This is a special edition of Saturday Linkage, in honor of the amazing stories that have come from the Compassion Bloggers in the Dominican Republic this week.  If you haven't been following along, I've listed some amazing samples below.  You can read more posts here.  Please, don't click away.  Reading these posts may help you put some things in perspective, as they have for me.

Three Questions for Mariolvis :: Shlog

El Pollo Bailar :: Big Mama

A Tale Of Two Houses :: Confessions Of a Pioneer Woman

A Room Full Of Hope :: Owlhaven

No Le Importa :: 5 Minutes For Mom

Ordinary Superheroes :: Challies

When Need and Ability Collide :: Brian Seay

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Comments

[Ann Voskamp@ Holy Experience]

Shannon?
Thank you for all the good you do with this space.
You make a difference.
Thank you for again highlighting this trip...

I send much love...
All's grace,
Ann

[Stephanie]

I've been following these all week, and eagerly waiting the next installments!

[Amy]

For the past two years, my husband and oldest son have gone to Ecuador with our church on a mission trip. They worked in the local schools. They painted buildings, and conducted bible studies (VBS).

My husband fell in love with those kids. He came home with picture after picture of their sweet faces. The kids are climbing all over him trying to get a hug or piggyback ride across the schoolyard.

I've been following Marlboro Man's posts and I went to the Compassion web site. For my husband's Christmas present, I have sponsored a 5 year boy in Ecuador. I can't wait for him to open his present. He will be thrilled!

[Melanie]

Best links ever. :>)

[Michelle]

Shannon, I want to let you know that I am sending you the Uber Amazing Blog Award! You can read about it here: http://myblessedhome.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/uber-amazing-blog-award/
I love your blog!
God bless,
Michelle

[Tania]

I've been following this trip, and catching up on the last including sobbing over the video of your heartwarming meeting with your sponsored child (who *does* have a beautiful, beautiful smile).

I keep hitting refresh for the newest posts. What an amazing but heartrending experience.

Tania

[Elizabeth Sue]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

Thanks for linking to our posts. You picked some great ones. There was some amazing writing done this week, some great new friendships formed, and a bunch of children who I will never ever forget.

[Deborah P]

I'm not clicking through simply because I read them already (although it's hard not to go back and re-read!). This sounded like an amazing trip and I'm so glad that the Pioneer Woman (where I found your blog) was one of the blogs involved. I'd never heard of Compassion before, and now I'm sponsoring a little boy in India.