God Will Make a Way

Since November, I have been planning a trip to Colombia to visit my first sponsored child, Daniela, and my first correspondent child, Sara.  Over the past two years I have been able to build a good relationship with each of these girls and I was beyond excited to be able to visit them in April instead of November.  

Daniela, age 8                              Sara, age 11

I have been gathering gifts and preparing for my visit to meet these two precious girls.  On January 3rd, I experienced one of my worst fears.  Sara was missing from my Compassion account.  When I discovered this, it was was after Compassion hours so I had to wait for an answer until the next day.  I was terrified of losing my sweet Sara especially since I was planning to visit her so soon.  The scenarios ran through my mind: Sara's family could have moved out of Compassion's sphere of influence, however, this seemed unlikely since they had recently moved; her family's economic situation could have improved so they wouldn't need Compassion's help any more; or, the mostly situation would be that she had lost her financial sponsor giving me the first option to take up her sponsorship.  I spend the evening fretting and praying that God would show me what to do.  The first two scenarios would leave me no choice but to keep Sara's memory in my heart. The third left me with two options: say 'goodbye' or say 'welcome to my sponsored family.'  My heart was broken at the thought of losing the bond that Sara and I had formed and an evening of prayer and discussion led me to the conclusion that if Sara had lost her financial sponsor, I would pick up her sponsorship.  My answer came the next day from Compassion that Sara had indeed lost her sponsor.  I immediately called the Compassion office and Sara became my fifth sponsored child.  

As my trip nears (5 weeks from tomorrow) and preparations are coming together, I am getting more and more excited to meet these two precious girls.  From her letters, I believe meeting Sara will be a day treasured forever!  Additionally, Daniela is such a sweet young girl who no doubt will have hugs and bright smiles that will lead to memories we can both cherish for a life time.  I pray that our time together will blessed and full of special memories for us all.

Experiencing Ecuador: Sight Seeing

It only took me 6 months to get to this post.  My final day in Ecuador. 

(6 months ago today I met my Aida for the first time) 

We spent our last day eating breakfast with a group of LDP students and sightseeing in Quito.  It was a chance for us to just relax and enjoy seeing the country and reflect on all that had happened during our time in Ecuador.

We had a chance to visit several sights including the presidential palace and the virgin statue.

Presidential Palace

Virgin Statue

We ate lunch near the statue and had a marvelous view overlooking the entire city of Quito.

We shopped in the local market and met some of the many street vendors of the city.

This little girl was just the cutest thing EVER!

The Fun Group! (half of our entire group)

Our final surprise was the chance to sample some of the local cuisine.  

Yes, that is guinea pig...

Ecuador is such a beautiful country with beautiful people!  I met some amazing new friends both from here and from there.  I hope to some day be able return to Ecuador and spend more time my girls and all the amazing people there.  God blessed us so much on this trip and I have been forever changed by this experience. 

Experiencing Ecuador: Time With My Angels

It has been a while since I've written about my trip to Ecuador, but with my trip to Colombia in just over 2 months, I thought I should share more-and the best part-of my Ecuador trip.

When we got our itineraries we were pleasantly surprised that we would have extra time with our sponsored children! Not only would we spend all day Tuesday with them, we also got a dinner party Monday night with them as well! AND on top of that excitement, my Aida's center was on the list for our group to visit, meaning even more time to visit! 

Aida and her mother

Even though our group was visiting EC594 for the Child Survival Program (Mother/baby), Aida and her mother were invited to come.  Aida was shy at first, but informed me (in front of her mother) that she wanted to come live with me in Indiana. She opened up a little more each time I saw her.  

First meeting with Dayana and Aida together

When the girls arrived at the dinner party we were able to chat and dance.  This time together broke the ice and got out a lot of our jitters. We had our faces painted and enjoyed just being together.

Dinner Party fun 

Tuesday morning we loaded our buses to meet the children and their families at a Family Fun Complex.  We had fun swimming, boating, and bouncing in the bounce houses.

We had some cuddle time at the complex. The girls and their mothers had me in tears by their sweetness and gratitude.  I can't explain in words how it makes me feel to know how loved these girls are by their mothers and how much they love me.

Dayana, Aida, their mothers, and I

 Saying goodbye was so hard. I hope that some day I will be able to return and spend more time with these 2 amazing girls.  Dayana and Aida will forever have a special place in my life!

A Dayana Kinda Day

I've felt like I have been in a little bit of a letter drought.  It's been a few weeks since receiving any letters from any of my kids and I have been feeling kind of antsy!  (Fellow sponsors understand this feeling, am I right?)

Well, I came home from work today to find not 1, but 2 letters! AND one included 2 photos! They were from my 11 year old Dayana in Ecuador and my 5 year old Dayana in Honduras!


