The Foray

Do You Sponsor a Child in the Dominican Republic?

If the answer is yes, you have a great opportunity before you!

Janie Ghaffari is leaving with Compassion International (www.compassion.com) for the D.R. in the next couple of weeks, and she has graciously volunteered to personally deliver a small gift from you to your child. You'll also want to include a photo of yourself, along with a brief note.

For more information, talk to Janie at church this Sunday or look her up in the directory and give her a call. 

Obviously, due to transportation limitations, your gift must be something small. But don't let that make you think it isn't important. On my trip to Ethiopia this past February, I saw firsthand how "small gifts" from sponsors make HUGE IMPACTS on children! Remember: Many of these children never receive a gift -- of any kind, ever!

Beyond the gift itself is the powerful message to the children that somebody in the world cares about them. What hope that gives children who live in poverty!

So please, if you sponsor a child in the D.R. (and a number of you do!), don't let this golden opportunity pass you by. Such opportunities don't come around very often; that's why they call them "golden."

Greg

What's All the Fuss about Compassion?

In case you STILL don't know, see for yourself! Go to our church's website (www.middlevalleybaptist.org) and click on the Compassion link.

Several folks have told me in recent days that they received their very first letter from their Compassion child. And guess what? They all reported this with a SMILE!

Hmm ...

"Sponsoring a child" leads to "hearing from a child" leads to "smiling about a child" -- me thinks me sees a pattern!

Greg

One More Time: Don't Forget!

"Compassion Sponsor Appreciation Day" at MVB is this Saturday, Apr 12, 6:30-8:30pm, upstairs in the Ministry Center auditorium.

Remember the hymn, "Let Your Heart Be Broken"? Verse one says ...

Let your heart be broken for a world in need -- Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed, Give the cup of water and the loaf of bread -- Be the hands of Jesus, serving in his stead.

That's what we want to do, God helping us!

This Saturday is going to be a wonderful evening together. We've got some very special things planned. BE SURE to bring ANYTHING you may have that is related to your child or children (letters, pictures, mementos, etc.). And, if you're not yet involved in Compassion and just want to learn more, then by all means, c'mon!

We need you; children need you!

Greg

A Terrible Mistake on My Trip to Ethiopia

Last Sunday evening, I told about mistakenly eating Ethiopian chicken gizzards. When my friend at the table in Ethiopia complimented my "courage" at consuming such a "delicacy," I immediately threw down my fork and felt nauseous.

Even more so now that I know exactly what "gizzards" are:

Gizzards are secondary stomachs used by birds to grind their food before digestion. Because birds don't have teeth, they must fill their gizzards with small stones to achieve the same goal. Gizzards contain a very tough inner membrane, surrounded by a muscular pouch which provides the grinding action. Gizzards are part of the group of foods called offal, which also includes beef tripe, chitlins (pork intestines), and hearts. The taste and texture of fried gizzards can be difficult to describe. Gizzards are definitely chewy, since they are primarily a membrane more than a muscle ... Gizzards are a popular food item among poorer countries because they are usually in high supply and are very affordable.

How was I to know that chicken gizzards had suddenly been put in the same spot on the buffet line where the spicy beef had been all week? The two dishes looked exactly the same -- except that, as the above article explains, there was definitely something "wrong" with the "taste and texture" of the "spicy beef" that I THOUGHT I was eating.

I guess I fell for one of the oldest "Ethiopian chef tricks" in the book! He must've seen me coming from a mile away!

Greg

An Overwhelming Response

What an incredible response to the news I shared from Ethiopia! I praise God for the 25 or so children who are now on their way to sponsorship! They will join the 25 or so "children of Compassion" who are already being sponsored by members of our church!

Thanks for believing my eyewitness account of the integrity and success of Compassion International. I delivered it as accurately and truthfully as I could.

I was also greatly encouraged by how many people came to me and said, "I'd love to go with you on a trip with Compassion."

Well, let's pray about that. Who knows what opportunities the Lord may be pleased to open up in the days to come? The following saying comes to mind: "The only ability God looks for is availability." There's something to that.

After all was said and done yesterday, I thought of a bunch of things that I wish I had mentioned. Here goes one of them: Of the 31 people in our group, only 7 (by my count) were "church leaders" (pastors); the rest were "laypersons." The fact is, Compassion is heavily "lay-led." The work couldn't possibly get done otherwise.

If this encourages YOU to make such a trip in the future, wonderful! My counsel is: "Go for it!"

Greg