Hello, everyone and welcome to the Graceology with Gwen Smith podcast.

I'm Gwen Smith and I'm so glad you're here today.

Around here we have fun, faith-focused, grace-filled conversations, all to help you know

and trust God more. Our discussions are honest, often humorous, and always practical. And they're

going to encourage you in meaningful ways to live out and lean on the grace of Jesus in the midst of

cluttered, messy days. You got any of those?

I know I do.

And I can't wait to get to today's conversation, which is all about the power of compassion.

We partnered with Compassion International for today's episode, and I am so excited, and here's why.

My family has supported children as compassion sponsors for years,

and we've seen firsthand how important relationship is, how much of a difference it makes

in both the lives of our children and for us as sponsors.

The money we provide allows children to get school supplies, see a doctor when they're sick,

have a meal when they're hungry, have a meal when they're

hungry, and have loving mentors in their neighborhood who protect and support them. These are

basic things that you and I often take for granted, but they're out of reach for a lot of kids

around the world. Compassion works through the local church, which during this pandemic year means more than ever.

Dealing with COVID-19 has totally been difficult for all of us, but it's been devastating

to the poor.

Children around the world are out of school and in communities with few resources.

When a mom who makes a living selling vegetables on a street corner can no longer leave her home to work, that means her family goes hungry.

Compassion has been able to step in and provide extra groceries and things like rent support during this time.

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