An Iceberg In Guatemala

As our crew headed to the Guatemala Compassion Field Offices the last thing I expected to find was an iceberg. Although the temperature was a mild sixty degrees over the next several hours I would experience chill bumps like never before. Lead by our interpreters who are smart, wise and kind beyond comprehension we arrived and began our tour of the offices.

It was here… Day #1 that my ship of what I thought I knew about Compassion crashed head on into a HUGE ICEBERG.

If you’re like me when you hear people talk about Compassion or sponsoring a child we immediately think of that “packet”. You know the packet we fear our eyes might connect with eyes of the child in need of sponsorship if you look at them. But today I realized that the packet is truly the tip of the iceberg. Its what everyone sees not realizing that underneath that tip lies this massive structure that helps keep those children in plain view for all to see.

Today I met staff members that beamed as they talked about what their role is for Compassion. Fifteen years ago they were a staff of ten. Today they are an AMAZING staff of sixty! Every dime that is given and every child in need of sponsorship is held up by this massive structure of indigenous people that are committed with a contagious compassion to see object poverty eliminated from THEIR country.

This is Ruth.

Ruth is not only special because she oversees financials for child sponsorships she too was sponsored by Compassion at the precious age of 7! I asked her what she wanted me to tell you about what it means to be sponsored. Her response about brought me to my knees.

Ruth: “Let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” – Galatians 6:9-10

With tears in my eyes I continued to move through the office where I met two male students from the Leadership development program in which one had just graduated and the other is in his third year. I asked them the same question I had asked Ruth except this time in regards to LD program. They both looked at each other with child like smiles and then at me. One spoke and as our interpreter choked back tears she said:

“His response is simply this: “YOU HOLD MY FUTURE AND DREAMS IN YOUR HANDS”

My last trip of the day was to a church that has recently partnered with Compassion. Although the church is in a “wealthy” gated community they have been reaching out to the poorest of the poor living right next door. Emmy’s family is one of those in which seventeen children live.

The pastor of this church has been abused and beaten-up by the very people that live within the walls of his gated community. They don’t like that he’s reaching out to their neighbors. Although his commitment is strong and his passion unwavering, his work is hard! Compassion has become a massive structure of support and encouragement that helps keep that tip of his ministry in plain view for all to see.

The packet is just the tip of the iceberg but it is the passion and commitment of the indigenous compassion of Guatemala staff along with your sponsorship that can and IS changing the world one precious life at a time!

Will you consider partnering with us?