MC and My Visit to Noelia, my Compassion Child!!!!

This week has been great. The times at Missionaries of Charity were so life giving this week. A patient that had been lots of trouble and commotion with depression is now better and danced the entire day in the sun. Her name is Otilia, and she is now a transformed person. I really connected with many of the sisters. They sacrifice SO much to do the work of the Lord. They can only visit home every ten years and when they do, they are only home for 15 days. Other than that, they are placed whereever they are commissioned, but normally NEVER stay more they 2 or 5 years as another form of sacrifice. I believe they have all shaved their heads to rid themselves of the beauty that it gives them because they desire to be humble and servants of others. They are a HUGE challenge to be as I complain about having only two more months until I get to go home. This week, I also gave Caludina, the mother that had her son die a month or two ago, some yarn to make a sweater for me. I then can pay her when she is finished and it will be a small source of income for her and her seven children. She is such a beautiful woman inside and out.

AND THEN, I went to visit Noelia yesterday and it was amazing. Noelia, her mom, the director, and her tutor all met me at the Plaza Hotel in La Paz at 9 AM and then I got to go to her house and have some breakfast, give gifts, and take pictures. She was super shy whenever lots of people were around, but lightenened up whenever there were only a few of us. She gave me a cholita doll that I will cherish forever. I really think it may be one of my favorite gifts I have ever received. The director showed me a small binder that Noelia had made with all my pictures and cards I have ever sent her. It was the sweetest thing. I got to see the church that Compassion has across the street with her classroom, the kitchen thatr feeds 370 in the afternoon, and many of the offices and other classrooms. We played with her classmates and had jello and cake! Basically, it was an amazing day. I brought her a coloring book and crayons because she wrote me that she loved to color, and she colored the entire time. I am trying to schedule another visit for before I leave. I don´t know if its possible, but I sure hope so. I would like anyone who is looking for a place to give back to look into Compassion. It is a fabulous organization that truly changes the lives of so many kids that otherwise would not have the support of a Christian community to help them grow into the men and women they can become!



This is part of the book that she had made for all my letters I sent her!

This is one of the pictures I had sent her of my family before, yes, you guessed it, an Auburn football game.

A close up of Noelia and I. I don´t think she knew what was happening.

A beautiful picture of her.