Coke for Compassion

This entry has been in my head for quite some time. I regret not making it happen sooner. Here's the timeline and what happened. Don't ever let someone convince you God isn't constantly planting seeds. Sometimes its a slow process.

Two years ago, on December 31 at Atlanta Christmas Conference, Tenth Avenue North played a concert. Mike (lead singer) asked Jeff (electric guitar) if he had made any new years resolutions. Now, its important to know that leading up to that moment I'd had many convos with students about the same topic. What he said slightly rocked my world--"I don't make resolutions, I make life change."

Life change can be a slow thing though, but I assure you it sat with me for some time. I'm still chewing on that truth.

This year, as New Years rolled around I really thought about that. I want to change. I want to change something about my habits, or lifestyle, or something. No doubt there is room for improvement. It was as if instantly I thought of this. Give up drinking Coke.

Yea right. I loooove Coke. It came and went, I stopped drinking it..or cut back...and then would do have a lot...and thats how most people's stories go.

I came to realize that without a purpose, there is no reason to give something us. I began to calculate how much $$$$ I spend on Coke every month. Its quite sickening. No doubt it varies with everyone's circumstances..but let me remind you what I do. Thats like my cry to justify it, forgive me. In meeting with students for hours each day, I go from place to place hanging out with students. Sometimes I don't eat, but I at least order a drink. Some days I'd end up getting a few drinks in one day whereas other days I would be lucky not to have one. What I'm saying is I could easily...easily...spend 75-100 on Cokes a month. Outrageous I know. But I imagine your life is no different. They are 2-3 bucks each...and you always get one with a meal...and they add up.

Sooo...the thoughts started building. All the while, this organization called Compassion Internation has been on my heart. I'd been introduced to them about a year ago. Then over New Years when I really wanted to 'change' Compassion was thrown in my face. The stats are one thing, but the stories of young children you can't run from. Then I come back to school and Compassion seems to be everywhere.

$38 a month to sponsor a child. Just $38. So what I have a tight budget. I can give something up. What can I give up.

All spring I crunched the numbers and finally came to this.

Coke for Compassion.

What I'm not saying is that I'll never have a Coke again. I'm not even saying that I'm totally against buying one. I'm sure I will--what I am saying is that I'm willing to sacrifice having a Coke most of the time for the sake of investing in a Compassion child. Its that worth it.

You might feel the same way if you could see sweet Pamela. Her pic is no longer online, thankfully. I now call her mine.



Pamela is an 11 year hopeful child from Ecuador

Pamela lives with her father and her mother. At home, duties include caring for children, washing clothes and making beds. Her father is employed as a laborer and her mother maintains the home. There are 5 children in the family.

For fun, Pamela enjoys basketball, singing and art. She attends church activities regularly and is in primary school where her performance is average.

The hard part was not giving up Coke. The hard part was not 'adopting' more children. There is such a great need and we have far more than we ever could use. Its part of this lifestyle I'm trying out that I hope I don't ever change from....give it all away.

www.compassion.com

Be blessed.