Christmas in September: Compassion International Christmas card writing party
As a mom, I’m always on the hunt for fun and interesting ways to help my children understand that not everyone in the world has access to McNuggets, Toys R Us or Awana. At the moment, my involvement with Compassion International is very much a MommyThing. I talk to my children about the organization and our sponsored child in Indonesia, but I know there is a lot they don’t understand.
Today we had a great chance to let our kids feel part of the process of child sponsorship and have fun at the same time.
Along with other Compassion International sponsors and volunteers, we attended a Christmas card making party at The Presbyterian Church in New Providence. (By the way, the church was packed. They are adding a second contemporary worship service next month, to run concurrent with the traditional one. Whoa. Way to go, Presbyterians).
So why did we make Christmas cards in September? Because it takes weeks, often months, for a letter to reach its final destination. Especially if the child lives in a remote area, like our girl does.
Here are our Christmas cards going into the mail this week:
Finally, a picture of Compassion International volunteer Nancy Vandermeer, who lead the card making event. Nancy has sponsored children with Compassion International for 50 years, since she was 10 years old.
Friends, that is inspiring.
And you know she didn’t start helping a child through Compassion alone, she had to have some help.
I pray my children have a lifetime of Christmas card making ahead of them too.
To learn more about how you can help a child overcome a lifecycle of poverty, learn about the transforming power of Jesus Christ, and get real neat Christmas cards, click over to the Compassion International website or blog.
Tags: church, Compassion International, holidays, poverty
9.29.08 at 9:27 am
Rose comments:
Wow! What an inspiration! I am going to have to look into this! We have always wanted to sponsor a child, we REALLY need to make it happen!
Your children’s cards are just lovely Monica!
Thank you for sharing! =)
Hugs!!!
Roses last blog post..Thank You!
9.29.08 at 10:16 am
Heather comments:
I love this! And I love that you raise your kids with this awareness.
And I love that you reminded me that I need to get that card in the mail.
Heathers last blog post..Tapestry: Imagine
9.29.08 at 10:36 am
Monica Brand comments:
Do it, Rose! And involve your boy with sponsorship, there are so many ways you can work Compassion into your home school lessons too. Hmm. I feel a post coming on.
I’m trying, Heather. I’m just as Americanized as them, and I forget, miss chances everyday, but at least I’m thinking, planning. I want to do a letter writing party at my church next year.
9.30.08 at 11:38 am
Zach Younkin comments:
Wow!
Thanks for the reminder to get my card out for Patric, my child in Brazil.
I also want to thank you for mentioning Compassion International in your post. I did take notice that you did not link to Compassion at all? Would you mind doing so (http://www.compassion.com) ?
Also, are you familiar with Compassion’s blog? Compassion’s blog provides you with an insider’s look to all things Compassion. You can visit it at http://blog.compassion.com .
Thanks so much!!
Zach
Zach Younkins last blog post..In 1001 days…
9.30.08 at 12:47 pm
Monica Brand comments:
uh, Zach, I did several times. can’t you see the links?
9.30.08 at 1:19 pm
Zach Younkin comments:
Oops,
Sory, I completely went right over the links in your post.
I feel like a complete idiot…
Zach Younkins last blog post..In 1001 days…
9.30.08 at 1:33 pm
Monica Brand comments:
No worries. Maybe I need to change the color, make it brighter or something…