Giving Tuesday

Today here in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow we celebrate Black Friday - a day dedicated to kicking off the holiday shopping with deep discounts and deals offered at almost every store.

Then Monday rolls around and it's called Cyber Monday - the day you can find great deals on the internet. 

And then....then it's Giving Tuesday.

What is Giving Tuesday? It's a global day dedicated to giving back. It falls on the Tuesday after the American Thanksgiving in response to the massive amounts of consumerism that follows this holiday.

Compassion is attempting to raise enough funds to fully fund a Child Survival Program in Gujarat, India ALL IN ONE DAY....#GivingTuesday!

Why a Child Survival Program in India?  (info taken from Compassion) Because nearly one in every three newborn deaths in the world occurs in India. And because every year, more than two million children under age five die in India.  But we can change that. We can change that in one day. Funding this center means we can:  prepare moms with training to help care for their babies help mothers learn to read and write give children a safe place to learn and grow ensure lifesaving medical care for babies and moms proclaim the hope of God to families living in poverty Friends, I've seen Compassion's Child Survival Program in action in Peru and I can tell you it's making a huge difference in the lives of those who participate.  I've also sent monthly support to a CSP in India for many years and I love partnering with Compassion in this way. It's different in that you are not individually linked to a participant, but the small monthly donation is giving moms and babies a chance to survive those first years of life.  It is such a practical and effective part of Compassion's ministry to children.  Would you join me in supporting this endeavor? You don't even need to wait until Tuesday - you can make a donation NOW.  Compassion released a post called Why Giving Tuesday Matters on their blog last week and you can read it HERE. You can also read more about this endeavor and donate at the website found HERE. all photos courtesy of Compassion

Child Survival Program

Compassion's CHILD SURVIVAL PROGRAM
rescuing, nurturing and discipling little ones

provides care before and after birth for babies (ages 0-5) and moms

HOW:

• prevents illnesses through medical check-ups and immunizations
• provides nutrition that pregnant moms and babies need
• prepares moms with training to care for baby
• proclaims the hope of Jesus to moms and babies living in poverty

photos of children in CSP in Peru

CSP by the numbers...

• 27,343 mothers and babies
• 3,961 mothers came to know Christ this past year
• 621 centers
• 2,662 successful live births this past year

For $20 a month you can support a Child Survival Program. You will not be linked to an individual child, but you will help fund and support the program. You will receive at least one letter a year from a participant in the CSP that you support.

For more information about this program, go HERE or HERE.

CSP Letter

This past week I received a beautiful letter from one of the moms that is involved in the Hope Child Survival Program in India.

I LOVE Compassion's Child Survival Program. Not only have we been sponsors of the Hope CSP in India for the past 3 years, I have seen this program in action in Peru. It is such a wonderful step in the holistic child development that Compassion seeks to administer to all it's participants.

Have you considered supporting Compassion in this way? It's only $20 a month and worth every single penny.

Please read the letter below and then pray about how you might become more involved in CSP.

Kamalam and baby

Dear sponsor, 

Greetings to you in the name of our Savior!

My name is Kamalam and I am 24 years old. My husband's name is Yesudoss. God has blessed us with two children, Immanuel who is 2 years old and Imaani Grace who is 7 months.

I joined Child Survival Program when I was two months pregnant. Before joining Child Survival Program, we were struggling for our livelihood. My husband is a seasonal worker and he doesn't have jobs on rainy days. But after joining CSP, most of our needs were fulfilled. We got fresh vegetables, milk, meat and toiletries like soap, oil, powder and others. 

I was able to deliver my child safely because of the care given by CSP. We also got a small bed for our child, child dress, mosquito net and many more gifts.

In my situation I was not even able to buy milk for my child and we used to have just a single meal a day, but after registering in CSP, we are able to eat healthy food. I was also taught to cook healthy and hygienic food using vegetables and other materials. Now i know the importance of giving balanced diet to my children.

Since the drinking water is not safe in our community, we were given water filters from the program. The program has also given us a mosquito net. We were given awareness on prevention from diseases. Above everything we are able to know about God and we know that our life is in the hands of God and He will grant us a bright future. 

I've finished my 12th grade and I wished to study further but because of my family situation, I couldn't do it, but I am sure I will be able to give my children good education because of Compassion. 

I kindly request you to pray for my house, as we are living in a thatched house. It becomes difficult during the rains such that we cannot even sleep in our house. 

I want to thank you for all your support and love; it is your sponsorship through CSP and prayer that has helped us to live better. May God bless you as you have been a blessing. 

                                                                                    With Love, Kamalam

If you do sponsor a CSP, I would love to know where!

Global Impact Tour ~ Compassion's CSP in Sri Lanka

I have been posting monthly about the 58: Global Impact Tour and I am very excited about this month's destination and cause....

