Day 10 - 19.02.26

Today was the day - I was both excited and nervous. Our first center visit would have 3 of the kids we sponsor. Not only did I wonder how it would be meeting Cassandra and her mother again, but also there were two others to meet - In additon to this, one of them was Ieiazel (Christine's mums sponsored child). It was sure to be very emotional meeting them.

After breakfast we jumped into a mini bus and we headed out to the center, probably 20-40 mins drive - once we got there I recognised the center, and it brought back the memories of my first visit.

We were greeted by a bunch of happy kids - there was a big welcome sign and they were doing a dance/performance in the courtyard area. We were given a neclace and/or some flowers, and then ushered into the main room.

Here there were a bunch of performances by the kids, some singing, and a testimony.

After this we got to have some interaction time with the kids - it was a bit caotic. I had Mary Joy grab my arm and take me around to the pictures on the wall - at the same time Cassandra was also trying to show me things, and then ofcourse I also knew there were 2 of our other sponsored children there too. I ended up spending most of this time with Mary Joy. One of the activities was to get your hand painted and then press it on a bag, then have the other persons hand painted and repeat the process. Then you both write your name ont he bag, and take it home. I completed this exercise with Mary Joy, and Christine did it with Cassandra and Krystal.

After this it was time for everyone to have their lunch - during this time we had the opportunity to meet with Ieiazel and her family. They had been told that someone had passed away, and that we were their new sponsors, however it seems they were unclear on who had passed. We got taken back stage into the pastors 'office'. It was a small room, but gave us som privicy away from the general noise.

We got to spend a good 15+ mins with them and were able to explain a little bit of what had happened with Christines mum, and also re-assure them that we would be sponsoring them moving forwards.

It was super emotional to meet this family - knowing how much Chrisitne's mum would have loved to do this herself, and how we would have been sending her photos and chatting with her about it if she were still alive.

As they were not coming to the funday on Sunday we also had the bag of goodies with us to give them. We'd also takent he instax printer so we could quickly print off a photo and put it into the photo album we'd prepared earlier.

Turns out they also had something for us! That was unexpected... They had someone take a family photo and print it off, and on the back of it they had written us a letter. In its possible we spent more one-on-one time with them than we did any of our other sponsored kids throughout the trip. Its incredibly special to have this, and to have had this experience so soon after Christine's mums passing.

After this we popped back out and had lunch - we also briefly met with Cassandra, her mum and one of her sisters, as well as Lance and his mother.

We also got to see the folders that they keep on each of the kids - this contains the letters from sponsors, the milestones they reach etc. We were able to find Cassandra's one and see some of the old letters we wrote.

After this we headed out for home visits. Last time we visited kids who were not sponsored, however this time most of the time we visited a kids home who was one of the sponsored kids of the group. We got divided up into 3 groups and headed out. Our group was going to the home visit via a motorised tricycle. Christine sat on one seat, and I sat in the back - so I was seeing where we had been. It was quite a bumpy ride, but being in the back facing out I had a pretty good view.

We visited the home of an older child called Wayne. His home was tiny, similar to homes I'd seen before. This home had 3 rooms - one main room, a closet sized room to one side, and then another small room that had another family in it. This is less obviously than ideal, however as they talk about their lives, their home etc they are continually thankful for what they do have.

Its another reminder of what we have - our expectations of what a home is or should be. And how we might complain about our homes, or stuff that goes on. We are blessed beyond anything, and we really do take this for granted.

After this visit we headed back out to the centre. We had an issue at one point where we had to get off the tricycle as it was unable to transition from the gravel road over a bump and onto the tarseal, but we arrived safely back at the centre where we waitied for the other groups to return before we had desert. Desert was called "halo-halo". it can take varous different forms depending on whats in season, but its made from shaved ice, and condensed milk - then has have fuuit and/or jelleys in it.

This center had a 2nd site that they have started - we visited it last time too, so they decided that we'd jump into the bus and head out to the 2nd site. It was great to see this site after 2 years and see what progress had been made. This is the site that Cassandra would normally go to as its closer to her hosue. We also got to meet Casandra's current leader here. We took a photo with him so that we could print it off and pop it in her photo book.

After visiting the 2nd site we dropped the people back at the original centre, and then headed back tot he Hotel.

It had been a long day, we were glad to be able to relax for a short time before dinner. Tomorrow would be similar but in a different place with different people.