How do you write about something that stirred your heart in such a way that you can’t even comprehend it?
That’s what I’m struggling with as I write this post.
I’m sitting in my hotel room in Guatemala City after spending the day with my Compassion-sponsored child, Cindy. I spent time with Cindy and her mom (Gloria) and sister (Margery) and was even able to visit their home. She’s a bright girl in every sense of the word, and she and I immediately clicked over our love of hair accessories, ice cream, and Jesus.
She walks about 30 minutes to get to the Compassion project twice a week, and her spiritual, economic, social, and physical needs are met by the Compassion staff in an incredible way.
We visited a Compassion project today and saw the care that these children get. Each child who is registered at the project has a folder with all of their information inside—medical records, birth certificates, school grades, home visits, and sponsor information.
I firmly believe in the power of the ministry of Compassion International. This is my second trip with Compassion (the first was to Kenya in 2011), and I hope I never get over what I’ve experienced. They truly do what they set out to do: Release Children from Poverty in Jesus’ Name.
When you sponsor a child through Compassion, you’re not only changing the life of that child but also the life of their family. I was able to take a backpack full of goodies for Cindy and a tote bag of household items to her mom, Gloria. We had fun looking through the backpack and getting to know each other.
But one of the most profound things that happened was in my last conversation with her mom.
As I handed Gloria the bag of kitchen towels, wooden spoons, and toothbrushes, she began to weep. She told me that she had been praying that God would provide a backpack for Cindy. Gloria said that Cindy’s backpack was falling apart and that a friend of hers had recently gotten a new backpack. Cindy had been asking for one, but Gloria just couldn’t afford it. She said that the backpack and my visit were answers to her prayers.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27
She told me that she thanks God for me every day because of how much Cindy’s sponsorship impacts their family. I honestly didn’t even know how to respond except to hug her and pray over her and her family.
When Cindy grows up, she wants to be a teacher, and I believe that she can and will because of Compassion.
Cindy has been given physical care and her needs have been met.
But more much more than that…
she has been given hope.
Would you consider giving hope to a child today through Compassion International?
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9
