This week marks the one year anniversary of a life-changing trip when I met a little girl who embedded herself into my heart. On February 10, 2009 I boarded a flight in Honolulu headed for Manila, in The Philippines, and then further south to Davao, in Mindanao. A few days later, on Valentine’s Day — my wife, Amy’s birthday — I came face to face with a smiling 9-year-old girl named Felma dressed in her Sunday best.
Felma is the child we sponsor through Compassion International and it was an incredible opportunity to be able to travel to her city and spend time with her. Here’s a video produced by the amazing folks at Studio Red about that trip:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1125476817413&oid=70267985589&n…
She’s been on my mind for the past few days, probably because of the one-year anniversary, but also because some of the people I met in Davao are now on Facebook, and contact with them makes me feel even more connected to this girl and her family. It would be wonderful if, when she is a little older, she had access to the internet and had her own Facebook account so we could communicate regularly and share photos and updates. She’s a long way from Hawaii, but I hope she feels the love and knows that I pray for her and have big dreams for her future. Felma will be 11 years old on April 27, and I’ll be sending a card and arranging for a gift.
In August of 2010 I am scheduled to lead a similar trip to Honduras with some pastors/leaders from the Church of God of Prophecy. I am praying about sponsoring a child from Honduras, perhaps a little boy this time, so I can meet him on that trip.