Annie F. Downs
About the Author

Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author and nationally known speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her most recent books include 100 Days to Brave, Looking for Lovely and Let’s All Be Brave. Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her at @anniefdowns.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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!!

  5. 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!!

  6. What a great reminder of why we invest in Compassion. Now to go write a letter to our Rosalinda this weekend 🙂

  7. 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.

  8. 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!

  9. 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 🙂

  10. 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

  11. 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!!

  12. 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…….

  13. 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