Taylor meets her Sponsor child Kenema

It was March 4^th, the day the team would travel to Hinche, the community where we would finally come face to face with our sponsor children. After a long, winding drive up a mountain side and a day to settle at our hotel, we arrived at the Center of Hope on March 5^th. The team set off to explore this beautifully God-filled and life changing building with anticipation in their hearts. Shortly after, a busload of Haitian children arrived at the door. My eyes scanned furiously through the crowd searching for the face of a boy I had never met, but somehow felt so familiar to me. As I watched the team connect eyes with their sponsor children, my heart swelled and eyes watered. How surreal is it, to write a family so many miles away for several years, and to finally put a voice to those letters, a smile to that photo and a hug to that long distance connection. However, my sponsor child was yet to be seen. A large chunk of the afternoon went by before I found out that Kenema, my sponsor child could not make it. Disappointment and confusion rushed through my mind as I wondered how I could travel so far, be in the same community, and yet be so far away from Kenema.

Day two approached and there was still no sign of my sponsor child. It wasn’t until the end of the day that my heart would be forever changed. As the team readied to board the bus to travel Hinche visiting the local programs implemented by world vision, I was informed that we were to make a pit stop at the ADP (Area Development Program). As we drove into the driveway, a large band spread across the porch of the ADP building. The team got off the bus and was serenaded with a beautiful Haitian band full of familiar faces of the children and youth we spent the previous days with at the Center of Hope. As the music filled the area it was then that I laid eyes on Kenema and his mother. Five years of writing letters, receiving annual updates on his health and education led to this very moment. The world seemed to stop, as I thanked God for this beautiful, healthy boy before me.

After the music ended, Kenema and his mother came down to my mother and I, along with a translator. Words will never be able to express this moment. As we knelt down to introduce ourselves, tears choked at the back of my eyes. “It is so nice to finally meet you…” This sentence still blows my mind. World Vision went above and beyond to give me the opportunity to meet Kenema. I later found out that Kenema was not able to make it to the Center of Hope the last couple days because his grandfather was very sick. This family who I have never met before this day, paused their life in the midst of a very real struggle to meet me. Never underestimate the impact you have on the life of not only your sponsor child, but also their entire family. “Kenema talks about you all the time.” His mother says. “He says how much he loves you and looks forward to meeting you and your family. We pray for you daily! Will you please continue to pray for us too?”

            Before leaving the ADP, World Vision informed me that they would do everything they could to ensure that Kenema would be at the Center of Hope the following day. Sure enough, the very next day I found myself playing soccer in the hot Haitian heat with my sponsor child. I watched as a smile spread across his face as we kicked a ball across the grass.

I return home with an overflowing heart. One that is still trying to process what this entire trip holds and means for my life. But, one thing is for sure. My life will never be the same all because of one hug. One hug from a boy I began sponsoring 5 years ago.