Compassion's Child Survival Program in Sri Lanka

Here is a video that will help you understand what CSP does...

The goal is to raise $25,000 ~ and there is an anonymous donor who will match that! Can you give $25? 

Can you commit to fasting and praying on Wednesday, November 28th? (or any other day?)

Compassion is one of ten international ministry partners in this initiative. This is the second time they have been featured this year and I'm very excited about it.

The Child Survival Program is a beautiful program that ministers to the littlest children (ages 0-3) and their care givers. If completely successful, it can eliminate the need for the child to enter the second phase of Compassion's ministry - child sponsorship. I think it is so cool that Compassion is taking steps to eliminate the need for child sponsorship.

But more than anything, CSP allows a child the chance to survive and thrive.

Here is another great video featuring Wess Stafford, CEO of Compassion International.

Babies

Do you know about Compassion's Child Survival Program? This is a wonderful, short video that it explains it so well ~ and it's full of beautiful babies!!




The Child Survival Program is such a beautiful program. I've seen it in action in Peru. I've done a CSP home visit and seen how much the mother, her young daughter and her unborn child were benefitting.

Although you aren't linked with an individual family or child, nor do you have the opportunity write letters, you do occasionally receive letters from a mother who is benefiting from the program.

At only $20 month, you can help a baby thrive, not just survive.

A Letter From Hope Child Survival Program in India

I recently received a letter from one of the mothers who attends Hope Child Survival Program in India.

I love Compassion's Child Survival Program. CSP targets pregnant women and babies (ages 0-5) and their caregivers. The whole purpose of CSP is that these young lives have a better chance at survival, despite their desperate circumstances.

For $20 a month, you can sponsor a CSP that runs through a local church, just like Compassion's CDSP (Child Development Sponsorship Program).

Mothers and babies come to the local church and receive help - educationally, socially, spiritually and physically. Compassion CSP staff also do home visits and help the mother's understand what their child needs for basic development. When I was in Peru in August of 2010, I got to see all of this....CSP in the church and a home visit.

Unlike CDSP, you are not linked to an individual child or mother when you sponsor CSP. Instead, your monthly sponsorship supports the entire CSP you have chosen. Periodically, you will receive a letter from one of the mothers, and this is what I have to share with you today.

Dear sponsor, 

Loving greetings in the name of our Lord! I am fine here by God's grace. 

My name is S. Kokila. I am in the Child Survival Program for the past one year and 11 months. I got registered with CSP when I was eight months pregnant. I share your faith in our Lord.

My husband's name is S. Sambath. He is coolie, daily wager for manual labor. He doesn't get joy daily. He works when ever he gets job. We can only expect Rs. 2000 per month (equals US $38.93). I have one female child. Her name is Syndhya, the CSP child. She is one year and eight months old. Her birth weight was 3.5 kg (7.7 pounds). She is healthy.
We live in a small house that was government constructed. Wall is build of bricks and cement. Roof is of cement. I, my husband and my child are living in this house. There is gas stove and gas cylinder given by the government. We have a steel bureau. We get municipality water near our house. We use this water for cooking and drinking. 

My husband is a drunkard. He spends maximum of money he earns for drinking alcohol. Since he comes home often drinking alcohol, we used to quarrel always. There is no peace in our house. My husband doesn't worry about me and my child. There is no one with me to help me. Only God is my help. I was very much worried about my future. In this situation I came to know about the CSP from a sister near our house. Then I came to church and met pastor and got registered in CSP.

After getting registered with CSP, they gave me the child care materials. We get milk every day. We get chicken monthly once. We get weaning food monthly twice. We also receive hygiene supplies, such as soap, coconut oil, baby powder, disinfecting soap and shampoo, to keep us hygiene. We also received floor mat, bed sheet, water filter, milk cooker and family mosquito net. We received Christmas gift of dress for my child, sari for me, sweets and cake. 

Because of my family situation, before getting registered with Child Survival Program I used to worry that how to grow up my child and how I am going to meet the needs of my child. I was afraid how I am going to grow up my child like the other child in this community. Because there was no sufficient income for my family, there were many problems always. We were not able to eat food three times a day. After getting registered with CSP I don't worry for any thing. Since I and my child get all the necessary items from the CSP. We receive milk daily. We are able to eat healthy food from the vegetables and other materials and with material that we get in less rate in our market. Because of this I and my child are able to eat healthy food. We drink pure water since we got water filter from the program. We are also protected from mosquito since we received mosquito net and bed sheet. From awareness given in the program I came to know how to protect myself and my child from diseases. CSP is a blessing for me.
Now I can grow up my child very well. I have faith that God will help me. Now I am very happy. I thank God for giving me an opportunity to get registered with CSP and to get this help from the program.

My child should study well. I want my child to become a doctor. 

