September 9, 2025 • 32 mins
The distance between West Monroe, Louisiana and Guatemala may be measured in miles, but for Abby Wood and her teenage son Gavin, that gap closed into something far more meaningful during their recent mission trip. What began fifteen years ago with a simple $43 monthly commitment to sponsor a child has blossomed into relationships that transcend borders, languages, and cultural differences.
When the Woods first connected with Compassion International, they simply wanted to sponsor a child sharing their newborn son's birthday. That initial connection with a Ugandan boy named Xavier has lasted nearly two decades. More recently, they added Guatemalan Ellie to their sponsorship family after their church helped establish a Compassion center in her community.
The true magic happened when Abby and Gavin stepped off the bus in Guatemala to an unexpected welcome—community members with phones and even a drone capturing their arrival, children holding welcome banners, and celebratory fireworks lighting their path. The abstract concept of sponsorship suddenly had faces, personalities, and embraces attached to it.
Walking into Ellie's home where eight family members live together revealed details no letter could convey. Her father leaves at 4 AM six days a week for a 12-hour factory workday. Her mother rises at 3 AM to prepare his meals. Despite modest surroundings, they proudly displayed their collection of letters from the Woods, kept securely in a locked drawer like precious jewels.
Most touching was discovering Ellie's true personality—not the shy girl from photographs, but a playful, competitive spirit who couldn't wait to play games with her American friends. These moments of connection transcended language barriers (requiring both Spanish and Mayan Kekchi translators) and revealed the human bonds at the heart of global ministry.
The impact wasn't one-sided. At another home visit, a skeptical father finally approached after observing from a distance. "I just really didn't know this was real," he admitted. "Today I know there's really someone out there who cares about us." His words captured why showing up matters as much as financial support.
Ready to make a difference that ripples through generations? Visit compassion.com to discover how a modest monthly commitment can transform lives across the globe—including your own.
Click HERE for access to extra content through my Patreon Account.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Today I'm talking with the pastor's wife of First
West, my first lady and mama forAbby Wood.
Hey, today she'll be sharingabout her recent mission trip to
Guatemala and I just can't waitto hear all about it.
So thank you, abby, for makingthis work.
You know, we've actually beentrying to make this work for a
long time.
I actually reached out to herabout a year ago and we were
(00:31):
going to talk about whateversomething different then, but
schedules just couldn't align.
But now we're finally here andI'm so glad we're able to do
this.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
So glad to be here and that we can talk about this
trip.
It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
So what made you want to go on a mission trip to
Guatemala, like, how did thatcome about?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
So the idea initially came from my husband, michael.
He said they he liked me toconsider going with our oldest
son, gavin, which I thoughtsounded like a great opportunity
.
But I'm the one of the bunchthat has a hard time just making
the commitment and saying, yes,let's plan it.
You know he has to help me withmaking decisions and like that.
So I said you know I'll prayabout it, and I just felt like
(01:10):
the Lord was leading us to go,and so we started making plans.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
All right, and this mission trip was kind of
connected with CompassionInternational.
Yes, yeah, so how did you getconnected with them and how is
that connected with Guatemalaand all the things?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Sure.
So our first connection withCompassion was 15 years ago.
We knew that you could sponsora child and we had just had our
oldest.
He was a baby.
So we want to start sponsoringa child, and with Compassion you
can pick a country or you canpick a child with a certain
birth date.
They have ways you can kind ofsearch for certain things like
(01:47):
that, and so we thought it'd befun to have a child with his
birth date.
So we searched that on theirsite and found a little boy
named Xavier who lives in Uganda.
He was four at the time and nowhe is 19, which is crazy?
That is pretty crazy.
So he's in Uganda.
He is 19, which is crazy.
That is pretty crazy.
So he's in Uganda.
But as far as the connection toGuatemala, a couple years ago
our church helped to fund thestart of a compassion center in
(02:11):
Guatemala and they wanted aplace where we could easily
travel to and that people wouldbe able to get to more easily.
So that was one of the reasonsfor that country, and so we were
starting the center, and thechurch had a compassion day and
they had these packets lying inthe hallway and we said you know
, we wanted to sponsor a childfrom this center as well, and we
(02:31):
let our daughter choose that wewere going to get a little girl
this time, and so she chose alittle girl named Ellie.
She liked Ellie's pink dress inher picture and also that it
said that Ellie liked to todance.
So, yeah, because yourdaughter's a dancer too, right,
yeah, yes.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
So we ended up with ellie as well in guatemala all
right, and so do you stillsponsor the other one as well?
Yeah, he's 19.
I asked that because, like youknow, I'm a part of world vision
and they kind of aged them outaround 14 or 15 because I've had
several children through theprogram now.
So I was like like, ok, is thatstill?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yes, still happening, yes, and I had started to
wonder wow, he's 19.
Like, I wonder you know whenwe'll be not being able to
sponsor him anymore?
And I found out that it justdepends on the country, but we
do still get to sponsor him.
He's probably nearing the endof that time, but he is still in
school.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
And so, yes, you're in the end of that time, but he
is still in school.
Yeah, okay, okay.
So what has that experiencebeen like?
Yeah, anything you didn'texpect, or.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Yeah, it's been great .
I think there probably are notas many things that you could
have such a great return oninvestment than sponsoring a
child through Compassion.
The cost is really doable andyou know that with that you're
making a huge difference intheir lives.
So just the benefit that theyget.
You know the schooling, thehealth care, food and water and
(03:52):
just the difference it makes intheir family as well.
So I actually learned from ourmission trip leader on this trip
that one sponsorship actuallyhelps 12 people in the family,
so it's a benefit to a lot ofpeople.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
So yeah, that's more than just a family, it's like
the community.
Yes, yes.
How much does it cost, like fora month?
Speaker 2 (04:12):
It's $43.
So we can spend that easily atChick-fil-A in one meal you know
, yeah, yeah, for mine it's just$35.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Okay, but you know they're a little bit different
programs and that kind of thing,sure.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
But it's also awesome .
You get to send letters backand forth to each other, which
is fun, and of course, when thekids are little, they'll draw
pictures, send you pictures, orthe staff will help ask them
questions and write a letterwith them.
But as they get older, it'sreally neat.
I mean they'll start to be ableto write them themselves.
And for Savior, being 19, now hewrites his letters and I wanted
(04:44):
to share with you somethingthat he had said, because in one
of his recent letters, like youknow I guess he knows too, he's
probably nearing the end of thetime and it just really melted
my heart what he said.
He said Dear my friends, Idon't know what I should do to
you for what you're doing for me.
You have started supporting meand taking care of me since I
was young.
Up to now you are taking careof me since I was young.
(05:07):
Up to now you are taking careof me.
May the Lord reward youabundantly.
So it was just really ablessing to see, like you know,
my gift a month that's not evenyou know that difficult has just
made this huge difference andit's just awesome that the
Lord's given us that opportunity.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah, what has this program like?
How has this impacted, likeyour kids?
You know you've been doing thissince your oldest was a baby,
so I mean, are living life andgot all these kids you're taking
care of.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
So we've gotten better about it, though, and I
will say the Compassion app hasbeen very helpful.
Someone told us about that andwe downloaded that.
That makes it so much easier tosend letters.
You can just do it right fromyour phone.
You can add pictures and youtype it out.
You can even set it up to sendreminders to you, to write
letters and pray for them orwhatever.
So that's been really helpfuland it has helped us to do that.
(06:09):
But now, having this connectionto Guatemala and having met
Ellie in person, it's been funto be able to show our kids
pictures of her and, you know,include them a little more
because we've had this morepersonal connection.
So that's been fun.
(06:30):
My husband, michael, got to meetEllie and her mom a couple of
years ago.
