Rarely are those that sponsor a child through World Vision, living across the world, fortunate enough to ever get to meet them. In spite of distance and communication barriers, Carol, Debbie, Betsy, Beth, Ashley, Jessica and Lori had the opportunity to meet their sponsor children today, who, only weeks ago, seemed worlds away. What was at one time just a photograph of a precious face that came in the mail, became a hug, a smile, a giggle, a true gift, and a reality face-to-face. These are some of the photos and words from each sponsor about their experiences meeting their sponsor child for the first time:
Ashley meeting Ruth
"My visit with Ruth was incredible. We picked her up from school and she at first was very shy as she doesn't speak a lot of English. But her face... oh that sweet face... was so warm, welcoming and her eyes were alive. I immediately knew she was meant for me. After a few minutes at her home we pulled out the soccer ball and that's where we bonded. Her little cousins joined and it was Ruth and me against the boys. We made a great team; giving each other high fives and always finding the open pass to each other. It was priceless. When we sat down after soccer I noticed she sat a little closer to me. She even leaned up against me in the most comfortable way. We gave the bike to Ruth which put the biggest smile on her face. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and I feel so privileged to be a part of her beautiful and bright future!"
Beth meeting Grace
See Beth's incredible reflection with photos in the previous two posts.
Betsy meeting Anford
"Today I had the wonderful experience of meeting my sponsored child. Anford is almost three years old. When I arrived at his home he was like most children his age when meeting a stranger somewhat scared. He began crying and sought the comfort of his mother. I met Anford's mom, Elizabeth and his two older brothers, Nelson and Dexter. As we sat and talked we began to connect, particularly when we opened a few toys I had brought for Anford. His favorite gift was a soccer ball which we played with outside along with his brothers. The simple act of hitting a soccer ball together proved to be the activity that crossed all cultural differences.
I will be praying for Anford and his family. May God bless them, and keep them safe."
Carol meeting Belita
"Over the years, as my parents sponsored many children through World Vision, I often wondered if they even existed. I can now tell you that these children are not only real but that we can truly make a difference in their lives and communities. Today, I visited my sponsored child, Belita, and her family in a small village in Kapululwe, Zambia. Upon arriving, I was taken aback by the extreme poverty that most of us cannot imagine - no running water, dirt floors and a single room housing a family of nine. But I immediately felt their warmth, vibrancy and richness in spirit, I left knowing that Belita and I would help one another experience the fullness of life."
Debbie and Amanda meeting Anna and Caro
"Today I was reminded why I believe in World Vision and the work we are doing to support children in Africa. Amanda and I had the chance to visit two sponsored children today in the Kapululwe ADP.
The first visit was to see Anna and her family. Anna is a quiet girl with hardworking parents that are rural farmers. Irene, Anna's mom, is a strong, feisty woman that was excited to show us her home and maize crop. We sat together on a mat under a tree talking about our families and getting to know each other. It was very apparent that they love Anna and her four siblings. They were full of complete joy and gratitude for our visit.
Our next visit was to meet Caro, a 4-year-old girl that had just joined child sponsorship but was not yet sponsored, living with relatives away from her mother. The sadness of her eyes troubled me. Amanda tried very hard to make her smile and laugh, reading her stories and talking like Sesame Street characters. No emotion--she just sat rubbing the fur on the brown bear we brought her with her head down. Her aunt, loud and intense, continually pressured her to say thank you in an aggressive manner. Caro was left with family who did not seem to recognize her need for quiet love, maybe someone to listen.
We left feeling disturbed that Caro seemed so alone and so vulnerable. Tears welled in my eyes as I recognized, that more than anyone, this little girl needs support, someone to say I care about you and believe in you. That was when Amanda decided to become her sponsor, so that she will be given a better chance and feel like someone supports her and wants her to thrive."
Jessica meeting Gertrude
"I have always dreamed of meeting my sponsor children. My husband and I have sponsored children through World Vision for the past 15 years and today was my first time meeting one of them in person. I was so excited to meet little 4-year-old Gertrude here in Zambia but I was warned by World Vision that she can be especially shy and a bit difficult to connect with. I was disappointed to hear this but appreciative of the warning so I could lower my expectations and not take the situation personally. I was hopeful that I could break through to her as I also have a 4-year-old at home who can be shy and willful when he wants to be! Perhaps that's exactly why God put Gertrude and I together. Although she had moments of challenging behavior we truly bonded and had a wonderful visit. We played with dolls, balls and colored together. I knew we had made a special connection when she touched my face and kissed my cheeks several times. The highlight of the visit was going with her to see the well that World Vision built in her village. Her family now has access to clean water...this is life changing for them and especially so for Gertrude and the other girls in her village. In many African cultures, the girls are tasked with fetching the water each day for their family. This often means walking long distances to collect water, water that is often dirty and disease-infested. This also means many girls miss going to school and therefore have their futures stifled. To see the joy on Gertrude's face as she ably pumped the clean well water and to know that she will now be able to get an education was truly a heartwarming sight!"
Lori meeting Dana
"Today was a special day. I was blessed to be able to visit my sponsor child Dana Shiyala, a shy little three-year-old. She lives with her parents and two sisters in a brick and mud home with a thatched roof. Dana was timid when I met her, but after talking to her and her mother and father through the world vision interpreter Irene, Dana relaxed and became a typical three year old girl. I sang Dana a lullaby that my mother would sing to my brothers and me before going to bed. She enjoyed it and we shared a very special moment.
Gifts were brought into the room and Dana's favorites were a soccer ball and a stuffed animal. We were also blessed to deliver a special gift to the family from World Vision: a mosquito net and durable bike, suitable for the rough terrain. This bike will greatly improve their standard of living enabling them to spend less time going to market and allowing them to transport sick family members to the hospital. The family was so excited. I will never forget this day."
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