Alyssa Esparaz
Pickering, ON
What does being a Christian mean to you? Striving to
live like Jesus in everything we do.
Sponsored Content
This series shares stories about youth
discovering our role in God’s story and taking
action through the ministry of Compassion
Canada. God’s story is one of redemption
for the brokenness in our world! May these
stories inspire you to think about your role and
encourage you along your journey.
Never Say Never
The Convay Family’s Story
The Convay family keeps returning to an
island better known for natural disasters
and extreme poverty than for tourism.
With three trips to Haiti in the past five
years, and two more planned, the northern
Ontario family of four might give the
impression that they have always been
well-seasoned travellers. But they never
expected to become frequent flyers – least
of all to Haiti.
“I thought that was something that could
never happen in a million years,” says
19-year-old Olivia.
Her dad, Jamie, explains that while they
sponsor a Haitian child, Channedieuline,
through Compassion Canada, travelling to
meet her never crossed their minds. They
were comfortable in the familiar setting
of their small-town
home.
However, some
friends of the family
travelled to Haiti in
2010, and upon their
return encouraged the
Convays to consider
going, too. They took
the encouragement
to heart. “We knew
we should take our
family,” says mom
Laurie. Two years
later, their church
planned a mission trip
to Haiti, and the idea
became a reality.
While making plans for that first trip, the
Convays wondered if they might be able
to meet Channedieuline and got in touch
with Compassion. It turned out that their
sponsored “daughter” lived just 10 minutes
down the road from the church where they
would be serving and staying. “It was really
the Lord who brought it together – truly a
miracle,” Jamie says.
The differences between Haiti and their
home in northern Ontario are vast, to be
sure. The youngest family member, Alex,
now 17, remembers little from their first
trip, but he says the images of poverty and
stark inequality stuck with him. Each time
they visit, the family is inspired to continue
serving in Haiti.
They also value the opportunity to spend
face-to-face time with Channedieuline, a
privilege most sponsors and sponsored
children will never experience. But
whether built through visits or letters, the
relationship between Compassion children
and their sponsors is one that changes lives
on both sides.
The way the family speaks about
Channedieuline shows how their
relationship with her – and with her
country – has changed them. Laurie tears
up when she describes how Channedieuline
has become part of their family.
Olivia and Alex say
that knowing her
has inspired them
and expanded their
view of the world.
“You see how much
harder [Haitian
students] work in
school, because
they don’t have a
back-up plan,” Alex
says. Olivia adds
that being in an
unfamiliar setting
reminds her that the
Church is so much
larger than her own
experience of it.
“It’s important
to realize that the Church is diverse and
includes people from all over the world in all
different walks of life,” she says, “Everyone
is welcome.”
“…whether built through
visits or letters, the
relationship between
Compassion children and
their sponsors is one that
changes lives on both
sides.
“
