Her name is Anne.
She has fallen victim to some bad curry.
Or maybe it was the pizza.
Either way.
She wears no makeup today.
She doesn’t fix her hair.
Her eyes are red because she’s been crying.
And her bed has been one of her two closest friends.
(I’ll let you guess what her other friend has been).
Two of us bloggers had to stay behind due to gastrointestinal issues. It just seemed like the smartest thing to do. Our project was out two hours on bumpy roads, and the heat index is to reach 115 degrees today.
Probably not so good for those who are naturally dehydrating themselves.
On to Anne.
In early 2008, she had it all. An amazing job working alongside two of the most respected and innovative pastors in the American church. She had a good salary, a cushy downtown apartment with red walls and hardwood floors. She had just purchased her adulthood dream car.
And sure, she was generous — at least in her own American way. She tithed to her church, gave above and beyond for new projects, and sponsored a Compassion child in Ethiopia. (The one who bought a sheep with the EXTRA money she sent).
Then in February, she touched poverty on a trip to Africa. She smelled it. For a week, no matter where she turned, it was there.
They had eyes of hope, but skin and bones for flesh.
They had dreams, but no clean water.
They were covered in potential, but they had no clean clothes.
And on this trip, something inside her broke. Sixteen months later, it’s never been fixed.
Anne quit her job. And moved to Nashville where she had friends with like-minded pursuits and opportunities. Now, using the internet, and video, and Twitter, and Facebook, she wants to take you as close to these under-resourced areas as possible.
You may never touch the rough hand of a young, hungry child.
Or see a two week old dying in a crib in an orphanage in Kolkata.
You may never smell what raw sewer and smoke and smog smell like on a hellishly hot and humid day.
But it is my prayer for you that something will break.
Reading our stories, and learning about the children and the families and the culture we are experiencing isn’t enough.
Yes, I am more than amazed at the response as some of you have connected to one story or another. I am amazed that close to 200 children have been sponsored because of this trip, and over 1400 have been sponsored as a result of all blogging trips.
But as Shaun said yesterday, it’s not about the money.
It’s about the relationship you and a child a world away will have. It’s about them hearing they are loved. It’s about praying for them. And knowing they are praying and thinking about you.
See that? Those are sponsor letters. This Compassion office in East India processes over 1000 letters to children a week.
For me, over the last year and a half, it’s been about living with less. It has taken time, but I have cut my expenses literally in half. In the summer, I will be moving into an 800 sq ft, 1 bedroom cottage thanks to my friends who have so graciously rented it to me for a more than reasonable price. My credit cards are paid off. I’ve canceled things like cable and wireless cards and I’m even weaning myself off my beloved Lunesta to save another $50/month.
I tell you this not in pride, but because as I have developed these relationships with the sponsored children I have, they continue to affect me. They continue to bring me to new levels of “comfort.” For me, “comfort” doesn’t mean what it used to mean.
We can’t be comfortable the way we used to be.
I’m not going to try and passive-aggressively manipulate you. This trip is about getting children sponsored, yes. Not only for the financial freedom $32 brings them a month, but for the financial freedom it will bring you as you store up in treasures elsewhere. I’m not talking about heaven. I’m talking about Africa, India, Burkina Faso.
Your own home.
This girl named Anne is not perfect. She still spends far too much money on clothes and hair product. (Just ask my roommate on this trip). This girl still makes decisions that are meaningless and selfish.
But she also believes with all of her heart that one child sponsorship will not only change the life of someone across the world, it will change yours in ways you can never imagine.
If you feel stuck…trust me on this. Just trust me. Because I’ve been there.? There is freedom in truth. There is freedom in carrying the burdens of others.
You will be amazed.
I promise.
Here’s the link to look at the children that need your help.
This is my ask.
The rest is up to you.
=====
Comments
48 responses to “Anne”
Praying for you Anne.
Adam?s last blog post..I didn?t know you could do that!
Wow Anne! Praise God for His work in you and through you! I pray that God will heal your sickness but that your heart will forever remain broken. Your brokenness is your greatest blessing.
Alan Danielson?s last blog post..Sweet, Powerful, Painful, Life-Altering Sound
Sobering.
