Aaron Shust has said:
"Give me words to speak
Don't let my Spirit sleep
Cause I can't think of anything worth saying
But I know that I owe you my life"

For days, I have been yearning to blog about something worthwhile.  But I haven't had anything to blog about.  Everytime I sat down to write, I just couldn't think of anything valuable enough to take up your precious time.  Tonight, however, that changed.

I'm not sure how active many of you are in the "blogosphere."  For those of you who are well connected and in the know, I'm sorry if this is repeat information.  For those of you who don't already know:

A group of bloggers is currently using their passion for wordiness to change the world...one child at a time.

The Compassion Bloggers are a group of people brought together by Compassion International to help spread the word about the work that Compassion is doing around the world to give needy children a better start in life.  Compassion has chosen to invite bloggers on a mission trips to view and experience, first hand, the absolute need for programs like Compassion.  In return, these bloggers have been/are/will be blogging their experiences during their trip...in real time. 

Earlier this year, a group of Compassion Bloggers visited the Compassion Project in Uganda.  You can read their experience here.

Right now, a group of Compassion Bloggers is visiting the Compassion Project in the Dominican Republic.  Each day, they'll be posting updates from their days on their blogs.  For ease, you can visit this page to see all the posts in one place.  I'm going to be putting up a banner on my sidebar, if you'd prefer to use my blog as a means of access.  (My website is currently *NOT* cooperating with me, and it will only let me put the banner at the very bottom of the sidebar, so scrolldown, if you wanna use the banner.  Thanks!)

Why am I bringing this to your attention?  For many reasons, but mostly because I feel like this (caring for the needy) is our duty.

Matthew Fox has said, "Compassion is not sentiment but is making justice and doing works of mercy. Compassion is not a moral commandment but a flow and overflow of the fullest human and divine energies."  I would ammend his statement just the slightest bit to say that compassion is not just a moral commandment but also a flow and overflow of the fullest Divine energy in a human's life.  A lot of mumbo jumbo, right?

What I mean is this:  We are commanded to have mercy and compassion for the needy.  More than that, when we realize the impact that God (the Divine energy) has had on and in our lives, we will not be able to contain that energy.  When we realize how incredibly blessed we are, that blessing should overflow and pour out of our lives into others' lives.  God calls us to spread his love and blessing.  To whom much is given, much is required...

I hear my countrymen complaining about our current economic crisis.  Most of us have no idea...none whatsoever.  Crisis is not having to take the bus, because gas is too expensive.  Crisis is not having a smaller Christmas, because the stocks didn't do as well this quarter. 

Crisis is leaving a child on the beach or the doorstep of the local church, because you honestly cannot put even a scrap of food on the table.  Crisis is infant mortality due to a complete lack of prenatal care and extreme maternal malnutrition.  Yes, we are facing crisis in parts of our country, but we have certainly lost sight of how incredibly blessed we are in general.

How can I refuse to give $32/month so that a young child can have food to eat, safe water to drink, a bed in which to sleep, and an education?  How can I deny that child?  Especially when my completely frivolous and unnecessary cable costs $52/month...

I put the Compassion Bloggers in front of you, because I need to put them in front of myself.  I do not ever want to get so blinded to others' need that I fail to meet the need in whatever small way I can.  And, friends, I can afford $32/month to save a child's life and introduce them to Jesus Christ.  I most certainly can afford that.

If you can't afford $32/month, that's okay.  You can give a gift of any size to Compassion by using their Donation Page.  And if you honestly can't afford to help Compassion at this time, that's okay.  Pray that God would move in the hearts of those who can.  Pray that God would protect the Compassion workers and the bloggers who are currently traveling to spread the word about this need.  Some of them are way out of their comfort zones, and I greatly admire that.

If can afford more than $32/month, don't let yourself off the hook.  Countless children are waiting to be given a fighting chance in this life.  Be the hands and feet (or the pocketbook) of Jesus Christ.  Sponsor more than one child. 

If you don't feel led to support Compassion International, I urge you to pray and look around and see where you are supposed to be digging in.  Where are you supposed to be showing the love of God?  He wants to use all of us: our time, our talent, our passion, our resources...everything.  Allow Him to use you.

Do it for her.


(gorgeous photo taken by Mary from Owlhaven)