Month: May 2015

May 4, 2015

Have you ever had one of those moments? You know the ones where something happens that makes you hair stand up on end? And I don’t mean getting spooked watching the latest version of Paranormal Activity. I’m talking about when something happens that is just uncanny; something that feels like it was totally meant to be; like you are in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Some people may attribute these experiences to a higher power or the Universe, but no matter what they are called, they feel like anything, but coincidences. I call these experiences “God moments” and I had a big one happen to me this weekend.

I was attending the Women of Faith conference in Columbus this weekend with my mom and sister. The one and a half day touring conference held in an arena filled with 10,000 women, features inspirational speakers and music that make you laugh and cry. Participants leave feeling inspired and ready to live out their faith and love more fully in the world. World Vision, is a regular partner with the Women of Faith organization and is usually introduced at the conference on Friday night. This year was no exception. As I watched the video sharing one woman’s story sponsoring a child in Zambia I began to get teary-eyed. Well, for those who know me well, this is no big newsflash. Getting teary at an emotional story is just a day in the life for me. However, this time felt different. I felt pulled to actually consider sponsoring a child beyond just thinking about it during the 5 minute video. We were told that throughout the arena in some of the seats there were packets of children including pictures, who were in need of sponsors and we were asked to prayerfully consider doing so. I picked up the one closest to my seat – a little girl from Ecuador a few years younger than Zach. I wasn’t ready to make any kind of decision right then so I tucked it into my purse to think on later.

The next morning walking to our seats in the arena we passed the World Vision booth and my mom and sister reminded me that I wanted to stop and ask some questions of the volunteers. I asked them about the amount of payment required, and for more information on how the program works. I then gave them back the little girl packet I had taken the day before and explained that I might be interested in a boy, about the same age as my son. They explained that boys seldom get sponsored, especially at women’s events, and she directed me to the further side of the table where the older children were laid out. Now I have to mention that there were hundreds of these packets throughout the arena and hundreds more spread through the various booths and with the volunteers. My sister and I began to look at the older children and I told her that I have a soft spot for Central America, particularly Guatemala. Almost just as a I said this I saw him. Luis. Luis! His familiar little face jumped out at me and as I read that he was “Luis from Guatemala” it was confirmed. I knew this kid! I had met Luis in Guatemala during my immersion trip there with John Carroll in 2013. I knew his face!

Here is a snapshot of this special moment:

“This is Luis! I know this kid! I know this kid!” I kept saying to a stunned audience that included my sister, mom and the volunteers. We were all stunned. What were the odds of this?! We could not believe this was happening and I told the volunteers that I had found the child I was supposed to sponsor! Luis was a favorite child of our immersion group, especially to Molly, the student co-leader.

Here is a picture of she and him during our 2013 trip.

And just to show what kind of impact this child had on our students here is Luis with Molly the year before in Guatemala!

I’m so excited to begin corresponding with Luis and learning more about him, his life, and his family. I’m excited to be able to share this with Zachary too. Maybe there will be another trip to San Juan, Guatemala in my, or our, future. One thing I know for sure: If it happens, it won’t be by accident.