One of my jobs is heading up this thing called Compassion Bloggers for Compassion International.  The hardest part of that job, for me, is encouraging bloggers who want to go on a trip with us but are scared.  Really scared.

The top fear is flying, followed by a general concern about safety – terrorist attacks, parasites, drug dealers, monkeys, etc.  Then there’s the fear that they won’t be able to emotionally handle seeing children living in abject poverty.

About half of the female bloggers I talk to – bloggers who asked to go on these trips in the first place – wind up saying “no” in the end because of some fear. (Guys say no mostly because they’re not interested or too busy.)

There is a lot to fear about traveling to the third world.  Planes do crash.  People do bring home parasites.  Terrorists are real.  So are drug dealers and monkeys. I never say these concerns are silly.  They aren’t. Well, the monkeys?  Maybe a tad.

Anyway, a few bloggers climb on that airplane with me anyway.  They aren’t fearless.  But they’re brave.  They all seem to sense that what a trip to the developing world will do to them and for children is bigger than the risks they are taking.

And they’re right.

No blogger has ever said after a trip with Compassion, “Wow, that was a total waste of time.  I fought off monkeys for nothin’” Nope, everyone of them thinks it was worth it to face their fears.

Today, three bloggers from our first trip have posted about their experience in Uganda…one year later.  Check out Anne’s, Sophie’s and Shannon’s thoughts and get a little inspiration to help you face your own fears today.

What are you afraid of?  What’s holding you back from helping yourself and others?  What might happen if you were brave?