I thank God for giving us good sponsors. I also thank the sponsors for all the helps they do. I am praying for you all. May God bless you.
                                                                                                                Yours lovingly,
                                                                                                                 Kokila

This is what Compassion's Child Survival Program does ~ it offers hope to mother's and their babies. If CSP is successful, Syndhya will reach her 5th birthday with no problem. If CSP is really successful, Syndhya will no longer needs Compassion's assistance as she will have been released from poverty in Jesus' name. Otherwise, she will be registered for the next level of Compassion's ministry, CDSP, where she will be linked to an individual sponsor (like you or me). 

Want to know more about CSP? You can read more on Compassion's website or the CSP website.

Do you sponsor a CSP? If so, I would love to know where. 

Bursting With Praise

Last night our church hosted a showing of 58: the film. If you have not seen this film, please go to www.live58.org and request a screening kit. The film challenges, inspires and excites me in this fight to end extreme poverty.

Although 58: is not a film about Compassion, the ministry of Compassion is so beautifully seen throughout the film. Before the viewing, I spoke a bit about the alliance created by ten international ministries, and then pointed out how they would see the work of Compassion in the film. At the bottom of this post I will write out what I said in case you want to use it as a reference for your own showing. After the film, I invited everyone respond. In the lobby I had set up a display....

I had a mosquito net hanging over a cot as a visual demonstration for Bite Back. The little kids loved this and many came and asked what this was for. 

I also had child packets, brochures for CSP and a Safe Water system for people to try.

This is what the water inside the bucket looked like - straight from our rain barrel. It tasted surprisingly good - just like it was out of the tap.

 

I'm bursting with praise because our church was ready for this message. Within minutes, 5 of the 6 child packets were taken. When I got home, the remaining child was spoken for! We also received donations for 5 mosquito nets and all the Water of Life forms were taken.

6 children. Plus 2 that were sponsored last week.

8 new children have sponsors.

Now...here's the script I used.

Welcome to 58:  This initiative, this film is based on the 58th chapter of Isaiah. There is an alliance of 10 international ministries that are behind this initiative. They are considered experts in the fight against poverty around the world. They include: Micah Challenge, Plant With Purpose, Living Water, ECHO, World Relief, Hope International, Food for the Hungry, International Justice Mission, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and Compassion International.

Is there anyone here tonight that is a representative of one of these ministries? (this allows others to share about their ministry).

I am here tonight as a member of this church, as a member of the body of Christ and as a representative of Compassion International.

This film is not about Compassion International and yet you will see the work of Compassion throughout the film. You will see and hear from Dr. Wess Stafford. He is the CEO of Compassion and also the executive producer of this film.

You will hear the story of the pastor of a church in a Kenyan slum. You will hear how his church is reaching out the children of his community. This is Compassion at work through the local church.

You will hear how expectant mothers, babies and their caregivers in India are receiving education, supplemental nutrition and vocational training. This is Compassion's Child Survival Program.

You will also be introduced to two families in India. Both fathers are bonded laborers in the quarry system. The one father will leave a legacy of bonded labor to his children, their children and their children. The other father is working hard to pay off his debt. He has hope because his daughter is able to go to school and attends a project through her local church that provides her the support she needs to be successful. His wife is also getting vocational training through this project. This is Compassion's sponsorship program.

**************************then we showed the film**********************

Now that you know, what will you do?

Although the message of this film is heavy, I hope you leave here tonight challenged, inspired, excited and hopeful. God is calling us, as a church, to be part of this work and that is exciting!

Before you leave, please take a look in the lobby for some ways to respond. I have children available for sponsorship and for $38 a month you will be put in a one on one relationship with a child. There are brochures for Child Survival Program and for $20 a month you can sponsor one of these programs. For a one time donation of $10 you can provide a mosquito net for a child living in a high risk area for malaria. And although Compassion is not the water expert for this initiative, they have created a safe water system that will provide a lifetime of safe drinking water for a family - this is a one time donation of $55.

As you leave here tonight, I ask you to read the words of Isaiah 58. Meditate of them and pray. Ask God to guide you in a way to respond.

CSP Home Visit - Peru

...more from my trip ~ August 2010

After our presentations, we divided into smaller groups and did CSP home visits. Each group was assigned a project staff worker and a translator. Compassion had already put together a home gift for us to take (food and hygiene basics), and we divided those up as well.

Each CSP participant (mother/child unit) attends the CSP at the church twice a week. Twice a month, the CSP worker does a home visit. During this home visit, the CSP worker works with the child and mother and evaluates the progress. The mother is given assignments, things to work on with the child between the visits, and the mother and worker are able to talk about the child's progress and responsiveness. Each home visit ends with Scripture reading and prayer - a demonstration of the spiritual focus of Compassion's ministry. To illustrate the significance of Compassion's evangelism, during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, 3,746 mothers made first time professions of faith!