Dayana, Ecuador

Dear Brandilyn,

I want to thank you for your letters, are very interesting.  I am always excited when I write letters and I also pray for you and your family, especially for your grandma. (I don't know if she got my latest update on my grandma or not, she passed away while I was visiting Dayana in August) What is cantaloupe? I have never heard of that fruit but sounds delicious-my favorite food is corn and fried pig, potatoees and guinea pig, feet soup, trout and much more.  My favorite colors are light green and green, blue and sky blue.  I want to thank you for the photos, (I sent several photos from my visit to meet her) God bless you. 

Many hugs, 

Dayana

Dayana, Honduras

My Appreciable Brandilyn,

Dayana is dictating this letter to me, her mother and she has a big smile with excitement.  On December 1st she had her closing ceremony and she looked as beautiful as a princess and sisters and I were very happy to prepare a special meal for her and we took lots of pictures.  She is very happy to have somebody to share her happy times with.  She asks you to pray for her and her family that her mother can finish building their house because there is only one room and it is not enough for all of us and pray that the Lord provides everything for her siblings and her to continue in school.  She was happy to share this special moment with them.  We have two dogs called Muñeca and Boby.  There are trees like lemon, avocado, plums, coconut, and mango.  Dayana says goodbye dear Brandilyn. Wishing you blessings for you and her family.

With much love, 

Dayana.  

She is attaching some pictures of her graduation. 

I am so blessed by such sweet children! :)

#ItsAboutGiving

This is the time of year everyone is searching to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. Shopping from store to store to find those special items that will light up eyes and brighten smiles. We trudge through the hustle and bustle in hopes of a few moments of delight and, of course, receiving a few goodies of our own.

As Americans we are taught that the Christmas season is about gifts and what we can get. Bright advertisements, catchy jingles, and every reason under the sun that we NEED this latest and greatest thing ever! Sure someone has to give it, but that's what Christmas lists are for, right?

I am thankful for parents and grandparents who taught me that Christmas is about so much more than just what we can get. They taught me about giving and how the true meaning of Christmas is God GIVING His own son, Jesus, to us.  He GAVE His son to save us from our sins. We are to honor God's gift to us by giving to others, not for what we can get in return, but to show God's love. 

There are people in this world who can't afford the things society says is so great.  Many of them cannot even purchase the items they need for daily survival. So when you are deciding what to put on your Christmas list this year, think of what is on the list for many children and families in poverty: clean water, a roof over their head, medical attention, and the list goes on.  Please consider giving a Special Gift to one of God's children this year or consider Sponsoring A Child. Remember this Christmas time that #itsaboutgiving not about receiving. Remember above ALL it's about God's gift to us and the love He showed through His son, Jesus.

Light a Candle...

I know it's only November, but I've always been one to break out the Christmas music a little early.  So tonight, I set my iPod on Christmas shuffle and a song by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound starts playing... "Light a candle, light the dark. Light the world, light a heart"...the image of this beautiful little girl pops into my head and I can't stop the tears from forming.

As I keep listening... "Light a candle...for the children who need more than presents can bring"...I can't help but remember the moment I met Dayana on August 27, 2012.  The way she came running into my arms the moment she saw me.  The way she grabbed onto to me in the biggest hug I've ever felt in my life.  The way she didn't want to let go of me. The tears in her eyes when we finally stepped apart. The way her gorgeous smile lit up her entire face the whole time we were together.  The tears in her eyes and mine when we had to say 'adios.' The love she showed me just by being her.  

The song continues "Light a candle for me, I'll light a candle for you..." I think of Dayana's letters; how she shows wisdom beyond her 11 years. The way reading her words can brighten even my darkest day.  The way she is concerned about me and prays for me.  Many people tell me what a difference I'm making by being a sponsor; that I'm "lighting a candle" for these children, but just as much as I may "light a candle" for them, they "light a candle" for me.  They have made a difference in MY life too.

I can't express in words how much little Dayana has come to mean to me or how becoming a Compassion sponsor has changed my life. I do know, however, that I have received way more than I ever could have dreamed possible..."And with every flame that burns, we must somehow learn that love's the greatest gift that we could ever give"...God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams through the love of these children! The love I have given to Dayana and all my sponsored children has come back ten fold, and I thank God for that reminder through this simple Christmas song.

Experiencing Ecuador: Sunday Picnic

I can't believe it's been nearly two and a half months since I visited Ecuador with Compassion.  However, the memories feel like they happened just days ago. 

Our group had the privilege of joining the children and families of EC592 in Esmeraldas, Ecuador for Sunday church service and afternoon picnic time.  We worshiped with the families, spent time with the children in their classrooms, and played games all afternoon.

The children loved playing games and spending time with us. They taught us some of the games they like to play.

CSP mothers performed dances for us and even got us dancing with them! (I have ZERO moves but it was fun).

This group of sponsored girls came to our hotel the night before our visit and performed for us.  We had a chance to spend time with them around our pool afterward and enjoyed teaching them some English!

Gaby and Daniela were my special friends from EC592.  Gaby (middle) was part of the girl's dance group and is on staff at the Center. Daniela (left) is a sweet 12 year old young lady.

If you ever have a chance to take a trip with Compassion, I urge you to do so. It will change your life!