This is Maribel, the young girl we sponsor in Guatemala through Compassion International!
We have been sponsors for years through Compassion. We have sent our money, written faithfully, and enjoyed hearing from our sponsored children. Compassion has always encouraged sponsors to visit their children, but until now, the "why" did not seem so important.
When you meet your sponsored child, you naturally expect there to be a level of joy, but we were unprepared for the love we would feel immidiately for her and her family. The first day meeting, we were able to attend a church service with Maribel and I just sat and smiled, overwhelmed with the fact that I was sitting there with my daughter on one side and her on the other. Our second day together was spent at a local water park. The girls got to swim, we all (Maribel came with her sister) ate lunch together and then got ice-cream, we exchanged gifts, chatted about life and had a marvelous time! The love, joy and thankfulness that they showered back on us was indescribable. It was a day and an experience that I, and hopefully my daughter, will never forget! The hugs, the smiles, the timid speech back and forth with translation in between, the prayer of blessing over her family, and the tears goodbye.
After meeting Maribel, I can honestly say that our letter writing will definitely be much more personal! I have seen first-hand the incredible bond that is formed between child and sponsor. It is much more than money. The children appreciate the care and opportunities your sponsorship provides them at the centers, but the relationship with and letters from their sponsors are their prize possessions! As a Compassion Advocate, if there was one message I could convey it would be to write, write, write your child and begin saving now to go meet them some time in the near future! It will change your life and theirs!
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