Can I be super honest with you? I’m nervous about going to the Dominican Republic with World Vision. It’s not because of the distance from my family, or the food, the language or because of any danger. I’m afraid…of ME. I’m afraid I’ll be skeptical and unaffected and…American. I’m afraid I won’t be able to communicate to you effectively what’s going on. I’m afraid I won’t break your heart the way Sophie and Kristen and Shaun have broken mine. And I’m afraid I’ll spend five days in another country and come back the same person—the girl that complains about doing loads of laundry, cleaning out old food from my fridge and not having any furniture in my house.
I’m afraid my heart won’t be broken.
And even as I write this I think, “Am I being selfish to even say this? As if this trip is all about ME?” I’ve hungrily read most of the Compassion blogger’s trips. I watched as they glibly got on the plane and joked about time changes and how day by day their posts were more open, more real, more broken-hearted. And I’ve seen how their final posts are full of “why did God bless me so much?! why am I here and they are there?! why?!” It’s a beautiful transformation. From self to selfless.
My prayer is the same as that of Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision, “”Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”* And I want the same for you, too.
As a pre-cursor to our trip, we have two really cool things going on for you and your sponsored child:
1. If you sponsor a child in the Dominican Republic World Vision is working & trying to get these kids to us. That’s right. We might be able to meet YOUR child! If it all works out we’ll be able to hug them, tell them you love them and that Jesus orchestrated this to show them that love.
2. If you choose to sponsor a child today in the Dominican Republic from World Vision, you will receive a special limited edition necklace designed by the fabulous Lisa Leonard. This necklace is JUST for our trip to the DR! {quantities are limited}
Isn’t it gorgeous? I am going to have one of these necklaces for myself. And Lisa is also giving us 100 necklaces to take with us to the Dominican—to give to our kids, their families or other people we meet who will need this reminder of love.
So, before we even step on the plane will you go ahead and sponsor a child? Will you look at their pictures and remember they are REAL kids playing somewhere today? Real kids that need faith, hope and love?
Please leave me a comment if you currently sponsor a child, especially one from the DR or if you decided to sponsor one today! {This will also ensure you get your necklace!}
**updated to add: Read my post at Impress Your Kids to find out about the girl I sponsor in the Dominican Republic!**
*source: Christianity Today
Here’s a short brochure about coming Face to Face with Poverty – it might help 🙂
http://network.crcna.org/content/global-mission/face-face-poverty
also if you have time the book Serving with Eyes Wide Open is excellent.
.-= Wendy (The Local Cook)´s last blog ..Food & Faith Challenge: Where does your food come from? =-.
Oh Amanda! (not pun, I promise!!) I have absolutely no doubt that you’ll be able to communicate to us just perfectly!! And I also know that your eyes will be opened, but you’ll still want to complain about your laundry – and I think that’s perfectly ok! I’m very happy (and jealous too!) for you! Already in my prayers!! Love you!!!
.-= mandi@itscome2this´s last blog ..Laundry done faster! =-.
I love your heart. Can’t wait to experience the DR with you.
.-= Jessica Turner´s last blog ..Like Mother, Like Son =-.
Hi!
I found your blog through the Vanderbilt Wife blog that I follow and I am so glad that I found it today. I have been thinking about sponsoring a child through World Vision but just haven’t done it. Until Today! Your blog gave me the push that I needed. We are now proud sponsors of Nairoby from the DR who is 1 and has the same birthday as my daughter. I chose her so that she and my daughter can grow up together. I am so excited! I can’t wait to hear about your trip!
I LOVE the Lisa Leonard necklaces for your trip! And I can’t wait to read about your experiences there. I bet it will be impossible to be unaffected. The fact that you’re even thinking and worrying about it, shows that your heart is tender.
Ok, coming back to say that our family is now officially sponsoring a child in the DR – thanks to your post & Diaper Diaries … for the great reminder! Our little boy is Genaro & he will be turning 10 on Sunday! Kind of a little early b-day present (even though he likely won’t know about it in time).
.-= mandi@itscome2this´s last blog ..Laundry done faster! =-.
Can’t wait to do this with you. And we will be changed. I anticipate lots of late nights crying. So glad I will have a shoulder to cry on (literally)
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I drop a comment when I like a article on a site or if I have something to add to the conversation. It’s a result of the sincerness displayed in the post I read. And on this article World Vision Bloggers: Faith, Hope & Amor | ohamanda.com. I was excited enough to drop a thought 🙂 I do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Is it simply me or do a few of these comments appear as if they are written by brain dead folks? 😛 And, if you are writing on additional online sites, I’d like to keep up with everything new you have to post. Could you make a list all of all your social pages like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
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