Because in 12 Days I Travel to Tanzania

I have been looking forward to this very trip for years (5 to be exact). When I started working at Compassion I found out about the anniversary trips that employees are blessed with every 5 years of working here. As you may remember I've been here 6 (they didn't have a trip to Tanzania last year). The first trip is supposed to be to a Central American country but I've been sponsoring Agnesi the longest and so I 'bought up'. I've been paying for this trip since last September and I can't believe I leave on the trip in 12 days.

I've been praying for my sponsored children and writing them letters, I've seen pictures and videos of other sponsors who have met their children and I'm so excited I'll have the opportunity to meet one of mine.

It's hitting me this week how close the trip is and I'm going to take the next 12 days to pray ('12 to Tanzania') that God prepares my heart for what I'll see and experience. I'm going to pray that God opens my eyes to see this country and these children the way He sees them. I pray God breaks down barriers that would keep me from experiencing everything he wants to show me. I want this trip to change my life and rock my world (not just for a few days when I return but life-long changes). I want God to use me on this trip to show His love to those I meet. Please join me in these prayers and pray while I'm gone too (Feb. 21- Mar. 4).

Here's Agnesi Yohana Humay when I started sponsoring her 5 years ago.

Here she is today...she just turned15 years old.

And, just because I want you to meet him too...here's Saintillen who I sponsor from Haiti. He will turn 20 this year and shares a birthday with my nephew who will turn 3 this year.