We met the little girl we sponsor through Compassion today.
Our bus pulled up in front of her school around 10 o’clock this morning, and after three months of waiting, two different airplanes, and one very bumpy bus ride- there she was…standing 10 feet away from us.
She was holding up a big paper sign that read, “Welcome – we love you” and her smile said the same thing, too.
She was so much sunshine to the square inch!
We bonded over paper and pencils…
…and photos of our family and friends…
We got to be girly…
…and share stories about some of our favorite things…
And the best part? Knowing that, because of Compassion, we can do all of those things with her whether we’re in Peru or not. She is a gift, and we’re so happy she’s surrounded by so many people who love her all the way from Peru, to Alabama.
Fresia’s grandparents told us she had been so excited ever since they told her we were coming to visit. They said she woke up and asked every day, “Is today the day my godparents come?” We feel incredibly blessed to share that excitement with her, and look forward to growing our relationship with her for years to come!
PS- Here’s a short video of Fresia singing. Her sweet little voice melted our hearts and we wanted to share it with you, too!
Sponsoring a child through Compassion will not only change the life of a child living in spiritual, physical, environmental and educational poverty, it’ll change your life in so many amazing ways, too. Trust me, I know. 🙂 Click on the badge below to connect with a child that would love the chance to inspire and bond with you!
For more posts about our time in Peru, visit Shaun Groves, Angie Smith and Jen Schmidt. They’re an amazing bunch of peeps, and we feel so blessed to be on this trip with them!
Oh my goodness…..she is precious! What a huge day for you guys and what a blessing for you to be able to meet her. God is so good!!!
Oh man, you two are killing me with this! I have tears running down my cheeks with every entry, I’m so happy for you that you are experiencing this and only wish someday I’ll meet my two Compassion children too. xoxoxoxoxo
P.S. Fresia is perfection.
Kate
Compassion is such a great organization. How exciting that you got to meet the child you sponsor!
What a beautiful combination of words and photos! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
What a wonderful opportunity for all of you! My sponsored child lives in Africa and I doubt I’ll ever meet him – love seeing you interact with Fresia, she is so sweet!
Many blessings…
She is absolutely precious. And that video brings it all to life!
This is awesome! What a privilege to see face to face the one with whom you practically share Jesus with every day! So glad you could meet her!
Here I sit….in my jammies…..having coffee……..crying thru your second day. Look at the blessings you are gathering…………..look at the wonderful memories.
God Bless Your Hearts……………………..
I am so proud of all of you…………………………………….
Oh Layla and Kevin! I can’t think of words besides congrats on meeting her & being able to sponsor such a sweet little girl!! I love the photo of you by the bunny cage and Kevin & her laughing over the photos. SO so special!! 🙂 Keep on enjoying your trip!!!
What an awesome opportunity and blessing for each of you!
Enjoying reading about your experiences in Peru.
They will last a lifetime.
I’m so blessed, reading and following your posts from Peru, as well as the rest of the team, too! May God continue to bless and protect you as you build relationships through Christ. I’ll bet your hearts are growing bigger! 🙂
I’m so happy for you guys! I know what that has to mean getting to meet her in person!
Fresia is beautiful! You looked so comfortable as you bonded with her, like proud parents. I am so thankful God gave you this opportunity to meet Fresia. Kevin and you will be such a blessing in her life and she will bless you also. Our prayers continue to be with you and the Compassion Team. Love Mom
Oh man, I held it together ’til the video.
Beautiful job telling the story, Layla. And this line right here: “She was so much sunshine to the square inch!” That sums up so much.
Thankful for what you and Kevin are doing…love and prayers to you!
She is beautiful! Love your stories. Loved the video too. Praying!
Beautiful.
Beautiful! God bless you all!
Layla, you are so sweet. The love and kindness in your heart just shows so bright on your face. You inspire me to be a gentler, kinder, more loving person myself. Thank you:)
She is absolutely precious and what a special opportunity to meet her and visit with her. It really does make the help you are giving her seem more real, doesn’t it?