Our pastors a few of ourpastors took a trip down there
as an initial trip, and so hegot to meet her and her family,
and actually at the time it wasreally sweet.
Our daughter picked out alittle stuffed cat for him to
give her.
Yeah, and she still has it it.
So we got to see her with herlittle cat, I know, yeah, but
anyways, so we've been able toinclude our kids that way and
(06:51):
actually, while we were therethis time, she of course wanted
to know where was michael.
That was like, yeah, her firstquestion.
I'm like, I'm sorry he's, he'shome with our other kids, but
you know taking care, so gavin Icould come, but she did get to
see him through FaceTime.
So that was fun.
Gavin had that idea and I'mlike, well, give that a try.
And it worked, and so she wasactually able, like a couple of
(07:12):
our kids were able, to see heron FaceTime and, like you know,
got to like wave they're prettyshy but you know to wave to her
and anyway.
So that was fun, that we'll getto have this extra special
friendship.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, that is really special.
So how did gavin get to be thechosen one to go with you?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
yeah, well, he's the oldest, so we started with him
and actually I think you have tobe 12 to go on that.
Okay, yeah, your next in line,son.
He's very aware that he's aboutto turn 12 that's fun.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah, so I'm the oldest in my little family, so I
was like, oh, this is being theoldest.
Yes, absolutely the chosenfavorite.
Now I'm just getting it.
But yeah, that's cool.
So you know, you went, went toGuatemala, but have you been
anywhere else before?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Not a lot, a couple of times just on family trips.
We went to Costa Rica, cozumel.
I did spend one day on a choirmission trip.
We went down into Mexico, butit's been a long time, yeah,
yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Okay, so nothing quite like this one.
Cool, when you first got there,anything you first noticed or
had any thoughts oh wow, this is, you know, different yeah, kind
of funny.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
But very first initial thing was like, oh my
word, they have phones.
It was so funny.
I I was the officialphotographer, you'd say, for the
trip, which mostly I just meantI brought my phone and was
making sure that we got picturesand things like that and I was
really concerned that I wouldhave my phone out too much, you
know.
But when we got there we pulledup and they were all outside
(08:51):
and they were in the street andgreeting us and they all had
their phones out and we'retaking pictures and videos.
And actually one guy had adrone.
We're like, oh my word, thereis a drone, and so that was like
we were all really surprised bythat.
And there is a drum, and sothat was like we were all really
surprised by that, and so thatwas funny.
We did learn later that theirexperience with phones is not
the same as ours.
I mean, they don't.
Our translator was like youknow, they're not iPhones and
(09:12):
they don't have like a monthlyphone bill, like it's kind of
like a calling card.
They'll just go and maybe putminutes on it when they need to
or something like that.
But anyways, I loved it.
They had a way to capture ourtrip and to remember us as well.
And one time when, actuallywhen I was visiting Ellie's home
, I looked down and I was like,oh my word, this kid he'd been
(09:32):
videoing.
He was like going strong on a17 minute video of our visit
there.
So it was funny.
But on a more serious note, thefirst impression of the
Compassion Center and thechildren just pure joy.
They had the biggest smiles,they gave the best hugs.
You know they don't smile intheir pictures, so when you get
your new picture of your child,each time they sit you over
(09:54):
there they're not smiling, butin person they are very joyful.
You know, the children were soprecious and they're just really
excited that we came.
When you first get there,they're all the children are all
out in the street.
They have a banner in front ofthem, like you'd see at a parade
, the parents were lining thestreet and Wow, that is some
(10:15):
kind of welcome it was.
Also, they did have somefireworks and so you know, gavin
was helping do video for thetrip and I was taking pictures.
So we were right there up atthe front and it was like a line
of, I guess, black cats, Idon't know.
Oh, and so, um, I mean, as itkept going, gavin and I were
like, oh, back up, back up, youknow, like, yes, it was quite a
(10:37):
welcome.
So then we walked through andas we passed the children, they
were all like shouting hola,hola, hola.
So they really speak mostlymayan in in this area, but the
children are learning spanishand so some of them could speak
spanish.
But it was, it was so sweet andI think that's fascinating.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
I didn't know that language even was still like
around.
That's really cool, you know,because knowing the history of
like that, you know thatcontinent really, or that part
of the continent.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
So we had to have two translators.
We had to have one for Spanish,one for Mayan, so I've learned
a little.
You know a little bit ofSpanish.
I took Spanish and you know, ofcourse, had Duolingo helping.
You know depression, my Spanish, but you know.
So I was able to speak to someof the children but really, like
Ellieie's family, they reallydo mostly speak mayan, and she's
still young, so she is stilllearning spanish so well, yeah,
(11:28):
how and just how different ismayan from?
Speaker 1 (11:32):
is it really different?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
it sounded pretty different I guess it's kekchi, I
think is the official languagename.
But yeah, I've heard of that.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
It was different, yeah yeah, wow, and so like,
just from you know, we haddifferent translations of the
Bible.
It's like because up until thisconversation I would have
thought they speak all Spanish.
It would have entered my mindthat there's another.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Yeah, we had to have two translators Wow.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
It's quite something.
Wow, all right.
So did anything just match yourexpectations, like, oh, this is
kind of what I thought it wouldbe?
Speaker 2 (12:03):
I knew it was going to be great, but it really
exceeded my expectations.
Just did not I justunderestimated how amazing it
would be to meet Ellie in personand to see our Compassion
Center.
Just knowing that our churchwas able to find the start of
this was so awesome, you know.
To see this whole center andwhat's going on there, like we
(12:24):
were a part of that, yeah, andjust seeing the fruit of that
investment was really rewarding.
And just to meet Ellie and herfamily and get to know them in
real life, it was priceless.
So from the letters you can'treally tell what your child's
personality is like, and sogetting to be there in person is
really neat.
I learned that Ellie has a veryplayful, fun personality.
(12:45):
Yeah, she was not reserved andshe was really into playing the
games.
So one of the days we were itwas our fun day where you knew
we were going to go and get toplay with them.
But before that we werevisiting and sitting down with
her mom and we're about to wrapup that visiting time and I
could tell she was starting toget antsy.
There were some kids playingover at the other side of the
room and she like cut her eyesover there, yeah, and I was like
(13:07):
, oh, she is really ready toplay.
And so when they said it wastime to play, she was up at and
at it.
She was the first one in line,she was first one to do the game
and just between games, shejust bouncing up and down like
ready to go, she couldn't waitfor the next one, and it was
just precious.
And I could and also tell thatshe was very quick and I could
(13:28):
tell too she was really wantingto win.
She was really trying to win,trying to help her friends
figure out what to do.
And anyways, I just I have acompetitive kid at home and she
reminded me so much at him andit was just so neat.
I thought, gosh, I would neverknow that if I hadn't have been
here, you know, yeah, so it wasreally fun to get to know her
little personality in that way.
Another layer yes yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
What are some other things that y'all did when you
were there?
Like I know, you met with, yousaw the center and you met with
your sponsored child, but whatelse did y'all do when you were
there?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
sure.
So the first day they had, allthe children from the Compassion
Center were there and that'swhere they came out to greet us
and they had a little program.
They sang a couple songs for us, which is so sweet, and then we
went to visit homes, do somehome visits, so we split up in
teams and then each team went toa couple homes.
So it was really an honor to bein their homes and very
(14:21):
humbling.
Of course it's very differentfrom our experience here in the
States.
It was really neat.
I actually got to go in Ellie'shome.
She was one of the homes thatwe visited.
We were able to meet her family.
I found out there's eightpeople who live in their home
and she's the youngest.
The mom actually shared thatthey have four grandchildren, so
(14:45):
I believe the one of the littleboy taking a 17 minute video I
think he was a grandchildactually and so that I met her
daughter in law.