Nick?s last blog post..Update on My Grandpa Carnes
Anne, you’re great. Keep doing what you do. It’s an attritional process – you’re breaking down defenses and challenging preconceptions and God is happy.
Mark Jaffrey?s last blog post..This video made me happy today
Very touching Anne! Are prayers are with you all!
Toby?s last blog post..Hope In Your Heart
Hey Anne, I hope you feel better.
Thanks so much for sharing your heart like that. I long to be broken like that too. The poverty is breaking God’s heart. . . is it breaking mine? (via Brooke Fraser).
Nate?s last blog post..I saw God. . .
You have invited God to break your heart with the things that break His. May you be blessed beyond imagination because you’ve been obedient to His call on your life.
And may that little cottage be a warm haven of peace and rest and joy. In simplicity, may you find great delight and satisfaction.
Blessings on you as you continue to be His hands, feet, and voice – here and there.
Linda Stoll?s last blog post..Trusting in the Dark
Someone at Karate asked me this week how we could afford to sponsor a child when Gerr had been out of work. Told them how could we not…in the end God will come up with money and he will. With Gerald’s job loss we have learned to live on less even though we were living on less than most of our peers to begin with.
When I saw Komal and sponsored her I loved her instantly and like my own children willing to go without so she can have.
Everytime I think of her I get tears in my eyes.My daughter Natalie wants her to come have a sleep over ,I would like nothing more than to let her get a bath, eat from our pantry and play dress up with all of Natalie’s hand me downs then let her take the clothes she needs.
Thank you for this trip it has changed our family forever.
lisa gardiner?s last blog post..Community
Got right to my heart Anne. I wish I could sponsor 100 kids. We sponsor Sofia in Uganda. She has changed me. Completely. I’m praying so hard for all of you. Asking God to do what only He can do.
So much love,
Fran
But it is heaven, the people who give to compassion are storing for themselves treasures in heaven that rust cannot destroy, that a man cannot come in and steal, but can only prosper.
Just like the sheep and the goats, give to compassion, visit the orphan (and the widowed mothers and grandmothers and the family) in their distress (James 1:26), and you won’t be sat to the side with the goats and then cast into the fire, not because you weren’t kind once in a while, or because you went to church, but because you ministered directly to Jesus, to the little child in Calcutta who is poor and has no dreams, to the dying mother in Africa who can’t feed her 9 children, and to, yes, your next door neighbor who doesn’t know what to do, because they have just been divorced and they have cancer and no friends…
Seeking treasures in heaven, that is truly what it is, because you are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, taking in the homeless, and visiting the orphan and widow in their distress! This is heavenly, this is Africa, India, Colombia, this is Christ, to love one another, love God, love self.
Stephen
Stephen Stonestreet?s last blog post..A Smile from India (Compassion Bloggers)
Thanks for letting God use your sickness today. Beautiful words. Praying for you! And praying about how my family can do more.
Marla Taviano?s last blog post..the fort worth zoo
I have sponsored children for years, a whole family in El Salvador even, but never has my heart broken for them. I was a generous American.
Until I started reading these stories.
Your prayer for something in me to break has been answered.
May God keep you forever tender to His heart.
Jen?s last blog post..Evaluations
You are an amazing woman and a blessing Anna, I’m blessed to follow you on Twitter. May God continue His work in you perfecting you into the image of Jesus. May you continue to let God work in you, and through you. May you keep seeking His face, and your heart break over the things that break His heart. Continue to live out the whole gospel, Is 58:6-11 and Mat 25:31-46
seen. smelled. felt. changed.
so…what you said. :)
hope your GI recovers soon!
Wow. I am praying for you as you recover.
I am challenged by you as you post this! Thank you for being real. For letting your love and warts shine through as you take this trip via Compassion.
Rick Apperson?s last blog post..Relevance or Irreverence
Anne, you don’t know me but I’ve been following all of you on your trip… I am touched with every post and tweet. I have been moved to tears countless times. I have been praying for all of you. I have been praying for the children.
I have also been praying for my husband. He grew up in poverty in Cambodia, and knows what starvation is. But he does not know what salvation is. He does not want me to spend money on others when we have children of our own to provide for (3 and another on the way.)
