back-2-school Around the World

So, my favorite part about back-2-school was the shopping of course. But, it wasn't about the clothes, it was about the SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!  To this day, 10 years post any back-2-school excitement for me, I still get excited when I see the school supplies piling up in the stores! 

I think there are mixed emotions when the Back-2-school season rolls around.  At least it is for students who for them, the school year is just part of life for 13 years.  But there are kids around the world who don't know what "bakc-2-school" is all about.  Because for them, school isn't an option.  School is either too expensive, too far away, not available at all, or frankly, may just not be as important as working a job to help provide for their family!

Worldwide, nearly 80 percent of primary-school-age children attend school. In least developed countries, this figure is around 66 percent.

The largest out-of-school population is in sub-Saharan Africa, where around 45.5 million children of primary school age are out of school.

Of the 67 million primary-school-age children who do not attend school, 53 percent are girls.

Worldwide, only 49 percent of children of secondary school age actually attend secondary school.

Of the 49 percent of secondary age students who do not attend school, 52 percent are girls.

The world’s functional illiterates include more than 130 million children who do not attend school, 73 million of them girls.

These are some heartbreaking statistics.  Something that we take for granted so often.  Around the world kids are dreaming of an education. 

Here is a chance for us to help!

First and Foremost...PRAY!

Do you sponsor a child!? Your sponsorship helps provide an education to your child, and you get to write back and forth about what they are doing in school!  We love hearing about Brenda & Alvaro's experiences in school!

Provide textbooks and learning materials to kids through Compassion's learning centers.

Meet Alvaro!

I want to introduce you to someone...

This is Alvaro...

 

 

His home is in Bolivia, and in our hearts.  Alvaro is our most recent Compassion sponsor child! 

He is currently 6 years old, attends kindergarten, and lives with his mom and dad.  His dad sells ice cream! 

Typical houses in his community are constructed of dirt floors, brick walls and tile roofs. The most commonly spoken language is Spanish.

The regional diet consists of maize (corn), cassava and rice. Common health problems in this area include skin diseases, dengue fever, mayaro (mosquito-borne illness) and stomach infections caused by dirty water. Most adults work as day laborers or street vendors and earn the equivalent of $171 per month.

We are so blessed to help provide Alvaro with medical checkups, education, field trips, and most of all the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ!

Please join us in praying for Alvaro and his family! Please consider adding a member to your family through child sponsorship...

Giver of Good Gifts - Guest Blogger

 When I read the latest Compassion Blogger assignment I immediately thought of my dear friend and fellow blogger Katie, from Walking in Unity!  I won't spoil why but read on to find out!


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God Is Good!

                  

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above......... (James 1:17)

    Please allow me to share a little of what is going on in my life as you are reading this now. I have a husband, two girls, work a full time job and currently entering into my second semester of Nursing School! - Yes a little exhausted! -But God is good!

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

    Over the years “I” have tried to go to nursing school several times, but life seem to get in the way. But I know now that God opened the door to this opportunity at exactly the right time. His time!

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

    Being His daughter, I smile after seeing his hand work in my life and so many others around me. I know without a doubt at the age of 33 that I am where God has called me to be. After trying on my own through the years to find my place, my way, I surrendered to God and His timing and although very exhausted, less pay and little time for sleep, He has given peace and strength I have not known before.

    This all being said let now share something special to my heart. One Saturday night, tired and in debate if I really wanted to go, I went ahead and attended our church’s Ladies Auxiliary Christmas party. This is a dinner where we fellowship, have devotion and “Secret Sisters” exchange gifts.

As I opened my gift not knowing who was or is my Secret Sister. I soon realize I know it must be a dear sister that knows my heart. She must know how I love the Lord, have a heart for mission (although God has yet to open that door for me) and my heart to be a nurse, to be able to care and love others, that I may have care and compassion from God to help those hurting and in need. I pray I may help those physically, emotionally and spiritually as God allows me to do so.

So you must be wondering by now what was inside my gift?

A precious homemade gift card.

And As I open it, it says……………..

                                                                          
“In your name………….. 5 kids are protected”

With pictures from Compassion of children receiving medical care.

   

Five children are receiving medical care needed and provided by Compassion International due to a simple $20.00 given as a gift in my name by my precious “Secret Sister."  Not only did my secret sister give to missions for me but she gave to something so very dear to my heart. 5 children that are so loved by my Father will receive care from parasites, will receive protection from Malaria, and will receive care for an illness or an injury.

This is a gift, a good gift, one that is so simple but so powerful, that 5 children can be reached and through those 5 a difference can and will be made!

Mother Teresa once said…….

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

    I pray those 5 children touched by Compassion will be the start of many ripples.

I may not be able to travel across the waters to care for those in need, although my prayer is for God to use me and my nursing skills for His purpose and to someday cross those waters and serve Him by caring for His children. But that will be in His timing too.

 Though this gift I not only have been touched but all those I share this with and those of you that read this, I pray you will be touched and I encourage you to pray for those who give and those who receive the gift. 

1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

    Remember this Christmas what the true gift of Christmas really is! Jesus, He came to love, care, heal, die and save each one us. That is the best Gift!

Acts 20:35 - "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

By: Katie Presser

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Please remember the Giver of the perfect gifts this holiday season. Please visit the Compassion catalog to see how you can help make a difference in some body's life.

 

Release One?

Im sooooo excited for the opportunity to Release3 this month!!!

Through the month of October, I will be praying for and advocating these 3 precious members of the Lord's kingdom!!! Please consider sponsoring through Compassion International

Amos Sankara, from Burkina Faso, Africa!!!

Nicole Altagracia Reyes, from Dominican Republic

 

 Marvell Andra Setiawan, from Indonesia

Check back for more details about each of these precious little faces! Please contact me for more information about sponsoring and contributing to the future of a child in poverty, and please read about my sponsorship story HERE!

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute. 

 Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9

Nandudu Breanda

The first photo I received of Breanda

The most recent photo of Breanda

Birthdate: 1/17/2006
Schooling
- US School Grade Equivalent: 1
- School Performance: Average
Family Duties
Washing clothes Gardening/Farming Running errands Making beds Cleaning Carries water Kitchen help
Hobbies and Sport
Dolls Group games Play house Walking Hide-and-Seek Running Art/Drawing Jump rope Singing Listening to music Other ball games Breanda lives in the hillside community of Buyobo, home to approximately 9,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and corrugated iron, grass or banana fiber roofs. The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bananas, fish, cassava, rice, potatoes, greens and goat. Common health problems in this area include malaria, intestinal diseases, respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, skin diseases and high blood pressure. Most adults work as subsistence farmers and earn the equivalent of $6 per month. This community needs tuition assistance, scholastic materials, improved incomes and a recreational center. My sponsorship allows the staff of Buyobo Child Development Center to provide Breanda with Bible lessons, health and dental screenings, immunization, sports, special celebrations, counseling and vocational training. The center staff will also provide meetings, Bible studies and income-generating activities for the parents or guardians of Breanda.
I have been beyond blessed by this opportunity and would love to help you get involved with providing the needs for another child through Compassion International!* Compassion International provides all the information in a booklet like the one in the pictures above and sends updates through email as well as with the letters from your sponsor child! *I receive no compensation or such through this, only the satisfaction of knowing another child's needs are taken care of!

Inspired by Your Love

Stirred by Your people

Awakened by Your calling

Prompted by Your voice

Galvanized by Your commission

Energized by Your promises

Moved by Your presence

Influenced by Your example

Encouraged by Your Word

Motivated by Your sacrifice

Inspired by Your LOVE