Four years ago I walked into Family Christian Bookstore with the intention of buying a new cd. I ended up walking out as the sponsor of a little girl who was four years old and living in Swaziland, Africa – a country I had never heard of before and had to Google it when I got home. I really only choose her because she was on top of the pile of sponsored kids and I wasn’t going to be too picky because I know all the kids need to be sponsored.
Every year I would send my little girl a birthday card and Christmas card and every year I received an updated photo of her. I watched her grow from a plump little four year to a beautiful and strong seven year old.
When I was choosing the route I wanted to go on for the World Race (there were four different route options going to different countries and continents) I choose mine for three reasons. 1. I wanted to go back to India again 2. God had told me one day I would go and help the people in Cambodia 3. I wanted to meet my sponsored child in Swaziland. I had no idea if that last one would be possible, but as soon as I got accepted on the Race I set the process in motion to make that dream a reality.
The application process is a three month long ordeal which is more difficult when you are abroad and don’t have a lot of wifi. The Lord worked all of it out so that the timing was perfect. I was going to be able to meet my little girl with my parents when they came to Swaziland to visit me for PVT (Parent Vision Trip- five days on the Race where your parents can come visit you and do ministry with you and share in your Race experiences). It was so amazing that I had this opportunity and that it was all going to work out!
The day finally came and of course there was miscommunication (typical Africa) so we ended up heading out a few hours late but thankfully the Race has made me very flexible for that! The first stop on our journey was to the grocery store to buy my little girl and her family food and gifts. Then we drove the two hours and first got to visit her school. The school day was done by the time we got there but they still showed us the school my little girl attends. It was a very nice school and World Vision (where my money is going) helped the school have a computer lab and a new well for water. The well was super great because the kids used to walk down to a “river” and get there water for drinking there. But that water was super unsafe because the cows shared it with them.
After her school we went to her house to meet her! It was so amazing to finally be able to put a person to all the pictures. She was so beautiful and the clothes that my mom brought her from America fit her perfectly! And they were all pink because that is her favorite color. It was so nice to be able to see her home and meet her grandma, brother, and cousins. Their home had a beautiful view of the mountains and had lots of land. She wants to be a doctor one day and I hope God allows that to happen for her! I love that she is dreaming that big. It was such an incredible opportunity as most sponsors don’t get to meet their child. God has His hand in this all along and I know how well loved I am. I am grateful for the chance to meet my little girl, especially with my parents! We are now in Swaziland for the month as a “half squad month” as four of our teams are living together and sharing two showers. But it will be great and we’re excited for what we will learn and do this month!
I was not able to upload a photo like I wanted so check my Facebook for pictures!