Ellie's grandmother was there,the mother's sister was there
and of course they were allcooking and I mean they make,
they're out there makingtortillas like three times a day
and all that.
But it was so it's neat to getto meet her family.
(15:06):
Her dad was not there.
He was at work.
He works six days a week for 12hours and a bus comes and picks
him up and he works farming ata factory and so they'll come
pick up the workers and it'slike a 30-minute ride.
He leaves at four in themorning, found out, and so
Ellie's mom is waking up atthree in the morning to make his
(15:26):
breakfast and lunch that he'sgot to bring and he's home for
dinner.
So that was neat to get to knowmore about their family.
And we got to go out in herbackyard and she has some ducks
that back there they had ducksand they actually had a mint
plant and she showed this to meand I was like, oh, I've had
mint before, and so when I gothome I bought a mint plant and
(15:48):
so in our next letter I'm goingto let her know we have mint too
in our house now.
So we did that the first day.
The second day was fun day andthat's when we were going to.
Just they only had thechildren's whose sponsors were
on the trip were there that day,and so we got to visit with
them a little further and that'swhen we were playing the games
(16:10):
together.
Like I said, we had twotranslators speaking there with
us, so and that was a day toofor us to give gifts to the
children.
We did bring a gift to the home.
Compassion had a basket puttogether like a food basket to
bring to their home that daywhen we did the home visits.
Yeah, and I had also given hermom some gifts that day.
So one of the gifts that I wasso surprised that they really
(16:32):
enjoyed so much was, on thathome visit, one of the gifts I
had given was a washcloth,because we had heard they don't
really have washcloths there andso we did that.
And it was so cute because thenext couple of days she was
carrying that around with herwhen we saw her and they just
don't have that there.
But I mean she was patting herlittle face with it and you know
I was like, wow, like who wouldhave thought out of all the
(16:53):
things we get, you know, that awashcloth, and we gave several,
you know too.
But anyway, so on fun day youcan give them whatever gift you
brought for the child, and wehad, of course, taken our kids
to the store.
Our daughter picked out thisreally cute, you know, shiny and
pink backpack, and so we gaveher that and had some gifts
inside of that and so that wasfun.
(17:14):
But anyways, yes, the washclothwas a favorite.
And then the very last day wejoined them for their church
service and it happened to be aspecial Sunday that they were
there.
They were celebrating thepastors.
There was like some I'm notsure what their denominational
kind of setup is, but there wassome denominational leaders like
from the region that were thereand celebrating the pastors.
(17:37):
I think the pastor was havingan anniversary for being the
pastor at that church and sothat was neat to see.
And then it was a specialSunday where they were
commissioning leaders for thenext year of the church.
They brought these husband andwife couples and they lined the
front of the stage and you know,they had them kneel down.
We're praying over them.
(17:57):
They were making thiscommitment to their church to,
you know, to be about ministrythat next year, and that was
incredible to see, just to knowlike, hey, they love the Lord,
here too they're doing ministryhere too.
Like these are the people thatare going to be pouring into the
people of their community.
You know they want to see liveschange, just like we do.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I like how it was.
The you're saying it was thecouples together, not just one
or the other but together theywere together, they were on a
mission, so it was awesome.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
We did have some funny moments at church.
There was a dog came in layingdown I mean they don't have,
there was open no door, you know.
So the dog came in, was layingdown and that was so funny.
I did see a baby hanging from achurch pew, you know, like the
mom, I assume mom came in andkind of like you know, you see a
stork carrying a baby, likewith a sling it was this big,
(18:49):
like sling looking contraction.
She carried the baby in thisand just hung the baby right
there on the church pew.
We were like this is so funny.
And at one point the leaderswere passing out cokes.
I mean they, the leader, wentout and they came back with
these huge, big old barrels upon their shoulder and they had
cokes, orange juice and bread.
(19:10):
Yeah, during the sermon.
Yeah, that was me there duringthis sermon.
It was so funny like, oh, myword, he is preaching and we
passing out snacks, yeah, maybethey notice he's long-winded or
something.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Yeah, it was.
It was awesome.
Yeah, right.
So what was your favoritemoment or event that happened
while you guys were there?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Yeah.
So I really think my favoritemoment was with Ellie was, just
like I was saying, when theywere playing games.
It was really fun just to havethat time with her and get to
cheer for her and all that.
She just enjoyed that so much.
But another really specialmoment that happened when we got
back from the home visits.
So that morning we'd been there,there was a little girl named
Natalie and she was outgoinglittle precious girl, and so
(19:53):
several of us got to, you know,enjoy getting to meet Natalie.
But when we came back fromvisiting the homes, she just
came running up and she saidAbby, abby.
And our translator shared withme that Natalie's mom had a gift
for me, that she had rememberedPastor Michael from the first
trip and so she wanted to giveme a gift.
So they took us to the officeand I met her mom in there and
(20:14):
she gave me a traditionalGuatemalan dress Wow, yes.
So I really feel like it'sprobably the most generous gift
I've ever been given, becauseour translator shared with me
later that that is usually themost expensive thing that they
own, so for her to get off she'slike this is so humbling.
That was really neat, yes, andI got to wear it on Sunday at
(20:37):
church, and so they, you knowthat was really special and they
just love that.
I mean they're like all likelet's take a picture together,
you know, because you knowthat's what they were wearing to
church.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
So, wow, that's really good, it was fun, wow.
Well, was there anything thatyou were intimidated or just
apprehensive about going on thistrip or anything?
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Yeah, absolutely.
So I really feel like the mostintimidating part for me was
just at the very beginning, justplanning the trip, thinking
about like how are we going topay for this?
You know there's two of usgoing and but the Lord totally
provided.
So for anyone else who hearsthis and I feel like that's
(21:15):
probably concern for a lot ofpeople, like you know making
planning on going on mission,like you know, just the
financial part of committing tothat and going for that.
So I hear you if that's aconcern for you and just I hope
you'll be encouraged just totrust the Lord to provide.
He totally did.
So that for me was, like youknow, awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
How do you feel?
Like you know the situation andyou know you've been able to go
on this trip has impacted yourrelationship with God.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
So I just, he just reminded me that he's got us
covered.
And if he calls us to go on atrip, he's gonna provide for us.
And so he did.
It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
So has this trip do you feel like?
Has it changed your perspectiveany?
Or why should somebody go onthis type of mission trip?
What's the importance of that?
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Yeah.
So going on this trip it is it'sdifferent from you know what
you think of as a mission trip Ireally kind of was, like you
know, in the beginning, you know, struggle with that a little
bit Because I'm like we're notgoing to build a home or paint
for that, you know, whatever,like they want to save those
kind of things for jobs, youknow, to not take away a job
(22:22):
from the people that live there,but getting to go to be an
encouragement really and to say,hey, we're here and we love
y'all and to encourage them, itjust really gave life to my view
of compassion and sponsorshipJust being able to see with my
own eyes how wonderful thesepeople are and how special they
(22:42):
are and just this relationshipthat we can have with them, the
connection between our churches,and just to encourage them.
And of course, we took likesuitcases full of things for the
center and for the children andit was really neat.
Actually, what so funny?
I thought this was an awesomeidea but a couple of people on
the trip thought to bring FirstWest t-shirts.
So one day we're there at thecenter I'm like, oh, this little
(23:04):
boy is in a First West t-shirt,like it was so fun, yeah, so
just being able to have thatpartnership and be like, hey,
we're here and we love you.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
To really be the hands and feet.
You know, yes, it is a truepartnership.
To do it financially, be likefrom afar, but to do it up close
, it's really different.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Yes, in one of the home visits there was one of the
dads there and it wasn't a homeI was in, but they told us you
know the team about it later.
But the dad was just reallystandoffish, like when they were
in the home with thetranslators.
