Meeting our sponsor children...

September 12...The big day.

My translator, Joseline and me

Josline, me, Diane, mom, Aline

Lunch time!

Giving gifts

Waving goodbye from the bus, Joseline and Diane

Today is the day we've all been waiting for...see the children we've written to, prayed for, and wished someday to meet. JoAnn (tour leader) told us what to expect and to have one toy to give our child.. The 1/2 hr. drive to Bambino Super City seemed to take forever. And when we got there the children were already waiting for us at the steps. They called names of the sponsors and then showed them their child, translator, and health worker (from their school). When me and mom's name was called two little girls rushed up and hugged us and wouldn't let go. We were trying to tell them apart and finally got them named and placed right. It was only Josline and Aline at that time since Diane hadn't come yet. Josline was such a sweetheart, I was so happy to see her. When I sat down and started talking to her she was a little shy and didn't really know what to do. Little did she know I didn't know where to start either. I handed her a doll (the toy I decided to give her). Her little eyes filled with wonder and delight. She immediately hugged the doll and held on to her the whole time until she left. Her health worker said that she had been talking about meeting me and had wanted to share a Bible verse with me. She had brought her Bible, so I asked her to read it to me. She read Ecclesiastes 7:9-12 in a steady small voice. Joseline and Aline were from the same school, so I asked Joseline if they were friends. She said yes and that they knew their sponsors were a mother and daughter. I thought that was really neat that they knew each other and were connected this way.

While we were there, we were able to ride some of the amusement rides. When we got on a airplane ride, I tried to show her how to manoeuvre the plane. She figured it out about half way through and we were going all over the place! By this time Diane had come so we were a group of nine! After the rides and playing on the swing set we went to eat lunch under the pavilion. Side note- most of the kids there didn't know about swing sets. All of us thought that they would have them at school, but it is rare to have a swing set (or playground).

I helped Joseline get her plate of food, and with out thinking piled it with food. When I sat down with her I realized my mistake and figured that she would not be able to finish it. She proved me wrong, in fact she licked her plate clean.

After lunch we were able to give our kids the remainder of the gifts. Me and mom had brought fabric bags to hold the gifts (and be reused by the mother). I explained the gifts to her as I pulled them from the bag. You can see the blanket I crocheted for her sitting on the table. There were gifts for her and for her 7 person family. By the time I got to the bottom of the bag her eyes were as big as saucers. Not to be the only one receiveing gifts, she had also brought a gift for me. A hand woven bowl that was red and white that had been nicely wrapped in sparkling paper. By the time we were done JoAnn was calling us together and telling us that we were to be parted soon. The day had gone by so quickly! Joseline, Aline, and Diane were able to play a little longer with their bubbles. Then we helped them to the bus along with the health workers (who were weighed down by all the presents). Joseline was smiling and waving to me in the bus as she left. I was so amazed at how God could put two lives so far apart--together!