Meeting Seche

By Denice Rovira Hazlett
April 25, 2013
358

Summary: Hannah Miller, 22, of Holmesville, had never traveled further than Colorado. Last month, she traveled to Tanzania to see, face to face, a little girl she first met through the written word seven years ago. Story: When 22-year-old Hannah Miller of Holmesville landed her first part-time job at age 15, she knew just what she wanted to do with a chunk of her paycheck. She had heard about Compassion International through a few radio programs and decided it was one small thing she could do to make a difference in the world. She pulled up Compassion's website and chose to sponsor Seche, a cute little girl from Tanzania, mostly because Miller was fascinated with that country at the time. For the next six years, Miller faithfully kept her commitment. The two traded letters a few times a year, learning about each other's interests, sharing prayer requests, and trading facts about each other's countries--the animals, the holidays, and the landscape. Miller didn't imagine that, someday, she would see Seche's Tanzanian landscape for herself and meet Seche face-to-face. But, last month, Miller, along with 26 others from the United States and England, traveled across the ocean to meet their sponsored child and spend 10 days witnessing the work Compassion International does in developing countries. The idea of going on a Compassion trip planted itself in Miller's heart about two years ago. She knew she wanted to make the journey but decided to wait until Seche was older so she could remember their time together. Miller had never been outside the United States before, so she was understandably nervous--not just about the trip, but about meeting Seche. What would they talk about? Would they have anything in common? Plus, she would be traveling with strangers--how would that go? She was excited about the opportunity, but nervous, too. Miller had seen photos of economically-depressed countries, but nothing prepared her for what she saw while in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. "The first home I visited was literally a wood-slab shack with a dirt floor," Miller said. "There's hardly work available there, so the average income is $5 per month." The culture focuses on raising livestock, but since pastures are virtually non-existent, the cattle and goats that graze along the roadsides are very scrawny, and, in rural areas, water isn't easily accessible. While there, Miller began to more fully appreciate the importance of Compassion International's work as she visited several of the organization's centers in the area. "The thing that struck me the most," she said, "is that there is litter everywhere. The concept of putting trash in a place out of the way was nonexistent." But at the churches that partner with Compassion, things were different. They had an established system for trash management, and, while the children on the street were dressed in rags, those who were part of a Compassion program wore clean uniforms, received tutoring and extra classes not available through their schools, and were given check-ups by one of the health workers stationed at every center to teach the children about nutrition and hygiene. The pastors Miller met said their involvement with Compassion gives the church a higher level of respect and allows them to better assist the community. "When we went to visit, the kids were so exuberant to have visitors of any variety. Even though we didn't speak the same language, we danced with them played games. We even taught them the Hokey-Pokey," she laughed. Then the day came for Miller to meet Seche. She was nervous. She had traveled so far to get here, as had Seche, who arrived by bus after a seven hour ride to meet Miller near the Indian Ocean. But Miller needn't have worried. Sure, Seche was shy at first, but, after lunch, when they played in the ocean, collecting seashells and splashing in the water, Miller discovered how alike she and Seche were. "We're both reserved, we have the the same-sized family, and we're both artistic," said Miller, a freelance photographer and owner of Silver Vine Photography. "I've always wanted to travel, and she does, too, so we had that in common." Miller said the experience changed her, made her appreciate what she has. She even started sponsoring a second child, this one in the Togolese Republic. "The trip gave me a glimpse into how the global church works," Miller said. "It's easy to go to your own church in your own hometown and do what you've always done. It's neat to broaden your horizons. It made me focus a lot less on what I need, because I realized I don't really need anything." Miller said she would like to go back someday, but whether that will happen, she said, "we shall have to wait and see." "I would definitely encourage anyone who had the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone to go and experience another culture." Compassion International is a Christian child sponsorship organization headquartered in Colorado and dedicated to the long-term development of more than one million children living in poverty in 26 countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, and India. For more information on Compassion International, visit compassion.com or call 1-800-336-7676.

Meeting Seche

Schrock's Amish Farm and Village

Lehman's