The Destiny Dress – Delivered!

There is an Advocate named Carol Schafer who lives in Alberta. Carol loves to sew and a few years ago, asked God to show her how she could use her sewing machine to bless Him. Not long after this prayer, Carol was at an event where the President of Compassion Canada, Barry Slauenwhite was speaking. During his presentation he told a story of a young African girl who had married a much, much older man. When asked why she had married, the girl replied, “I did it because he promised me a dress.” Carol has told me that it was right there and then that the idea of Destiny Dresses was born. God had answered her prayer. She vowed that she would make dresses for young girls in developing countries, so that they wouldn’t need to give themselves away.

As I was making last minute preparations for the tour to Colombia a few weeks prior to departure, I received a package in the mail from Carol. It contained a beautiful dress and a note saying that she felt that God wanted this dress to go to Colombia! Wow…I was honored to be the delivery person!

We were at project CO 330 for our visit and during the children’s presentation I noticed a very fragile and shy young girl sitting in the second row wearing a navy blue track suit. She was beautiful – but she looked so sad. My heart swelled…she was THE girl…the one I would present the Destiny Dress to.

After the presentation the children were dismissed to go to their classrooms….I thought I had lost my chance to present the dress. Just as I was passing a classroom door, she was there in the opening. Maria (our amazing Colombian staff person) asked if we could speak to her.

My new little friend’s name is Sharon. I had Maria tell her that I was looking for her, that my friend Carol, in Canada had made a dress just for her and I wanted to give it to her. I think she was a bit overwhelmed at first by all the attention, but when asked if she would like the dress, a small smile escaped and she nodded yes. Maria then asked if she wanted to try it on. Again, another small nod. She looked beautiful!!! Transformed by the dress – by the love it held.

After a few photos of her in the dress, she paused for just a moment and then threw herself into my arms. She gave me the most amazing hug I have ever had. She held on for a very long time, all the while I prayed for her. I prayed that God would make Himself real to her in her life, that He would protect her always and that He would give her the most amazing sponsor. I felt like I was hugging Jesus as I held her. Matthew 25: 31-46. What an incredible experience!

I found out that Sharon doesn’t have a sponsor, in fact, she was very new to the project. I vowed to find Sharon a sponsor. A few days later, Paul Winter (Winnipeg Advocate) had a great idea, he suggested that we, as a group, sponsor a child from Colombia – only $45 a year and includes a birthday and Christmas gift. Everyone loved the idea and then Paul suggested that we sponsor Sharon!!!!!

I was moved! I had prayed for an amazing sponsor but to get 11 committed and passionate people was beyond my thinking. Sharon is going to be one lucky little girl!

I am so thankful to Carol for allowing me to be a small part of her Destiny Dresses ministry. What an honor it has been for me.  He can move mountains – what more can He do in the life of Sharon and the other 52,000 children in Colombia! Praise be to Him!

Telling the Advocates on the bus the story of the Detiny Dress.

Showing Sharon the dress and telling her that a very special person in Canada made it for her.

Sharon in her new dress.

WOW…what an incredible moment – I will NEVER forget this hug.

Praying for Sharon.

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