Last week, I was in Ecuador with Compassion International.
At the church Compassion partners with outside of Riobamba, Ecuador, we sat on wooden benches in a huge church building, surrounded by students and staff. We watched as two little guys crossed the stage, dressed up all nice in their black pants, white dress shirts, and brightly striped ponchos. Each grabbed a microphone. I don’t know their ages (I would guess five or six?), and as the music began to play, they danced and sang a song about Jesus like they were on Ecuador’s Got Talent. (You can see a video clip of it here.)
Between verses, the taller of the two shorties would say, “Clap your hands!” like he was legitimately performing for a concert hall full of fans. And to be fair, he kinda was. All the Compassion staff, our team, and the hundred or so children in the church were all hanging on his every word.
It was a highlight of the trip for me — this four minute performance. Because it spoke volumes.
What it told me is that those kids feel safe.
Not just physically, though that is obviously true. They clearly feel like they are in a safe environment, where their physical well being is not only being protected from harm, but is also grown and nurtured through healthy meals and play time outside. None of the children have worried faces when they are at the church. They look peaceful and happy.
But more than that — I saw how those boys feel safe to dream, safe to hope, safe to be creative, safe to explore, and safe enough to try and fail.
This wasn’t the first performance for either of them. But at some point, there was a first. And on that first day, there was an adult — probably a tutor or director or pastor — who said yes when the little guys asked to sing. There was someone who taught them how to hold a microphone and someone who was willing to press play on the background music.
What the staff and leaders at Compassion have done is built a safe place for kids to be brave. And that matters to me. Meeting their physical needs is a priority, and rightly so. I expected that. But what I didn’t expect was the way the leaders believe in the children, the way the staff builds up the character and person of each kid, not just the body. And how their love for the kids gives each little one the opportunity to try something new — like singing or dancing, or dreaming about a different life than the one in which they are being raised.
The kids are brave and free because the Compassion staff loves them well.
Psalm 16:6 says the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places, and I feel like that’s exactly what the Ecuadorian staff at Compassion have done. They’ve given these kids safe boundaries where they can explore, grow, play, and learn.
I didn’t know releasing kids from poverty in the name of Jesus looked like that.
But it does.
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If you are interested, here’s how you can partner with Compassion and be a part of helping another child feel safe even to dream.
Leave a Comment
Liz Curtis Higgs says
Annie, you’ve captured perfectly the mission of Compassion, and our mission as believers as well. To say to the world, “God’s house is a safe place, full of people who genuinely care about you.” YES!
Annie Downs says
Thank you, friend. <3
Penny says
Annie,
Thank-you for bringing joy into the start of my day. Listening to those delightful little voices speaks volumes. This is just how it should be, free to feel safe and loved.
Have a wonderful day all,
Penny
Annie Downs says
Thanks, Penny!!! 🙂
Linda says
This is so incredibly powerful. I wept, no, I sobbed as I read it. What an incredible message and what an incredible example of the healing power of providing a safe place to release kids from poverty in the name of Jesus…..I want to go and do likewise.
Blessings,
Linda
Annie Downs says
I had the same response when I was living it, Linda. So I totally get it. 🙂 thank you.
Jeanne Takenaka says
Annie, I love the picture you portrayed here. We sponsor two children. It gives me such rest to picture our little guys feeling safe within the walls of their CDC and church.
Thanks for sharing this!!
Annie Downs says
So sweet, isn’t it, Jeanne? THANK YOU for sponsoring kids- send them an extra sticker from me net time you mail a letter! 🙂
Tessy says
My interest was pegged when I read Ecuador as I was scrolling through. It was a mission trip to Ecuador with my husband that truly opened up my heart to God’s calling and purpose in my life beyond my own little world. I’ll never forget my time spent there. Yes, I loved this post, how education/food meets a physical need. It makes room for so much more, to be brave, to dream, to have a purpose. Thanks for sharing!!
Annie Downs says
I’m Ecuadorian in my heart forever now. 🙂
Pam says
Love this! HE can show us the greatest of things in the smallest of ways.
Annie Downs says
Amen, Pam. Amen.
Katie Matzenbacher says
What a great reminder of why we invest in Compassion. Now to go write a letter to our Rosalinda this weekend 🙂
Annie Downs says
YES YES YES. Write her!! You’re the best, Katie. 🙂
Nancy Ruegg says
My eyes widened a bit to read you had been to Ecuador. Years ago I worked with missionaries for four months in Quito. Those little boys brought back sweet memories of the children I had the privilege to teach. But then there were the little ones begging on the streets and the families living in hovels. So much need; so little resources filtering down to the destitute. What a marvelous work Compassion is doing, giving children the gifts of freedom, safety, and love. Their work gives us all hope! Thank you, Annie.
Annie Downs says
A privilege indeed, Nancy. I definitely left a part of my heart in Ecuador.
Katy McCown says
I love how you said we need a safe space to be brave … especially our children. With 6 of my own my hearts can’t help but leap when I hear stories like the one you told. I love Compassion & their ministry & your message made me smile. It’s the encouragement we all need to make a safe place for the ones we love, young and old, to discover & embrace who they are in Jesus!! Thank you, Annie!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
Thanks for sharing this story in such a special way, I just think God has a special plan for those young boys and they will go on to serve Him in a mighty way.
Beth Williams says
Annie,
I am proud of you for following God’s dream and going to Ecuador to see the Compassion House and children. My hubby and I sponsor a little girl from Ninos De Mexico. It was about 2 years ago that she got baptized. I send money each month and for Christmas and Birthday.
Ninos De Mexico helps underprivileged, abused, or abandoned children in Mexico. I love the letters our girl writes us. It thrills me to know we are making a difference in the lives of these children both spiritually and physically.
Blessings 🙂
Ema says
Mind blowing TESTIMONY indeed. It is my heart’s desire that God could increase me to the point where i can be of help too
brooke says
I had the privilege of meeting Liz and Fernando when they came to our church last Fall. I LOVE their hearts and the mission of Compassion! We sponsor two little girls in Ecuador and I am hopeful that we can meet them someday. Thank you for sharing this picture of safety and HOPE! To God Be ALL Glory!!
Anna says
This was a ” God hug” for me today. I have a long history with Ecuador that will continue until the day I die. Our previous church traveled to Ecuador for over ten years, we helped build a church/ daycare on the outskirts of Quito and love the people dearly. ( we worked with SIFAT) fast forward and my husband and I had the desire to add a fourth child to our family, we adopted our beautiful little princess from Ecuador in 2010. I’ve been touched when other like you and Ann Voskamp have traveled to Ecuador and shared your experiences. I know that God continues to use compassion and SIFAT to transform lives in Ecuador but also the lives of those of us that are ” sent” and send…….
Bri McKoy says
I just loved this, Annie. I have traveled with Compassion so many times but your words brought new light so what I see every time I visit a center. A beautiful kind of brave. Thank you for sharing! So grateful for you! Xoxo