Haiti — My Introduction to Poverty
March 2002 — I was finally on my way to Haiti, where I would meet my beloved sponsored child, Josue. He was no longer a child, actually, since I had sponsored him for 16 years. We arrived in Port-au-Prince and were taken to a beautiful, tropical hotel at the top of a hill. Our hotel rooms had mosquito nets, but we never once saw any mosquitoes. I met several other volunteers like myself, and discovered we all had much in common. But the one that I bonded most with was my dear friend, Jane Gillis. 
She and I roomed together and shared devotions with each other every morning. They seemed to coincide so much, not only with what the other was reading, but with the events of each day. We became fast friends, and it all started right there in Haiti! Jane is the one I will be rooming with in the Dominican Republic next week!
We visited some very special Compassion Projects. On the way, we noticed that the general population of Haiti is missing several things we take for granted — electricity, running water, good road systems, grocery stores and sewers. We could really see the need, but in the midst of every community was a church. We stopped at some of these churches that Compassion partners with to visit the children. It was so exciting to see hundreds of children waiting to see us! 
They took us into their churches and sang to us, as though we were celebrities! They showed us some of the crafts they make. We toured the projects. Then we went outside to play with them. It feels good to be surrounded by precious children such as these — all wanting to have their picture taken, or to hold my hand or just be near. They didn’t beg for anything, and some actually took their hand out of mine and placed another child’s hand in it, as though they wanted to share “me” with others.
I was impressed with the Compassion Country Staff I met, and with each Pastor, Project Director and Teacher. I’ll never forget asking one teacher for her name so I could write it down and remember to pray for her. Instantly, all other conversation stopped and the Pastor and other teachers and the Project Director all said, “Give her my name too…” I was stunned to realize they believed in prayer that strongly, and were desperate to have others praying for them. I still pray for those precious saints to this day for, to me, they represent all the Teachers, Directors and Pastors of our Projects around the world.
The highlight of the trip, of course, was meeting Josue. Although I was a bit nervous to meet him, I shouldn’t have been, for we immediately fell into each others’ arms in a hug, and it seemed like we had known each other our whole lives (we nearly had, through our letters). I did learn some new things I had never known in those 16 years. He attended the same church denomination I did. His father was a Pastor that walked 4 1/2 hours every Saturday to get to his church, and back home again on Sunday. He gave me the names of his siblings, of which there were several. He was delighted with the little key chain light that I gave him, along with other gifts. We played with the frisbee I had brought him. Most of all, we just sat and talked, with the help of our wonderful translator.
When it was time to go, we both cried, and he said to me something I will never forget: “I wish I could see you every day of my life!” I told him I would continue praying for him always. I’ll never forget a day (many years before this visit) when I was sad about something, and asked God to come to me in some special way. That very day, I received a letter from Josue saying, “I put your photo on my bed so I can remember to pray for you every day.” What more can a sponsor ask for? There’s no gift greater than the relationship and support we have with God and others. I’m so thankful I met Josue before he completed his education with Compassion.
If you do not sponsor a child at this time, please take a look at these children who are in need of sponsors. Children in Haiti do not have a free education, and their options in life are very limited. Many mothers are giving mud cookies to their children, as there is no other food available. The hurricanes have wrecked havoc upon this country recently. There are many, many children in need of sponsors today!
Sheep Fold