Thursday, June 19, 2008

Friday, June 20, Servant Friends

Happy Friday! As I write, I am sitting in the Embassy Suites in Concord, NC. Today, close to 600 women will be arriving for the Proverbs 31 Ministries' Annual She Speaks Conference. There is excitement in the air as we anticipate all that God has planned for the weekend. In the midst of all of this, I remembered I had a devotion running today. The topic of "Encouragement for Today" is one near and dear to my heart.

If you are visiting my blog because you read my devotion, welcome. It's my pleasure to share with you some pictures from that story. Today's devotion, which you can view by going to http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2008/06/servant-friends.html, is titled "Servant Friends". It was inspired by my daughter, Hayley Grace and her friend, Sydney. Together they worked to raise money for a very worth while cause, Compassion International. The picture above is from the first time they set up a stand to sell rocks for the "pore". The money they raised, they decided to donate to Compassion International.


Here is another picture from another time selling rocks. I am amazed that people actually bought rocks, but they did. Well, kind of. They really bought more than rocks. They bought an opportunity. An opportunity to do something good. An opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. An opportunity to make 2 little girls trying to raise money feel really good about themselves.




Here you see Sydney and Hayley Grace. They are holding pictures of the girls they sponsor through Compassion. Yes, with the help of their families (and selling rocks), they give money to help these children. More than that though, they are building relationships with these girls. They write letters
and draw pictures for each other. They are making an inpact and changing the world for the lives of these girls. And in the process, they are changed as well. Their bond of friendship has a deeper meaning because it has a greater purpose.










Hayely Grace on "Rice and Beans Night". This is the night we eat a meal similar to what our sponsored kids may eat each day. After the meal, we write letters, draw pictures, and gather special photos to send.






I had the privilege of traveling to Ecuador last August with the Proverbs 31 Team. Meeting Maria, our sponsored child, was one of the most special times in my life. I was able to see first hand exactly how Compassion International is working in the lives of the sponsored kids and their families.



I hope these pictures and this story have inspired you and moved you in a way that you will take action. Maybe you are considering sponsoring a child through Compassion. If you'd like to do that, just click here for more information. http://www.compassion.com/Sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=68813

Or maybe you've been inspired to get with a friend and together choose a cause that is special to you and team up to make a difference there. It's a way to take your friendship to the next level by adding a impacting purpose.

Or maybe you don't know how to get involved serving somewhere. Well this is your opportunity to pray and ask God to open doors for you. Your life can be used in a mighty way. You were created for something way special. And sometimes it can be a simple as selling a few rocks:)

Blessings and Happy Serving!

Melissa

****If you have a story of friendship and serving, please share. By sharing your ideas, you may give someone else an answer to their prayer of how they can serve! Also, if you decide to sponsor a child, let me know that too. Thanks a bunch! Love to all:)

7 comments:

Michele @ Frugal Granola said...

I just came over from your Proverbs 31 devotional. Thank you! :)

We volunteer as a family at the local Ronald McDonald House (a temporary home for out-of-town families whose children are in the hospital). We go once a month, and make a big dinner for the families staying there. The baby/toddler has spent the time either watching from her high chair, playing with the kids, or "helping" do little things. We love it! I blogged about it here:
Mother's Day Volunteering

Blessings,
Michele
www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com

Joyful said...

Hey Sweet Melissa!!!
First, thought you'd like to know that our church is actually in the middle of a project raising money to build and furnish an orphan home in Peru for Compassion. Our family sponsors a child as well.

Now...I've got to say...you're the sweetest thing!!! I'll write to you later, but I've got another story for you - a God story! I'm so glad I found you right when I arrived - you have blessed my heart more than you'll ever know. Hope to see you quick tomorrow before I leave.
Love, prayers and hugs,
Joy

Lynn Cowell said...

Melissa,

No wonder you were working so hard on this devotional...it was so great! I hope that many others will follow your wonderful ideas.

I adopted another child this weekend. It is so cool to think how we can totally change the life of the child.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Lynn

Anonymous said...

So great to see you over SheSpeaks. Hope we can catch up before you go to the beach. Are you ever in the Philly area?

Take care.

MrsProverbs31 said...

I came from p31 devotional you did Friday, June 20. I thank you for sharing such a precious piece. God bless you and Haley Grace's dream. Please, let us know of it's progress and growth. Right now the Lord has not provided me with a way to help financially, but I do want to pray for Haley Grace's compassionate dream. God bless you and your family.

Amy L Brooke said...

That is very cool! I would buy rocks from them....

One of the girls I sponsor, Delia, is in Ecuador.... The other is in Rawanda. Her name is Kayirangwa. I have no clue how to say it.

I get so excited when I get letters from them.

I loved seeing the video from your trip!

I hope you are recovering.

Anonymous said...

Hi Melissa from another Melissa! *waving*

After seeing your picture with the little girl you sponsor...I knew I had to check out this ministry. I have heard of it before but never acted on it. The expression on your face in the picture pierced my heart though. I followed the link to Compassion and just sponsored a child. :)

My husband and I visited Puerto Rico in April and fell in love with the people of the Caribbean. Beautiful, loving people. (We have a heart for that area of the world.) So I decided to seek out a child to sponsor in the Dominican Republic. I looked through the pictures and my heart broke for each one of them. God clearly showed me the little girl to sponsor when tears sprang to my eyes as I looked at her picture. This precious little princess has been waiting more than six months for a sponser. I'm so happy to say she has to wait no more. Makes me tear up all over again.

Thank you for sharing that picture...it changed a child's life today. Praise God!

In HIS Design!
Melissa