Today we kicked off Day 2 of our #Compassion #Tanzania trip bright and early with a little breakfast prior to heading to the AICT African Island Church Tanzania. For the sake of wordiness and consistency, I’ll simply refer to this project as AITC. This was an amazing experience, amazing project, amazing kids and the potential for this project is off the charts. AICT is a relatively new project serving over 250 kids. Of the 250+ kids in the project only 53 of those kids are still in need of a sponsor.
You can actually sponsor a kid specifically from the AICT project by clicking this link… (see pics below) Last time I checked there were 16 kids available on the Compassion site from this particular project and plenty of other kids in need of a sponsor from Tanzania. LaKendria and I are excited about sponsoring a child from Tanzania.
Each day I’m taking in so much information, emotions and stories. Todays emotions were filled with the joys of seeing these little kids have so much fun playing the basic children playground games, smiling for the camera, being mesmerized by my white hellosomebody (hello freedom) watch (see pic below), kids sharing their testimonies, kids singing, the vision the Project Director has for AICT and the list of joys go on and on like this run-on rambling sentence. The entire Compassion Bloggers team left with joyful memories.
On the flip-side of the joyful emotions you had the sadness that came with visiting the home of a poverty stricken family of this 3-year-old little girl Latecia. Latecia is in need of a Sponsor and her mother and brother are in need of hope. (see pic below) We were able to pray over the family, prayers to help them to find the hope that can only be found in Christ. This family has to walk 15 minutes one-way to get water and often times they are unable to afford it. Coming from the US where we have plenty and going to a place like Tanzania, where extreme poverty seems to be par for the course… no matter how you slice it, the emotion of sadness is triggered.
The great thing about seeing extreme poverty and being faced with the question of “What am I going to do about it?” Fortunately, for answsering that question as it relates to Tanzania, God is already doing some amazing work through Compassion International’s holistic ministry approach. With Compassion $38 a month can answer that question of “What am I going to do about it.” $38 a month basically provides:
- Food and Clean Drinking Water
- Medical Care and Advocacy
- Educational Opportunities
- Life-skills and Leadership Training
- Understanding Of What It Means To Have a Lifelong relationship with Jesus.
In my opinion I feel that the key to the success of Compassion’s Projects in under-served communities around the globe is the fact that they are Christ centered and a have a clear vision to serve the spiritual, physical, social and educational needs of children in need around the world and right here in Tanzania. As a pastor, I have always embraced the fact that vision is critical to success:
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
I loved hearing Samson’s vision for the Project. Samson is the Project Director (see pic below) and his vision is a laundry list of things that he wants to accomplish by 2022. Everything from every child being sponsored, new classroom space, additional office space and a plethora of other things that will allow them to serve more kids. He had a 10-year plan filled with hope, joy, success and a plan to realize their potential. He was excited about what could be and had an expectant heart for what will be.
“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.” ~Joel Barker
Compassion has action with vision… Be a Part Of The Vision Today.
Pics Below & Video Below: (The last image is a video walk-through of the Project)
Hanging with kids from the AITC Project
Kids mesmerized by my HelloSomebody – Hello Freedom Watch
Latecia, her mom Agnes & brother Michael
AITC Project Director Samson with “Big Vision”
10-Year-Old James Preaching
My favorite pic. that I took of Latecia
I am going to ask you that question again… You see the problem, you hear the vision, “What are you going to do about it?” Sponsor a child from Tanzania right here.
Share your thoughts on the importance of vision.
Would you agree that Compassion’s success and holistic approach makes it an organization with Action & Vision?
Any questions, thoughts or observations? Thanks for reading!
