Faces Of Compassion
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Compassion, Kenya Trip, photos
One of my favorite parts about this trip has been seeing bright, happy faces of all the Compassion sponsored children we’ve met. And ultimately, that’s what this is all about, right? We’re here to tell their story, to release them from poverty through sponsorship.
Here are some of my favorite photos we’ve taken of the children we’ve met this week (photos by myself, Keely Scott, Ryan Detzel, Kristen Welch & Jennifer McKinney). Let these images capture your heart…
Each of these photos represent a child who is sponsored by a Compassion sponsor. Each face represents the hope that Compassion gives. Don’t wait…click here to find children who are still waiting to be sponsored.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 7:15 am and is filed under Blog Posts, Compassion, Kenya Trip, photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Visit My Website
March 9, 2010
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Just curious is it cold there in Africa? I noticed many of the children wearing heavy wool sweaters. I always thought the heat was oppressive there. Please inform us.
Also, I read that Compassion only feeds these starving children ONCE a week? Is that true? How does that help the hungry to eat ONE time a week and rather focus on giving them talks about Jesus instead of food? I don’t get it.
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March 9, 2010
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Beautiful.
I’ve already contacted Compassion International to find out what I need to do to become a Compassion Blogger.
My heart has been ripped open this week.
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March 9, 2010
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The little one with the blue hat and red sweater is adorable. All of these kids are incredible–you can see the love in their eyes. Thanks for sharing these images. Through your photography and story telling, I believe many more children will be released from poverty through sponsorship. Thanks Brad.
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March 9, 2010
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powerful stuff you’ve been blogging Brad — I hope Jennie and I are able to have a similar self-deconstructing experience on our Honduras trip in June.
Godspeed, brother.
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March 9, 2010
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Brad, thank you so much for agreeing to have your heart broken into pieces. Thank you for being brave enough to push yourself past the limits you had previously set. Thank you for sharing it all with us, when I’m sure you really just wanted to sleep and try to forget about the horror you’ve witnessed. Thank you.
Paula – Compassion is an organization that focuses on the WHOLE individual. They assess the needs of each sponsored child’s family and decide the best route from that point. The children are not at the Compassion building on a daily basis being preached at and left to starve. The come to the compulsory program one day a week for a good balanced meal and a lesson about a God who loves them and wants to lift them out of this pit.
During the week, Compassion pays some children’s tuition so that they can go to school (not religious school, academic school) where they learn the skills and knowledge necessary to overcome poverty. During the week, Compassion has programs for their parents that teach money-making skills like nut roasting, jewelry making, and corn roasting. With the help and training from Compassion, these parents are able to turn a profit that pays their mortgage and puts food on the table. (Something that would have been impossible without the help of Compassion.)
For these orphan children, Compassion steps in to pay rent and buy food so that all the children (even the older siblings who are left to parent the younger ones) can attend school and be given a hope for a bright future.
Each family has different needs. Some children have serious medical needs: like heart surgeries and diabetes. Compassion makes sure these children get the medical attention they need to live. Some children have parents who are unemployed and can’t find work, Compassion equips them with skills that will provide for their families. Some children cannot afford the tuition for school (there is no public school system in Kenya, if I understand correctly), so Compassion pays for them to be educated.
Do you see sunken cheeks? Do you see protruding bellies? Do you see children who are grimacing from the pain of a hungry stomach?
No. You see children who are full of joy…children who are obviously being fed enough. Children who are being given *far* more than a belly full of food. They are being given the love of Jesus Christ and a hope for their future.
I hope some of that information helps make it a bit more clear. One meal a week doesn’t sound like much, I agree. You’ve just got to look deeper. Compassion gives the children more than one meal a week and a bunch of Jesus talk. Make sure to visit http://www.compassionbloggers.com/kenya and read all the posts to see the whole spectrum of work being done by Compassion in Kenya.
Visit My Website
March 9, 2010
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Paula – I just read this blog post by another Compassion Blogger, Kristen. I think it will help answer many of your questions!
http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2010/03/day-6-maureen.html
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March 9, 2010
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these pictures capture my favorite thing about africa: the inexplicable joy, hope, and life in people’s eyes and smiles.
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March 9, 2010
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They are so beautiful. So loved.
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March 9, 2010
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This is the very first Compassion Bloggers trip I have followed from beginning to end. I have been SO moved by all the posts and pictures. My family will be choosing a Compassion child to sponsor! God bless you and thank you for sharing such a powerful experience.
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March 9, 2010
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These faces tell the story. Great blogging man. I am moved.
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March 10, 2010
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[...] Faces Of Compassion | Brad Ruggles [...]
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March 11, 2010
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Wow – I mean, really, just wow. Feels like these need to be a poster series for Compassion.
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March 11, 2010
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Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
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March 11, 2010
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Thanks to the entire group that brought Kenya and the plight of these children to us. I missed following the prior trips but did follow ALL the bloggers on this one. I couldn’t just sit and watch, I had to do something.
It takes special people to leave their families behind and do what you did. Blessings to all.
The mission isn’t over but I appreciate all that this entire team did. Thank you.