Bright Smiles and Compassion!!!! (Day 10)

This Blog Post was written by Samantha Robards

May 22, 2013

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

This verse really came to life today and we got to experience the fullness of it.  

Today was a day spent with our Compassion children. There are several of us who sponsor children here in Rwanda and they traveled from near and far to come and visit us. They came to Seeds of Peace, where we have been staying, to spend time with us. Krista’s little girl, Angelique, traveled from 8 hours away, which exemplified just how precious and important the relationship between the children and their sponsors is.

The day was spent playing with all the kids. The girls played dancing games, spent time coloring and played with soccer balls. The boys played soccer, Frisbee and played on the seesaw. The kids all got to eat lunch with us as well. They went first, which is something they are not used to. At home, they go last if they even get to eat at all. They filled their plates with food they don’t normally get to eat and were able to eat until their bellies were full. They even got to enjoy a nice refreshing soda!

My little girl’s name is Jackline. She is seven years old and part of the Compassion project at Karangazi. She has the most beautiful smile and such a joy of life.  It was so fun to spend time with her and simply love on her. She does not speak much English so communication is hard,

but seeing her clap, dance, run, play, and smile all speaks louder than words.  I fell in love with little Jackline. I could not stop hugging her, rubbing her head, and holding her hand. Words cannot explain the love I felt for this precious little girl.

All of us who got to spend the day with our sponsor kids fell in love with them so deeply. It doesn’t make sense how much we could love someone we just met. All I knew of Jackline was her face on a Compassion sponsorship card.


After spending the day with her I saw how God worked to bring a face on a card to become someone I love deeply. It was unbelievable seeing just how similar our personalities are. Today these kids became more than a picture on a card, the money we give each month became real, and we got to see, experience, and understand exactly who it is going to. Today I am thankful that God first loved us, so that through Him we are able to love without expectation.


-Samantha