Margaret Feinberg - Writing by Margaret Feinberg

5 Things Your Sponsored Child Can Never Tell You

Margaret — May 20, 2013 — 9 Comments

IMG_8109 copy As we’ve spent the week in Kenya, I’ve had the privilege of getting a close up look at the work of Compassion. I can literally walk into any project, point at any kid, and ask to see their file—a thick, 3-ring binder filled with monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports on the child’s health, academic progress, spiritual growth, goals for life, and observations/needs from home visits.

I’ve been given free reign to ask anything, which is dangerous for someone like me, because I’m unafraid to ask any and every question. What is haunting me from this week is that I’ve gotten a glimpse into things your sponsored child simply can’t tell you: Continue Reading…

In Dive Deeper Africa, Africa slums, compassion, Compassion International, encouragement, impoverished children, Kenya, letter writing, Nairobi, orphans, pen pals, poor children, Poverty, sponsored child

What Happens When You Let Your Husband Crash Your Blog?

Margaret — May 19, 2013 — 2 Comments

What Happens When You Let Your Husband Crash Your Blog?

A special post by the love of my life, my super hot hubby, Leif (pronounced lay-f).

Passing through the slum, our van paused in front of a gray metal gate. Voices were already singing on the other side. We pulled into the courtyard of the church that hosted Compassion’s Child Survival Program.

Two lines of women danced and sang to greet us. Children peeked from around their skirts, staring at us “mzungu” – Swahili for white people.

As I stepped out of the van a little boy, dressed all in red, came out from behind his mother, walked straight up to me, and raised his arms in the universal sign for “pick me up”.

My heart melted as I looked at this handsome child who wasn’t afraid to interact with someone so completely different when all of the other children stayed with their mothers. Continue Reading…

In Dive Deeper Africa, african slums, bread winners, child sponsorship, Child Support Program, compassion, Compassion International, guest post, Keyna, Mzungu, Nairobi, providing income, sponsor a child, Swahili

Giveaway: More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity @shinabarger @David_C_Cook

Margaret — May 18, 2013 — 51 Comments

This week, we’re giving away THREE copies of my friend, Jeff Shinabarger’s new book, More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity. Jeff is a social entrepreneur, experience designer, cofounder of the Q event, and creative director at Catalyst. He is also the founder of GiftCardGiver.com and Plywood People, an innovative community addressing social needs through creative services. He and his family live in Atlanta. Continue Reading…

In Resources book, free, free book, free giveaway, generosity, Giveaway, giving, Jeff Shinabarger, More or Less, More or Less Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, must read, Resources, Shinabarger

The Great Debate: Can You Bring Heaven to Hell?

Margaret — May 17, 2013 — 9 Comments

The church property where the Compassion program is hosted is an oasis. The small lot feels expansive compared to the cramped quarters of the slum. The entrance is marked by trees, vegetation and pink hibiscus; a stark contrast to the stench, filth, and garbage just outside the gate. Continue Reading…

In Dive Deeper Africa, Africa slums, child sponsorship, Christian, Church, compassion, Compassion International, hope, impoverished children, Kenya, Muslim, Nairobi, Poverty, sponsor a child, third world country

How To Punch Hopelessness in the Face

Margaret — May 16, 2013 — 6 Comments

Leif and I had the privilege of sitting down with the head of Kenya for Compassion International, Joel, to learn more about their work to serve more than 93,000 kids throughout the nation.

“What’s the hardest part of your job?” I asked.

“Capacity,” Joel said. “We’ll have several hundred kids in line to get into one of our projects, but then there will be 50 or more that we have to say no—we want to help but there’s only so much you can do.”

“How do you keep your heart soft?” Leif piped in.