Search Results for: nicaragua

My first letter from Cesar since I met him in Nicaragua!
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My first letter from Cesar since I met him in Nicaragua!

  I got the sweetest letter last week.  One that melted my heart. It was from my sweet Cesar, the child I sponsor through Compassion International.   Just reading his letter brought back a flood of memories, and I was drawn to pictures saved on my computer of that once in a lifetime trip I…

A Place of Safety–Nicaragua Day 4
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A Place of Safety–Nicaragua Day 4

Being around the beautiful children of Nicaragua for the past week has made me reflect on my own childhood.  My childhood stands in stark contrast to the childhoods of the children who live in poverty in Nicaragua.

Here are some examples…

Every night as a child, I would lay my head on my soft pillow as my mom pulled up my warm blankets and tucked them tightly underneath my chin.

Children in poverty have beds that are made of wooden slats, cardboard boxes, or even worse, a dirty cold floor.

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As a child, I hate three delicious meals a day, with snacks in between.

Some children of poverty are fortunate to get one meal a day.

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My parents had good jobs that produce enough money for us to have a nice house, two cars, new clothes, and lots of toys.

Their parents pick through trash all day in hopes to bring home a dollar.  If they are lucky, one parent may have a job as a street vendor or security guard.  However, the money they make isn’t enough to cover even the very basic of needs for their children.

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Growing up, I was scared of spiders, getting my ears pierced, and the boogie man.

Children of poverty are scared of starving, getting trapped in sex trafficking, and the violence right outside their door.

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Our childhoods, when compared, are like night and day.

Except for one thing…

True Beauty – Nicaragua Day 3
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True Beauty – Nicaragua Day 3

Have you ever seen a flower growing out of a crack in the ground and wondered how in the world it was growing there?

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How in the world did that tender shoot break through the hard ground and stretch out petals that displayed such splendor?

Despite all odds, that sweet little flower stands tall and reaches its full potential.

Today, I saw something even more amazing than that determined little flower.

I saw true beauty beginning to bloom.

Compassion Bloggers Nicaragua 2013 - Project 111 - Day 3

I saw it in the faces of these amazing young ladies.  They are sponsored children from the Compassion project we visited today, and they are learning how to do manicures through Compassion’s vocational training.

Much like the flower breaking through the hard ground, these young ladies are breaking through the cycle of poverty.  It’s not gonna be easy for them to bloom.  But Compassion is giving them the tools they need to do it.

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As I sat down at the table for them to paint my nails, I felt so much love for them.  I wondered if they new how truly beautiful they were?  I wondered if they knew how precious they were in HIS sight?

Things are Changing! _– Nicaragua Day Two
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Things are Changing! _– Nicaragua Day Two

“We believe that Jesus’ word changes people and it is powerful,” said the pastor of the church that works hand-in-hand with Compassion’s center NI-186.

Compassion Bloggers Nicaragua 2013 - Project 186 - Day 2

I shook my head in agreement with him and almost let out a loud “AMEN!”  For I know that God’s word IS powerful, and it has changed me.

He continued saying in is beautiful native language and with a smile on his face, “This community looks totally different from two years ago.  Things are changing.”

“Families are being restored.”

“Children are dreaming of becoming someone.”

Compassion Bloggers Nicaragua 2013 - Project 186 - Day 2

Pointing his finger to his temple he said, “Their minds are beginning to change.  They are beginning to understand that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.”

Man!  I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as I listened to him.

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He said that the work of God through Compassion is not only changing the lives of children, but changing entire families!

Don’t you yearn to be a part of that kind of change?  To work hard at something and see it make a difference?  How exciting it is when we see the fruits of our labor!

I saw the fruits of Compassion’s labor today.

I saw it in this young man.

Meet my sponsored child, Cesar.

Compassion Bloggers Nicaragua 2013 - Project 186 - Day 2

The Body of Christ – Nicaragua Day One
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The Body of Christ – Nicaragua Day One

Hola, Amigos!  Smile

I made it safely to Nicaragua, and I am so glad I get to share this journey with you.  Thank you so much for praying for me, and I treasure your continual prayers for me and my team as we spend the week here in Nicaragua.

My heart has already been touched in so many ways, and we have only been here one day.

I am so honored to share with you what I have seen and experienced today.

My first thought that I want to share with you is that we serve a BIG GOD!  And the same God that loves all of His people in the United States is the same God that loves His people in Nicaragua.  His love is everywhere!

It has been so beautiful to see God’s love radiate from the people that work with Compassion International to release children from poverty.

I was especially touched by the words of this man,  Dennis Sanchez .  He is the pastor of the church that partners with the Compassion Project NI-155 that we visited today.

Compassion Bloggers Nicaragua 2013 - Project 155 - Day 1

Every time he spoke, he brought tears to my eyes.  He spoke with such love and passion for the children of Nicaragua.

He shared with us the name that they chose for the Compassion Project {center} that his church works hand-in-hand with…

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“Hands of Compassion”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
He made reference to the scripture in 1 Corinthians 12:12…

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”

Compassion serves as the hands of Jesus to the children of Nicaragua.

The wonderful people of Compassion serve these children by providing for their

social/emotional needs, physical needs, cognitive needs, and most importantly, their spiritual needs.

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They work tirelessly, day in and day out, to provide for these children.

But the body of Christ is made up of more than just hands.

This week, it is my prayer that I, along with the other bloggers, will serve as the feet of Jesus and the voice of the children of Nicaragua.

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As we walk in the footsteps of the children of Nicaragua, it is my prayer that we serve them by sharing their voices to you, our readers.

Today, our feet took us to “the dump.”

Compassion Bloggers Nicaragua 2013 - Project 155 - Day 1

I have truly never seen anything like it.  Five times a day, a large truck dumps the city trash in this area.

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