If I think about it long enough, it's almost enough to render me babbling and catatonic, curled into the fetal position underneath our non-existent baby grand:
I'm scared to fly; prior to 2007, it had been ten years since I boarded a plane. Because our children were at a perfect age at the same time we had a little extra cash, we took the family trip of a lifetime, navigating the beauty and majesty of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Just a few months later, after extensive planning and saving, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in Puerto Rico and Antigua.
For very different reasons, the trips were incredible memory-makers; I will always be thankful we were able to do those things.
This upcoming trip is different, though, and not just because I'll be IN THE AIR FOR 2 1/2 DAYS, THANK-YEW-VERY-MUCH…but because it serves someone other than myself…a greater good…children in need.
Several months ago, Compassion International announced its next blogger's trip and because I believe in the work of Compassion, I submitted my URL. A few weeks ago, when I turned on my cell phone as I headed to school to drop off our kids, I had several messages waiting. The first was an orthodontist appointment reminder; the second was from Shaun Groves. Trying to listen as the blood drained from my head (a perfect reason for not using your cell while driving), I heard him say something about wanting "to talk about blogging". Cryptic, he is.
A phone call and flurry of emails later (maybe one day I'll blog about those), he asked me to join the team. I cried. I talked about it with my husband. I said yes.
than to give voice to those who have none;
in spite of my fears,
in spite of having to make arrangements for my children
and leave them and my husband behind,
in spite of stepping out of my life
of privilege and luxury and excess
into a world of poverty and abuse and heartbreak.
There was no way I couldn't say "yes".
The team is strong; our reach is deep and wide, and together we have thousands of readers–never before has that mattered more. I hope you'll take time to meet Melissa, Pete, Angie and Anne, and our leaders Shaun, Spence and Patricia–all of these people speak with heart and soul, though with very different voices.
I am grateful Alli, Megan, Shannon and Janice and Susan have offered to allow me to guest post on Blissfully Domestic, Blog Nosh Magazine, Rocks in My Dryer and 5 Minutes for Mom, extending the reach I have on Pensieve alone. "Thank you" only begins to express my gratitude for their generosity.
As the title of this post suggests, though, it's not simply a matter of me squatting on others' internet real estate–
I. Need. YOU.
I'm not very brave on my own, and to know you're praying for and thinking about me and the team would make a world of difference. There are so many things to pray for, but readily coming to mind:
- travel details
- our families
- fears
- wisdom in writing and ability to communicate well
- the children and project leaders we'll be meeting
- that sponsors would step forward for every child.
- our assimilation to Kolkata…and our assimilation post trip. That might be the most difficult. Maybe. I don't know yet.
Also, during this season prior to and leading up to the trip, would you consider sponsoring a child from India? I know that's a lot to ask in view of our economy, but when you break it down to just over a dollar a day, can you swing it? In addition to financial support that will make a difference in the life of a child (and his/her family), your words of encouragement through on-going correspondence will be treasures to him!
Clicking this badge will take you directly to children in India; if you sponsor a child, would you let me know? I'd love for you to share a picture of your Compassion son or daughter; if you let me know in advance, I might even get to meet him/her!
It's not just that I need you (which I do…); these kids need you. I just checked and there are 76 kids waiting for a sponsor…waiting for you? That, I don't know. What I DO know is this: your decision to sponsor now will have immediate effect, that's the beauty of Compassion International. And in a few months when you receive your first letter? You'll feel like you won the lottery.
I will definitely pray for you, Robin. I know this will be a life-changing event for you – our adoption trip to China in 2005 forever opened our eyes to the needs of the world.
We actually sponsor a Chinese child at the moment, not through Compassion, but otherwise we would jump on this chance. There is no greater feeling than helping a child who truly needs it.
I’m so excited for you. I’m heading over to check out the bloggers that are going with you.
I hear your heart in your words here and at your blogging spot; you’re a
difference maker, and THAT changes the world! Thank you :).
Somehow, I just KNOW you’ll remember…and, that you’ll pray. THAT means so
much to me, Pamela. xo
I would love to sponsor another child. We can barely manage the one we do sponsor in Uganda since my husband has been out of work for 4 months.
