The Compassion Experience

I saw a post on FB a few weeks ago, about The Compassion Experience. I was intrigued, because it sounded like something I would be interested in. I went to the web-site, read about it, and then signed up for a time slot!

Today was the day that I visited countries .... without going there. I know I didn't eat the food, walk the paths, smell the smells ... but I got to hear their stories and see how they went from feeling hopeless to overcoming obstacles because people took a chance on them and Compassion Experience had a safe place for them to go!

I "visited" Africa, India, & Bolivia ...

We walked from room to room, listening to Julian's story ... their two rooms were kept "safe" by putting that chair up against the door ...

 

 She began going to the Compassion Center for school and received a birthday card ... she felt this changed her life .... I found it interesting that the school had a place for kids to keep their toothbrushes with toothpaste!

 

 They moved to another home when Julian was about 10 ... they were still close to drugs and poverty, but felt a bit safer ...

 

 She worked really hard -- graduated and then was accepted to Baylor University to get her Master's in Social Work ... she feels blessed that the Compassion Experience was able to start her off on the right foot and allowed her to go to school!

 THIS IS JULIAN!

 

I then "traveled" to India and met BRINDA

 

Brinda and her little sister wearing the black dot - Bindi on their heads -- the social purpose was to ward off the evil eye of the young unmarried girl by making her wear a 'black' Bindi.

 Below is the desk of Brinda's teacher at the Compassion Experience ... she highlighted a whole file of her sponsor ... letters and pictures she received through her school years!

 

 One of Brinda's memories was when her grandmother was very sick -- a recreation of her grandmother's hospital room -- she said this was a pivotal time in her life ....

 A picture of BRINDA as a baby!

 

 

Lastly, I walked in Ruben's shoes in Bolivia ...

 

 They had one bed in their house and the father slept in that bed.

Ruben explained that dad was an alcoholic and didn't work and usually passed out in that bed ...

he would beat Ruben's mother and often yell and hit Ruben and his sister ...

 

 Ruben had one toy -- a truck and his sister had one toy -- a doll ...

they left these things behind one night and fled the abuse with their mother.

 

 Ruben would work in the open Market -- at the age of 8 he was shining shoes for money to help his mom and sister.

Many kids would use the money they earned at the Market to buy glue to sniff it ...

sniffing glue would help the world go "away" and hunger pains go "away"

 

 When Ruben was about 17 he moved in with his dad and his new wife -- they would not feed Ruben

he would have to fend for himself -- he could just sleep on their floor ...

 

Ruben finally began attending the Compassion Experience and went to school!

He moved back with his mom!

 

 He was very proud of the RED table he made for his mom!

They finally had a table to break bread and eat dinner!

 

 Ruben and his RED table ....

 

I was very moved by the experience .... I have sponsored

Inkindi Christine from Rwanda

 

 

If you ever have the chance to attend this event ... it is a wonderful way to show your kids how other children of the world live and also a wonderful way to give back!

Being a teacher I feel all children should have a safe place to learn and be encouraged!

I'm so glad I clicked on the FB post and went on a new and life changing

EXPERIENCE!

Visit their web-site Compassion Experience

OR Visit their Facebook Page

Compassion Experience on Facebook