He was just like in thebackground, kind of in the
doorway, you know, just kind ofchecking things out, yeah.
And so as they kept talking,they said he would move closer
(23:41):
and closer and closer.
And they finally turned to himand was like you know, maybe is
there anything, you have anyquestions or whatever.
And they said he just talkedand talked and talked and he
said I just never.
I just really didn't know thatthis was really for real.
I didn't really believe thatthis whole, you know, they're
really someone out there thatcares about us and is praying
for us.
(24:01):
And they said today I know thatthis is really real, you know
this, you know yeah, so it wasreally neat.
Yeah, that's super like wow,yeah, but um, yeah, just getting
to meet ellie and her familywas wonderful and her mom said
she said you're our family andyou know like well, you're our
(24:22):
family too, you know, and alsojust as far as one of the
awesome reasons get to go onthat trip is getting to find out
things that you wouldn't haveotherwise.
Just in one of the homes I gotto go to it wasn't Ellie's home,
but in the other home wevisited we found out that the
little girl's dad had passedaway about 10 months ago.
(24:44):
And just how the Lord.
We would have never known thatthe Lord had orchestrated it
this way.
But her sponsor leads our griefministry and had lost a son
before, and so she was able tospeak life to that mom Like you
know, I've lost a family memberas well and to share scripture
with her.
And you know, I mean and thatwas of course they've been
(25:04):
sponsors for probably a coupleof years now, but the Lord knew
that they needed to be together,you know, and so that was
really cool.
And so, you know, had not goneon a trip, you wouldn't know
that, and so that was reallycool.
And so, you know, had not goneon a trip, you wouldn't know
that.
And so the Lord showed us whathe had done.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
That's awesome.
Yeah, because that's notsomething you necessarily just
kind of put in your letter.
Yeah, someone that feels so faraway yeah, she had no idea.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
And I'll also say that you know when you're there
you see how important it is towrite letters to them and how
precious our letters are to them, so our letters.
At our home they don't have alot of furniture.
Really, the first time we wentin there was really no furniture
, it was very bare.
But at Ellie's home she didhave a few dressers and a table,
(25:46):
and one of the dressers Ididn't even see at the time.
I saw them take the letters outof the dresser.
But one of the other tripmembers was there.
She's like did you see thatthey were locked up?
And I was like no, and so theyhad a key, they had unlocked the
dresser and they you know, butof course they keep them in like
a plastic folders, keep themreally safe.
And so she got those out toshow us hey, these are our
(26:07):
letters, you know.
So they they keep them and it'sjust very special to them.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
And so they treasure them.
We got to write our children,you know, make sure we get that
app and send letters often.
Yeah, so you know, your oldestson was with you.
How did this trip affect him?
What did he?
What do you?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
think he yeah, so he had a great time.
I was grateful he got to havethe experience to just even to
be in another country.
He'd never been in anothercountry before.
Especially getting to be in aspanish speaking country was
neat.
He's in spanish class this year, yeah, so that was fun.
He loved playing with the kidsand, of course, meeting ellie.
I loved how she didn't just cometo me, she would, she would go
(26:46):
to him.
You know, if we've given them agift or whatever, she, she'd
come give him a hug and, yeah,include him too.
And you know her mom especiallywould always make sure.
You know, they make sure she'shugging on Gavin and, you know,
including him.
And that was so sweet and itwas just fun to hear her holler
out at him or whatever theywould say.
The way they would say his namewas so funny.
They say Gavin, it's Gavin, butthey'd be like Gavin, gavin.
(27:08):
I said I back to Gavin.
We get, this is fun.
But and several teenage guyswent with their moms and we all
had signed up independently ofeach other like we didn't know
they were going, and so when Ifound out that others were, I'm
like, lord, that's so cool thatyou put these boys together on
this trip, so I love that theyhad that experience together and
the compassion.
(27:29):
Kids, of course, had a lot offun playing with these teenage
boys, so it was he had a greattime yeah, that's really special
.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Did they all go to the same school and stuff too?
Speaker 2 (27:38):
nope, different schools, but but that you know,
we knew each other from churchokay, yeah, cool, very cool.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
So do y'all plan to go back with the rest of your?
Speaker 2 (27:46):
family one day.
I would love to.
Yes, we would love to take allof our kids someday.
I know ellie, of course, yes,wants to us to bring all of our
kids, and so we'll see.
I would love to.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Yeah, so can you take a moment to speak on like why
missions like in general are soimportant?
Speaker 2 (28:08):
For sure.
I mean, first of all, the Lordcommands us, you know, in the
Great Commission, to go and makedisciples.
Great Commission is Matthew 28.
It's at the end of Matthew andit's Jesus' last words to his
disciples.
So you know what he wants toleave them with.
He said don't forget thisAbsolutely.
He said go and make disciples.
So you know, we are called tothat mission as well to go and
make disciples, like you know,and, of course, where we are,
(28:29):
but also going, you know.
Of course that's why missionsare important, specifically for
our family.
You know I'd always wanted totake my kids on a mission trip,
but as we were planning thistrip and just thinking about how
this could affect, you know, myson and our children, I really
gained a new perspective orvision or whatever for really
(28:51):
wanting to make mission trips apriority for our family.
Yeah, yeah, just thinking aboutthe perspective they would gain
, you know, from being inanother country or, you know,
even in the US, just getting tobe in another city and going.
You know our church will havefamily mission trips to Colorado
or whatever, all that but justgetting to experience other
cultures, meeting believersaround the world, you know, like
(29:14):
I said, seeing those leaders upthere that are going to be
specifically going on mission intheir own community, and just
the worldview that our childrencould have being on mission
trips and just spiritually forthem, just being able to serve
and share their faith.
So I really, really want tomake missions a priority for our
family.
That is a new passion I have.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
Yeah, I think it could really like I love that
are just kind of have made moreopportunities for, like North
American missions as well, likethe Colorado one, yes, and even
New Orleans, you know, because Iagree, because I think it just
having their eyes opened, youknow, and having their heart
pierced for compassion, I feellike that's a big component of
our faith.
Is that because that's how ourLord is, he's compassionate
(29:58):
towards all of his creation,which means that's how he wants
us to be as well?
And it's hard to do that whenyou stay in your own little
bubble.
Yes, you know, yeah, yeah,definitely agree, for sure.
But going back to CompassionInternational, why should
someone join them?
I mean, there are some othersout there, but why Compassion?
Speaker 2 (30:20):
International.
Sure, yeah, so I've only been.
I can't speak to any others,but you know being with
Compassion has been incredible.
Yeah, you know Michael is veryquick to speak how highly he
feels about Compassion as anorganization, which you know I
feel as well.
So we have the perspective ofbeing a sponsor, but also as a
church partner.
You know them working togetherwith starting the center and you
(30:44):
know just it's amazing to thinkof the difference that they're
making all over the world.
They have other ministries aswell, like I know that they do.
You know some health ministriesfor children.
Our leader told us about onewhere they're starting with
expecting moms even.
Oh, wow, so they're trying tostart with babies from the womb
and early development and allthat.
(31:04):
So they have lots of different.
You know things that have goingon.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
And so it's just neat to be a small part of their
ministry.
I like the global connectednessof it all.
Those really are, are connectedand and that's that's really
beautiful.
Yeah, for sure, all right.
So how does one become a partof it?
Like what if someone wanted tosign up today?
Like where do they go?
How do they do that?
Speaker 2 (31:27):
yeah, so their website is compassioncom.
I went to look at it before Icame, yeah, just so I could
speak to to what's there, butthey actually have a get
involved button so you can go tothat, and there were more
opportunities that I didn't evenrealize or know about.
I even think that they have acompassion store.
You know, of course you canjust even just donate.
You know, if you're not readyto sponsor a child, they have a
(31:49):
section where you can donate.
