I remember the first time I met Denisse, in DR. It was my first sponsor tour. I was sitting on a low wall outside the now-former office, waiting with other sponsors for our respective children to come out as they finished eating breakfast. I was excited and a little nervous. And then I looked to my right, and she was coming through the door with a woman I mistakenly thought was her mother.

I said, “Denisse!!” and pushed myself off the wall. By the time I had taken the five or six steps to where she stood, I had tears running down my face, and I grabbed her for a hug.

Compassion actually recommends that we try to keep our emotions under control so as not to overwhelm the children–especially the first time we meet them. I didn’t know that, then, and no one was more surprised than I to find that I was crying!