Compassion: 30 Days of HeartworkSample

Loving God by Loving People

HEART //

When Hannah was in ninth grade, her heart broke for children in poverty. Hannah’s family sponsored a girl from Ethiopia named Ruth. Hannah and Ruth exchanged letters through Compassion International. One day Hannah learned that Ruth’s house was made of sticks, hay and dirt and that Ruth’s family did not have electricity. Hannah was heartbroken by Ruth’s living conditions, and she knew she had to do something about it. So she got to work.

Hannah loved science and engineering. She soon discovered she could use this passion to help others around the world. Hannah invented a renewable-energy device that converted energy into a source of electricity. With this invention, Hannah won first place at the 2015 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Her device worked, and with some refinement, it could provide electricity for families in poverty around the world.

But Hannah’s generosity did not stop there. She decided to give $3,000 of the winnings from the Young Scientist Challenge to her family’s two sponsored children, Ruth and Daniel, and to Compassion International’s Christmas Gift Fund. Because of this donation, Ruth and her family received medical care, clothes, shoes, blankets and supplies for their home.

Not only did Hannah use her God-given talents and passions to come up with a solution for the lack of electricity for people in poverty, but she also generously sacrificed a portion of her reward to help children in poverty. Even though Hannah was young, she made a huge impact. As young people, it’s easy to feel that our contribution can’t really make a difference, but that is simply not true. No matter our age, we can ask God what our part is to love people who are in need. He will give us the wisdom, strength and gifts we need to do our part.  

WORK //

God has uniquely designed you to participate in His Kingdom coming to this world. He’s given you creativity, the ability to work hard, and the resources (even if they’re small!) to be a generous giver. Ask Him to teach you how to use those things to join Him in His plan. 

Today, make a plan to gather with friends or family to pray together. Do a little research before your meeting about issues aligned with your passions and gifts. God is still at work in the lives of the vulnerable and needy! What are a few things you and your community can do throughout Compassion: 30 Days of Heartwork to raise money to aid in Compassion International’s efforts around the world? Is your Heartwork jar being filled? For the rest of these 30 days, challenge yourself to set aside a little bit of money each day, giving up something you would normally spend on, so that you can give your best gift  to a family in poverty at the end of this journey.  Learn more about a Safe Water Well.