Meet Chiara Salati

In the year since our family committed to speak and pray on behalf of mothers and their children in Mbulu, Tanzania, we have often been both humbled and surprised at the way God has moved and provided for these people He loves and knows by name.

Though we've had our own plans sometimes thwarted and disappointed, more often than not, we've seen God move mightily in the hearts of people we do not even know and in ways we would never have expected.

A little more than a month ago we received an e-mail from Kirk Winter, our friend and contact at Compassion International. He told us he'd recently been contacted by a 15-year-old girl living in New York who had learned about the Child Survival Program, and felt a burden to raise funds for a CSP somewhere in the world. Would we, he asked, be interested in partnering with her as God is calling her to raise funds for a CSP?

Our answer was an enthusiastic, yes, and we were soon given the opportunity to correspond with this young lady whose name is Chiara Salati. It's been a true blessing to get to know her and her story, and she's been gracious enough to oblige our request to share it with our readers as well. As you read her words below, please pray for God's continued work in her life, and that He would use her in a powerful way as she reaches out to others on behalf of the Anslay Church of God CSP.

I still clearly remember the night that I first learned about Compassion International's Child Survival Programs. The night that I was hit in the face with the shocking truth: every three seconds, an innocent child under five years old dies from a preventable cause. It was a firm blow that I never expected to come from a simple Louie Giglio video series. But, all the same, it had. I found myself unable to understand how avoidable health hazards like dehydration, diarrhea, measles, and influenza had the final say on so many children's existences. At the time, I felt unsure of so many things. But of one thing I was certain. Something was about to change. Something had to change.

As I mentioned briefly before, my church, Main Street Baptist in Oneonta, NY, had been going through a Louie Giglio video series. That one particular night, Louie talked about Compassion International, the Child Survival Programs, and the desperate needs of children around the world. Throughout the evening I couldn't help thinking what a wonderful mission that would be. But for someone else of course. Deep down inside, although I thought it would be great, I really didn't want to be the one to get the ball rolling.

Although I tried, I could not get the Compassion project out of my head in the days and weeks that followed. In that time, World War III was being waged between two fierce opponents know as my heart, and my head. While my heart was telling me to take a giant leap of faith and reach for my dreams, my mind was keeping me well informed of reality and telling me that I was insane. After bringing the idea to several people, including two of MSBC's pastors, I still came away with mixed feelings. Some people thought it was a great mission, but didn't want to be the ones to take responsibility for it. Others on the other hand, agreed with my head and thought I was crazy. They told me that they'd believe it when they saw it. Although the clouds of doubt were beginning to swirl around me, I was determined to give this mission my best shot.

For close to a year, I continued my search for someone who would back my ideas up. Someone who was significant in my church, that people would respect and listen too. I felt that as a teenager, I wasn't qualified to be the one to do God's work. I was ready to supply the inspiration, enthusiasm and my own physical and mental energy. But at that point, I felt that was all I was capable of. I prayed that God would put someone in my path that would help me get a CSP project started. It wasn't long after, surprisingly, that God showed me who that person was: me. When I finally accepted that this was a project God meant for me to start on my own, I was inspired once again to make my dream into a reality.

My trust and patience were tried for another time as I battled the complications of getting in contact with Compassion International directly. I sent multiple emails, even a few different ways, but received no reply. I tried to reach CI by way of telephone but had no success with that either. Finally, as a last resort, I sent a letter to CI in Colorado. There was nothing further to do but wait. Wait and see. I knew that if it was God's will that I undertake this project, He would see to it that the letter arrived.

I was surprised by a phone call, a week or two later, from Doug West, a CI advocate. Yet again I was re-energized and re-inspired to continue with this assignment. I was ecstatic that I had finally accomplished the first step to putting things in motion. With Doug's encouragement and guidance, I managed to set up a website and get my hands on further fund raising materials.

Things were still unfolding as Doug was in the process of identifying a Child Survival Program that I could raise funds for and support. Suddenly, God amazed and blessed me by bringing Jeff and Julie Thompson into the picture. Doug introduced them to me over email as CI advocates from OH who had raised the initial funds for a project with the Anslay Church of God in Mbulu, Tanzania. He expressed his excitement that Jeff, Julie, and I might be able to team up and tackle this mission together. I knew immediately that, for the millionth time, God had answered my prayers. So here I am, joining in this project to bring hope to children in Mbulu!!

Everything is still moving slowly and my biggest goal at the moment is to present this mission to my church. I am praying that God opens hearts to step out in faith and join me for HIS Glory. How beautiful it would be to see my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ, come together to overcome poverty and death itself!!! Please join me in prayer for MSBC, Tanzania, and the many people involved. Thank you and God bless you for all your support!!!

Now Hear Izzy!

Hi everyone,

As usual, I've taken my sweet time in between posts but the opportunity to jump back into it was prompted by none other than my daughter Isabelle. Two nights ago she spoke up as I was tucking her into bed.

"Daddy, I think I really need a blog like you and mommy."

"You do?" I replied. "Why is that? What would you write about?"

