As soon as I returned from my mini-weekend retreat on Saturday night, I wanted to start typing away about how thankful I am to be part of such a wonderfully diverse group of Christian brothers and sisters.

But I was too tired…

So let’s try today then, shall we?

This past weekend was the Compassion International‘s Southeast Region Advocates retreat at Richmond Hill in Richmond, Virginia (Wow, try saying that five times fast!).

My first impression of Richmond Hill – I felt like I was back in high school. The smell, architecture, bells, all brought me back to that Catholic girls’ school over a decade ago (Go figure, both were run by sisters of the Visitation). Thankfully, I got over it and was able to focus on more important things…

It was there that some of the advocates across Virginia, DC, and North Carolina gathered to discuss, reflect, and brainstorm about how to help release children from poverty. I loved hearing the experiences shared by the advocates and really feeling God with us there. Honestly, sometimes I feel that the ministry can be overwhelming and unproductive. I tend to sometimes give into discouragement, “We only got one child sponsored at such an such event.” Satan has a way of feeding lies…

BUT – God is bigger and I am so thankful that He was able to bring us all together…especially together to hear Emmanuel speak.

What’s so great about Emmanuel?

Emmanuel is a formerly sponsored child through Compassion International, as well as former LDP (Leadership Development Program) student who was able to graduate from college. (He’s actually over at a prestigious university now assisting in research.) Hearing Emmanuel’s testimony about how his sponsor’s letters of encouragement helped him achieve his goals and get him out of poverty’s grasp, was something I will always remember. He was one child…and to see how God was with him…and is still with him….

How could I ever again say, “We only got one child sponsored….”

I won’t.

Will you? Yosman is still waiting for a sponsor…will you be this child’s encouragement…will you be his way out of poverty and possibly help develop him into a person like Emmanuel? Contact me at brittany (at) uncorrupted (dot) net with any questions