Have you ever put together a puzzle? You need all the pieces to finish it. If one piece is missing, the puzzle isn’t complete and you can’t see the whole picture. Kids are like puzzles too! Each thing kids need, like food, medicine or school, is a piece of the puzzle. Without all the pieces, kids can’t grow and be healthy. Let’s look at how Compassion’s church partners are helping kids around the world become whole, healthy kids!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30, NIV
Smiles for Cristina and Ariel
GUATEMALA
Meet Cristina, 7, and her 4-year-old brother Ariel. One day, a big storm caused a mudslide that destroyed their house. Sadly, their mom was caught in the mudslide and passed away. Now their older sister, Maria, takes care of them. Their church and Compassion center are helping rebuild their home and take care of them after that awful storm.
But look at Cristina’s and Ariel’s smiles! How can they smile so big after what happened to them? One reason is because Cristina and Ariel learn Bible verses every week at their Compassion center. This helps them feel joy and hope in Jesus when they’re sad or scared.
Keevin Can Walk
PERU
Keevin is 9 years old and lives in the mountains of Peru. He’s going for a walk in this picture — and that’s a big deal for him! Keevin was born with clubfoot, which means that his leg grew twisted to one side. He needed his parents’ help to walk.
This was hard for Keevin because he wanted to run and play soccer with the other kids.
Surgery could fix his foot, but his parents didn’t have enough money for it. But when he was registered in Compassion’s program, the center paid for the surgery, and his tutors cheered him up with kind words.
Listen to what he said after his surgery: “I knew things would be OK. I’m glad I’ll be able to play soccer and won’t be embarrassed anymore.”
Meseret's Chicken
ETHIOPIA
Twelve-year-old Meseret is very happy to have a chicken! As well as being a fluffy friend to hug, the chicken has helped her family in lots of ways. Meseret’s family didn’t have enough food because it was too expensive. But when her sponsor gave her family a gift, they were able to buy animals — including this chicken. Now they have a farm!
The chicken lays eggs that the family can eat and sell. Now Meseret’s family has enough money to buy what they need. They even have food to share with their neighbors. The animals made a big difference for Meseret’s family. It’s amazing what a chicken — and a caring sponsor — can do!
Mintu’s Big Discovery
BANGLADESH
Mintu was only 3 years old when he helped his grandmother find something that changed their lives. One morning, he saw some kids walk past with their backpacks on. Wanting to play with them, he and his grandma followed. They found the kids at the Compassion center, playing, learning and getting food together.
Mintu’s grandmother was so happy to see how much the people at the Compassion center cared for kids! She registered Mintu at the center so that he could keep coming there. Now the center staff give him food and make sure he gets to go to school. Mintu came for new friends, but he found so much more!
Rafael the Teacher
BRAZIL
Rafael, who is 8 years old, loves spending time at his Compassion center. One reason is because his house doesn’t have water pipes. He lives in a very dry part of Brazil called Sertão, so his family must fill buckets from nearby ponds just for drinking and washing. But Rafael can use water from the sinks at the Compassion center whenever he visits!
And water isn’t all Rafael likes about his center.
“I really enjoy learning about the things of God at the center,” Rafael says. “When I get home, I like to share the things I learned. … One day, I also want to teach other people about God.”
A Safe Place for Linus
KENYA
Linus is 9 years old and lives in Kenya. When the local church saw his family needed help, they registered him at their Compassion center. That meant Linus could attend school instead of having to earn money like his older brothers and sisters. Now Linus is in fourth grade. He’s glad he can play safely at the center instead of on the dangerous streets in his neighborhood.
Linus loves to draw! Here he’s showing one of his creations. Linus draws a lot with his sketch pad, pencils and crayons. His sponsor’s support helps him spend time at the Compassion center, where he can learn — and draw!
Sella Writes to Her Sponsor
INDONESIA
Writing day is special at Compassion centers around the world. In this picture, 4-year-old Sella is writing a message to her sponsor with the help of her mom. Sella’s mom and other kids’ parents like to come on writing day to help write letters!