But, yes, sponsoring a childwould be a great way to start,
though they still have countlesschildren that need sponsors.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, abby, thank you for somuch coming on my show and
sharing your story.
I really enjoyed it.
I'll always love hearing aboutdifferent countries and cultures
and everything.
And so it's really great tohear about how it all happened
for you and your family and DrGavin.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Gavin, gavin, very, I would have a hard time going
back to Gabby.
Yeah, but Gabby forever.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
Yes, Well, I loved being here.
Thank you for having me.
I love getting to share aboutour trip.
My name is Abby and this is mystory of the middle.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
I'm your host, brandi Bostic, and you've been
listening to the Up From theMuck podcast For merch or just
other uplifting stories, and goto my website at
upfromtheblockcom.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
Psalm 40, verse 2,.
He brought me up from thedesolate pit, out of the muddy
clay, and set my feet on therock, making my steps secure.
Today I'm talking with the pastor's wife of First
West, my first lady and mama forAbby Wood.
Hey, today she'll be sharingabout her recent mission trip to
Guatemala and I just can't waitto hear all about it.
So thank you, abby, for makingthis work.
You know, we've actually beentrying to make this work for a
long time.
I actually reached out to herabout a year ago and we were
(00:31):
going to talk about whateversomething different then, but
schedules just couldn't align.
But now we're finally here andI'm so glad we're able to do
this.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
So glad to be here and that we can talk about this
trip.
It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
So what made you want to go on a mission trip to
Guatemala, like, how did thatcome about?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
So the idea initially came from my husband, michael.
He said they he liked me toconsider going with our oldest
son, gavin, which I thoughtsounded like a great opportunity
.
But I'm the one of the bunchthat has a hard time just making
the commitment and saying, yes,let's plan it.
You know he has to help me withmaking decisions and like that.
So I said you know I'll prayabout it, and I just felt like
(01:10):
the Lord was leading us to go,and so we started making plans.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
All right, and this mission trip was kind of
connected with CompassionInternational.
Yes, yeah, so how did you getconnected with them and how is
that connected with Guatemalaand all the things?
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Sure.
So our first connection withCompassion was 15 years ago.
We knew that you could sponsora child and we had just had our
oldest.
He was a baby.
So we want to start sponsoringa child, and with Compassion you
can pick a country or you canpick a child with a certain
birth date.
They have ways you can kind ofsearch for certain things like
(01:47):
that, and so we thought it'd befun to have a child with his
birth date.
So we searched that on theirsite and found a little boy
named Xavier who lives in Uganda.
He was four at the time and nowhe is 19, which is crazy?
That is pretty crazy.
So he's in Uganda.
He is 19, which is crazy.
That is pretty crazy.
So he's in Uganda.
But as far as the connection toGuatemala, a couple years ago
our church helped to fund thestart of a compassion center in
(02:11):
Guatemala and they wanted aplace where we could easily
travel to and that people wouldbe able to get to more easily.
So that was one of the reasonsfor that country, and so we were
starting the center, and thechurch had a compassion day and
they had these packets lying inthe hallway and we said you know
, we wanted to sponsor a childfrom this center as well, and we
(02:31):
let our daughter choose that wewere going to get a little girl
this time, and so she chose alittle girl named Ellie.
She liked Ellie's pink dress inher picture and also that it
said that Ellie liked to todance.
So, yeah, because yourdaughter's a dancer too, right,
yeah, yes.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
So we ended up with ellie as well in guatemala all
right, and so do you stillsponsor the other one as well?
Yeah, he's 19.
I asked that because, like youknow, I'm a part of world vision
and they kind of aged them outaround 14 or 15 because I've had
several children through theprogram now.
So I was like like, ok, is thatstill?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yes, still happening, yes, and I had started to
wonder wow, he's 19.
Like, I wonder you know whenwe'll be not being able to
sponsor him anymore?
And I found out that it justdepends on the country, but we
do still get to sponsor him.
He's probably nearing the endof that time, but he is still in
school.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
And so, yes, you're in the end of that time, but he
is still in school.
Yeah, okay, okay.
So what has that experiencebeen like?
Yeah, anything you didn'texpect, or.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Yeah, it's been great .
I think there probably are notas many things that you could
have such a great return oninvestment than sponsoring a
child through Compassion.
The cost is really doable andyou know that with that you're
making a huge difference intheir lives.
So just the benefit that theyget.
You know the schooling, thehealth care, food and water and
(03:52):
just the difference it makes intheir family as well.
So I actually learned from ourmission trip leader on this trip
that one sponsorship actuallyhelps 12 people in the family,
so it's a benefit to a lot ofpeople.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
So yeah, that's more than just a family, it's like
the community.
Yes, yes.
How much does it cost, like fora month?
Speaker 2 (04:12):
It's $43.
So we can spend that easily atChick-fil-A in one meal you know
, yeah, yeah, for mine it's just$35.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Okay, but you know they're a little bit different
programs and that kind of thing,sure.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
But it's also awesome .
You get to send letters backand forth to each other, which
is fun, and of course, when thekids are little, they'll draw
pictures, send you pictures, orthe staff will help ask them
questions and write a letterwith them.
But as they get older, it'sreally neat.
I mean they'll start to be ableto write them themselves.
And for Savior, being 19, now hewrites his letters and I wanted
(04:44):
to share with you somethingthat he had said, because in one
of his recent letters, like youknow I guess he knows too, he's
probably nearing the end of thetime and it just really melted
my heart what he said.
He said Dear my friends, Idon't know what I should do to
you for what you're doing for me.
You have started supporting meand taking care of me since I
was young.
Up to now you are taking careof me since I was young.
(05:07):
Up to now you are taking careof me.
May the Lord reward youabundantly.
So it was just really ablessing to see, like you know,
my gift a month that's not evenyou know that difficult has just
made this huge difference andit's just awesome that the
Lord's given us that opportunity.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Yeah, what has this program like?
How has this impacted, likeyour kids?
You know you've been doing thissince your oldest was a baby,
so I mean, are living life andgot all these kids you're taking
care of.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
So we've gotten better about it, though, and I
will say the Compassion app hasbeen very helpful.
Someone told us about that andwe downloaded that.
That makes it so much easier tosend letters.
You can just do it right fromyour phone.
You can add pictures and youtype it out.
You can even set it up to sendreminders to you, to write
letters and pray for them orwhatever.
So that's been really helpfuland it has helped us to do that.
(06:09):
But now, having this connectionto Guatemala and having met
Ellie in person, it's been funto be able to show our kids
pictures of her and, you know,include them a little more
because we've had this morepersonal connection.
So that's been fun.
(06:30):
My husband, michael, got to meetEllie and her mom a couple of
years ago.
Our pastors a few of ourpastors took a trip down there
as an initial trip, and so hegot to meet her and her family,
and actually at the time it wasreally sweet.
Our daughter picked out alittle stuffed cat for him to
give her.
Yeah, and she still has it it.
So we got to see her with herlittle cat, I know, yeah, but
anyways, so we've been able toinclude our kids that way and
(06:51):
actually, while we were therethis time, she of course wanted
to know where was michael.
That was like, yeah, her firstquestion.
I'm like, I'm sorry he's, he'shome with our other kids, but
you know taking care, so gavin Icould come, but she did get to
see him through FaceTime.
So that was fun.
Gavin had that idea and I'mlike, well, give that a try.
And it worked, and so she wasactually able, like a couple of
(07:12):
our kids were able, to see heron FaceTime and, like you know,
got to like wave they're prettyshy but you know to wave to her
and anyway.
So that was fun, that we'll getto have this extra special
friendship.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Yeah, that is really special.
So how did gavin get to be thechosen one to go with you?
