Today we visited with Josefina and her daughter, Hilde. They invited us into their freshly painted home with wall patched together with brick, found wood and cardboard. Their entire home is smaller than a typical bedroom in the US.
While I’m here in the DR, I want to learn first hand how Compassion is impacting lives. I want the mothers to tell me how life is different now that their child has a sponsor.
When Steve and I asked Josefina to tell us how life is different now that Hilde has a sponsor through Compassion. Her response was, “Everything is different.”
So we pressed for more specifics.
“Can you give us specific examples of things she has now that she didn’t have before?”
This single mom with deep dimples and tired eyes, responded, “Now she has shoes. Now she has food to eat. Now she can go to school.”
Oh. Wow. We let it sink in.
Every minute of everyday of Hilde’s life is different.
Hilde literally has shoes and food because of her Compassion sponsor. Daily life is livable because of the resources provided through Compassion. And the future looks different because of the education, training and opportunities available to Hilde through Compassion.
I asked her mom, “What do you want for Hilde that you couldn’t do for yourself?”
And she looked back at me with tears in her eyes.
And that lump came up in my throat. Because I am a mom, too. And I want every good thing for my children. And we cried together. Because life is hard. And being a mom is hard. Being a mom in poverty with very few resources is even harder.
I gave Josefina the necklace she is wearing. She put in on and told me, “No one has ever given me gift like this.”
She touched the necklace around her neck and I knew it was something truly precious to her.
As we turned to leave, I commented on a rag rug laid over a plastic chair.
“This is lovely, did you make it?”, I asked.
She picked it up, folded it into fourths and put it in a plastic bag. She put it in my hands and gave me a tight squeeze.
Josefina, who has so little, gave freely and without hesitation. I felt the lump in my throat and wondered why I am so hesitant to give when I have so much?
* * *
Friends, I tell you this story only so that you can know, without a doubt that sponsoring a child through Compassion, changes a life. I don’t want you to feel one ounce of guilt. I only want you to know that you can come alongside a mama and help her care for her child.
You can change a child’s life today. You can change their future.
You can be part of something truly amazing and beautiful.
Click here to see children waiting for sponsor.
I don’t know exactly how to say this, but the title of your blog…”Lump In My Throat” got my attention. It has nothing to do with your ministry to needful children, but has to do with a condition called Globus Sensation. It is a medical condition that I have. I always feel like I have a lump in my throat. Just thought you might find this to be interesting.
Thanks Jan. I didn’t know there was a medical condition like this. I am using ‘lump in my throat’ as a metaphor. So good to know more. Hugs to you! L
Thank you Lisa for sharing this wonderful story of compassion for Compassion. Yes we have so much and so many have so little and yet they are willing to share what little they have, reminds me of the woman in Scripture who gave all she had and yet it was so little but to God it was a fortune, as Jesus tells us it is more blessed to give than receive,which is what you also shared about Lisa, Thank you.
Christian Love in Christ Jesus – Anne.
I’m betting you’re not going to want to walk on that rug… I expect we’ll see it hanging on your wall or something. 🙂 And this giving out of their (perceived) little is what gets me every time. Praying for you
Im from Dominican Republic. A beautiful place made by God’s hands.
I live now in USA. My life is still hard. Cleaning houses to pay colleges for my two sons have given me cronic pain.
I would like to help the girl. How?
Hello Dilania! You can make a difference by praying. You can sponsor a child {or work with a group to sponsor a child}. I love your mama heart. Yes, life is still hard. Sending you a hug. xx
hello lisa- i read this with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. i DO want to know that our support of compassion is making a difference in the lives of the children we support. thank you for bringing a real story of that difference. God is so amazing. it reminds me of some favorite lyrics from twenty one pilots…”You are surrounding all my surroundings”. i just think of how He is surrounding me and my family and also them and theirs and bringing us all together like we were always meant to be…one big family caring for each other.
Lisa I so needed to hear your story. We gave sponsored children and not been about to visit. We wonDer are our small gifts truly making a difference. As a mom you spoke right to my heart.
Thank you for your faithful encouragement
You are making a difference. You are changing lives! So beautiful, so meaningful. xx
Lisa–I don’t know you but have been following your blog for some time now. This post, along with your other DR ones, have brought tears to my eyes. You are amazing and inspirational, and are making a difference in this world. Thank you for sharing these stories and what Compassion is all about!
Clearly, I was speechless in my last response. Lisa, you are amazing. So inspirational! I can’t imagine not being able to provide my child with shoes. Giving her the necklace was just simply beautiful! xo
WOW, WOW, WOW!
It is humbling to read of Josefina’s generosity. Oh my, I often think about how much we receive as sponsors. Yes, we get to give financially but we also receive so much. Beautiful Lisa. Thanks for sharing.
Such a beautiful post Lisa!! Makes me want to sponsor 10 kids!! Thank you for how inspiring you are!
Beca I feel the same way!! I’m seriously trying to figure out how many kids we can sponsor. xx