I want to share about the Advocates Retreat first. It was a dream come true, really. I was going to meet a formerly sponsored child. I watch the videos of them sharing their stories on YouTube, and I read the posts of bloggers who have met them. But I hadn't met one, and I wanted to.
So, I got to the church, where the retreat would be. I saw Maria, and I hung up my kiddos photos (it was a wall of blessing with all of our sponsored kids photos). She asked me where my Haiti girls lived. Then we chatted about Haiti for a second and parted ways.
She sat behind me during the classes and worship. Then, Maria shared her story. She told about the poverty and then the hope. She shared how Compassion changed her life forever. Compassion changed her life in three main ways-
EDUCATION
Through Compassion, Maria was able to get an education. Not only did she go to primary school, but also high school and university. She studied English.
JOB
After Maria finished up her English classes, Compassion hired her as a translator. She translated children and sponsor letters. She also translated for sponsor tours. Even before she finished her classes, her pastor had her translate for a group of missionaries.
MARRIAGE
Maria met her future husband on a sponsor tour for which she translated! They have now been married for two years.
After she shared her story, there wasn't a dry eye. Yes, this was a story I had heard many times- hopelessness turned into hope, fear turned into boldness, sadness turned into joy. Something about that story though touches my heart every time. It was different this time too. This time I got to meet the girl who used to be scared. I met the girl who found hope. I met Maria.
She is the sweetest person I have ever met. She's so happy and kind. She showed me that letters make a difference. She proved to me that sponsors make a difference- that Compassion makes a difference.
So here she is-
If you want to make a difference in the life of a child like Maria, please visit this page.
Lizzie - thanks for sharing about your time at the advocate retreat and meeting Maria. She is special :)
ReplyDeleteYep, Maria is such a special young lady! It was such a blessing and joy to meet her :)
DeleteThanks for sharing Maria's story!! And about your experience at the Advocate's Retreat! What a neat experience!
ReplyDeleteIt was soo awesome to be in a group of people who understand Compassion and love that crosses over oceans. I plan on writing much more about Maria in a later post too because she is such an incredible person! :)
DeleteI enjoyed reading this-thanks!I'm glad you had an amazing time,and great week end!:)I look forward to hearing more about Maria!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you liked it! :)
DeleteSo neat :) THe problem with living in such a small city is taht we don't really have any Comapssion events here :(
ReplyDeleteI live in a very small town too, and there are no Compassion events with 100 mile radius right now! It was such a blessing from God to have this retreat so close to home. :)
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to go to a retreat and that Maria was there - isn't she great? When I was in Peru in 2010, she was working for Compassion then as a translator and was one of our translators! I got to see her again and hear her story in February when she was at our advocate retreat.
ReplyDeleteYep, she's great all right! When I heard that she was going, I immediately thought of you! I remembered your post about her and was so excited to get the chance to meet her too! :)
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