For Sella, it’s a fun way to spend time with her mom. She’s writing to her sponsor about her life and her family. Sella is also thanking her sponsor for thinking about her and praying for her family. Her mom is excited to be part of this special day because she knows how much Sella’s sponsor cares about them!
Mayte Has Water
BOLIVIA
Mayte has a lot of fun splashing in the stream! The 4-year-old and her family used to visit a stream like this one every time they needed water for washing, cooking and cleaning. It was hard work to carry the water home. They could only take baths once a week!
But now Mayte’s family doesn’t worry about getting water anymore. Their Compassion center bought them a big water tank that holds enough water for the whole family for a whole month. Mayte and her family are also learning to brush their teeth each day and wash their faces and hands so they stay healthy. Mayte’s mom can’t stop thanking God because they now have water right in their home!
Verenice’s Dinner
EL SALVADOR
Eight-year-old Verenice is excited for her dinner! She’s holding the food package she got at her Compassion center in El Salvador. Her family grows rice and corn, but bad storms ruined their crops. To keep her family from going hungry, the Compassion center gives them food.
Verenice loves it when her mom cooks tasty meals with the food they receive. Her favorite is bean soup with eggs and rice. It has a secret ingredient: a banana tree leaf! The banana tree leaf adds a special flavor to the rice.
Verenice and her family thank God for helping them during hard times. They are also happy because kind, generous people give money to Compassion, which helps her family get food every week!
Smiles for Cristina and Ariel
GUATEMALA
Meet Cristina, 7, and her 4-year-old brother Ariel. One day, a big storm caused a mudslide that destroyed their house. Sadly, their mom was caught in the mudslide and passed away. Now their older sister, Maria, takes care of them. Their church and Compassion center are helping rebuild their home and take care of them after that awful storm.
But look at Cristina’s and Ariel’s smiles! How can they smile so big after what happened to them? One reason is because Cristina and Ariel learn Bible verses every week at their Compassion center. This helps them feel joy and hope in Jesus when they’re sad or scared.
Keevin Can Walk
PERU
Keevin is 9 years old and lives in the mountains of Peru. He’s going for a walk in this picture — and that’s a big deal for him! Keevin was born with clubfoot, which means that his leg grew twisted to one side. He needed his parents’ help to walk.
This was hard for Keevin because he wanted to run and play soccer with the other kids.
Surgery could fix his foot, but his parents didn’t have enough money for it. But when he was registered in Compassion’s program, the center paid for the surgery, and his tutors cheered him up with kind words.
Listen to what he said after his surgery: “I knew things would be OK. I’m glad I’ll be able to play soccer and won’t be embarrassed anymore.”
Meseret's Chicken
ETHIOPIA
Twelve-year-old Meseret is very happy to have a chicken! As well as being a fluffy friend to hug, the chicken has helped her family in lots of ways. Meseret’s family didn’t have enough food because it was too expensive. But when her sponsor gave her family a gift, they were able to buy animals — including this chicken. Now they have a farm!
The chicken lays eggs that the family can eat and sell. Now Meseret’s family has enough money to buy what they need. They even have food to share with their neighbors. The animals made a big difference for Meseret’s family. It’s amazing what a chicken — and a caring sponsor — can do!
Mintu’s Big Discovery
BANGLADESH
Mintu was only 3 years old when he helped his grandmother find something that changed their lives. One morning, he saw some kids walk past with their backpacks on. Wanting to play with them, he and his grandma followed. They found the kids at the Compassion center, playing, learning and getting food together.
Mintu’s grandmother was so happy to see how much the people at the Compassion center cared for kids! She registered Mintu at the center so that he could keep coming there. Now the center staff give him food and make sure he gets to go to school. Mintu came for new friends, but he found so much more!
