Perspective

Watch this video.  It will blow you away:

They're eating dirt, my friends. DIRT.  Can you fathom this?  (Thanks to Anne for the link.)

Compassion has a strong presence in Haiti (and incidentally, at this very moment I'm writing this post, there are 76 children from Haiti waiting for Compassion sponsors.  Click here to sponsor one.)

Here's this update directly from them:

Compassion Haiti has maintained regular communications with our Field-Based Partnership Facilitators who are meeting with project staff regarding the individual circumstances of each Compassion-assisted child. 

Currently, Compassion projects and children have not been directly affected by starvation, looting or violence, though Compassion families are affected by the high rate of inflation.

All Compassion Haiti project activities have resumed after being temporarily suspended as a preventive measure.

Please continue to pray for God’s provision and favor in Haiti.

We watched the above video as a family last night, and we prayed together, specifically for the work of Compassion in this nation.  One of my sons prayed, "God, I just don't think I realized how bad the poverty was in the world.  But I see now."

When you sponsor a Compassion child, they're not the only ones whose lives are changed.

Comments

[Katie]

That gave me chills. I've never been to Haiti but I've been to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip and I sponser a child there. Its hard for us to complain about high gas and food when there are others eating dirt. Wow...

[Laura]

That is where my Compassion child, Frantz, lives. I am overwhelmed with emotion right now. I can only pray that he and his precious family are safe.

[ukrainiac]

And when you sponsor a child and BLOG about it, or post these videos...even MORE lives are changed. Thanks, Shannon.

[Lauren]

Compassion is such a cool organization in that you get to feel personally connected to the child you sponsor. When my little girl in Guatamala writes me letters, she mentions things, gifts, she was given as a result of the money Compassion sponsors give.

[Lauren]

Compassion is such a cool organization in that you get to feel personally connected to the child you sponsor. When my little girl in Guatamala writes me letters, she mentions things, gifts, she was given as a result of the money Compassion sponsors give.

[Corey]

Five of my kids are adopted from Haiti, all have suffered the effects of chronic malnutrition. Here's a link to a youtube video I made about it: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fFvKWCDNNWE

[ToddleBits]

Thank for being involved with, and spreading the word about, this organization. My brother spent time in Haiti when he was in the military and is forever changed by what he saw there. We live with such abundance that it's so easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Again, thank you.

[Tricia]

I saw a story on this on the national news. It brought tears to my eyes. Our girl (through Compassion) is from Haiti.

We are considering getting an older boy from there as well.

Dirt.

I can't even fathom...

[Sta]

Wow. That's chilling. Thanks for sharing it. You educated me.

[Minnesotamom]

Wow, that's nuts. I am so glad for organizations like Compassion that are making a difference among the poorest of the poor. We, as Christians, need to provide help in times like this. It's not the government's job. It's ours.

[franticallysimple]

I don't even know what to say. That's truly horrifying. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll be praying for them.

[kristin]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. That is where our compassion child Ricardo is... praying for him and all of the others suffering! I began sponsoring Ricardo when you started talking about going to Uganda, Shannon, and I feel guiltily lucky to be living where I do, very comfortably in comparison to so many people in this world (I type this by the beach on vacation, in fact), and to be able to help out someone... I speak (and teach) French and hope to pay Ricardo a visit next summer. I want you to know that you have been a blessing to me, and to countless others. Thank you.

[Amanda- VintageDutchGirl]

WOW. We are praying...

[Christine @ Serenity How?]

This is just so sad. Thank you for helping to get the word out.

[Kristine]

I just have to chime in about a fabulous biography of a man who's making a huge difference in Haiti and worldwide, Dr. Paul Farmer. The book is called Mountains Beyond Mountains, and it's so inspirational and moving. It reminds you that touching people one person at a time can make a difference.

[Allison]

Oh, how awful! Thanks for sharing that link...it's terrible to think of how life is for so many people. Certainly makes you (the general "you")second-guess any complaints you may have about your life, doesn't it?

Wow. Thanks again for sharing that. My heart aches for those people.

[Melanie]

Now there is one less child eating dirt.

Thank you.

[Christy]

I sponsored a child in Uganda while you and your other fellow bloggers where in there. Seeing this makes my heart ache but also it reminds me to pray unceasingly for those families and children. I am so blessed to have Catherine (my sponsored child) in my life and I pray that those children have someone soon. Thank you for sharing that video and making me uncomfortable. I am going to share this with my family and friends.

Blessings to you and your family.

[Marni]

Wow... I don't even know what else to say. How sad. :(

[Elicia]

Thank you so much for telling others about Haiti. Our baby girl is in an orphanage in Haiti and we have been trying desperately for over a year and a half to get her home. When we travel to Haiti, we are just overwhelmed with love and affection for these amazing people. Haiti is such a wonderful country, but so impoverished, and so forgotten by the rest of the world. Half of the children die before they reach the age of 5, and the world has just forgotten them. Please pray for Haiti, and please don't forget them.
www.babyjellybeans.com Abigail Zahm

[Rebecca]

Shannon, Thank you so very much for sharing and educating us on the poverty that strikes so many. You have strengthened my resolve to be less of a "consuming" family in all that we do. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Rebecca]

Shannon, Thank you so very much for sharing and educating us on the poverty that strikes so many. You have strengthened my resolve to be less of a "consuming" family in all that we do. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Ali........]

Horrible! We should appreciate each day we have and appreciate our tables filled with food.

[noochymama]

i am heading to haiti for a mission in may. i am glad you posted this video. it is hard to comprehend what we will be walking in to. i'd appreciate your prayers!

[Starlooks Boutique]

I wonder if sponsoring a child really helps though. I mean where are the dollars being spent>? Most people probably do not sponsor a child because of their weariness. I will definitely look into it though and probably try. Eating dirt to survive doesn't sound like much fun and while we complain about our gas prices I am very thankful to be living in America. We truly are a blessed nation...

[Carolina Mama]

Thanks for sharing and making us aware. We'll pray, pass along, etc.

[Carolina Mama]

Thanks for sharing this video. We'll pray, pass it on, etc. God Bless.

[Pam]

Thank you Shannon for posting this video. As a mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old, I do not watch the news and barely get to shower most days. I have been profoundly impacted by the Compassion blogging trip and also by reading Brian McLaren's book on what Jesus says about today's issues of global injustice, poverty, affluence and the environment (Everything Must Change). I cannot see the world in the same way and that is a good thing. I can't spend money anymore without questioning it. And we were pretty frugal to begin with compared to US standards. We have sponsored a child through Compassion because of the blogging trip. And now because of this posting, we are going to waive some rental income and instead ask that they support the Haitian crisis. It feels so small but I have to remind myself it is something. Please continue alerting us and inspiring us to act in these situations. At the same time, I don't want to forget the needs in our own community as well. So thank you!!!!

[Angela]

I can attest to this....my 3 kiddos are from Haiti. My oldest daughter suffered the worst from malnutrition and the "mud cookies" as she called them. Truely, truely sad...a country that not only needs our financial help, but spiritual guidance also.

Angela