We also had the amazing opportunity to meet the children we sponsor through Compassion. We were so blessed to meet our children and spend some time loving on them. We spent our Sponsor Fun Day at the zoo in La Paz. Our guide and representative from Compassion Bolivia, Maria Elena, said something that really touched my heart. She observed the team loving and pouring into these children like they had known them for their lifetime. "In many cases there is no father figure in these children's lives or the mother is too busy providing to play with their children. What an amazing testimony to God's love and an example you are setting when you instantly love and care for their children."
We saw poverty and living conditions that took us by surprise, even when we thought we were "prepared". There were many times when all we could do was find a quite place and cry. Despite everything that we witnessed, there was such laughter, gratitude, strength, and thanksgiving to God for blessings that many of us would file under "trials". Joy and contentment. They were living what Paul described in Philippians, only I'm not sure whether they have ever lived in plenty. "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4: 12-13
These beloved Bolivians thanked us for what we had done for them and I hope that they will someday know what they had done for us. Perspective was such a beautiful gift given on this trip.
An Aymara woman wearing the traditional clothing.
Our preworksite picture.
The reality of poverty hits a team member after she scrapes the remainder of her lunch into a mother's purse to serve her family.
We loved how the Aymara women carried their babies.
La Paz, Bolivia
How we were greeted every morning:)
