The Compassion Experience

Bradenton, Florida: Living in the United States, we really do not have a clue on what it is like to live below poverty. While there are plenty in this country that are struggling to make ends meet, it is nothing compared to living in poverty in countries like Haiti, Kenya and other poor countries. The Christian humanitarian group Compassion International seeks to brings this issue to light by touring the country with the Compassion Experience.

The Compassion Experience made a stop at the First Baptist Church in Bradenton this weekend and we decided to visit on Saturday afternoon. Staged in a semi-truck trailer the experience follows the life of two young children growing up in poverty who overcome odds thanks to Compassion International.

Upon check-in, you are issued an IPod and headphones to hear the story of each child. Each story takes your through several rooms that showcase a different place in each child’s life and how it shaped them to become a successful member of society through the help of Compassion International and their donor.

The first story was Jonathan. Jonathan lived with his mother in a drug rampant village in Santo Domingo. Being poor and hungry, Jonathan is faced with the tough struggle of overcoming gang influences but thanks to his donor and Compassion International, he overcame the negativity and grew up to lead a successful life.

The second story featured Kiwi. Kiwi lived in the Philippines and was the fourth child of her parents but the only one to survive due to poor medical care as the result of poverty. They lived in deplorable conditions until a donor through Compassion International assisted the family. Through the help from Compassion International, Kiwi was able to rise above the conditions and obtain a successful career in the medical field.

This event was an eye opening experience for the entire family. Too many times we find ourselves in what we appear to be a struggle to provide a good life for our families. We do our best to make sure our kids have everything they ever wanted yet lose sight on the fact that there are people struggling all over the world that would love to have just a fraction of what we have. Seeing life through their eyes really brought reality back into focus.

At the conclusion of the event, we ended up adopting a child from Compassion International. Our adoptee is Sarim, a 5 year old girl from Ethiopia. For the price of one dinner at a restaurant, we will be able to help make a better life for one child in need.

If you would like to witness for yourself the Compassion Experience, it will be at the First Baptist Church in Bradenton through January 9. Afterwards you can check their website for other tour dates throughout the country. You can also click on the photo above to view our photos from the Compassion Experience photo gallery.

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