I talked about how hard yesterday was in my last post, but it was also my favorite day so far. The kids were so excited to see us and I got a small glimpse of what it must feel like to be Hannah Montana, but without the long blonde hair and legwarmers.
I couldn’t get enough of them as they climbed all over me while saying, “Mi Americana! Mi Americana!”
They were all so precious and I took pictures of them with my camera so that they could see themselves. I let them hold my backpack. I let them braid my hair and wear my Aggie baseball cap.
At one point one of the little girls lifted up my shirt a little bit and started poking my stomach. Wanting to use one of my few Spanish vocabulary words, I said, “Blanco!” thinking that she must be fascinated by my white skin.
The translator looked at me a little sheepishly and said, “She says you’re a little bit fat.”
Perfect.
So I said, “Great. Tell her the fat girl wants her camera back.”
Oh, I can’t imagine what they would say about this Americana.
Praying for you!
See the translator should have made something up. You would have never known the difference.
“She says you’re pretty.”
That last picture perfectly sums up the joy of getting to visit Compassion kids. It’s just the best. THE BEST.
Fatter than you here-
praying for you guys
In her defense, “gordita” (little fat) is totally a compliment, especially in a third world country. It recognizes the fact that you are well-fed and therefore NOT poor. “Gordo” is usually an indication of (relative) wealth. Much like fayncee clothes are a status symbol here in the US, the ability to have “meat on your bones” is that in much of Latin America.
And OH.MY.STARS. that last picture is totally worth the price of admission!!
So glad you are being so blessed even as you are being a blessing! Love how God does that!!
hahahaha thats funny!
I think that is so awesome, Melanie! I love how you are loving on those kids.
Now, I’m feeling a little insecure about ever going and visiting. If the little girl called YOU a little fat, then I would be mucho fat. Ah well, mark it up to 4 children and the love of cooking and eating said cooking. 🙂 Hee hee!
I want to pass some of my fat-ness to these kiddos–by sending them what they need. Yes, I do!
OH–thank you Melanie Dawn! I am glad it’s a compliment.
Don’t be offended by the fat comment! In Africa, it’s a compliment; to be fat means that you have the means to feed yourself well. As an MK, whenever we would return “home” from a furlough in the states, we were always greeting with “You’ve gotten fat!” Gee, thanks! 😉
Love the photos. Looks like you’re having such a great time and making such a difference!
Cracked me up. I guess kids are point blank honest all over the world. That must be something that also crosses cultural boundaries. Praying for you guys!!
Dear you don’t even come close to being fat! Thanks for showing God’s love to these children. Your post yesterday was so touching.
I’d take that as a compliment 😉 Wonder what they would say about my belly and its basketball like shape!
To me, the irony is that THESE little girls are happy and excited and jumping and hugging all over you, and your own little Ana was so sad and unenthusiastic. It is so heartbreaking to think of her, and to think of what it must be like for you in thinking of her and realizing how dire are her circumstances, emotionally, not just physically. I pray your love and support for her can in time turn her into one of these excited loving joyful little girls — and that you will know she has changed so your own heart won’t continue to break for her forever.
I love hearing about your experiences! You can see the genuine joy in everyone’s faces in your pictures.
My prayers are with you!
I would certainly be considered well-fed…..
The pictures are wonderful, as are your posts.
I just cry with each of your updates!! Oh gosh…I would come back with a new sibling for my boys! Thanks so much for going, for sharing, for loving, and bring awareness to us all.
Much love~
Thank you for the giggles. I’ve been reading each and every blog involved… I cry than I laugh and I certainly have found my new “American Idols”
God Bless you!
I love your posts on this trip, I am looking forward to many more wise words
I’m echoing everybody else who said that being “fat” in a third world country is the highest compliment.
My aunt and uncle were missionaries in Indonesia for several years, and my uncle was overweight. The women there thought he was a god. For reals.
Hannah Montana may have a lower BMI, but she’s got nothing on you in the DR.
“…but without the long blonde hair and leg warmers” Hahahahaha! You are awesome Melanie! I was laughing out loud thru most of the post, after reading. Laughing out loud with eyes full of tears. What precious, beautiful girls! When I hear stories or see pictures of children, any children, who’ve suffered a tragedy or a serious setback in life I can’t help but picture my own daughters in that circumstance. I imagine you see Caroline’s face everywhere with you this week. I know I’d be seeing Amy and Maia. What a wonderful experience for you and your traveling companions to have the blessing of seeing the lives Compassion is transforming. I’m reading every single person’s blog and just soaking in your whole experience. Many prayers being lifted for you all as you move through each day and what it brings.
In this culture, fat is good. It means you’re rich enough to afford good food. (Just look at the pin-up calendars in the auto repair shops — or the equivalent…the women will be very fat by our standards) Really!!! (I know, you probably won’t BE anywhere they have pin-up calendars…but just in case you find yourself in a Guy kind of backroom place!)
So glad you are home safely on TEXAS soil. I know your family was beyond glad to see you and hear all your stories. Thanks for all the sharing with us too. Save some Oreos for Caroline’s breakfast!
If you’re a “little bit fat”…I’m morbidly obese.
That last photo makes my heart happy. I just love it.
I say now you can finally wear your “Big Mama” moniker with pride!
I wish MY fat looked like that
i’m finding it hard to believe you have any fat.
i’m enjoying your reports.
I have been reading your blog for about a year. I cried many tears reading about Sophie and the others in Uganda.I have been reading your blog as you take this step into another world. Once again I have been so moved. I just sponcered a little girl. Her name is Betty and she is four years old. I have no idea why I waited so long. You know, my husband and I always wanted a little girl now I feel like we kinda got one. So “It’s A Girl”! Thank you for doing what I don’t have the courage to do!
Andrea (Houston)
Ha! I can totally relate. I live in Botswana, and it’s the ultimate compliment to be told you’re fat here. It means you don’t look HIV positive (as if there’s a look about it) and you have enough money to eat. Anyway, I’m not a big girl, so when people started telling me I was fat, I was mortified! Still am, to be honest.
I cannot wait to move (tomorrow!) and unpack my Compassion child’s information and send him his very first letter from his new sponsors in Minnesota. Complete with Christmas stickers!
I wonder what she would say if she saw me….
You are skin and bones.
LOL
That is GREAT
If they think you are fat then I would be in trouble!! They would get a kick out of my jiggle – hehe
I love the pics by the way – they are awesome and totally capture the emotions from each of you!
Praying for you sweet Mel!
Love ya
Kim
I agree with most other commentors…
IF YOU ARE FAT, I’d hate to know what they would say of me!!
You have a way with words…and this post was beautiful. I’ve cried the last two days in a row while reading this blog.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to see their world through your eyes.
God bless!
In that case, I’m putting off my trip till I can shave off about 50 LB’s.
That’s hilarious!
Me toooo!!! (in agreement with Leah above)…
God Bless!!!
Thank you so much for sharing!!! Your posts bring tears to my eyes!
Mrs. Nurse Boy
We have friends that were missionaries in Haiti. Being told you look fat is a huge compliment, it means you have more than enough to eat. A big deal in a country like Haiti or the DR. It’s just so hard to comprehend.
Thank you for being so totally honest in your blogging. We have sponsored thru Compassion before, and currently sponsor thru our church a young girl in Haiti. Your post about Joy being in the one house as opposed to the other really made me stop and think. Thank you!
God Bless,
Michelle
Your blog and your life blesses me so much! Thank you for reflecting Jesus in such a powerful way.
Prayers and love to you!!!
Julie K.
Mel, love the pictures! Can’t wait to hear about your trip. Lord, they would think I was a whale then! haha