I have been praying for a way to sponsor one of the children, that God will make a way if it is His will that I do this. I do not want to go against God OR my husband. I have been praying that God will soften my husband’s heart… I feel so torn.
That said, God bless you for what you are doing. I hope you feel better soon and can re-join the others. I’m praying for you all.
Momma Mango (Susan)?s last blog post..More!
My heart breaks for the poverty I see in the world and even more so for those that can turn a blind eye to it, whether it be in India, Ethopia, or even here at home in the United States.
God bless you, Anne! I pray you get to feeling soon, but that your heart never stops breaking for those who live without.
Angel?s last blog post..Feeding America Trivia Game
Thanks for taking this trip, Anne. I probably won’t ever have the possibility to travel to my sponsor child but you make it all very real. I just finished writing a letter, your post inspired me to do it again.
Praying for your health issues!
P.s. You probably won’t believe this, but you look great while being sick and without make up! :-)
Sweet Anne, I am praying for your tummy, that you will be healed and be able to finish out your trip doing what you are called to do and do so well. I’m so sorry this has hit you, but all you are doing is having such an impact you likely cannot even imagine. Love you and am praying for all of you daily.
Lisa
lisa?s last blog post.."This s the day the Lord has made!
I told you so last week but I’ll say it again.
Anne Jackson you are a hero! A rock star! An inspiration!
How this resonates:
I.am.the.early.2008.you: Comfortable. Happy. “Generous”. Satiatied.
This post and some recent nudgings by the Holy Spirit, let’s me know I have a path to go down – one that you & Chris have already walked. I only pray I can do it as gracefully & well as you guys have.
You are lifted up.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Brilliant. I love it. What a challenge…
Faith Dwight?s last blog post..Big Changes
anne,
this post was brilliant. touched my jaded, cynical, calloused heart. deeply. thank you.
I keep running into Burkina Faso…
Kenyon?s last blog post..Big Question
i just sponsored my third child.
Renuka Santosh Gaikwas, age 6 from India.
what i paid for weight watchers… will now feed a child. and that seems like a much better used of funds. a lot less about me.
Anne – Thank you for sharing your story and your heart! Praying and claiming 2 Corinthians 12:9 for you…
2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Dennis?s last blog post..May it be so in me, O Lord!
Thanks, Anne. We have the privilege to aid a nursing student in India through the work of Compassion. What a joy to walk with you on your journey!
rhonda kemp?s last blog post..The Bird House
You are so speaking to my heart with this post. As the Brooke Frashier song goes, “Because we have seen, we are responsible.” My hubs and I are making the same decisions and feel a BURNING need to do more. We are hoping for a mission trip soon, and trying to do our part by blogging, giving, volunteering and raising awareness.
Thanks for sharing your heart and this trip. Wow, am I grateful.
We are praying for all of you. Hope you feel better soon.
Wow! So incredibly written. So simple yet communicates so much. Your talk about Compassion inspired me to begins sponsoring a child just this last month. I pray that God heals you that you may continue to do his work with the time you have left on your trip. You are an amazing woman through him and he is using you to do powerful things for his Kingdom.
Anne – I love your story. Your personal experience makes your story so much more credible and inspiring. My family has been sponsoring 2 kids that are roughly the same age as my own kids. One is from Sudan and the other Romania. Every night my 5 year old prays for Daniella and Gabriel. It’s been an awesome experience.
Thanks for pushing all of us.
Brian Mosley?s last blog post..Remember "Raise Your Arms"?
you look beautiful to me! like a woman doing God’s work-extraordinarily beautiful! Hang in there kid!
Anne, I am so sorry you have been so sick! And I’m so sorry you had to miss one of the projects. You are still beautiful with red eyes and no make-up because you’re light for Christ is what is most visible. Feel better.
Melissa?s last blog post..HOW-DEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
“We can?t be comfortable the way we used to be.”
That’s been my prayer all along. Amen.
Texas in Africa?s last blog post..a return to sensibility
praying for you, your health, your heart, and your time in India. May the Lord bless your faithfulness. thank you for sharing all of this with us, as well!!! I know I am blessed.
April?s last blog post..newness
Hey girl,
Hope you start feeling better! Ease up on the late night partying and get focused on what you are supposed to be doing over there! Love you friend.
