Meeting Blanca… My Sponsored Compassion Child

I’ve taken a few days to write this post because honestly, I still feel like I haven’t processed it all. But I want to get it down on “paper” before I forget important details, like the fact that despite Blanca was wearing her best clothes, they still had holes in them. Or the fact that she smelled like she was wearing some of her mom’s perfume. Or that I held her as she napped in McDonald’s.

Here’s my little sweetie.

I only sponsored Blanca about a week before I flew off to South America for a trip with Compassion International. We already sponsor a little girl in El Salvador (Daniela), and a little boy through World Vision in Guatemala (Edson). We want to sponsor one that is roughly each of our own children’s ages. So, I chose Blanca. She is a few months older than our Evie- she’s about 3 1/2. As soon as I saw her picture, I knew she was “ours.”

I was wondering if Blanca would wonder who this random white chic was wanting to hug on her, paint her nails, and bring her gifts. But we had an instant bond, and we spent the day at an amusement park (both her first time and her mother’s- she was also able to come!) and then a trip to McDonald’s- also a first for Blanca. Can you imagine your child’s first trip to McDonald’s at 3 1/2 years old? I mean it sounds awesome really, but sad at the same time because it speaks to their absolute poverty.

Each of the members on our team got to meet our children individually. I was second to last, and I tell ya, I was nervous as I was on mine and Ben’s first date! I was worried if it would be awkward mostly having to speak through a translator, but our translator Doris was amazing and made everything absolutely seamless. I learned that Blanca’s mom (M) became a mother at the tender age of 15 with her son David, who’s now 7. M became a part of Compassion when she was 7 months pregnant with Blanca. When she joined, she was working at a bar. The women from Compassion (also Ecuadoreans) encouraged her that she could find a job that wouldn’t require that atmosphere.

And she told me, “God has been faithful and I’ve had employment since then!” She also told me she knew nothing of the Bible or Jesus before becoming part of Compassion but has since become a Christian.

We spent a few minutes at the hotel, where I painted Blanca’s nails and got to chat with her mom. Then we Skyped with Ben and Evie so they could “meet” her. That was one of the highlights of the day for me.  I gave Blanca the doll that my mom and Evie had picked out for her while they were watching- it’s something I’ll never forget.

I cannot stress enough how amazing it is to support a child through Compassion. It’s only $38 a month- that’s one meal at a restaurant- and it literally changes a child’s life- and his or her family, too! If you want to know more, please e-mail me!