Speaker 2 (07:35):
yeah, well, he's the oldest, so we started with him
and actually I think you have tobe 12 to go on that.
Okay, yeah, your next in line,son.
He's very aware that he's aboutto turn 12 that's fun.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah, so I'm the oldest in my little family, so I
was like, oh, this is being theoldest.
Yes, absolutely the chosenfavorite.
Now I'm just getting it.
But yeah, that's cool.
So you know, you went, went toGuatemala, but have you been
anywhere else before?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Not a lot, a couple of times just on family trips.
We went to Costa Rica, cozumel.
I did spend one day on a choirmission trip.
We went down into Mexico, butit's been a long time, yeah,
yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Okay, so nothing quite like this one.
Cool, when you first got there,anything you first noticed or
had any thoughts oh wow, this is, you know, different yeah, kind
of funny.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
But very first initial thing was like, oh my
word, they have phones.
It was so funny.
I I was the officialphotographer, you'd say, for the
trip, which mostly I just meantI brought my phone and was
making sure that we got picturesand things like that and I was
really concerned that I wouldhave my phone out too much, you
know.
But when we got there we pulledup and they were all outside
(08:51):
and they were in the street andgreeting us and they all had
their phones out and we'retaking pictures and videos.
And actually one guy had adrone.
We're like, oh my word, thereis a drone, and so that was like
we were all really surprised bythat.
And there is a drum, and sothat was like we were all really
surprised by that, and so thatwas funny.
We did learn later that theirexperience with phones is not
the same as ours.
I mean, they don't.
Our translator was like youknow, they're not iPhones and
(09:12):
they don't have like a monthlyphone bill, like it's kind of
like a calling card.
They'll just go and maybe putminutes on it when they need to
or something like that.
But anyways, I loved it.
They had a way to capture ourtrip and to remember us as well.
And one time when, actuallywhen I was visiting Ellie's home
, I looked down and I was like,oh my word, this kid he'd been
(09:32):
videoing.
He was like going strong on a17 minute video of our visit
there.
So it was funny.
But on a more serious note, thefirst impression of the
Compassion Center and thechildren just pure joy.
They had the biggest smiles,they gave the best hugs.
You know they don't smile intheir pictures, so when you get
your new picture of your child,each time they sit you over
(09:54):
there they're not smiling, butin person they are very joyful.
You know, the children were soprecious and they're just really
excited that we came.
When you first get there,they're all the children are all
out in the street.
They have a banner in front ofthem, like you'd see at a parade
, the parents were lining thestreet and Wow, that is some
(10:15):
kind of welcome it was.
Also, they did have somefireworks and so you know, gavin
was helping do video for thetrip and I was taking pictures.
So we were right there up atthe front and it was like a line
of, I guess, black cats, Idon't know.
Oh, and so, um, I mean, as itkept going, gavin and I were
like, oh, back up, back up, youknow, like, yes, it was quite a
(10:37):
welcome.
So then we walked through andas we passed the children, they
were all like shouting hola,hola, hola.
So they really speak mostlymayan in in this area, but the
children are learning spanishand so some of them could speak
spanish.
But it was, it was so sweet andI think that's fascinating.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
I didn't know that language even was still like
around.
That's really cool, you know,because knowing the history of
like that, you know thatcontinent really, or that part
of the continent.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
So we had to have two translators.
We had to have one for Spanish,one for Mayan, so I've learned
a little.
You know a little bit ofSpanish.
I took Spanish and you know, ofcourse, had Duolingo helping.
You know depression, my Spanish, but you know.
So I was able to speak to someof the children but really, like
Ellieie's family, they reallydo mostly speak mayan, and she's
still young, so she is stilllearning spanish so well, yeah,
(11:28):
how and just how different ismayan from?
Speaker 1 (11:32):
is it really different?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
it sounded pretty different I guess it's kekchi, I
think is the official languagename.
But yeah, I've heard of that.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
It was different, yeah yeah, wow, and so like,
just from you know, we haddifferent translations of the
Bible.
It's like because up until thisconversation I would have
thought they speak all Spanish.
It would have entered my mindthat there's another.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Yeah, we had to have two translators Wow.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
It's quite something.
Wow, all right.
So did anything just match yourexpectations, like, oh, this is
kind of what I thought it wouldbe?
Speaker 2 (12:03):
I knew it was going to be great, but it really
exceeded my expectations.
Just did not I justunderestimated how amazing it
would be to meet Ellie in personand to see our Compassion
Center.
Just knowing that our churchwas able to find the start of
this was so awesome, you know.
To see this whole center andwhat's going on there, like we
(12:24):
were a part of that, yeah, andjust seeing the fruit of that
investment was really rewarding.
And just to meet Ellie and herfamily and get to know them in
real life, it was priceless.
So from the letters you can'treally tell what your child's
personality is like, and sogetting to be there in person is
really neat.
I learned that Ellie has a veryplayful, fun personality.
(12:45):
Yeah, she was not reserved andshe was really into playing the
games.
So one of the days we were itwas our fun day where you knew
we were going to go and get toplay with them.
But before that we werevisiting and sitting down with
her mom and we're about to wrapup that visiting time and I
could tell she was starting toget antsy.
There were some kids playingover at the other side of the
room and she like cut her eyesover there, yeah, and I was like
(13:07):
, oh, she is really ready toplay.
And so when they said it wastime to play, she was up at and
at it.
She was the first one in line,she was first one to do the game
and just between games, shejust bouncing up and down like
ready to go, she couldn't waitfor the next one, and it was
just precious.
And I could and also tell thatshe was very quick and I could
(13:28):
tell too she was really wantingto win.
She was really trying to win,trying to help her friends
figure out what to do.
And anyways, I just I have acompetitive kid at home and she
reminded me so much at him andit was just so neat.
I thought, gosh, I would neverknow that if I hadn't have been
here, you know, yeah, so it wasreally fun to get to know her
little personality in that way.
Another layer yes yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
What are some other things that y'all did when you
were there?
Like I know, you met with, yousaw the center and you met with
your sponsored child, but whatelse did y'all do when you were
there?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
sure.
So the first day they had, allthe children from the Compassion
Center were there and that'swhere they came out to greet us
and they had a little program.
They sang a couple songs for us, which is so sweet, and then we
went to visit homes, do somehome visits, so we split up in
teams and then each team went toa couple homes.
So it was really an honor to bein their homes and very
(14:21):
humbling.
Of course it's very differentfrom our experience here in the
States.
It was really neat.
I actually got to go in Ellie'shome.
She was one of the homes thatwe visited.
We were able to meet her family.
I found out there's eightpeople who live in their home
and she's the youngest.
The mom actually shared thatthey have four grandchildren, so
(14:45):
I believe the one of the littleboy taking a 17 minute video I
think he was a grandchildactually and so that I met her
daughter in law.
Ellie's grandmother was there,the mother's sister was there
and of course they were allcooking and I mean they make,
they're out there makingtortillas like three times a day
and all that.
But it was so it's neat to getto meet her family.
(15:06):
Her dad was not there.
He was at work.
He works six days a week for 12hours and a bus comes and picks
him up and he works farming ata factory and so they'll come
pick up the workers and it'slike a 30-minute ride.
He leaves at four in themorning, found out, and so
Ellie's mom is waking up atthree in the morning to make his
(15:26):
breakfast and lunch that he'sgot to bring and he's home for
dinner.
So that was neat to get to knowmore about their family.
And we got to go out in herbackyard and she has some ducks
that back there they had ducksand they actually had a mint
plant and she showed this to meand I was like, oh, I've had
mint before, and so when I gothome I bought a mint plant and
(15:48):
so in our next letter I'm goingto let her know we have mint too
in our house now.
So we did that the first day.
The second day was fun day andthat's when we were going to.
