"Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you, too." ~ Frederick Buechner
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hands and healed the blind and the deaf and the sick.
With a heart of compassion, He gave His all.
Because compassion involves action.
His name is Achile.
He's eight years old.
He lives in one of the poorest countries in the world. Burkina Faso in western Africa.
He's a Compassion child but can't take full advantage of his sponsorship or regularly attend school.
Because he's been in pain for five years.
Because he has a congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot.
Compassion International has provided medical care for the last two years at the National Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo, but now he needs urgent heart surgery to save his life.
At a specialized hospital in India. Cost estimated at $20,449.
One child. With a name. With a face. With a critical need.
And an opportunity to show compassion. To share the heart of Jesus.
To give Achile a future and a hope.
By giving from the heart here.
Or by praying.
Or both.
Because compassion involves action.
Read about how Compassion helps other children with serious heart conditions, like Alex, here.
"It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor--what a blessing!"
Proverbs 14:21 (Message)
We sponsor Nduta (Lucy) from Kenya through Compassion. Do you sponsor any children?
Have you ever known anyone with tetralogy of Fallot?
NOTE: This post is part of the Bridget Chumbley's Blog Carnival on COMPASSION. For other thoughts, visit One Word at a Time.
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King
19 comments:
"Why one when there are so many in need?" Because that's whom God puts in our way to help.
So many needs. Here. There. Overwhelming sometimes. Even Jesus touched those put in His way to help--but not everyone.
It is a mistake to think that because we are unable to offer help in big ways, that we cannot help at all. Thank you for sharing Achile's story. Compassion is a wonderful orgazination.
I feel your compassion in this post...it's contagious.
Beautiful boy- beautiful challenge.
Thanks for making me aware of his need.
I needed this reminder today. Thanks.
Compassion is an action.
what a powerful reminder.
thank you!
So sad...I know one challenge for me is seeing those around me as real people with real feelings...or just like my own children. I have an eight year old son...a son with similar feelings I'm sure, but with so much more certainty and opportunity in his future. Thank you for sharing this...thank you for your heart...
I've often thought of sponsoring a child through Compassion on my blog, but haven't done it yet.
I have actually been to Burkina Faso. It's a flat country, very hot, and very dry. It has its places of beauty though.
Glad that you are helping this boy! You're a good person. And yes, true compassion needs action.
I really want to sponsor a Compassion child. Hubby said to wait a while until our finances are a little more stable. But I'm looking forward to it.
I know what it's like to need heart surgery, and my heart goes out to this boy. Will be praying for him.
Thank you for including that photo in your post.
Yes, we've sponsored orphans in an orphanage in southern India. My husband went to visit them in 2003, and we hope to take the whole family sometime.
Yes, compassion must include action...
@Kathy: Jesus took a handful of fish from one small boy and fed a multitude!
@Sherri: So many that hurt. So grateful for direction.
@Cassandra: Me, too.
@Louise: Hard to remember it's more than a feeling.
@Jeff: And yet out of the sadness can come joy! You have such a tender heart for hurting children.
@Duane: So this probably touches you even more having seen this country. No time like the present--if you can't sponsor yet, you can still get a widget. :)
@Brenda: It's such a joy to get letters from Lucy--to touch them and know that her little hands touched them, too. I love when she colors pictures for us and tells us she's praying.
I love that Compassion offers opportunities to help even without the ability to sponsor on a monthly basis. So many different funds--unsponsored children (so many!), disaster relief, malaria prevention--as well as children with a specific need, like Achila. I think we forget that even $5 can do so much.
@Monica: I think you mentioned that once. I hope one day I can travel with Compassion--either to visit my child or a blogger or something!
Compassion is the "Spirit of Adoption" in action and I can see that in your post.
Blessings,
Jay
To the one who is helped the gift is enormous ...
@Jay: What a beautiful thought. Thanks!
@Susan: So true!
Great post!
We began sponsoring 2 children after our own kids were born. The girl we started with got married, and the boy became old enough to move on.
We now have 2 younger kids, and it is a joy to know that our tiny gifts are a blessing in their lives.
We once had a young boy who came off the program. I always wondered why.
Do you find your mind wandering to what they are doing right now, this minute? If they are happy--or hurting?
I think we forget how little it takes to make a big difference.
Wow, what a need! Makes our difficulties in life pale in comparison.
God bless you, and so many others, for supporting this ministry.
My Ugandan "daughter-in-law" was chosen by Compassion when she was 8. They put her through school. Then through college. For the past ten years she has worked for them in the rural bush areas. As hard a job as she has, partly b/c with the economy hurting so many, they can't afford to hire more help, she's doing amazing work for so many children.
Now, on the other side, I have several Burkina Faso "kids" -- 30 yrs old and under -- here in Omaha. I will run this past them and see if they have any wisdom, or BF contacts that might help in some way. Maybe not money, but if nothing else lots of prayerful connections.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing the results, carried forward through the heart of our Father.
@Frank: So glad to have a new friend!
@caryjo: Wow! That's so,so cool. Thank you for sharing your story and for passing on Achile's need.
I read a quote today on the ceiling of my dentist's exam room.
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."
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