"Oh, I thought maybe I could write about Africa, or Haiti, or about the adoption."

I paused for a moment before speaking, imagining the thought of my six-year-old casting forth her thoughts into cyberspace.

"I'll talk to mommy about it." I said. She smiled broadly, as if my response was tantamount to a resounding thumbs up for her big idea.

"In the mean time," I continued, "what if you wrote something about the Child Survival Program?" Her smile got bigger and before I knew it she jumped out of her bed and ran out of the room, fetching two fresh sheets of paper. It was late, but I didn't have the heart to tell her that this little project would have to wait until morning. I'm glad I didn't.

Less than ten minutes later she emerged from the room with her heart spilled out on the pages, written in a little girl's scrawl that will fade away much too soon for her Daddy. Her thoughts though, made my heart leap, and made her parents give serious thought to letting this little girl put pen to paper more often. More on that soon. In the mean time, I'll simply be quiet and let Izzy's words speak for themselves. Here are her thoughts...


Babies and mommys in Africa need a lot of help right now.

Think about it.

What if you were a mom in Africa and you could not feed your kids or babies or yourself? That is exactly what is happening right now, so sponsor and help a mommy and baby and it will save a kid's, baby's and a mom's life! :)

So, like I said, sponsor a person now and help a life grow and grow, and the most exciting thing is that they will learn about Jesus and God in the Bible!

So go to Compassion and have fun! The CSP is waiting. A kid is waiting to be saved, and if you sponsor them they will get everything they need- love and care.

Make a choice to save a life or not, and to help them be happy and know that they are loved. All you need to do is make a choice to be smart and sponsor a mom, so go to the CSP now! :)

What more can I possibly add to that? Oh yes, click here to help a mom and a baby now.

Stories of Survival

Hi everyone. We recently came across one of Compassion International's blog posts about Pastor David Platt and his congregation at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. We've featured Dr. Platt on the blog before, but what you may not have known is that his church is actively involved in sponsoring 21 Child Survival Programs throughout the country of India! The post briefly provides a firsthand account of how the CSP has played an amazing role in the life of one young mother and her child. You can read her story here. This inspiring story is indicative of how God is working to save lives through so many other CSP's around the world. This same work is taking place now in Mbulu, Tanzania, but the CSP is still short of being fully funded and we need your help. Accomplishing this goal will not only sustain the ministry in Mbulu, but it will open the door of hope to countless others whose stories have yet to be told. You can give now by clicking here.

Building a Bridge of Trust

It can be difficult to comprehend the needs of the poor, or to understand how a simple gift can make an impact in a world where the only thing that seems to grow is the number of those whose lives are plunged into poverty.

Do you ever feel as though your simple monetary gift is akin to spitting in the ocean? Well, you aren't alone, but in a sea of sadness, there are true rafts of hope that go beyond the mere provision of food, clothing, or medicine.

What makes the Child Survival Program so unique and special is the way that it cares for growing families by building trust with caregivers and new mothers, one relationship at a time. I could try to say more but I think this story is best told from the perspective of those who work to save lives and share God's love on the front lines.

Compassion International's blog recently posted a first-hand account of how care is administered to new mom's and caregivers at CSP's around the world. I'd encourage you to read the posting here. It is truly inspiring.

If you're interested in giving to the Anslay Church of God Child Survival Program, please click here to read more and make your contribution. We're getting closer to full funding, but we desperately need your help to move forward!!

You're gift will save lives now and very likely for generations to come!

God Doesn’t Need This Blog

I wrestled with the title of this entry.

This is partially because of this statement’s self-evidence, but also because of its potential to reveal the self-serving nature of the author. There may be few things more loathsome than displays of personal vanity housed beneath a nauseating veneer of false humility. I’m sad to say I have plenty of it to spread around, and it’s easy in a medium such as this to paint a picture of myself, and my family in the most favorable light possible.

Though this may be natural, it is vital to come to terms with the fact that though pride is pervasive in this life, God is gracious enough to reveal it to His children and draw them back to Him. This is eloquently stated in John 1:16 which reads, “And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” My pastor recently pointed out from this passage that God’s holiness is a grace, but His forgiveness of our unholiness is a grace in unto itself. We are right to refer to it as amazing, yet I can’t help but think that this is somehow the mother of all understatements.

I have thought about all that the Lord has done since we began this journey. Who is it that led Compassion International to a dot on the map in Tanzania? Who led us to then one day pick up the phone to ask if there was a place in Africa where we could help raise funds to start a Child Survival Program? Who is it that prompts and leads your heart to give so that others living a world away might live and hear the name of the only one who can truly save them? The identity of that person certainly doesn’t belong, to you, me, or any Christian organization. It seems absurd to point this out yet I am appalled when I think of how many times I find myself taking some type of credit that was never mine to begin with.

No, it is essential to be simply reminded of what David wrote in Psalm 24:1-2, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

The God we serve is the same who preserved and promoted Joseph, rained down fire from heaven at the prayer of the prophet Elijah, steadied the hand of David to kill Goliath, saved Daniel from the treachery of men and the mouths of lions, raised Lazarus from the dead, rescued Peter from the hands of Herod Agrippa, saved the Apostle Paul from shipwreck and venomous snakebite, fed the 5,000 and then walked on the water, and then ultimately raised His own Son from the dead, conquering the curse of sin forever.

