel this is so important. Not that you do it at the end of the year necessarily, but that you GIVE where you feel the Lord leads your heart. I'll have a few options of organizations that I support and think the world of. Organizations that are making a difference in the world. It will be up soon. Hope it inspires you to GIVE to those less fortunate this year.

I'm back....

I needed a smile today.

Just looking at Janie's face makes that happen immediately.

Janie is the little one that I support through An Orphans Wish. She makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. And she reminds me that Jesus loves the orphan and He COMMANDS us to take care of them, even if they are on the other side of the world. I just want to run to China and scoop her up and tell her that someone loves her dearly!

Janie is fully sponsored, but there are still many others at An Orphan's Wish that still need your help.

Friday Finds

(photo found here)

I found quite a few fun, fantastic things this week, so I decided to share....


Modern Family gets better every week. This week it was hysterical. Saw it on Hulu.

There were some amazing crafty ideas on Smile and Wave this week (and last). I've already made one of these and have worn it about 10 times.

Scrubs is back in just a few short weeks! This promo made me laugh out loud. As perfectly, perfect the "series" finale was last season and as much as I don't want to ruin the magic that it was, there's no way I'm missing this! ps....Photos like this one (posted on his Facebook page) don't do anything to help my TV crush. So adorable.

Was reminded how much I love this blog this week. Had to put in my reader. This post was adorable!

Katie's (Amazima) post this week about loving others is going to be one of those thoughts I remember forever. So profound. So humbling.

I really want to go see this movie this weekend. (No, it's not New Moon.)

There's a pretty good chance I'll be taking a spur of the moment trip to NYC next month to go see the Tim Burton exhibit at the MoMA.

Just LOVE this adorable garland by Rachel. She always picks the best color combos.

I'm almost caught up on Lost (thanks once again, Hulu) season 5. Watching it all at once is SO much better. The final few episodes were posted this week. Knitting/crafting TV for sure.

Look at this cutey who just came home forever from Uganda. Her story will melt your heart.

I'm loving these stockings, this cowl and these mittens. Darn knitting habit is taking over my life. I'm not even showing you the ones that I want to make as gifts.

And finally, meet Janie. God placed her on my heart when I read about her about a week ago through another blog. Yesterday, God put one more big reminder in my path, and I realized that it was time to stop fooling around and do something for this little one that was constantly on the forefront of my mind. I'm so excited to be able to help her even in this very small way. ps...she still needs one more sponsor!


Have a great weekend, dear readers! I'm working this weekend, but then I'm off ALL next week (using up those vacation days!) I'll hopefully be crafting the days away (Christmas presents finished in Nov?!!!).

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

You should read this

It's inspiring and moving and humbling all at the same time. Read Katie's latest post on her blog.

Oh, how much I would love to go there and see those precious children! Especially the one whose picture hangs in my room. Support a child through Amazima. It's amazing to see how God opens your heart in ways you never expected!

Christmas giving

Here's a couple of my humble suggestions for giving this Christmas. These are all organizations that I have already been involved with one way or another.



I think this such a cool idea. My Bible study did this 2 years ago as a Christmas gift...

World Vision's Gift Catalog

The way that they advertise the gifts you can give is brilliant. You can buy a goat for a family. You can give clothing to a child. You can give seeds and tools for farming to those who need them in Africa. You can give a bicycle to a girl in India so she can go to school.

Read about their mission statement here.

Back in youth group, we did the 30 hour famine a couple times. Another great idea to get people involved in caring for the starving around the world.

You can also sponsor a child.





I personally sponsor a child through Compassion. I love this organization and how dedicated they are to caring for children. Compassion lets you pick the child you want to sponsor and even keep in touch with them by writing letter and emails. Then you get letters and photos back from your sponsored child. It's amazing to watch them grow and learn and actually hear from them. I've been sponsoring my little Teresia from Indonesia for about 4 years now. It's so cool to hear how SHE prays for me, even as I pray for her.
If you can't afford to sponsor a child, you can give in other ways.
Love Compassion! Love them!




Living Hope International is an organization that I started giving towards this past year. A friend of mine (and her husband and 2 boys) is moving to China in 2009 to work in a Living Hope orphanage. I'm supporting them.
It's a really neat ministry. These little Chinese orphans that are forgotten and "unadoptable" are given hope and love. And all you readers know how China orphans tug at my heart. I'm so excited to have a direct link to donate towards my friend as she and her family love and care for these precious little ones. You can learn about how to give to LHI here. They also have an orphan sponsorship program.





And finally, an organization that is near and dear to my heart....Shaohannah's Hope. I have been sponsoring SH through the Stevey Joy Club for a couple years now. I get these post cards with stories and pictures of little ones that have been adopted and are now in God-honoring families. Shaohannah's Hope gives grants to Christian families who want to adopt but need help with the funds. You can read some of the amazing stories here. I love it cause it lets me help with the whole adoption process even though I can't personally adopt at this point in my life.
Shaohannah's Hope is also building Maria's Big House of Hope, which is for special needs orphans in China. I'm really, really excited about this for a couple reasons that I'll tell you more about later. You can donate towards Maria's Big House here.
Oh, and did I mention it was started by Steven and Marie Beth Chapman? You all know how I feel about them if you have read my blog in the last few months.
Check out this video to see what SH is all about.


Again, these are just suggestions. I know there are 1,000's of others that do amazing things. Don't forget to check with your church, too. Give to those who are in need this Christmas!

"The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself."
Proverbs 11:25

Why Indonesia is dear to my heart

This face. Searching through the sea of children on Compassion's website 6 years ago, this was the one that captured my heart. That and she said she loved to play "group games," which was my job at camp at the time. Her little smile did me in, and I checked the box and asked to be her sponsor. This is Teresia.


She lives in Indonesia. She has a mom and dad. I originally wanted an orphan 'cause, well, you all know how I have a soft spot in my heart for orphans. But this little one was meant for me. Jesus spoke her name in my heart.

A few year ago, I got this picture of her family. See how she's grown?!


I still study this picture for every detail I can get. Her dad in his socks. Her mom in probably her best outfit. Her little brother in sandals and a scared look in his eyes. And her hand protectively over his shoulder. I think, since this was taken, her mother had another baby, or at least that's what it her letters implied.


This is my most recent photo of her. She's now 14 years old. Doesn't that face just melt your heart?!
In her last letter, she said that she is praying for me (which she always says) and it makes me choke back the tears each time. This girl, who has a life I could never imagine, prays for ME?! I'm humbled each time I read that. She also went on a fun trip with her church. She asks about my nephew (which I told her about in a letter). Oh, my gosh, these letters are just the most amazing thing.

Compassion is incredible. I'm so glad that the Lord impressed upon my heart and let me "meet" Teresia. She brings such joy to my life and puts a face on the poverty of this world. Her story is one that is still being written. And HOPEFULLY, Jesus will shine a little brighter in Indonesia because she was introduced to Him through Compassion.

Here's a link to children from Indonesia that need sponsors. (or from other countries) I warn you, those little faces will make you weep. They are little pictures of Jesus asking us to "do unto the least of these." I wish I could sponsor all of them...

If you sponsor a child, I'd love to hear about them!