Jonesbones5 
Treasures in The Dark
I found a gem today here in Guatemala City, and I wanted to take this little treasure home. Her name is Darling, and she is nine years old. She is sponsored, but she has never received a letter from her sponsor. She clung to me today as we got to know each other. Her bashful spirit, sweet smile, and affectionate hugs were more beautiful than any masterpiece I have ever seen. She was a treasure, so today I prayed for her and told her that she was loved and valued!
Sometimes I just want to pack them up and bring them home. These precious lives. I want to rescue them from neighborhoods infested with gangs. My heart continuously breaks for these children as I see the conditions they live in. All I can do is pray.
As we walked through the neighborhood to visit the homes of two Compassion children, four bodyguards escorted us. They kept a watchful eye on the street corners around us, so we could visit the homes of the children without any problems with the gangs. The streets were empty because parents won’t let their children play outside in this gang infested neighborhood. A reminder of the darkness that surrounds this impoverished place.
But in this dark place, I found beautiful treasures.
Back at the church project, we had the chance to meet the staff and hang out with kids.
The Compassion project director and the church pastor were amazing. Watching them maneuver amongst the children and tenderly care for the kids inspired me.
I saw Jesus in them. The pastor has been at this project for 15 years, and his commitment to children was obvious.
While at the project, I saw masterpiece…..
after masterpiece……
created in the image of God.
Before we said good-bye, we prayed for the project director.
I was reminded that in this place, there are servants who daily care for these works of art, and because of their commitment, their love, and their compassion, poverty cannot destroy these little treasures.
What a blessing to be apart of this ministry! What an amazing day of seeing God’s beauty amongst these children.
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless:
Maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed:
Rescue the weak and the needy:
Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 82:2-4
To read the other bloggers posts from today, click here.
Today’s photo’s are by my dear friend and awesome photographer Keely Marie.
18 Comments on “Treasures in The Dark”
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Jonesbones5 
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you happen to be
a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back later in life.
I want to encourage you to definitely continue
your great posts, have a nice afternoon!
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Hi Autumn,
I would love to see the picture and to know this beautiful girl has you as her sponsor. That would make sense to why she had not heard from her sponsor.
My email is musicjones@comcast.net.
Blessings,
Patricia
Hi! You know, just after your post, I sponsored a little girl from that same student center who is 9 years old and named Darlin. I am almost 100% positive that it is the same child you were writing about. I’d love to show you her photo and see what you think…and hear more about her! According to Compassion, she had been waiting >6 months for a sponsor. I had a few other people look at her photo and they think its her too! Or else she has a twin 🙂 And, I have already written to her!
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Johanna,
AWESOME! Write those letters.
Patricia
What beauty! Off to write to our Compassion kiddos ASAP!
I am sure that after reading your post and Lisa Jo’s post that Ms Darling is going to have more than one person offering to be a letter sponsor.
If every person that reads all of the Compassion blogger’s post, and makes haste to the Compassion site to either sponsor a child or sign up to be a letter sponsor and FOLLOWs through with the letter writting part, there would not be a Compassion child left that is not receiving letters from someone.
Thanks for pointing out the heroes of every one of my trips, the project workers. They are the caretakers of these beautiful masterpieces. Love it.
what beautiful, wonderful children and people that care for them there!
This is beautiful – the children and your words! I’m praying right now for each and every one of the children there, as well as for the children I met in Peru a couple weeks ago. Following your trip has been so helpful in processing my own.
Oh Patricia – this just slays me! How can a sponsor resist writing to a child named Darling??!! I totally went back and linked your post in my post today!
Have a good trip!
“Masterpieces” is the perfect way of putting it! They are so beautiful! Eyes fully alive and smiles bright with joy! Thank you!
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