As we reflect back over 2017 on the blog, we’re reminded of the One Word that fueled us this year: IGNITE. We shared ways to ignite your compassion, stories of hope, opportunites to act, inspiration for letters to the children you sponsor, and much more. All with the purpose to fuel the fire that God has placed in us. Take […]
Every day, I’m hit with a headline in the news that leaves me feeling helpless. Acts of violence and hate seem to be happening more than ever. Compassion fatigue has hit me big time. I recently stumbled upon Mandisa’s new album, “Out of the Dark,” on Spotify. Her song, “We All Bleed the Same,” couldn’t have encouraged me at a […]
We’re escorted into a Honduran neighborhood with a reputation so dangerous even the police won’t go there, yet we’re welcomed by the gang leaders who control it. We spend the next two hours with Heimi, the community pastor who stares fear in the face every day. He’s like the local Clint Eastwood. Gang leaders love him because he loves their […]
I don’t like being called a millennial. It seems that negative words always follow to describe us. Restless. Unreliable. Always wanting something more, whether that be the next iPhone or next experience. Do millennials want more? Absolutely. And that’s why we take action and are constantly opening new doors. The next generation has this same spirit. They are bold and […]
Sometimes there are stories that just bother you, that rattle your soul, cause a lingering heartache and won’t let go. A few weeks ago, I heard about a tragic event that happened in Ethiopia and it hasn’t left my mind … or my heart. It started with a headline that you will likely never see in any western media outlet: […]
Head to toe. Mind, body, heart and soul. When it comes to releasing a child from the most extreme poverty, it’s important to address a child’s needs holistically. We dig deep into what it takes to make tiny humans “unfold” into healthy people. People who have the right tools to break the negative cycles poverty has brought into their lives. […]
You’ve made it. It’s the end of 2016. And while many of us are shaking the dust off our feet as we’re leaving the old year, it’s wise to take a few moments to look back before entering the new year. These are the most popular blog posts of 2016 with a little extra “behind the scenes” peek at how […]
I’m really proud of our Instagram feed. When I scroll through the images and videos that we’ve shared, here’s the thing I immediately notice: Faces. Instagram is full of faces. Faces of kids. Of families. Of sponsors. Of people. These faces reflect pain and joy and hope. And I think that’s why I notice them – because life is filled […]
It was a perfect December day to listen to Christmas music. I was out running errands, driving in a light, winter snow. A lesser known Christmas song filled the car – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” I’d heard the song on the radio before. But this time I paid attention to the lyrics. And what I heard stunned and saddened […]
If you’re like me, you are welcoming 2017 with open arms. Forget you, 2016. You were hard! Bring it in for a hug, 2017. I will be walking boldly away from a year where our world faced hurt, hate and heartache. But if you’re really like me, you also don’t want to head into the new year without looking back […]