Rafael the Teacher
BRAZIL
Rafael, who is 8 years old, loves spending time at his Compassion center. One reason is because his house doesn’t have water pipes. He lives in a very dry part of Brazil called Sertão, so his family must fill buckets from nearby ponds just for drinking and washing. But Rafael can use water from the sinks at the Compassion center whenever he visits!
And water isn’t all Rafael likes about his center.
“I really enjoy learning about the things of God at the center,” Rafael says. “When I get home, I like to share the things I learned. … One day, I also want to teach other people about God.”
A Safe Place for Linus
KENYA
Linus is 9 years old and lives in Kenya. When the local church saw his family needed help, they registered him at their Compassion center. That meant Linus could attend school instead of having to earn money like his older brothers and sisters. Now Linus is in fourth grade. He’s glad he can play safely at the center instead of on the dangerous streets in his neighborhood.
Linus loves to draw! Here he’s showing one of his creations. Linus draws a lot with his sketch pad, pencils and crayons. His sponsor’s support helps him spend time at the Compassion center, where he can learn — and draw!
Sella Writes to Her Sponsor
INDONESIA
Writing day is special at Compassion centers around the world. In this picture, 4-year-old Sella is writing a message to her sponsor with the help of her mom. Sella’s mom and other kids’ parents like to come on writing day to help write letters!
For Sella, it’s a fun way to spend time with her mom. She’s writing to her sponsor about her life and her family. Sella is also thanking her sponsor for thinking about her and praying for her family. Her mom is excited to be part of this special day because she knows how much Sella’s sponsor cares about them!
Mayte Has Water
BOLIVIA
Mayte has a lot of fun splashing in the stream! The 4-year-old and her family used to visit a stream like this one every time they needed water for washing, cooking and cleaning. It was hard work to carry the water home. They could only take baths once a week!
But now Mayte’s family doesn’t worry about getting water anymore. Their Compassion center bought them a big water tank that holds enough water for the whole family for a whole month. Mayte and her family are also learning to brush their teeth each day and wash their faces and hands so they stay healthy. Mayte’s mom can’t stop thanking God because they now have water right in their home!
Verenice’s Dinner
EL SALVADOR
Eight-year-old Verenice is excited for her dinner! She’s holding the food package she got at her Compassion center in El Salvador. Her family grows rice and corn, but bad storms ruined their crops. To keep her family from going hungry, the Compassion center gives them food.
Verenice loves it when her mom cooks tasty meals with the food they receive. Her favorite is bean soup with eggs and rice. It has a secret ingredient: a banana tree leaf! The banana tree leaf adds a special flavor to the rice.
Verenice and her family thank God for helping them during hard times. They are also happy because kind, generous people give money to Compassion, which helps her family get food every week!
Smiles for Cristina and Ariel
GUATEMALA
Meet Cristina, 7, and her 4-year-old brother Ariel. One day, a big storm caused a mudslide that destroyed their house. Sadly, their mom was caught in the mudslide and passed away. Now their older sister, Maria, takes care of them. Their church and Compassion center are helping rebuild their home and take care of them after that awful storm.
But look at Cristina’s and Ariel’s smiles! How can they smile so big after what happened to them? One reason is because Cristina and Ariel learn Bible verses every week at their Compassion center. This helps them feel joy and hope in Jesus when they’re sad or scared.
Keevin Can Walk
PERU
Keevin is 9 years old and lives in the mountains of Peru. He’s going for a walk in this picture — and that’s a big deal for him! Keevin was born with clubfoot, which means that his leg grew twisted to one side. He needed his parents’ help to walk.
This was hard for Keevin because he wanted to run and play soccer with the other kids.
Surgery could fix his foot, but his parents didn’t have enough money for it. But when he was registered in Compassion’s program, the center paid for the surgery, and his tutors cheered him up with kind words.
Listen to what he said after his surgery: “I knew things would be OK. I’m glad I’ll be able to play soccer and won’t be embarrassed anymore.”