Just they only had thechildren's whose sponsors were
on the trip were there that day,and so we got to visit with
them a little further and that'swhen we were playing the games
(16:10):
together.
Like I said, we had twotranslators speaking there with
us, so and that was a day toofor us to give gifts to the
children.
We did bring a gift to the home.
Compassion had a basket puttogether like a food basket to
bring to their home that daywhen we did the home visits.
Yeah, and I had also given hermom some gifts that day.
So one of the gifts that I wasso surprised that they really
(16:32):
enjoyed so much was, on thathome visit, one of the gifts I
had given was a washcloth,because we had heard they don't
really have washcloths there andso we did that.
And it was so cute because thenext couple of days she was
carrying that around with herwhen we saw her and they just
don't have that there.
But I mean she was patting herlittle face with it and you know
I was like, wow, like who wouldhave thought out of all the
(16:53):
things we get, you know, that awashcloth, and we gave several,
you know too.
But anyway, so on fun day youcan give them whatever gift you
brought for the child, and wehad, of course, taken our kids
to the store.
Our daughter picked out thisreally cute, you know, shiny and
pink backpack, and so we gaveher that and had some gifts
inside of that and so that wasfun.
(17:14):
But anyways, yes, the washclothwas a favorite.
And then the very last day wejoined them for their church
service and it happened to be aspecial Sunday that they were
there.
They were celebrating thepastors.
There was like some I'm notsure what their denominational
kind of setup is, but there wassome denominational leaders like
from the region that were thereand celebrating the pastors.
(17:37):
I think the pastor was havingan anniversary for being the
pastor at that church and sothat was neat to see.
And then it was a specialSunday where they were
commissioning leaders for thenext year of the church.
They brought these husband andwife couples and they lined the
front of the stage and you know,they had them kneel down.
We're praying over them.
(17:57):
They were making thiscommitment to their church to,
you know, to be about ministrythat next year, and that was
incredible to see, just to knowlike, hey, they love the Lord,
here too they're doing ministryhere too.
Like these are the people thatare going to be pouring into the
people of their community.
You know they want to see liveschange, just like we do.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I like how it was.
The you're saying it was thecouples together, not just one
or the other but together theywere together, they were on a
mission, so it was awesome.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
We did have some funny moments at church.
There was a dog came in layingdown I mean they don't have,
there was open no door, you know.
So the dog came in, was layingdown and that was so funny.
I did see a baby hanging from achurch pew, you know, like the
mom, I assume mom came in andkind of like you know, you see a
stork carrying a baby, likewith a sling it was this big,
(18:49):
like sling looking contraction.
She carried the baby in thisand just hung the baby right
there on the church pew.
We were like this is so funny.
And at one point the leaderswere passing out cokes.
I mean they, the leader, wentout and they came back with
these huge, big old barrels upon their shoulder and they had
cokes, orange juice and bread.
(19:10):
Yeah, during the sermon.
Yeah, that was me there duringthis sermon.
It was so funny like, oh, myword, he is preaching and we
passing out snacks, yeah, maybethey notice he's long-winded or
something.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
Yeah, it was.
It was awesome.
Yeah, right.
So what was your favoritemoment or event that happened
while you guys were there?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Yeah.
So I really think my favoritemoment was with Ellie was, just
like I was saying, when theywere playing games.
It was really fun just to havethat time with her and get to
cheer for her and all that.
She just enjoyed that so much.
But another really specialmoment that happened when we got
back from the home visits.
So that morning we'd been there,there was a little girl named
Natalie and she was outgoinglittle precious girl, and so
(19:53):
several of us got to, you know,enjoy getting to meet Natalie.
But when we came back fromvisiting the homes, she just
came running up and she saidAbby, abby.
And our translator shared withme that Natalie's mom had a gift
for me, that she had rememberedPastor Michael from the first
trip and so she wanted to giveme a gift.
So they took us to the officeand I met her mom in there and
(20:14):
she gave me a traditionalGuatemalan dress Wow, yes.
So I really feel like it'sprobably the most generous gift
I've ever been given, becauseour translator shared with me
later that that is usually themost expensive thing that they
own, so for her to get off she'slike this is so humbling.
That was really neat, yes, andI got to wear it on Sunday at
(20:37):
church, and so they, you knowthat was really special and they
just love that.
I mean they're like all likelet's take a picture together,
you know, because you knowthat's what they were wearing to
church.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
So, wow, that's really good, it was fun, wow.
Well, was there anything thatyou were intimidated or just
apprehensive about going on thistrip or anything?
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Yeah, absolutely.
So I really feel like the mostintimidating part for me was
just at the very beginning, justplanning the trip, thinking
about like how are we going topay for this?
You know there's two of usgoing and but the Lord totally
provided.
So for anyone else who hearsthis and I feel like that's
(21:15):
probably concern for a lot ofpeople, like you know making
planning on going on mission,like you know, just the
financial part of committing tothat and going for that.
So I hear you if that's aconcern for you and just I hope
you'll be encouraged just totrust the Lord to provide.
He totally did.
So that for me was, like youknow, awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
How do you feel?
Like you know the situation andyou know you've been able to go
on this trip has impacted yourrelationship with God.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
So I just, he just reminded me that he's got us
covered.
And if he calls us to go on atrip, he's gonna provide for us.
And so he did.
It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
So has this trip do you feel like?
Has it changed your perspectiveany?
Or why should somebody go onthis type of mission trip?
What's the importance of that?
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Yeah.
So going on this trip it is it'sdifferent from you know what
you think of as a mission trip Ireally kind of was, like you
know, in the beginning, you know, struggle with that a little
bit Because I'm like we're notgoing to build a home or paint
for that, you know, whatever,like they want to save those
kind of things for jobs, youknow, to not take away a job
(22:22):
from the people that live there,but getting to go to be an
encouragement really and to say,hey, we're here and we love
y'all and to encourage them, itjust really gave life to my view
of compassion and sponsorshipJust being able to see with my
own eyes how wonderful thesepeople are and how special they
(22:42):
are and just this relationshipthat we can have with them, the
connection between our churches,and just to encourage them.
And of course, we took likesuitcases full of things for the
center and for the children andit was really neat.
Actually, what so funny?
I thought this was an awesomeidea but a couple of people on
the trip thought to bring FirstWest t-shirts.
So one day we're there at thecenter I'm like, oh, this little
(23:04):
boy is in a First West t-shirt,like it was so fun, yeah, so
just being able to have thatpartnership and be like, hey,
we're here and we love you.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
To really be the hands and feet.
You know, yes, it is a truepartnership.
To do it financially, be likefrom afar, but to do it up close
, it's really different.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Yes, in one of the home visits there was one of the
dads there and it wasn't a homeI was in, but they told us you
know the team about it later.
But the dad was just reallystandoffish, like when they were
in the home with thetranslators.
He was just like in thebackground, kind of in the
doorway, you know, just kind ofchecking things out, yeah.
And so as they kept talking,they said he would move closer
(23:41):
and closer and closer.
And they finally turned to himand was like you know, maybe is
there anything, you have anyquestions or whatever.
And they said he just talkedand talked and talked and he
said I just never.
I just really didn't know thatthis was really for real.
I didn't really believe thatthis whole, you know, they're
really someone out there thatcares about us and is praying
for us.
(24:01):
And they said today I know thatthis is really real, you know
this, you know yeah, so it wasreally neat.
Yeah, that's super like wow,yeah, but um, yeah, just getting
to meet ellie and her familywas wonderful and her mom said
she said you're our family andyou know like well, you're our
(24:22):
family too, you know, and alsojust as far as one of the
awesome reasons get to go onthat trip is getting to find out
things that you wouldn't haveotherwise.
Just in one of the homes I gotto go to it wasn't Ellie's home,
but in the other home wevisited we found out that the
little girl's dad had passedaway about 10 months ago.
