Rumblings and stirring launched Plan A. Go somewhere uncomfortable, do something meaningful, and bless everyone along the way. Plan A pointed to Africa. For years, God placed the beautiful continent on my heart and mind. Time to step into the unknown. An internet search led to a ministry working with children in Uganda. I completed … Plan C…

The unknown number went to voicemail. Compassion International’s call delivered bittersweet news. The young man I correspond with in El Salvador was graduating. Wilmer, 16, completed all the available programs at his project and our time together was ending. Wilmer’s long informative letters with beautiful drawings brightened my day. When he won a drawing contest … yes to…

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.   ~A.A. Milne  One email. Double heartbreak. A request to visit our sponsored child, Chisomo, in Malawi was denied (heart break #1). After assisting his community for ten-plus years, World Vision completed their work and needed to assist another area. This meant our … double heartbreak…

Samuel’s black jacket hung loose on his thin frame. At his Compassion project in Tanzania, he demonstrated his proficiency at welding, woodworking, and sewing. Following the tour of the facilities, we drove part way, then walked a short distance to this young man’s home.  Samuel was of the Maasai tribe and the man of the … man of…

The metal sliding board rose in the middle of the modest playground. Children bunched together waiting for a turn down the slick runway. Goodluck and his buddies climbed up and giggled down, anxious to repeat. Goodluck dreamed of becoming a pilot. Too young to understand the science and skill of aviation, his dream hinged on … the pilot…

Relay races with colorful balloons squeezed between legs. Ping pong balls balanced on plastic spoons. Time for fun and games with children at a Compassion project in Oaxaca, Mexico. Chaos and laughter erupted when balloons popped and ping pong balls bounced away. The sound of pure joy filled the church’s sanctuary.  A team member brought gold medals … a gold…