Anne, you might not remember me but I was the girl with the infected fingernail last summer on our trip to the DR…yes, I still keep up with you. I love reading your blog and this post touched me. I am in such awe of your story and how you are turning your complete life to God every single day. I strive to be as “impactful” (if that’s a word?) as you are some day. Thank you for all you do.
p.s.-I’ve really been wanting to be in India while you all are there, your and Pete’s blog have very much intrigued me :)
I hope you feel better very quickly! I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated and enjoyed this post. My hubby and I went through almost the exactly same thing when we worked for a summer-camp for inner-city kids 2 years ago. We were irrevocably changed by working with these sweet kids in our OWN BACKYARD (Atlanta) that had so little, that lived in poverty and surrounded by violence, drugs, abuse, welfare, sex, loss . . . so so much more than they should ever have to shoulder at such a tender young age.
We have never been the same, and I pray that your work will help others to be changed too!
Becca?s last blog post..Just a Few Things He Thought You Should Know
I feel like screaming “freedom”. THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT.
My husband & I are living this, and its Heartbreaking and Liberating!
Praying for healing in your body. When I went to Africa a few years back, I got very sick and ended up spending the day in the hospital. I totally understand how you feel! Keep your head up and I know that God can heal you through the hundreds of people praying for you!! You’re an inspiration to so many!!
Kara-Kae James?s last blog post..i love jesus, but christians annoy me.
Praying for you. Thanks so much for taking the time to keep us updated. Hope you are feeling better!
Robbie?s last blog post..What did we learn from this?
Annie, Sorry you not feeling very well. I’ve been following you every day. Would it make you feel any better if I told you that the Mavs won their 1st round over the Spurs 4-1? In any case you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel. Be safe.
I. love. this. !! I can’t quite fully explain to you how your post resonated with me! My husband and I have nightly conversations as we walk in the cooler parts of the day and dream aloud regarding how we will handle an upcoming transition back home to the states.
As you say, “we can’t be comfortable the way we used to be.”
We have been married and living in Cambodia for a year now, partnering with an organization that does orphan care throughout the country. It is a tremendous privilege on our part and a tremendous challenge to us to consider how we will return home changed, somehow maintaining the truth of the reality we live within here.
Thank you for the practical ideas of ways to live simply at home. This is our heart! To be content, and to partner with others who long to live within the bigger reality.
God bless you on your trip! I hope you stay healthy :)
Michelle Ferguson?s last blog post..Time tested.
You make me uncomfortable with the way I live and take things for granted. Thank you for such a beautiful post and for pulling and prodding and challenging. I love you and am so excited for this journey. For all of us. Who would have thought? Seriously.
kristiapplesauce?s last blog post..Exceptional
Thank you for sharing that Anne, and sharing how your family sacrifices to give sacrificially!
Will be praying for you!
Suraj Reddy?s last blog post..Blogging Challenge Update
Wow… this one hit me…
Graham?s last blog post..There?s an App for That!
Hi Anne!
Words fail me in response to reading through your posts from your journey so far in India. Last year my family and I began to sponsor, Syrus, a little boy in Uganda through the last blogger trip. WOW! Incredible the power of the blog in getting the word out there. I do a post called Time to Write, it’s a reminder for me to write our little guy as well as others who sponsor a child and it just is a post to make other aware of Compassion and the great work God is doing through them! The shot of those letter is PERFECT. I wondered, could I use it in my Time to Write posts and give credit to you and link your blog, of course? Thanks! Hope you are feeling better soon! God bless and safe travels…
Kari?s last blog post..You Capture.
Hi Anne,
I’m just getting around to reading some of these India blogs and am finding myself in my own tears, resonating with your honesty and the soul-searing Where-is-God ache that accompanies so much emotional, spiritual, sexual and physical poverty. Thank you for your words and giving me a reminder, in my cush little urban pad (that could sleep about 30 Indians although it feels too small for me to get a roommate) that the world is bigger and has more darkness and light that any of us can wrap our arms around. And that less is the new more. :) I’m so glad you got to go on this Compassion trip again. Thank you for your words. They move me tonight. Angela
AMH?s last blog post..Bottle Shock (the movie) review
Very touching Anne! Are prayers are with you all…
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