(24:44):
And just how the Lord.
We would have never known thatthe Lord had orchestrated it
this way.
But her sponsor leads our griefministry and had lost a son
before, and so she was able tospeak life to that mom Like you
know, I've lost a family memberas well and to share scripture
with her.
And you know, I mean and thatwas of course they've been
(25:04):
sponsors for probably a coupleof years now, but the Lord knew
that they needed to be together,you know, and so that was
really cool.
And so, you know, had not goneon a trip, you wouldn't know
that, and so that was reallycool.
And so, you know, had not goneon a trip, you wouldn't know
that.
And so the Lord showed us whathe had done.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
That's awesome.
Yeah, because that's notsomething you necessarily just
kind of put in your letter.
Yeah, someone that feels so faraway yeah, she had no idea.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
And I'll also say that you know when you're there
you see how important it is towrite letters to them and how
precious our letters are to them, so our letters.
At our home they don't have alot of furniture.
Really, the first time we wentin there was really no furniture
, it was very bare.
But at Ellie's home she didhave a few dressers and a table,
(25:46):
and one of the dressers Ididn't even see at the time.
I saw them take the letters outof the dresser.
But one of the other tripmembers was there.
She's like did you see thatthey were locked up?
And I was like no, and so theyhad a key, they had unlocked the
dresser and they you know, butof course they keep them in like
a plastic folders, keep themreally safe.
And so she got those out toshow us hey, these are our
(26:07):
letters, you know.
So they they keep them and it'sjust very special to them.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
And so they treasure them.
We got to write our children,you know, make sure we get that
app and send letters often.
Yeah, so you know, your oldestson was with you.
How did this trip affect him?
What did he?
What do you?
Speaker 2 (26:25):
think he yeah, so he had a great time.
I was grateful he got to havethe experience to just even to
be in another country.
He'd never been in anothercountry before.
Especially getting to be in aspanish speaking country was
neat.
He's in spanish class this year, yeah, so that was fun.
He loved playing with the kidsand, of course, meeting ellie.
I loved how she didn't just cometo me, she would, she would go
(26:46):
to him.
You know, if we've given them agift or whatever, she, she'd
come give him a hug and, yeah,include him too.
And you know her mom especiallywould always make sure.
You know, they make sure she'shugging on Gavin and, you know,
including him.
And that was so sweet and itwas just fun to hear her holler
out at him or whatever theywould say.
The way they would say his namewas so funny.
They say Gavin, it's Gavin, butthey'd be like Gavin, gavin.
(27:08):
I said I back to Gavin.
We get, this is fun.
But and several teenage guyswent with their moms and we all
had signed up independently ofeach other like we didn't know
they were going, and so when Ifound out that others were, I'm
like, lord, that's so cool thatyou put these boys together on
this trip, so I love that theyhad that experience together and
the compassion.
(27:29):
Kids, of course, had a lot offun playing with these teenage
boys, so it was he had a greattime yeah, that's really special
.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Did they all go to the same school and stuff too?
Speaker 2 (27:38):
nope, different schools, but but that you know,
we knew each other from churchokay, yeah, cool, very cool.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
So do y'all plan to go back with the rest of your?
Speaker 2 (27:46):
family one day.
I would love to.
Yes, we would love to take allof our kids someday.
I know ellie, of course, yes,wants to us to bring all of our
kids, and so we'll see.
I would love to.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Yeah, so can you take a moment to speak on like why
missions like in general are soimportant?
Speaker 2 (28:08):
For sure.
I mean, first of all, the Lordcommands us, you know, in the
Great Commission, to go and makedisciples.
Great Commission is Matthew 28.
It's at the end of Matthew andit's Jesus' last words to his
disciples.
So you know what he wants toleave them with.
He said don't forget thisAbsolutely.
He said go and make disciples.
So you know, we are called tothat mission as well to go and
make disciples, like you know,and, of course, where we are,
(28:29):
but also going, you know.
Of course that's why missionsare important, specifically for
our family.
You know I'd always wanted totake my kids on a mission trip,
but as we were planning thistrip and just thinking about how
this could affect, you know, myson and our children, I really
gained a new perspective orvision or whatever for really
(28:51):
wanting to make mission trips apriority for our family.
Yeah, yeah, just thinking aboutthe perspective they would gain
, you know, from being inanother country or, you know,
even in the US, just getting tobe in another city and going.
You know our church will havefamily mission trips to Colorado
or whatever, all that but justgetting to experience other
cultures, meeting believersaround the world, you know, like
(29:14):
I said, seeing those leaders upthere that are going to be
specifically going on mission intheir own community, and just
the worldview that our childrencould have being on mission
trips and just spiritually forthem, just being able to serve
and share their faith.
So I really, really want tomake missions a priority for our
family.
That is a new passion I have.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
Yeah, I think it could really like I love that
are just kind of have made moreopportunities for, like North
American missions as well, likethe Colorado one, yes, and even
New Orleans, you know, because Iagree, because I think it just
having their eyes opened, youknow, and having their heart
pierced for compassion, I feellike that's a big component of
our faith.
Is that because that's how ourLord is, he's compassionate
(29:58):
towards all of his creation,which means that's how he wants
us to be as well?
And it's hard to do that whenyou stay in your own little
bubble.
Yes, you know, yeah, yeah,definitely agree, for sure.
But going back to CompassionInternational, why should
someone join them?
I mean, there are some othersout there, but why Compassion?
Speaker 2 (30:20):
International.
Sure, yeah, so I've only been.
I can't speak to any others,but you know being with
Compassion has been incredible.
Yeah, you know Michael is veryquick to speak how highly he
feels about Compassion as anorganization, which you know I
feel as well.
So we have the perspective ofbeing a sponsor, but also as a
church partner.
You know them working togetherwith starting the center and you
(30:44):
know just it's amazing to thinkof the difference that they're
making all over the world.
They have other ministries aswell, like I know that they do.
You know some health ministriesfor children.
Our leader told us about onewhere they're starting with
expecting moms even.
Oh, wow, so they're trying tostart with babies from the womb
and early development and allthat.
(31:04):
So they have lots of different.
You know things that have goingon.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
And so it's just neat to be a small part of their
ministry.
I like the global connectednessof it all.
Those really are, are connectedand and that's that's really
beautiful.
Yeah, for sure, all right.
So how does one become a partof it?
Like what if someone wanted tosign up today?
Like where do they go?
How do they do that?
Speaker 2 (31:27):
yeah, so their website is compassioncom.
I went to look at it before Icame, yeah, just so I could
speak to to what's there, butthey actually have a get
involved button so you can go tothat, and there were more
opportunities that I didn't evenrealize or know about.
I even think that they have acompassion store.
You know, of course you canjust even just donate.
You know, if you're not readyto sponsor a child, they have a
(31:49):
section where you can donate.
But, yes, sponsoring a childwould be a great way to start,
though they still have countlesschildren that need sponsors.
Speaker 1 (31:55):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, abby, thank you for somuch coming on my show and
sharing your story.
I really enjoyed it.
I'll always love hearing aboutdifferent countries and cultures
and everything.
And so it's really great tohear about how it all happened
for you and your family and DrGavin.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (32:11):
Gavin, gavin, very, I would have a hard time going
back to Gabby.
Yeah, but Gabby forever.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
Yes, Well, I loved being here.
Thank you for having me.
I love getting to share aboutour trip.
My name is Abby and this is mystory of the middle.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
I'm your host, brandi Bostic, and you've been
listening to the Up From theMuck podcast For merch or just
other uplifting stories, and goto my website at
upfromtheblockcom.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
Psalm 40, verse 2,.
He brought me up from thedesolate pit, out of the muddy
clay, and set my feet on therock, making my steps secure.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!