Oh my goodness…the photo where she is showing you the rabbits. Her sweet, excited smile just melts my heart. You must have just been a puddle at the end of the day! May God bless your trip. I will be keeping all of you in my prayers.
There is NOTHING better than singing children!!!!! It doesn’t matter where they live, how much or little they have, or what language they speak – hearing children sing melts my heart every time!
Your entry today brought tears to my eyes. I can’t think of anything else to say other than that. What a gift to be able to meet your sponsored child. You are two wonderful, wonderful people.
How sweet is she? All you compassion bloggers are amazing, I haven’t made it through a single post without tearing up yet!
Ahhh her sweet little voice. Love that video and her smile in those photos! LOVE seeing your day with Fresia!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
You both are so inspirational. Love the photos and video, you can just feel the love by looking at what the photographer captured .
Layla and Kevin,
This is SOOOOO awesome! I’m thrilled for you and that little girl that you were able to meet. I’m sure it was an emotional but sweet time for you.
We sponsor children through a ministry called Africa New Life Ministries. We were able to visit our sponsored children in Rwanda in September and I’ll never, ever forget it.
From what I understand, so few sponsors are able to visit their children, but for those who do, it forges such a special bond. It’s an expensive trip to make, but it’s really priceless.
Enjoy the many blessings God has in store for you in Peru! Hope you have plenty of Kleenex.
Hugs~
Lori
What an amazing opportunity for you.
i love the expression on her face in the bunny photo…you can tell she’s feeling some unconditional love there…xoxo love from muskoka xoxo
So great. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Simply one word.
Beautiful.
Your story and pics brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely child.
What an awesome, life changing opportunity for you! The pictures speak volumes. Thank you for sharing your trip.
Utterly heartwarming! Made me cry. 🙂
We started sponsoring a little boy named Carlos (from Peru) last week through Compassion. We can’t wait for the packet with information about him.
How sweet to finally meet each other.
Safe travels.
Steph
Beautiful pictures. I love her sweet little smile. 🙂
What a precious one she is! So happy you got to meet. Thanks for sharing your journey…
Continued prayers from us to you.
Her name!!! I love it. She’s so beautiful. And how lucky that you get to be her Godparents. 🙂 🙂
This is so encouraging, Layla. I look forward to your next post. 🙂
My heart is a happier place today. I’m raising 3 children that are not my own. Thanks for making a difference.
Oh so sweet! Blessings to you two.
How amazing! I can’t imagine what a profound experience this must be for you both. Congrats!
Ah, my Thursday “happy”, Layla — thank you for sharing. What a sweet time you’re having together … God is so good.
xo Heidi
Well, friends, I am so thankful you’re getting to share with us while you’re there. Beautiful. So happy for you and your sweet girl. Praying for you daily.
xoxo,
shaunna
Thrilled for you guys & Fresia too! Hoping the next few days go by slowly as you soak it all in.
How lucky you two are to have met Fresia! Makes it all more “Real” and meaningful!! Thank you for sharing your meeting with us…
and p.s. I love hearing the chickens in the background, sounds like home!
~Kim
I am so happy for you ! I love that you got to meet Fresia…it is a dream of mine to meet our Compassion little girl Maria, from Indonesia. Thanks for sharing your meeting with us.
This is twice in two days you have had me in tears with your blog. In the best possible way.
**godparents**swoon.
OK, so I have read everyone’s account. I have smiled and I have sobbed and I can’t even imagine the emotions you have swirling inside. give away as much love as you possibly can and know that God will multiply those seeds and some day you will stand shoulder to shoulder with those people in heaven…because of this week perhaps. See you real soon sweet friends.
Xoxo
Cindy
Tears are running down my cheeks….for so many reasons, for so many blessings, for such big hearts. Thank you for sharing your journey. You inspire me every day!
what a sweet cutie pie! so glad you guys are making such an impact in her life 🙂