Sponsorship is a valuable part of the ministry at Hope of Life, with thousands in our program children, families, and entire communities are seeing transformation.
For our sweet friend Hannah, real change is happening in her life as well- a direct result of her relationship with Kenny, her sponsored child.
Many of you may know Kenny and how infectious his smile is, we are so happy to have him as part of our children’s home and sponsorship program. It is individuals like you, and Hannah, who are creating bright futures for these children- we couldn’t be more privileged to be on this journey with you.
April 2013 was my first trip to Hope of Life International and I knew the Lord was going to affect me in ways I never could imagine. I wasn’t expecting that a pint-sized, chubby orphan named David Kenneth would be the instrument used to change my heart. One of the stops on our tour around Hope of Life’s Dream Village at the top of the mountain, here is where I initially met Kenny. Stepping off the bus, I saw a little boy around two years old come running towards me. Opening my arms wide, I couldn’t stop the smile that broke onto my face as he flung himself onto me.
I only held him for a few minutes; just enough time to snap a picture and give him a quick hug, before he wiggled out and ran to another person in my group. The week continued and my heart was changed in many numerous ways, but the image of Kenny running towards me with a huge smile was branded on my mind. I returned to the children’s home a few times during that trip but never saw the chubby, dimpled, little boy again.
It wasn’t until I had returned home that I reached out, interested in finding out how to connect with him. I sent a picture of the nameless little boy and I could find out his name. I had been sponsoring Kenny approximately six months when I returned to Hope of Life in May 2014.
Sponsorship is a cause extremely close to my heart because while I might not change the entire world, I can change the world for one child. Through sponsorship, I know Kenny is taken care of and that he is loved. The first full day back at Hope of Life, I headed up to the top of the mountain in search of the now three year old that had captured my heart twelve months previous. Knowing he probably would not remember me did not bother me since he was only two at the time. I saw him as I was walking down the back mountain, returning from the river with his group of children and swinging a stick around that was three times his size. Calling out his name, I bent over and stretched out my arms to him.
As the week progressed, Kenny warmed up to me but I knew my departure at the end of the week would affect me more than it would him. In a matter of days, the little boy had found a special place in my heart.
Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel on my third trip to Hope of Life for a week. Kenny was aware of my trip and I had the chance to spend another week with him. The week went by too fast but I was blessed to have the time with him that I did. He is just now four, but I know he will do amazing things with his life and affect others in marvelous ways. Child sponsorship is changing children’s lives everywhere; children who may not have any other opportunity otherwise. That itself, is truly an amazing blessing.
If you are interested in building a relationship by sponsoring a child here in Guatemala, please visit our website for more information