Fair Trade Month

In honor of Fair Trade Month, I have decided to post a picture of Fair Trade products each day.

Of course, I'm already behind. I did take a picture yesterday, I just didn't get it on here.

So, today gets two pictures.

I got excited about this product because the last time I tried traveling with bananas it didn't go so well. This would be less messy to pack.

For more info about Green Mountain Coffee click here.

Dreams for the future

I hear people talk about having dreams for the future. 

But, what does that mean?

I dream there will be food tomorrow, that I won't have to dig in the dirt for scraps dropped during yesterday's meal.

I dream of having the energy to hold my head upright. 

I dream that we can somehow get the medicine for this disease that is making my mother waste away.

I dream about having a school uniform so I can attend classes.

I dream of shoes so my feet won't get cut when I walk to get water.

Are those dreams for the future?

Is that what people mean?

The above is loosely based on some families that I love. I hope you get the picture of what thousands of children face every single day.

If you would like to make a difference in a child's life, please check out Compassion. So many are waiting for sponsors. 

Compassion Pinterest Contest

Compassion has announced a new contest.

It has something to do with this little thing on the internet called Pinterest. I know, you've never heard of it. It's so small and not many people know anything about it.

But, just in case you are one of the few, this contest is for you.

Click here for the details of the contest.

Have fun!

Spread the word!

Get some kids sponsored!

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the ultimate Father, the One that can be depended on completely and totally.

Thank You for loving me without reservation. I don't deserve it or understand it. You are the God of the universe - all knowing, all seeing. It makes no sense You would have time for me. I'm so thankful You do. Thankful that You don't have to make time for me. You just are there, always, forever.

Thank You for Grabiela and Eudi and their involvement in Compassion. May they bloom, grow, and flourish in their programs. May their involvement change their families and neighborhoods for good.

I ask that You fill them with a deep knowledge of You so they can grow up understanding the way You work and move in their lives and everything around them. Help them understand Your ways are not their ways early in life. Help them walk in a way that honors You and bears good fruit.

Thank You for protecting them. 

Thank You for allowing our family to be a part of their lives.

Thank You that even though we are separated by many miles our families can know nothing can separate us from Your love.

Thank You for being You.

Take a look

This is the page I need you to visit. It's a very important page. It is filled with cute kids that need to be prayed over and SPONSORED!

You don't have to sponsor a child to look at this page. You don't have to sponsor a child to pray over them.  But, it would be nice if you could.

Look over the page.

Does a child jump out at you?
Does a country jump out at you?
Does a symbol jump out at you?

Pray for that child.
Pray for the care centers in that country.
Pray for the situation that symbol represents.

Look. Pray. Sponsor if you can.

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.

Do you want to play a game?

So, I got asked to play a game.  I already knew that I would lose.  The name of the game is Survive125.  Standing in the grocery store yesterday, looking for healthy things to put in my body, I thought about the game and knew there was no way I could do it.  And that broke my heart, because nearly 1.3 billion people are faced with this challenge everyday and it isn't a game to them.  It's life.

I actually teared up while playing the game.  Faces of people I love and other images were flashing across my brain.  I saw water barrels sitting by the street waiting for clean water to be delivered.  No money?  No water.  I saw children dressed in rags that sort of looked like school uniforms.  No uniform?  No school.  I saw children so hungry they can't lift their heads and their eyes are dull.  No food?  No life.

Do you think this is how it has to be?  The people behind this video say no. 

58: is a global initiative to end extreme poverty by living out Isaiah 58.  Don't know about the Fast of Isaiah 58?  Well, grab your Bible or read about it here.

Also, 58: isn't trying to reinvent the wheel.  They partner with organizations that have proven track records.  Two of my favorites are in the mix:  Compassion International and International Justice Mission.

My challenge to you is for you to play the game.  See how long you can last on $1.25 a day.  I only made it to Day 14.  I started crying before I ran out of money.