One of our favorite ministries to support is Compassion International. We love what they are doing around the world for so many kids. Eric started sponsoring Derar when he was in college. At that time Derar was about 7... 
When we were planning our trip to Ethiopia in March, we had contacted Compassion to arrange a visit with him, but then we had to cancel it when we lost our referral. So since we knew we wouldn't be going for a few months, we decided that we should start another Ethiopian sponsorship so we could meet her too! We asked Compassion if they had a young girl who lived close to Addis Ababa, and they gave us sweet Adanu! She is nine years old.
We had our visit scheduled for Tuesday, and they arrived at our guest house around noon. Both kids were really timid and quiet. It was a little hard to get them to open up. They came with Yoseph (a sponsor visit director), who translated, and each of their regional workers. While we talked, Derar was very honest with us and told us that he was considering Christianity, but had not decided whether he believes it yet. His family are not Christians, so it is a bigger deal for him to go down that road. We are grateful that he was willing to share this with us so we know how to pray for him. Adanu was really sweet and loved holding Luke. She clammed up part way through the visit and didn't want to do anymore talking, but it was nice to just be with her :) We went out to a restaurant for lunch, and then back to our guest house where we gave them their gifts and then it was time to say good-bye. I wish we would have given them their gifts at the beginning of the visit because I think they would have been less leary of us. :) Oh, well. I think Adanu might have had a previous sponsor, so she may have been seeing us as short-term sponsors. Sorry, Adanu, you're stuck with us for awhile! We gave them hugs and I gave Adanu a kiss on her forehead; then they got into the van and we waved at each other for about five minutes while the van driver tried to maneuver the van around in the small parking area. It was over too soon, but we are so glad we were able to meet them!
Eric and Derar (go Twins!)
now he's 18!
When we were planning our trip to Ethiopia in March, we had contacted Compassion to arrange a visit with him, but then we had to cancel it when we lost our referral. So since we knew we wouldn't be going for a few months, we decided that we should start another Ethiopian sponsorship so we could meet her too! We asked Compassion if they had a young girl who lived close to Addis Ababa, and they gave us sweet Adanu! She is nine years old.We had our visit scheduled for Tuesday, and they arrived at our guest house around noon. Both kids were really timid and quiet. It was a little hard to get them to open up. They came with Yoseph (a sponsor visit director), who translated, and each of their regional workers. While we talked, Derar was very honest with us and told us that he was considering Christianity, but had not decided whether he believes it yet. His family are not Christians, so it is a bigger deal for him to go down that road. We are grateful that he was willing to share this with us so we know how to pray for him. Adanu was really sweet and loved holding Luke. She clammed up part way through the visit and didn't want to do anymore talking, but it was nice to just be with her :) We went out to a restaurant for lunch, and then back to our guest house where we gave them their gifts and then it was time to say good-bye. I wish we would have given them their gifts at the beginning of the visit because I think they would have been less leary of us. :) Oh, well. I think Adanu might have had a previous sponsor, so she may have been seeing us as short-term sponsors. Sorry, Adanu, you're stuck with us for awhile! We gave them hugs and I gave Adanu a kiss on her forehead; then they got into the van and we waved at each other for about five minutes while the van driver tried to maneuver the van around in the small parking area. It was over too soon, but we are so glad we were able to meet them!
Eric and Derar (go Twins!)
Adanu, sleeping Luke, and me
In the van on the way to the restaurant. 
3 comments:
What a great idea to ask for a child nearby so you could visit... and wonderful that you got to meet your original sponsored child as well. :)
What a gift to get to meet them!!! Oh I pray that Derar is captured by the beauty and love of Christ!!!! Our God is being made much of through you guys! Praise Him!
That is so wonderful that you could meet your sponsored children. I have two sponsored girls--one in Guatemala and one in Africa and I so hope to meet them one day but really don't know if it will ever happen.
What a beautiful story--Derar certainly knows that you are long term sponsors and your little girl will one day realize that also.
I will add my prayers to yours that Derar turnd to Christianity.
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