A sponsor, one of our readers, travels to Bolivia to meet her sponsored child, Raquel. If you missed them, click here for part 1 and part 2. Today we get to meet Raquel. And you won’t want to miss the very beautiful moment with her sponsored child’s mother… enjoy!
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Going to Bolivia to meet Raquel
by Susan
Traveling to see Raquel: 14 hours (plus or minus a few) on an airplane; a total of 8 hours plus on a bus in between cities, and taxis are the main mode of transportation. Even though I was prepared with bus schedules, times and cost and a list of taxi names and numbers and all accompanying instructions, I never used them. Taxis are everywhere! First ride: the most expensive. After that, Compassion La Paz hailed a trustworthy taxi and after that, the hotel would call for one when necessary. As for the bus, women walk the sidewalks and bus terminal announcing the bus line and its destination. They take your name, money, assign you a seat, and give you your ticket right there. I had a wonderful seat mate who gave me a window tour of the sights all along the way.
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However, all the prayer, planning, and preparation does not ready a sponsor for the tearful embrace of a sponsored child’s mother… at least not this sponsor!
The first person I recognize as I enter the student center is Raquel’s mother. She stands alone with her hair pulled back from her bronzed complexion and she is holding a child’s artwork. Her countenance seems to mirror my sentiments exactly. And at that moment, my own anxious feelings fade when I glimpse this tiny woman in pink. No translation necessary during the warmth of our initial embrace. The love of a mother for her family radiates from this woman. Her tears tell the story of her appreciation for Compassion’s ministry and how in turn her family is strengthened.
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Raquel… isn’t she beautiful?! :)
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Next stop: Raquel’s classroom.
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Introductions are made and then the children have the opportunity to ask questions of me and me of them. Afterwards I take pictures of the children on the chance that somewhere out there a sponsor may recognize their child.
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Before leaving to enter the next classroom where the older students meet, I am presented with the gift of entertainment. Soon familiar hymns are floating through the air from the strings of a violin. Raquel’s sister is the musician and I am touched by the courage this young girl has to share her talent. Each of these children has been gifted by their Heavenly Father.
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Bright eyes, shy, cautious, contemplative expressions, and smiles in all varieties—each student is a gift and gifted for glorifying God.
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And although I didn’t know it at this point in my visit, this is where the giftedness of the Pastor/Director, husband/wife team comes into play at this CDC.
— Susan
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THANK YOU!
Please thank Susan, our guest contributor, today for sharing her heart with us as she travelled to see Raquel, her sponsored child in Bolivia. And for taking all those extra photos! Did you see your sponsored child in any of them?! And wasn’t that an amazing and beautiful moment with Raquel’s mother…. wow! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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RELATED LINKS
GUEST POST: Sponsor Visit Part 1 | Part 2
Bless your sponsored child’s mom
Sample Letter – Bible Treasure Theme
Sample Letter – The Secret of the Missing Scrolls
Sample Letter – Stretch your wings
Dinosaurs in Ghana?!
How do you inspire your child to serve others?
Glimpse behind the scenes – Compassion translator
Kefa & Estefany – Out of a suitcase and into our hearts
Where is your sponsored child’s country on this persecution spiral?
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