Compassion: 30 Days of HeartworkSample

Speak Up!

HEART //  

Wess grew up on the Ivory Coast of Africa, where his parents served as missionaries. The community was devastated by poverty. Wess experienced the developing world firsthand. Because Wess was from the United States, he had proper vaccinations, but his friends did not. He watched many of his young friends die from preventable diseases due to lack of resources. From a young age, Wess’ heart broke for the children affected by poverty around the world.

In the midst of this heartbreak for other children, Wess experienced personal pain that would change his life forever. For nine months of the year, Wess and other missionary kids attended a boarding school while their parents served on the mission field. The school maintained an outward appearance of safety, but the inside reality was the opposite of safe. Wess and his peers were abused by the school leaders.  

Due to his experience in Africa and at boarding school, Wess understood that children are vulnerable. As a result, he decided to dedicate his life to protecting children in poverty. Wess Stafford later went on to work for Compassion International and eventually served as the president of Compassion for 20 years. Wess has dedicated his life and career to speaking up for those who could not speak for themselves. It is his passion, calling and purpose.

Thousands of children around the world are trapped in the cycle of poverty and do not have anyone who will speak up for them. While there are many things we cannot do, there are things we can do … things we must do. We must use the example of people like Wess Stafford to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. It is our calling as followers of Christ, the ultimate advocate.

WORK //

Today, speak up to your friends or family or on social media by sharing a story or a statistic about someone who is affected by poverty, either locally or globally. Pray that as people hear about these things, they also will be moved to learn and share. As you go somewhere today carrying a bag of rice or sand on your shoulder, use it as an opportunity to tell people what you are doing, why you are doing it, and about those in poverty who are walking miles to get their water. 

How was carrying around that dirty water bottle? What has God taught you this week as you have empathized with those who have to walk miles to just get food or water?