“Eliu is coming to our wedding.”
“What?!  You mean the guy you sponsored?”
“Yeah, I just talked to him, and he wants to fly up for the big day.”

And so he did.  Eliu Diaz’ first trip out of his country was to attend his sponsor’s wedding.  In fact, it was the first time we met this man who has since become a brother to us.  But how could a former sponsored child in poverty afford an international plane ticket?  And why would he spend it on us?  As our minds reeled, we began to realize the scope of his life transformation: that he had been freed not only from economic poverty, but from the poverty of heart that imprisons many of us with material wealth.

This year, when Paul & I desired to go on a mission trip together, visiting Eliu in Guatemala seemed like a natural fit.  We wanted to get to know Eliu better, see where he grew up and learn more about his story, and encourage him in ministry there.  But, as is often the case, we were blown away by his generosity & hospitality…instead, it was his mission trip to us!  His family immediately embraced us (and taught us lots of Spanish!).  We were able to visit the economically depressed town where he grew up, visit the school he attended, and meet his principal, who enrolled him in Compassion and pushed him to go to college.  The pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together when we found out his parents only had 2nd & 3rd grade educations; and, of Eliu’s friends who didn’t go to college, some were serving as security for drug cartels in order to survive.  Eliu’s humble and grateful heart was evident as he told us of his plans to sponsor his own child soon.  In fact, he is organizing some of his university classmates (who were also sponsored thru Compassion) to sponsor their own children as well.  Where?  Well, according to Eliu, “not in Guatemala.  There are places that need it more than we do.  Maybe Haiti.”

Yes, Eliu, maybe Haiti.  And maybe we will meet again there one day…

Submitted by: Paul and Rachel Ulrich