Compassion, Fried Plantains, letters and such

I've recently gotten letters from my Compassion kids.  Apparently Plantains with Salami is a popular dish in the Dominican Republic.  Now I'm wondering how the plantains are prepared.  And Eury likes to eat Fried Plantain with Spaghetti.  Fascinating.  Not a combination I would have thought of.

Grabiela is now able to write her letters.  She drew a little pair of red lips for her kiss and asked for prayer for her dad because he isn't a Christian.

Eury says he wants to learn to draw and that his family is very happy.  He drew and colored a picture of his center with two little smiling people beside it. 

I've been bouncing around in my brain trying to come up with a stunning reason our family sponsors two Compassion children.  And, just to keep it simple:  It's the right thing to do.

And, why do I blog about Compassion and the kids we sponsor?  It's the right thing to do.

If I can get one more child sponsored or make a person aware of the many layers of Compassion then that is beyond delightful.  

Compassion changes people.  Not just the child in the program, but also family members.  That's HUGE.  That's how vicious cycles get broken.  That's how hope stays alive.

You can become a Compassion blogger.  Just click here to find out how.  They've made it very simple.  I like simple.  I need simple.  Click on that Join The Network button in the top left corner and it will walk you through the steps.

Oh, and here is a Fried Plantain recipe from Aunt Clara's Kitchen:  Dominican Cooking.  I still haven't come across one that combines them with spaghetti, but I'm thinking there's probably no marinara sauce involved.

Exciting Stuff - Follow This Tour

Compassion International kicks off a new tour tomorrow. This time the bloggers are headed to the Dominican Republic! That is where my sponsored children live. And today one of them turns 4 years old. Happy Birthday!

I'm really looking forward to following all the blogs to see how this trip moves and changes those involved.

I Got Another Letter...

on Saturday from a very special little lady. It is my second letter from this special one. I found we have something in common. We both like la playa. Her mother bought her a "safeguard to swim in the beach." I'm so glad she has a safeguard. I hope it doesn't make her too brave in the water. She also sent me kisses and hugs. Those made me giddy!

I sent her some pictures to color for her mom. They're about Jesus loving the little children. Hope she has fun with them.

Compassion made these exchanges possible for me and my little lady in the Dominican Republic. You can look and find a little one to support financially and spiritually.

My friends, Matt and Kristen, support a boy in Africa. With the $25 they sent for his birthday he bought a mattress, a pair of stockings, a big bar of soap, and a bag of salt. He sent them a picture of him grinning as he held his birthday purchases. Also, due to their monthly sponsorship he is now in school. Yes!

Many children have been waiting longer than 6 months for sponsors. Take a look. We have so much compared to these. I encourage you to find one to sponsor.

I'm so thankful Compassion has given us the opportunity to reach out to these special kids.

It's Coming!

Compassion Bloggers Dominican Republic 2008 Promo from Compassion Bloggers on Vimeo.

I Got A Letter

I got my first letter from four-year old Grabiela. She writes she is attending church with her brother who is learning pantomime.

I have no idea what that means, but I love it.

Go to Compassion and find a child to sponsor. Then you can get a special letter from your sponsored child.

Phil and I are once again with child!

Hold your horses! Put down the phone! I don't mean that way. You don't have to call us and give us a lecture. Yes, we know what causes it. Me, walking too close to a Compassion International table and seeing the sweetest little face looking back. It is all Nathan and Cassie Tasker's fault! She was on their table at one of his concerts.

Her name is Grabiela Maria. She is tiny. I fell for her picture and then I saw she was from the Dominican Republic and that sealed the deal as far as I was concerned. Phil had to be consulted. Our Jason is from the Dominican Republic. They are from different areas and look very different. But, both are as adorable as they can be.

Corinn got a letter from her little girl in Guatemala and it was so sweet that we both teared up reading it. She has been sick and asked Corinn to pray for her because the doctor is concerned about her weight. Then she said that Corinn is beautiful, she loves her and wants her to visit her in Guatemala. If it were possible we would have both been on a plane so fast our heads would still be spinning.

If you can, sponsor a child through Compassion. There is no way you will regret it.

Compassion gave me Jason

Well, actually, they didn't give him to me. That would be illegal and unethical. But, they did make it possible for me to sponsor Jason. We now write each other and pray for each other's families. I "found" Jason at a Planet Wisdom Conference. There were at least two tables covered with pictures of children that needed to be sponsored. As I poured over them Jason caught my eye. He didn't look like any of the other kids. And he reminded me of one of my favorite little guys, Joel. So, that is how my relationship with Jason began. He lives in the Dominican Republic with his mother. His father is deceased. He enjoys going to church. Recently he went with Compassion to the city. They visited the zoo and he rode a horse. I love getting letters from him and seeing his sweet thoughts.

My 15 year old is with child!

I could not let the Spears clan one up me, so I am announcing with great pride that my almost 16 year old has a child. Her name is Laura. She is five years old and lives in Guatemala. Corinn found her at Mitch McVicker's concert a couple of weeks ago. Since Rinn has a good paying job teaching kids to flip and flop (and I don't mean like a politician) she decided to start sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

Phil and I sponsor Jason from the Dominican Republic. He writes the sweetest letters. In his last letter he said he was learning about God everyday and asked us to pray for his mother and sisters. His village is in the mountains and was not damaged by the hurricane. Someday I hope to meet him and his family.

There are thousands of children around the world that need sponsors. Pick yours out today. It will do you both a lot of good.