I got my Christmas present on Christmas Eve this year!
In Bolivia we stayed at a Compassion Center in Montero, where people in the States financially support a child in another country.
Three of my teammates and I were in a car packed with snacks, a speaker, Christmas presents and a bunch of people. We were on our way to do kids ministry in a neighborhood where no churches exist and their houses are made out of motorcycle boxes and bricks.
The minute we got there our Pastor came up and asked Edna if she wanted to go meet the child that she had just decided the day before to support. God had put this 10 year old boy on her heart to financially support. The cool part about this story is that Compassion won’t advertise any child if they are above the age of eight, but since Edna was there and chose him in person, this meant he was able to receive her support. Edna smiled with eyes of joy and said “Yes of course.” Edna looked to me and said “Will you come with me?” I was exploding with joy and excitement as I answered with a large “YES.”
We drove down the street and then proceeded to get out of the car and walk one street down, where we stopped at a house. One of the sisters of the church yelled “Senora” and a woman came walking out with a big smile on her face, she proceeded to go back in and get her son, Ismael. They both walked out and Edna gave him a hug. Little did he know that he was about to get a huge Christmas present. Then our pastor rounded the corner and proceeded to tell this mother and child that her son was now sponsored by Edna. He would be able to come to Compassion where they would feed him, teach him and he would learn the word of God.
The smiles of pure joy and excitement on their faces were ones that I will never forget. Edna embraced Ismael and they could not stop holding onto one another, as this bond was immediately one that came straight from Jesus. The mother was standing next to them watching this beautiful gift unfold.
After this amazing moment happened, she invited us to come in and see her house. The house was only one room with three beds that seven people shared. She was excited to show us her house and Ismael loved sharing his life with this new friend who decided to support him, even though she barely knew him. I turned around to look outside where their kitchen was and the next minute the mother was talking to Edna with tears falling down her face. I realized that there was no one there to tell Edna what she was saying, so with the amount of Spanish I knew I was able to translate some of what she was saying.
“This is the best Christmas Gift we could have ever gotten.” “The Lord has blessed us this Christmas.” “Thank you so much for this blessing, you are truly a blessing from the Lord.”
The mother was overwhelmed by pure joy that Edna made this decision to support her son who she loves so much. Next we got to pray over them and their family, and Edna’s prayer was so special. There was so much love and blessing in this moment. The amount of Compassion that was shared between everyone in this moment shows exactly what this organization is all about, and what God want’s for all of us.
My heart was so overwhelmed with joy and the pure image of the Kingdom of God. This moment will be one I never forget. The minute it was over I realized that this one experience is worth the whole World Race, where I got to see a piece of the Kingdom on earth. A mother with thankfulness, a son who’s faith moves mountains and a sister who was obedient to God.
Words cannot even describe this moment, but I hope this brings you all a piece of what God is doing around the World. To all of you who support children, thank you for being obedient to God’s Love!