Here are some examples of homes we saw on our way to the home visit.

Up these stairs is the home we visited.


We went to the home of Dina and Estefany (age 2). Dina's husband lives with them as well as their 8 yr. old son. Dina is also 6 months pregnant with their third child. I love that because of her participation in CSP with Estefany, her unborn child is also benefitting! Dina is getting proper nutrition and is learning how to take care of herself and her child. This will undoubtedly transfer to her newborn baby. It is a wonderful example of how Compassion's ministry extends to the whole family.

Dina was so gracious and thankful that we could come to her home. How can I describe the home? The walls were made of thin plywood and the roof consisted of a blue tarp, some cardboard and pieces of tin. There was electricity in the home, but no running water. They have to walk up the hill to collect water and bring it down in buckets, filling their water containers. They did have an outhouse, but it was located in another part of the village - away from the home.
The house consisted of an outside seating area, a small room with a bed, table and small oven/stove, another outside area between the two structures (rooms) and the final room with another bed. What an eye opening experience.
Here are some pictures of the home. In one of these you will see the food shelf with hardly any food on it. I was thankful we were able to deliver a basket of food to her.





This is the main room

This is the area between the two rooms

This is the back room





Here is a picture of this particular church that houses Compassion's CSP and CDSP.

Monday in Peru

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:5

from my journal...August, 23, 2010
How do I even begin to process today? After a good night's rest and delicious breakfast in our hotel, we boarded the bus and drove north to a Compassion project. The hills are sandy with very few rocks, and squatters set up their communities in the hills. The further we got from Lima, the more extreme the poverty became. Many houses in these communities do not have electricity or running water.

It was a very strange feeling as we pulled up into the Peruvian slum in our big bus. We were clean, well-dressed, bellies full and many had cameras around their necks. Many in our group got off the bus and began taking pictures of the people and houses nearby. The bus was not parked outside the church as the roads leading to the church were too crude for a big bus, so the people we were initially seeing may or may not have been part of the church and Compassion's project. I had this overwhelming feeling that we were being "those Americans", smiling and snapping pictures. I know our motivation is pure. As advocates we want to document and share the great need that is so prevalent, but I also really want to respect these people and not rob them of their dignity. They are not on display or here for our entertainment. Their situation is very real and this life is all they know. Because of the internal conflict I was experiencing, I did not take too many photos outside the Compassion project or home visit we did.

When we arrived at the church, some of the young CSP children were dressed in costumes, holding American flags, waiting to welcome us.

The particular church and Compassion center we were visiting today houses CSP, CDSP and has been the recipient of CIV funds. The focus of our morning was learning more about CSP. Compassion's CSP has four areas of focus: physical, social emotional, intellectual and spiritual. We learned specifically how these areas of focus are implemented by hearing from the CSP staff, looking at the beautiful display they had and doing a CSP home visit (more on this later).
I was amazed at how much of what they do, I take for granted. In the physical area, they teach nutrition and hygiene. In the social emotional area, they seek to improve self-esteem by celebrating kids birthdays and graduations, provide photo albums and take photos of the children as they grow and provide developmental toys for the children to use at home. For intellectual focus, they not only help the children develop through academics and skills, they also help the mothers learn how to make things (crafts) to generate extra income. They passed around sample items and we were all impressed with the quality. Finally and most importantly, in the spiritual area, they disciple the mothers, doing Bible studies at the center and in the home. They also baptize mothers when they become believers. Each child receives a children's Bible and each mother receives a Bible to have in the home.

After the CSP presentation, we were encouraged to visit the classrooms (stimulation rooms). In the first classroom I went in, the children were learning how to cut with scissors. I loved listening to the teacher sing a little song about cutting as she encouraged the children to keep trying. What a joy to watch the mothers and children working and learning together. They also did a little music and played different toy instruments.

I visited the next classroom where mothers and children were playing with educational toys. I love this picture of the toothbrushes and washcloths - a visible sign of the physical focus of Compassion's ministry. I noticed there were toothbrushes in every classroom of the student centers we visited.

The Child Survival Program exists to ensure children are surviving and thriving, so that by age 4 they can enter the Child Development Sponsorship Program. CSP sponsorship is only $20 a month, and I cannot recommend it enough. You will not have an individual child matched up to you, but you will receive letters and updates from the mothers and pastors participating in the CSP you support. Each CSP aims to serve 50 mother/child units, ranging in age from pregnancy to age 3 or 4.

Our family sponsors a CSP in India and have enjoyed being able to support the most vulnerable of the poor. Please prayerfully consider CSP sponsorship, especially if you are wanting to do more, but can't afford to sponsor another child or aren't particularly good at writing letters to your children.