Comments on: Frequently Asked Questions About Compassion International

By: Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:29:41 +0000

The final numbers for our week in Kenya are in. When Compassion makes a marketing investment it aims to multiply that investment 10 fold. This trip has (so far) multiplied the investment more than 20 fold!

Thank you to all who sponsored, prayed and spread the word. And thanks to the bloggers who communicated the ministry of Compassion so effectively.

By: Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:26:17 +0000

Thank you for the linkage! And the encouragement.

By: CarlyS

CarlyS — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:20:20 +0000

Shaun,
Perhaps an update here to clarify what happened with Israel’s background check?

By: Roberta

Roberta — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:08 +0000

Wow…hate to see the real issues being passed over here in the comments…helping children. To me the first thing about being spiritual or a Christian (don’t care what you call yourself) is to NOT JUDGE. Enough said…well Shaun I love this blog post because it answers alot of those questions that people are asking about Compassion…and I shared it in my blog post:
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/bobis_business_of_bliss_i/2010/03/frequently-asked-questions-about-compassion.html
Have a great day, fondly, Roberta

By: Teresa

Teresa — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:14:46 +0000

Yes, very helpful.
Thanks Shaun!

By: Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:40:23 +0000

Great question, Teresa. And thanks for reading along and encouraging us.

In the Kenya projects we visited, the children all went to public school every day. The children I spoke to about their daily routine told me they didn’t get home until 6 or 6:30 PM every day!

So, maybe that’s why those Compassion projects did not have after school programs. The children were visited by project staff in their homes twice each month and the children spent a full day in the Compassion program on Saturdays. I don’t think this is the case all over Kenya, but I’m not sure. I will ask.

So, yes, the program is meeting the cognitive need of Compassion children in partnership with the public school and we did not see tutoring or program stuff happening during the week, but only on Saturday. The program was producing results this way but it is unusual I think – I’ve never seen Compassion children spending so little time in a Compassion project.

Does that help, Teresa? Thanks again for the kind words and great question.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:54:58 +0000

Hi Shaun
Similar to the above question regarding how often the children receive meals and other necessities, I’m wondering how often the children meet at their centers. I’m seeing that Saturday is a big day for them, but I’m wondering if there are after school meetings as well? It’s been my understanding that they receive homework help, etc. Does that take place during the week, or is each project different in that regard as well….adjusting their program schedule according to the needs in their particular area?
Thanks, Shaun for giving us a chance to ask our questions. All the blogger trips have been amazing…that’s how I discovered Compassion in the first place!

By: Cool Springs Todd

Cool Springs Todd — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:15:44 +0000

Do you ever have any events or fundraisers in Nashville?

By: lindasuh

lindasuh — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:03:49 +0000

You don’t know me; I’m just a 23 year old fan/ Shlog reader (of ~2 yrs) in California. I wanted to thank you for your blog entry on March 2nd and your FAQ blog on March 8th. I’m not sure if it has pained or burdened you to receive and have to answer those kinds of questions, but thank you for your wisdom and tact in your responses. I’m really proud that you’re my brother in Christ.

I’m blessed and inspired by your life, especially because I’ve been able to read along in your blog and see that you’re this ordinary real human being who does this beautiful thing with his life by pouring it out at Jesus’ feet.

Your stories are hilarious =) and your daughters and son are so beautiful. God bless you! I pray for missionaries and ministries on Saturday mornings and I’m going to be sure to pray for you and your family from now on.

By: Liza

Liza — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:09:57 +0000

Shaun, thank you a million times for your simple but concisely effective clarification regarding MckMama.

I have really been sadly stunned by comments like the one you responded to- especially as they concern Mr. Mckinney’s focus on issues such as pornography and masturbation.

Do you so-called Christians in the anti-mckinney camp REALLY think that a man can’t or shouldn’t struggle with these issues simply because he desires Christ in his life? I applaud Mr. Mckinney in the same way I applaud Kirk Franklin– perhaps you’ve heard of him? He is one of the most successful Christian entertainers in history…and had a decades long, intensely debilitating battle against those very issues: pornography and masturbation.

Like Mr. Mckinney, Mr. Franklin began speaking in an open, honest, and forthright manner about this devastating issue. The reason he went public with such an intensely private and shameful struggle? To lend a voice to the thousands, yes, THOUSANDS of Christian men out there who daily fight this same battle of flesh versus will.

Israel Mckinney is choosing to lay bare this private struggle, that other men may see themselves in his former self; that other men may be able to step back from the brink of complete self loathing and doubt…and realize there ARE those that have gone before. There IS hope, and help.

I may not agree with the way Jennifer or her spouse live every aspect of their lives, but all of this venom and vitriol directed at an expectant mother and her beloved, whom has laid bare his sins to the world…? At best it is petty and at worst it is needlessly grievous to the very heart of Christ.

Thank you Shaun for letting me speak my mind here. I am a longtime fan and find your relatability and empathy toward others to be a true example of Christlikeness.