I'm not certain I've ever been more nervous in all my life. I mean, I've never been one to worry too much about what other people think of me...but this was different. I wanted this girl to like me, and I wasn't sure she'd even know who I was. Come to think of it, I didn't really know who she was. Oh sure, I've be sponsoring Gemmalyn (pronounced jem-a-leen) for almost two years, but the prospect of meeting her made me strangely aware that I didn't know anything about her. So, as I rode the elevator down to the lobby of our hotel in Manila, Philippines last month, my heart was experiencing a whole gamut of feelings...
I suppose if you're reading this page you are at least vaguely familiar with Compassion International - perhaps you heard Michael talk of it at a LOST AND FOUND concert recently. If you do not sponsor a child already, I challenge you to read this with an open heart and consider doing so. If you are a sponsor, then I have a challenge for you as well...read on.
Last month I spent four short, but very intense days in Manila, Philippines experiencing what Compassion International truly does. Although I cannot write about all of my experiences, I want to share with you two things that struck me most while I was there. Throughout my visits at Compassion International projects and the children whose lives are affected by them, I was overwhelmed, first and foremost, by how far my $24 a month goes. For most of us, it is easy to send off $24 and hope that we're doing something good; but until I visited the Compassion projects for myself, I had no idea how exponentially far the money goes to lift these children out of their condition. We visited one-room homes no larger than the office cubicle I sit in now that housed families of 4, 5, 6 or more. These children are provided with food, clothing, medicine, and an education - an absolute impossibility without the sponsor's 24 dollars. 
Poverty, I learned, is not only the lack of money, but also the lack of opportunity. Compassion projects give these beautiful children the opportunity to break free of the bondage of poverty. All of those things, great as they are, cannot hold a candle to the most important thing a sponsorship provides...hope. I experienced many emotions while there, but depression was not one of them. Hope crowded out hopelessness. Hope not only in a better life here on earth, but more importantly hope in a new life with Christ Jesus in paradise. These people have a peace in their hearts that surpasses all human understanding, the peace that only the knowledge of the everlasting love of God can provide. Of all the things Compassion does, exposing people to the Word of God is far and away the most important - and you can (or already do) enable them to continue doing so.
The second thing I learned prompts my challenge to those of you who already sponsor a child. Writing to your child is almost more important than the money you send. Now, obviously you would have no reason to write if not for the sponsorship, but I was shocked at how important letters and pictures are to these children. We had dinner one night with young adults studying in graduate programs who were sponsored children while growing up. They explained to me the connection made with sponsors from letters inspired them in school and in their faith. 
Letters, they told me, were the most important thing for their emotional development. It is difficult for us to understand, but the truth is that letters, even short ones, mean more to them than we can know. The Compassion Philippines office staff told us that only about 15% of the nations 12,000+ sponsored children receive letters. This low percentage must change, and so I implore you to write the children you sponsor to let them know you care for them. Encourage them in their studies and in their faith. You may never know the impact your letters may have, but I promise you it will be huge.
...I came out of the elevator with my heart pounding. Standing there in front of me was a beautiful little angel who asked if she could call me "Uncle." Gemmalyn is 10 years old and small for her age, but what she lacked in size she made up for in zest for life. She wore a white dress with her curly jet black hair pulled back in green barrettes. We went to the zoo, and played on a playground. We ate at McDonald's®, and chased after bubbles. Finally, after 5 short but wonderful hours, she and I had a connection that was undeniable. Fighting back the tears we said our good-byes, and she kissed me on the cheek. In the weeks that have followed I have tried to reconcile the 2 very different worlds that exist in this one world - mine and hers. I'm left with the conviction that unless I uproot and move over there to help, I can only continue to support Compassion International in what they do.
I pray that you would consider sponsoring a child also. The Philippines currently has upwards of 2,000 unsponsored children, and they are planning on adding projects that will create an even greater need. Visit Compassion's website or email me at pete@speedwood.com if you want more information.
Until then I say: people of the Philippines...we are with you!
Under the Mercy,
