The second day in El Salvador was a day that I had been looking forward to since our family started sponsoring Joselyn. I didn't know when I would be able to meet her back then but it was something I definitely wanted to do. It's what started the stirring in my heart to make the trip to El Salvador in the first place.
I started learning more and more about traveling there from my friend that also came on the trip this year and had gone the year before. She told me so much about how Compassion works and about the Compassion day with our sponsor kids, it started to plant seeds of possibility for me that became a reality so I am very thankful for her!
Meeting Joselyn was such an amazing experience! I still remember the nervous, giddy, excited feelings I felt as our bus pulled into our meeting point. When I saw the row of kids with their families and the interpreters who would be assisting us, I felt so much love and happiness that I was going to get to see Joselyn in person! Hugging her for the first time felt like I was hugging my family.
Compassion did an amazing job of working and coordinating with our team to request our sponsor children from the surrounding areas to come meet us. Some of them drove for hours to get there with a parent / guardian and a few of their siblings came too which was adorable. There were a few people that are sponsors children in the area that didn't come on the trip ... so a few of them were able to be requested and came to hang out during the Compassion day with people on our team that didn't currently sponsor a child in El Salvador.
Here is our sponsor daughter who we've sponsored for a little over 3 years now. We've been writing back and fourth but nothing compares to getting to meet her in person. Pictured with her is her little brother who isn't currently enrolled in the Compassion program but their mom is getting ready to do that for him as well! I'm so glad he came along and that I was able to meet him and get to know him too!
We met our kids at a beautiful waterpark. Seeing the excitement on their faces was the best! Joselyn had never been to a swimming pool before and I'm so happy I was able to share this special memory with her. Her little eyes lit up when she saw the pools that she would be swimming in all day!
Joselyn learned 4 different swim strokes during our day together! She is SO smart and such a quick learner! The interpreter that was assigned to us and Joselyn's tutor were both so great! I actually speak Spanish but I can be a little rusty at times, it was nice having them there to tell me more about our sponsor daughter's education and ways that I can be of more help. I am really looking forward to that as well!
After we were finished swimming, we had lunch, then we (the sponsors) gave our sponsor children gifts that we had brought them. Joselyn and her mom also put together a gift box for me! I felt so special and loved, Joselyn smiled from ear to ear and giggled the whole time and you know what? She was more excited for me to open my gift of beautiful decor pieces made of the prettiest sea shells than she was to open her own. This little girl is gifted with generosity along with so many other giftings. I love her and her family so much.
The goodbyes were hard, the day flew by. I was the most sad that I wouldn't be able to hang out with Joselyn throughout the year until the next time I visit. We bonded so quickly and listening to the interpreter and her tutor tell me about her academics, going through her Compassion binder and seeing our letters that we've sent back and fourth throughout the years made me so happy to be able to be involved in her life, even if it's from another country. I was able to get to know her mom as well and hear their story, it isn't an easy one let me tell you. Joselyn's mom is a very strong woman who works hard to provide for their household on her own. I am so honored to be able to contribute their household as much as I possibly can through sponsorship, encouragement and prayer!
If you wan to learn more about Compassion International, how to sponsor a child, ways to donate, etc. be sure to check out their website HERE. Sponsoring a child has rocked my families world in an unparalleled way. I strongly recommend getting involved in releasing a child / children from poverty. We are blessed to bless others. Let's keep loving our world loves! Thank you for joining on this journey.