You guys all have my prayers!
Wow…four months? I’m praying for YOU!! xo
Bravo Robin! This is truly awesome. Amen, amen, and amen. I can hardly wait to hear your stories. Have a safe trip! (((Hugs)))
I will be praying for you and the whole team! …And for the children. I am going to analyze me income and talk to my husband about this. I think there would be no better experience for my kids than giving up some luxury (like eating out) that we have for one of these kids
You absolutely have my prayers! You and I have already talked about how this will be life-changing and I’m THRILLED you get a chance to experience this! Off to check things out…
I almost emailed you to tell ya about it, but…get this, I was too shy to!
ha! So glad you checked in, I KNOW how occupied you are, so that
alwaysALWAYS means so much to me. Thank you:).
Oh…Sarah…wow. W o w. That you’re praying through, analyzing and
considering sponsorship? That doesn’t just bless some baby girl or boy;
that blesses ME! PLEASE let me know if you do…share their info including
a picture. I so wanna know who my “peeps” are sponsoring! xo (thank you
for having a receptive heart!)
Hey Jenny! Your words have been GREAT encouragement already :). As much as
I do know about how this might affect me…I know even more I can’t possibly
have any idea. Does that make sense?
Stumbled you, praying for you, cheering you on!
Praying for you to have a blessed, life-changing, and safe trip. I have sponsored a child in India since my children were toddlers. He’s my “other son”.
Here’s the link with a photo of him. I think he’s nearly a 10th grader now?! I have always wanted to go meet him, but he’s in Tamil Nadu. I doubt you will get to see him. I submitted my URL, too – but I’m sure they don’t want a 9 month pregnant mama to be riding on an airplane or in a foreign country giving birth. LOL
And the url is…
http://sbees.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-other-son.html
Thanks for replying! I read you (lurk) through Bloglines… sorry I don’t have much time to comment these days. You can email me anytime. Goooolllly, don’t be shy! (I haven’t forgotten your request. Just SOOOO busy IRL lately.) :~D
This is amazing! You are truly an inspiration and I am so happy for you being able to go.
I can’t wait to hear about it! You are awesome.
Robin, this is so wonderful. Great post and we’ll be praying for y ou all along. I just added you to the Pray It Friday virtual prayer chaing. You and the children. 🙂 Proud of you. Hugs, M
I’ve been praying for you since I first learned that Compassion was going to India this time. I have a real peace in my heart for you and this trip. You are such a perfect fit. I’ve actually been praying for you since before this…You’ve been on my heart in conjunction with Compassion for months and months and I just knew that you would be going with them at some point. God has gone before you and is handling it all. Peace to you, my friend. All will be well.
Girl, you are one brave chickie and I am thrilled at the doors that God is opening up for you to do a good work for His Kingdom.
You will be in my prayers and I am thankful for your obedience to the call HE has on your life.
Big Hugs,
Melissa in Mel’s World
The next 2 1/2 months are going to be whirlwind; I really can’t believe 2009
and we aren’t even three months in! Can’t wait to spend time with you this
weekend; so glad you saw this so you’ll know me just a tiny bit better
before I get there. 🙂
Hmmm…It’s Monday night…wondering if you’re HERE!! Still on for
Wednesday??? 🙂 (Can’t wait to write my unraveling story, too 🙂 ).
Thank you…that means e v e r y t h i n g to me. I can’t imagine going on
this trip without friends praying for all aspects (not just me, but all of
“us”!). I’ll have to track down your virtual prayer chain. 🙂
Wow…thank you…t h a n k y o u. Your words here bless me every time I
read ’em (and I’ve already read ’em a dozen times). It means so much that
you’d pray for me…think of me…and remember my heart in all this. God is
at work in and through this, so I’m clinging to that :). You rock!!
Mel, that means a lot, sweets. I know YOU know where my head is with all
this…thanks for always being a blessing! 🙂
Absolutely! I am praying for you and for the others going on the trip.
I just saw the list of the new team. I really missed it, but I noticed that my DR widget changed to India, so I came over to check it out.
Congrats, and enjoy. I know that sounds weird to say. I was SO worried about being broken into pieces, but I left the DR with such hope.
Compassion has got it right.