I’ve been waiting over a year…
I’ve been waiting over a year for this photo. That’s Wondemu (pictured above) on his seventh birthday; the photo reached me yesterday. He lives in Ethiopia, Africa. I’m not sure why he’s not smiling, but looking at him makes me smile. It makes him real. Wondemu is one of the Compassion International children sponsored by the company that I work with. For 13 months now we’ve sent money to his country to help secure an education, food, and other... Read More
A Week of Giving: Advent Conspiracy
Day One _ Day Two _ Day Three _ Day Four _ Day Five Today concludes the December 2009, “A Week of Giving” series. As part of this conclusion, the following book review helps to capture the motivation behind a ‘week of giving’ mindset. Further, this book reached me via postal mail as a gift from Catalyst West, last month. The ‘Advent Conspiracy’ “What if Christmas was no longer about stuff? What if, this Christmas, we could spend less,... Read More
A Week of Giving: Wynnewood Book Drive
Day One _ Day Two _ Day Three _ Day Four _ Day Five “Life-transforming ideas have always come to me through books,” American author Bell Hooks once said. Perhaps that is the idea that best explains a book drive being led by one Wynnewood, Okla., resident. Mike Dyson, a children’s author and therapist, resides in the same Garvin County community in which he’s striving to make a difference. And he intends to do it with books. “Reading a book is... Read More
A Week of Giving: Boy Scouts of America
Day One _ Day Two _ Day Three _ Day Four _ Day Five The following post was written by Chris Griffith, a 2006 Eagle Scout recipient. Griffith is an active participant in both a local Boy Scouts of America council, and the Lindsay (Okla.) troop. What is the Boy Scouts of America? The Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, was founded on February 8, 1910, nearly 100 years ago. Within those 100 years, the BSA has produced many leaders you know, and some you don’t. Many of these men have... Read More
A Week of Giving: Coats For Kids
Day One _ Day Two _ Day Three _ Day Four _ Day Five “I don’t want kids to be cold in the winter.” That’s it. That’s why she does it. In LaWanda Vaughn’s own words, that’s the reason she started giving coats to school children. “I just don’t want a kid to be cold,” she said. “I call my program the ‘Coats For Kids’.” According to the Pauls Valley, Okla., resident, no one asked her to care. No one... Read More
Small town theatre a secret for 'New Moon' fans
Royal Twin Theatre, or “Royal Theatre” as it’s known in Pauls Valley, Okla., could be considered the die-hard “Twilight” fan’s dream come true. “New Moon”—the latest theatrical installment in the “Twilight Saga” series—is scheduled to premiere on one of the small town theatre’s screens at midnight, tonight. What makes this showing unique from more metropolitan theaters is that it’s not sold... Read More
Interview with Mike Dyson
A small town transplant and aspiring school pschyologist, Mike Dyson considers himself a big dreamer in a community of less than 3,000 people. Dyson is scheduled to graduate with his Masters in Psychological Services from East Central University, this summer. In addition to this academic accomplishment, he is also a published children’s author. His book, “What Do Dogs Dream About?“, debuted approximately two years ago. This native Oklahoman is also a self-admitted... Read More
Depression Among Oklahoma's Youth
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), major depression is a medical illness that affects thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood, and physical health. Also known as clinical depression, major depressive illness, major affective disorder, and unipolar mood disorder, major depression affects five to eight percent of the United States adult population. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSBS), by comparison 10... Read More
‘Compassion’ Has a Name: Wondemu Desta
As one of four children, Wondemu Desta—a kindergartener—lives with his family along the plains of Durame, Ethiopia, Africa. A student at the Durame Kale Heywot Child Development Center, Koyei lists his best subject of study as “Mathematical Numbers”. The soon-to-be 8-year old likes the color red, and has aspirations of being a singer in adulthood. Desta is a Compassion International sponsored child. More specifically, he’s our second “Compassion child”. The... Read More
'Compassion' Has a Name: Saitabau Koyei
As the oldest of five children, Saitabau Koyei—a sixth grader—lives with his family among the hill country of Kajiado, Kenya, Africa. A student at the POMC Osero-onyokie Child Development Center, Koyei lists his best subject of study as Mathematics. The soon-to-be 15-year old enjoys soccer, and has aspirations of being a doctor in adulthood. Koyei is a Compassion International sponsored child. More specifically, he’s our “Compassion child”. The desktop... Read More
