She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” — Genesis 16:13, NIV
In Genesis, we meet Hagar—Sarai’s servant, ordered to bear a child for her and Abram. After Hagar conceived, Sarai began to mistreat her. The abuse grew so harsh that Hagar felt no choice but to flee into the desert.
Alone, pregnant, and with nothing but the clothes on her back, Hagar found herself in a desolate place, her thoughts surely racing: How would she care for a baby here? Where would she find food, shelter, or safety? Near a spring, Hagar sat, hopeless—until God appeared.
He called her by name and asked her gently where she’d come from and was planning to go. She cried out that she was simply fleeing and had no destination to share.
Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” — Genesis 16:9-10, NIV
In the wilderness, God saw Hagar. He met her in the middle of her suffering and promised her a bright and blessed future. With hope returning to her heart, Hagar gave the Lord a new name—El Roi—the God who sees me.
If you’ve ever felt unseen in motherhood, take heart: El Roi still sees. Even today, he lifts moms from their lowest places and gives them hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). At Compassion International, we witness countless stories of modern-day Hagars—living proof that God still sees and still saves.
Patricia, Brazil: A Broken Heart Mended
Patricia grew up without the love of a mother or father. Addiction and abuse marked her childhood, and poverty forced her to beg for food on the street. She often slept there too, trying to avoid the terror she’d face at home.
At 10 years old, standing in her grandparents’ yard with a broken heart, she looked to the sky and cried, “I don’t believe in you anymore!” After all, what kind of God would allow her to suffer so much?
At 19, Patricia became pregnant, and the baby’s father left. Earning only $10 per week and having no means to care for her child, Patricia thought it best to leave him in the hospital. But when she saw her little one, Weslley, everything changed. Patricia chose to love and care for her son on her own, no matter the cost.
The few years that followed were far from easy. Many times, the small family had nothing to eat. Patricia would beg relatives for food, often saying she had already eaten just so her son could be fed.
When Weslley was three years old, Patricia overheard women in her community talking about the local Compassion center where children were receiving warm meals. She rushed to the church, in hopes they would have room for little Weslley. Soon, he was registered in the Compassion child sponsorship program.
For the first time in years, Patricia felt relief. Her son was being fed and taught about Jesus, while she was being encouraged daily my loving volunteers. Seeing God’s faithfulness at work, his love began taking root in Patricia’s heart once again.
“God used all the volunteers to heal my heart. I used to be an angry person. I was disgusted with life because of all the bad things I went through. But their kindness, love and patience changed everything. They not only changed my child’s life, but also mine.” — Patricia
A year later, Compassion volunteers asked Patricia if she had noticed Weslley’s unique behaviors — his silence, his lack of eye contact. They told her they suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Though confused and fearful, Patricia remembered the God who had carried her this far. Even in the pain and poverty, he had never left her side. He wouldn’t leave her now.
With the center’s support, Weslley received the necessary exams and a diagnosis of autism. Volunteers taught Patricia how to understand and care for him. As Weslley grew, Patricia became his fiercest advocate, giving him the love she never received as a child. And as she did, she began to heal too.
“When I remember myself as a child with a broken heart screaming at God, all I want is to hold that child and tell her that everything will be okay. God is good and powerful to mend our hearts. I once had only pain inside of me. But today, I’m a proud mother willing to love her children with all her heart.” — Patricia
Vestine, Rwanda: A Life Restored
At just 17, Vianney heard four words that would change the course of his life: “Your kidneys are failing.” A transplant would be his only chance.
Vestine, Vianney’s mother, listened to the doctors explain his situation. Medical protocol required a compatible living donor—and she or Vianney’s father would be his best hope.
“Vianney’s father and I discussed the kidney transplant. Then, he made a choice that broke our hearts. He walked away, abandoning our family because he was afraid to give one of his kidneys to our son.” — Vestine
Vianney’s body continued to deteriorate until it gave way. He slipped into a coma, hovering between life and death for six days. Vestine vowed to do whatever she could to see her son restored to life, even giving up her kidney.
“Giving him my kidney was not a choice; it was a privilege. I brought him into this world, and I was honored to give him the gift of life a second time.” — Vestine
With Vestine as a donor, one barrier remained: the cost of surgery. Because skilled care wasn’t available nearby, they would need to travel for the transplant. Impoverished and alone, Vestine knew the thousands of dollars needed for travel and surgical care was a cost she could never afford.
But God had a plan. As a child, Vianney had been registered in the Compassion program. The community that had surrounded him for years was willing to do whatever it took to see him well again. So, they mobilized the financial resources.
“Our mission is to advocate for these children no matter the cost. We refused to let financial barriers or family abandonment be the end of Vianney’s story.” — Compassion center director, Josine
On December 5, 2023, Vianney and Vestine underwent a successful surgery. For Vianney, the surgery left him with restored health through a fully functioning kidney. And for Vestine, the surgery left her with renewed faith.
Abandoned and fearful of losing her son, Vestine felt utterly alone. But God saw her. And through his Church, he stepped in, making a way when there was none.
Zenaida, Mexico: A Mother Freed
On the night Zenaida’s husband left, her world collapsed. Alone with two children and no income, she began working night shifts to care for an elderly neighbor.
Exhausted and overwhelmed, she confided in someone who offered her drugs to stay awake and dull her heartbreak. Desperate, she accepted—and soon addiction consumed her life.
Zenaida stopped going to work and found it increasingly hard to care for her children, Diego and Lucia.
“I tried to quit. I knew it was wrong. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t. I kept relapsing over and over. It was killing me.” — Zenaida
Zenaida’s family distanced themselves from her. But Roberta, Zenaida’s friend and neighbor, didn’t withdraw. Instead, she visited Zenaida, urged her to draw closer to God and told her about the Compassion center at the local church.
Desperate to care for her children, Zenaida enrolled Diego and Lucia in the Compassion program. The three began spending time at the center, eating together, joining in the activities and learning about Jesus.
Still trapped in addiction, Zenaida feared losing everything, including her family and newfound support system. She knew she needed help. Remembering the love and care she’d received from Roberta and those at the Compassion center, she reached out and told Roberta: “I want to go to church.”
And on the day she walked in, she was welcomed with open arms.
The church and Compassion staff became sources of strength in the months that followed. They prayed for her, encouraged her and provided the resources she needed to fight her addiction.
As her new loving community shared the gospel in word and action, it took root in her heart. And the closer she drew to God, the harder she fought. At home, she spent time in prayer, keeping her distance from drugs.
“I prayed, ‘Lord, you know me. You know my heart. I need you. Help me. I can’t do this alone.’” — Zenaida
With God’s help and the steady support of the local church, Zenaida broke free from addiction. Today, she joyfully provides for her children through baking and sewing—skills she learned at the Compassion center.
Once shackled by depression and addiction, Zenaida is free, pulled from the pit by the God who sees.
Mended, Restored & Freed by the God Who Sees
Hagar, Patricia, Vianney and Zenaida have many things in common. They’ve been alone and impoverished. They’ve suffered pain and abuse. They’ve worried about caring for the children they love so much with so little.
But these four incredible mothers have also witnessed the faithfulness of El Roi, who stepped into their deserts to mend their brokenness, restore their faith and free them from hopelessness. He can do the same for you.
Today, God continues to meet mothers like Hagar, Patricia, Vianney and Zenaida through Compassion’s local church partners around the world. These churches walk beside mothers, reminding them—and their children—that they are seen, loved and never alone. To learn how you can join these churches in their work of restoration, visit Compassion International.
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