The list goes on and on. How often do we make God a prisoner of our own expectations and attempt to seat ourselves in His rightful place? Too many times to count, I’m afraid. Still His grace alone sustains and lovingly guides us, and as He uses you and me to glorify Himself while He provides for His children, I lack adequate words when I think about these tremendous gifts.

The Child Survival Program Goes on Tour!

When my wife and I first felt convicted to reach out to Compassion International to ask about raising funds to start a Child Survival Program, we never could have imagined the amount of support we would receive from the members of Compassion’s staff. With their ongoing prayers and encouragement, obstacles have become opportunities, and no idea has ever been too big.

Kirk Winter has been my main contact from the beginning and he and his administrative assistant, Chenelle Palmer have gone above and beyond the call since this project was launched.

Last week Kirk e-mailed to ask if Julie and I would like to attend an upcoming Mercy Me concert on February 10, in Dayton, Ohio. Our response was a resounding yes, but since we knew about the band’s enthusiastic support of Compassion Kirk and I began to wonder if there might be an opportunity to promote the Child Survival Program during their visit to Ohio.
Kirk contacted Compassion’s representative for the band’s upcoming tour and learned they will be exclusively promoting Child Sponsorship from the stage. However, she was excited to hear about our efforts and wanted to help. As an alternative, she offered us the opportunity to supply Anslay Church of God Child Survival Program packets at every stop on the band’s upcoming Rock & Worship Roadshow Tour. The 25-city tour kicks off this coming Friday, January 28, in Cape Gerardeau, Missouri.

Space will be made for the Anslay CSP at the Compassion booth for every show, giving people the chance to sponsor and support the ongoing needs of mothers and babies in Mbulu, Tanzania. It is an extraordinary opportunity since this annual tour has drawn more than 350,000 people since it started in 2009. We are relying on the efforts of Compassion volunteers throughout the country to share the CSP story, but most of all we trust and hope in the power of the Holy Spirit to break the hearts of those attending to release families from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Please join with us in praying for everyone who might visit or work at the Compassion booth as this tour crosses the nation. I would also encourage you to check out the tour’s website and consider attending yourself and maybe even bring some friends. For only $10 a ticket you’ll get to see a whole line up of acts that includes Jars of Clay, Thousand Foot Krutch, Matt Maher and The Afters!

I’ll keep you posted with updates as we learn of our progress along the way, and we’d welcome any photos you might want to share if you’re able to attend a show. E-mail them to us and we’ll post them to the blog! We only need somewhere between 70-80 sponsorships to fully fund the Anslay CSP. Our prayer is that God might use this to help us reach that goal.

The (Re)solution for a Wandering Heart

Well, now that we’re nearly two weeks into the New Year I’m curious to know how your resolutions are coming along. Perhaps, if you’re like me your only resolution is to stop resolving altogether, but I suppose an approach like that ultimately requires an additional resolution to stop making illogical promises to yourself. Maybe I should just simply resolve to blog more frequently.


The fact is that we are all seeking to add meaning or value to our lives no matter what date happens to be approaching on the calendar. We may occasionally take stock of our lives, and based upon what we see, decide to eat healthier, save more for our kid’s education, or get to the gym more often. Whether we are disciplined enough to meet our individual goals doesn’t mean that the pursuit ever stops even if your new elliptical machine slowly morphs into an extra place to hang your clothes.


Time is the great equalizer, and with its passage we receive a clear understanding of where our dearest and truest commitments lie. What is it that gets us out of bed in the morning or compels us to stay up late into the night? What drives us to scrape in order to save every penny or borrow to spend into oblivion? What person, object, or lifestyle, captivates our imagination and becomes the perceived ideal for our personal peace and satisfaction? Make no doubt about it, our hearts are continually resolved to run swiftly towards significance, even if our heads may not consciously perceive it.


Though God has placed eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11) we are often prone to spend our lives in hopeless quests that offer no eternal return on investment (Isaiah 53:6). I am haunted by the first verses of II Timothy 3 which say that in the last days people will own a form of godliness but suffer from a faith that ultimately lacks power because it chooses selfishness and pleasure over the Lordship of Christ.


In the light of scripture, Jesus asks each one of us as he repeatedly asked Peter in John 21, “Do you love me?”


God’s grace alone saves us (Ephesians 2:8) and continues to welcome our wandering hearts back to Him, but what do we give in return? My prayer is that it is nothing less than a total surrender of our will in submission to the only One who can provide for our otherwise insatiable hunger and thirst.


In that surrender, I would challenge each of us to look beyond the worlds we’ve constructed to carry the light of God’s love into the places where its rays are scarcely shining. Today in Mbulu, Tanzania there are young mothers-to-be who have not heard the name of Jesus, and there are little ones who may not see another year of life on this earth, unless someone obeys the Lord’s call to act on their behalf.