Activate Ministries

On Tuesday morning we went along on a little trip with the missionary, Dean, to visit his Compassion sponsor child.  His 7th birthday is at the end of the month so all went to celebrate with him.  We met at Compassion Peru country office and there, greeting us, was the sweetest little boy, his mom and his 5 year old sister.  We all went inside to sit and chat with the family, with translators of course, as Dean gave him his birth present as well as a little something for his sister.  It was one of those moments that every sponsor wishes they could experience... meeting the little boy or girl that they support every moment and getting to hear from his/her mother and sister how life is for them and where the money is being used.  We had a chance to play games with the kids, sing a song for them then we all went out to lunch.  The restaurant had a play area (similar to McDonalds) and the kids had a blast playing there after lunch.  It was such a blessing to be there with them.As we chatted with the family, the Compassion representative told us that both children were in school and while their dad was not in the picture they were generally doing well.  They live in a one room home and for the longest time the children did not have a bed, so they slept on the hard floor.  Recently through their sponsors and Compassion, funds were provided to buy bunk beds so now all members of the family are able to sleep on beds.  Mom rises very early each day to work 5am-1pm at an orphanage washing clothes.  She is a very hard worker and has the marks on her hands to prove it.  This family lives on approximately $120 American each month... thats about $0.60 an hour to support her family.  Thankfully both children have sponsors which helps with daily costs of living yet it still made us realize how fortunate we really are.