A sense of family

Randy Stonehill and his wife, Sandy, began sponsoring Dina Pierre in 1983. Left in a Haitian orphanage shortly after birth, Dina has found a relationship with Jesus Christ and a sense of family because of the Stonehills' sponsorship.

"I have learned that my mother wandered all over the streets with me when I was a baby," Dina says. "But God had a plan for me. He used someone to take me to the orphanage and then sent a family for me: the Stonehills."

Randy agrees with Dina. "I believe that our sponsorship has given Dina a real sense of family connection. I tell my friends that Dina is a treasure from God, a spiritually adopted daughter who has taught me more about true faith than almost anyone else in my life.

"A few years ago, Dina and I spent a whole day together in the Compassion Haiti office. I was overwhelmed by the 'fragrance of Christ' that permeated her. Singing is Dina's favorite hobby, so we sang her favorite hymns together — she in French and I in English.

"As we sang, she gently rested her head on my shoulder, like I was her father. ... It was one of the greatest moments of my life. I was humbled to realize that God had allowed me a small part in the glorious work that he was doing in her life."

Dina agrees. "My life was changed because of sponsorship. I would never have been able to attend school without sponsorship. Compassion's program and the Stonehills led me to know Christ. What more can I say? I have one Father in Jesus — God — and one father in faith — Randy Stonehill."