²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
– Romans 12:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

Few of us in this world, much as we might like to, will ever travel to another nation or take part of a mission trip. And given our knowledge is often relegated to the news or social media, making sense of the troubles in this world – much less explain it in a meaningful way to our children – is difficult at best.

That’s why I was thrilled to stumble on the Compassion Experience’s tour recently to our city. Its traveling “Change the Story” program gave visitors a glimpse of two children’s lives, and how they were radically changed by one person’s acts.

Our Junior troop, who is looking forward to starting their Bronze Award this school year, recently attended the “Change the Story” tour and were amazed. It’s hard to reconcile how “poor” you feel when you don’t have an electronic device at age 10 when you see how a child lived in poverty before he was imprisoned for stealing food – at a younger age than you.

Or how a young girl could be bounced from location to location, while a parent struggles with no work and alcoholism. Her family’s escape from poverty might have meant separation from her mother.

Eventually both children, and countless others, were saved from a dangerous path, given food and earned an education.

The girls were touched by these stories, the stark differences in the lifestyles and the struggle to have a safe, new life. (Imagine not being able to use the bathroom in the middle of the night in fear of your personal safety!) And while they wanted to adopt a child at the end (we couldn’t, however), they are investigating ideas on how they might change a life through their Bronze Award project.

Find out if the Compassion Experience is coming near you.