A Pebble in a Pond

 

I have a confession to make. I’m jealous of the Compassion bloggers who are in the Dominican Republic this week. I’ve been home from there a month now, having gone as one of the first bloggers on a sponsor tour. And I miss it! I miss the country. I miss the children. I miss my fellow travelers. I miss our hosts and translators.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this girl.

 

I was part of the song group for our Sunday morning activities at the center, and she sat near the front. I shared lunch and hugs–and my phone–with her after church. She was one of my divine appointments that day–I’m sad I can’t even remember her name. (But God knows.) We played Skip-Bo and Candy Crush, and then she asked if she could take photos.

 

 

But of course.

And I took pictures of her taking pictures and videos.

 

Here’s the thing. Children in the DR are just like children anywhere. They love electronics. But they also need to know they are seen and that they have value. They need words that build them up and not tear them down. Many are so wounded and come from so much pain and brokenness. Some have never heard the words, “you are loved” or “I love you.” They need to know it’s safe to dream, and they need encouragement to reach for their dreams.

Dr. Wess Stafford, president emeritus of Compassion International, writes in his book, Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most…

You won’t know until eternity, but your single act of kindness might not only change the little life standing before you; it might resonate for generations . . .

Your small pebble in the pond of one child’s life may send out ripples that eventually transform many others. I’m convinced that heaven will be full of such delightful surprises for those who were quietly faithful and sensitive.

If God places a child before you, and you are too busy to wield either a positive or negative influence… you just did the latter! You communicated that the child doesn’t matter and isn’t important.

Compassion International currently serves about 55,000 children in 164 projects in the Dominican Republic. These kids come from extreme poverty, where their family or caregiver makes less than $2.00 a day. For $38 a month, or slightly more than a dollar a day, one can pour into one child’s life and give them hope. For that $38 a month one can transform a life that may transform others.

That one could be you.

So how about following the stories these bloggers are sharing? How about letting the photos of some of these children stand before you. How about letting God lead you to sponsoring a child from the Dominican Republic this week and showing them they matter? And if you do, using this link this week, you could receive a free Lisa Leonard necklace.

 

 

In the stillness,

Sandy

Read other posts about my own trip to the DR here.