Recent Posts

PHOTO BLOG: Over the river and through the woods

I have worked with World Vision for nearly three years — yet I am still amazed by the things I see and the stories I hear. I am equally inspired by the drive and determination of people living in poverty to overcome their circumstances and build a better world for their children, their communities, our country, and the world. Recently, I experienced firsthand the struggles children in remote communities face just to get to school, and I wanted to share this experience with you....
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An open letter to our generous donors

In December, World Vision’s Kirsten Stearns traveled with our True Spirit of Christmas Trip to Sri Lanka and Zambia to see firsthand how gifts from the Gift Catalog are helping to change the lives of children and families in need. Here, she shares an open letter with our donors, reflecting on how your generosity has helped make stories like these possible. *     *     *...
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The state of America’s children

Have you ever asked yourself, “What am I doing to make my community, my country, and my world a better place?” Perhaps you asked yourself something similar in your new year resolutions; or perhaps you ask it when you look at your own children. As a mother of three, I find myself doing this. As I reflect on the words of President Obama’s State of the Union address from last night, this is the question I hope we are all asking — and doing something about it....
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What does true hunger look like?

I am a textbook “hangry” person. When I get hungry, I get angry. It’s not a pleasant experience for those around me, and it leads me to snack about every two hours. My closest friends know that without food in my body, no decisions will be made, and the conversations will not be pleasant. So, I end up talking about the issue of hunger a lot — usually my own. The proper definition of the word “hunger” is “a compelling need or desire for food” or “the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food.” I recognize that my hunger pales in light of what others go through, and the endless access I have to food...
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A cup of coffee? Or water for a village?

In 2010, World Vision magazine published a story about Kathy Williams, a manager at Family Christian store in Killeen, Texas. Through a bottle of dirty water, she struck up conversations with customers — conversations that resulted in hundreds of child sponsorships. Because of Kathy’s voice of change in her community, she was invited to visit World Vision projects in Swaziland with Austin, Texas area pastors and community leaders. After witnessing World Vision’s work in Swaziland, she wrote the following reflection....
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