This was such a great way to start off our trip in Asia!
I got to meet my Compassion kid today. I was so excited, I was actually nervous. I have never loved someone so much that I have never met. She is a sweet and shy girl named Yothika who just turned 11 yesterday. After scaring her with an American birthday party (complete with hats, noise makers, and a cup cake with candles) I gave her the gifts that I had brought for her. She had never seen a Barbie or a head band for your hair. It took her a while to understand what to do with Play-Dough (it helped that Wally explained not to eat it). But out of all the toys and clothes that I gave her, the thing she kept going back to was the picture of my dog that I had put in a small family photo album. It was the smallest thing, but for some reason it was something that made me feel closer and not so different from her.
Yo had a big day. It was her first time in the big city. In fact, it was her first time ever out of her village. We took her 88 stories up to a rotating lookout point. You could see on her face that she was trying to size everything up. How could a city be so large and yet the cars just got so small. We went to go get something to eat and took Yo for her first train ride. Over all she was pretty quite but on the train she got this huge smile. She explained how excited she was to be able to go back and tell her friends all that she had done and seen. The thing was, we were not done yet. The girl had never had ice cream! We had to fix that and that huge smile came back. While we ate our ice cream it gave us some good time to just talk.
I always wondered what it was like to be the parent of a sponsored child. Do they struggle with pride in allowing someone to help? Every question went away as I talked to Yo’s mom. She repeatedly thanked me. She was just a loving mom that wanted better for her daughter. Yo’s family works farming rice, in fact, Yo’s brother had to quit school to work in the field. Compassion is that chance for something better for Yo. It’s the difference that allows her to stay in school, break that cycle of poverty, and think about what she would like to be one day rather than what she has to be out of necessity.
Yo just flat out asked me, “Why did I pick her to sponsor.” I told her it was because she was special. To be honest when I looked for a kid online I was looking for a kid that needed to hear that. I wanted the child that had been on the list the longest. I wanted an older kid that knew what it meant to be chosen (and a lot of the times the older kids get chosen last for sponsors. It is like puppies, people want the cute little one). Yo also has allergies and gets marks on her face as a result. I looked at this kid’s picture online with no smile and a bunch of clips in her hair and wanted to be the one that told her she was beautiful, God loves her, I believe in her and that she is special. And I did just that.
Before they left I got to pray with them. With the hugest lump in my throat and more love in my heart than I have felt in a long time, I prayed. By the end, Yo’s mom was crying and I was unable to make eye contact with anyone. But I realized that I wasn’t just this distant sponsor that sent money, I was a part of their family. I am a little girl’s role model and a mother’s hope for her daughter.
Thank you Katie, for sharing your story about Yothika. That was so sweet and I started crying as I read the close of the story. What a blessing!! I pray that you will all be safe and have a great mission trip and look forward to hearing more about it when ya'll get back. :-)
Thanks for sharing this with us. I would love to meet my sponsored child someday. What a blessing you are to her!
That pic is priceless! How awesome to be able to hold the hand of your "extended family" and pray with and for them!
Katie Rose-
You are amazing for doing what you do and sharing your story. I am so inspired and eager to sponsor a child for my family to help!! What a gift it brings to your heart as well!!!! The past year was a struggle financially but now we are back on our feet and able to help and I just can't wait. Thank you for sharing!
This is so sweet!! Brought tears to my eyes... I can't wait to meet my little girl when I finally make it to Mozambique!
Thank you for your story. My husband,daughter and I have been sponsoring a child for a year through another organization. Recently she and her brother have moved into the local orphanage. We are now trying to adopt them both. My husband just went to visit them. Heartbreaking,but hopeful. I loved your story. Gives me a bit of hope today.
Thank you for sharing these precious moments with us....you are truly an inspiration to me......
I have no sound, but just looking at the face of little Yothika...wow. It really makes things a lot closer to home when I think of my lovely Nitchawan who we sponsor through Compassion. :o)
Hi guys!
I think its amazing how you guys are doing this! It warms my heart to know that there are people out there like you guys, giving their time, safety, and stomach (that one's for you Wally, I know the feeling, haha) for the benefit of others. Keep up the good work! I look forward to more stories throughout the week and when you return. Be safe and many blessings to you all. :)
Is Yo from Thailand? the skirt you was wearing look like the ones my family wears when the go to the tempel, and other events, btw looks good on you, lol
Me and my wife Megan sponser a child from Thailand, and he was the longest child on the list, his name is Ton. oh, my family is from Laos, almost the same as Thailand, our langage is like american english to british english. any way have a great trip God Bless
Katie, your story made me cry.. Thank you for sharing this... and thank you for the blessings you are giving to others so far away... You are making such a difference in this world.. even from a distance.
Wally looked like he wanted to eat the cake thing when he picked it up. lol
Thank you so much for sharing this. I long to one day meet my Compassion child who lives in El Salvador. I know this was such a special day for Yothika and you Katie Rose. What a blessing to be able to spend the day with her showing her all the "big city" had to offer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Blessings and safe travels to you guys. We will be praying for you.
Wally looks like he just went threw a hurricane. lol
That is soooooooooo (that's 10 o's by the way) swe
Posted by Corrine Griffin on January 17, 2012 @ 05:18 PM
OMG (of course the G stands 4 gosh, just 2 b clear!)
That is soooooooooo (that was also 10 o's)
sweet!!!!! I've always wondered how a sponsor child would react to the city!
Thanks 4 sharing!!!!
That is soooooooooo (that's 10 o's by the way) swe
Posted by Corrine Griffin on January 17, 2012 @ 05:18 PM
OMG (of course the G stands 4 gosh, just 2 b clear!)
That is soooooooooo (that was also 10 o's)
sweet!!!!! I've always wondered how a sponsor child would react to the city!
Thanks 4 sharing!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience Katie! I am so excited that you were able to meet her and spend some special time with her. This is so touching.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart, beautiful story and beautiful sponsor child with us. It truly touched my heart.
Your story has truly touched my heart! To think that we are so selfish here in the US because we do not have the latest cars or houses or really anything, and then to hear about Yothika and her family and how they are struggling just to survive...wow! I can see God's love in you, Katie, and its not just your story about meeting Yothika, but I see it when I listen to Way FM everyday! It is very reassuring that someone with the heart of God is touching lives all around the world!
The emotion that I am feeling is overwhelming after I read your article. I imagine meeting my 4 sponser kids one day. I too chose my last 2 children because they were the oldest and so when Yo asked you why you chose her, it hit a chord with me. They are ALL so very special! Wish I could sponser more because they are loved so much by me and my family. I just received TWO letters from my kids this week! :)
My dream? To meet all of my kids, but at least one of them would make me so very happy!
May God Bless All of You as you bring LIGHT to this organization, Compassion International, as they bring families together with CHRIST as their focus!
Much Love,
Priscilla
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