We were privileged to hear a message from the President of Compassion for Ecuador, Fernando, who has a history of high ranked office for the Country of Ecuador. Fernando and his lovely wife Liseth (our guide) are wonderful leaders for over 50 staff for CI. They manage over 55,000 Child Sponsor relationships for Ecuador;) With such a large magnitude of children in need they have sectioned off different programs to offer. Our group is apart of the Child Survival Program for mothers and children ages 0-3 yrs old. Many of these children have siblings in the Sponsorship Program for Children. As of today.... there are over 104,000 children all over the world waiting to be sponsored and desperate for a good meal and love. Fernando was very heartfelt in his talk with us and said... at the end of the day, it is love, support and prayer that these people and children need... even more than any monetary value because "The Owner of this... Is the Owner of all Things" and He can make miracles happen and does everyday. Fernando and his wife Liceth, were such gracious hosts and had such humbling servants hearts. Liceth was just a JOY to be around and I hope one day I have the opportunity to host them at my home in Texas! Here is the link for the group blog....
http://www.Compassion.com/joyfulmom
Here below is a picture of a little girl who wanted me to be her "Madrina" or Godmother. She even said she wished I was her mom. She just turned 10 last Sunday and does not qualify for the program after age 9. Her little brother is apart of the Sponsorship program and she sneaks in to share a meal with him everytime she can. This truly broke my heart! She was clinging to me the whole first day... and I was an absolute tissued mess before the end of the day. Considering I was with so many women I had just met, I bet they thought I was not going to make it the rest of the trip. I finally pulled it together by day 2. But make no mistake... the tears never left!
Here is a picture of Nicolas... A sweet little FIESTY boy who was so much fun to be around! He called me and one of the translators Gringo.
I had the opportunity to spend time with his mom and his sister and dad. They invited a group of us into their home. One of the supplies they requested before we came was for candy molds for chocolates. When I was at Hobby Lobby picking these up, never would I have imagined that I would be helping this sweet Mom make chocolates to sell for $.15 cents each.
Here are some photos of us hanging out and making chocolates at this sweet woman's home. I am attaching a link to my friend Stephanie's blog for this particular day as well. She gives a clear description of what is was really like... CULTURE SHOCK!
http://www.afunfitmom.com/2012/04/18/poverty/
Before we left, we asked to pray with them... Here is a video of that on the Youtube link. And pictures of their view from the front of their home, their bathroom outside, (no shower), their daughter with her little kitty cat, plastic bottles the mom cleans out of trashcans everyday around town... to use for recycle
money. Their Rent is $35 a month... with about $10 in Water/Electric. The father is paying child support to his ex-wife and they have no money to
help feed their own family. It feels like a hopeless situation.
BUT GOD IS THE HEALER OF ALL THINGS!
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