Meseret's Chicken
ETHIOPIA
Twelve-year-old Meseret is very happy to have a chicken! As well as being a fluffy friend to hug, the chicken has helped her family in lots of ways. Meseret’s family didn’t have enough food because it was too expensive. But when her sponsor gave her family a gift, they were able to buy animals — including this chicken. Now they have a farm!
The chicken lays eggs that the family can eat and sell. Now Meseret’s family has enough money to buy what they need. They even have food to share with their neighbors. The animals made a big difference for Meseret’s family. It’s amazing what a chicken — and a caring sponsor — can do!
Mintu’s Big Discovery
BANGLADESH
Mintu was only 3 years old when he helped his grandmother find something that changed their lives. One morning, he saw some kids walk past with their backpacks on. Wanting to play with them, he and his grandma followed. They found the kids at the Compassion center, playing, learning and getting food together.
Mintu’s grandmother was so happy to see how much the people at the Compassion center cared for kids! She registered Mintu at the center so that he could keep coming there. Now the center staff give him food and make sure he gets to go to school. Mintu came for new friends, but he found so much more!
Rafael the Teacher
BRAZIL
Rafael, who is 8 years old, loves spending time at his Compassion center. One reason is because his house doesn’t have water pipes. He lives in a very dry part of Brazil called Sertão, so his family must fill buckets from nearby ponds just for drinking and washing. But Rafael can use water from the sinks at the Compassion center whenever he visits!
And water isn’t all Rafael likes about his center.
“I really enjoy learning about the things of God at the center,” Rafael says. “When I get home, I like to share the things I learned. … One day, I also want to teach other people about God.”
A Safe Place for Linus
KENYA
Linus is 9 years old and lives in Kenya. When the local church saw his family needed help, they registered him at their Compassion center. That meant Linus could attend school instead of having to earn money like his older brothers and sisters. Now Linus is in fourth grade. He’s glad he can play safely at the center instead of on the dangerous streets in his neighborhood.
Linus loves to draw! Here he’s showing one of his creations. Linus draws a lot with his sketch pad, pencils and crayons. His sponsor’s support helps him spend time at the Compassion center, where he can learn — and draw!
Sella Writes to Her Sponsor
INDONESIA
Writing day is special at Compassion centers around the world. In this picture, 4-year-old Sella is writing a message to her sponsor with the help of her mom. Sella’s mom and other kids’ parents like to come on writing day to help write letters!
For Sella, it’s a fun way to spend time with her mom. She’s writing to her sponsor about her life and her family. Sella is also thanking her sponsor for thinking about her and praying for her family. Her mom is excited to be part of this special day because she knows how much Sella’s sponsor cares about them!
Mayte Has Water
BOLIVIA
Mayte has a lot of fun splashing in the stream! The 4-year-old and her family used to visit a stream like this one every time they needed water for washing, cooking and cleaning. It was hard work to carry the water home. They could only take baths once a week!
But now Mayte’s family doesn’t worry about getting water anymore. Their Compassion center bought them a big water tank that holds enough water for the whole family for a whole month. Mayte and her family are also learning to brush their teeth each day and wash their faces and hands so they stay healthy. Mayte’s mom can’t stop thanking God because they now have water right in their home!
Verenice’s Dinner
EL SALVADOR
Eight-year-old Verenice is excited for her dinner! She’s holding the food package she got at her Compassion center in El Salvador. Her family grows rice and corn, but bad storms ruined their crops. To keep her family from going hungry, the Compassion center gives them food.
Verenice loves it when her mom cooks tasty meals with the food they receive. Her favorite is bean soup with eggs and rice. It has a secret ingredient: a banana tree leaf! The banana tree leaf adds a special flavor to the rice.
Verenice and her family thank God for helping them during hard times. They are also happy because kind, generous people give money to Compassion, which helps her family get food every week!
[God] defended the cause of the poor and needy.
— Jeremiah 22:16, NIV