2011 has been an exciting year! We’ve launched an app and a new country, but judging by the Top 11 blog stories, it is the stories about daily life that speak to you the most. Check out the most-visited stories of 2011.  

Ever wonder what our offices look like? One sponsor came to visit and was struck by what she saw...

The approach of Thanksgiving makes us consider all that we are grateful for -- so it may be worth hearing why our sponsored children are thankful:

What does life look like after you return from a mission trip? One mission trip participant reflects on how even a year later, her heart is not the same. Click to read more ...

It's that time of year -- time for the sweetest photos that make you laugh out loud. Our friends and ministry partners in Swaziland, Children's Cup, know how to throw a party, especially if it's celebrating Jesus!

If you want to see more of this awesome party, click to read more. In the accompanying photo gallery you'll see what it’s like for a child to encounter Jesus and the celebration of His birth in a whole new way... from the child's perspective!

Two years ago, Maria had a house full of boys forbidden to attend school and little hope for the future. This is the story of a family transformed. Click to read more ...

When Jack Eans, Mission of Mercy's Vice President of International Child Ministries, traveled to Zimbabwe to train the new project staff, God spoke to him in a surprising way. Click to read more ...

In the aftermath of the recent flooding in southern Honduras, information about our children and projects has slowly started to trickle in. Click to read more ...

How many of us grew up on a playground, chasing friends and competing to see how high we could swing? Should children growing up in poverty be denied that opportunity?

We could tell how how much the children love their new playgrounds, but it's best if you see it for yourself! The children and staff sent their thanks and shared what they appreciated most, which are added as captions to the photos in our new gallery set. Enjoy!

The Mission of Mercy team was fortunate to capture many of the sponsor visits on the recent Dominican Republic tour. If you've ever wondered what a sponsor visit looked like, now you can follow along as Susy visits her sponsored child Rosanny and meets her family. Click here to view the album.

If our recent post about the Christmas Gift Fund got you thinking about sending a Christmas gift on your own, we have two words for you: please don't.

Okay, two more: here's why...

Does your sponsored child write to you about school? They may report on their "marks" or
grades -- but have they told you want the classroom looks like?

Roughly half of our projects are formal schools, while the other half are child development centers that offer tutoring and educational support in either a class-like setting or individually.

Click here to take a tour of Mission of Mercy classrooms...