No Investment In A Child’s Life Is Wasted

Compassionate people from Phuket Christian Center in Thailand pulled 3-year-old Billy from a gutter and cared for him. After a while, Billy was taken away from the nurturing program, and the staff who had cared for him were left to wonder what had become of him. But when Billy was 12 years old, God’s love drew him back to the church, where he quickly learned to love participating in the youth group. The seeds of love and hope planted in Billy as a preschooler grew and blossomed in time. Read more about Billy: Update Vol 13 / No 4

Yia was one of the “lost boys” of Laos—street kids relegated to begging, hustling, or stealing to survive. Although given a coveted spot in the Street Kids Center, which cares for, feeds, clothes, and gives study opportunities to kids like him, Yia resisted. He eventually changed his mind, but he would run away at bath time. He chafed at the structure and had difficulty fitting in socially and academically, finally going back to the streets and a life of drugs and petty crime. Boys like Yia make the heart heavy—the one who “got away.” But before leaving the program, Yia brought two friends—Ying and Guah—to the Street Kids Center. Although the program was at full capacity, Yia pleaded persuasively on behalf of Ying and Guah. Although the streets swallowed up Yia, he was instrumental in securing a better life for Ying and Guah. Read more about Yia: Update Vol 20 / No 2

Grace came to Happy Horizons Children’s Ranch (Philippines) after years of abuse. Because she had been forced to drop out of school to care for her younger siblings, Grace was 24 when she graduated high school from Happy Horizons Academy. At the time, the honors student wrote: “My eager desire is to educate children in God’s way, not just teaching them to read and write. As I journey toward the fulfillment of my dreams, I need your prayers that I may live worthy of God’s calling. My success is yours too. What I am today is because of you.” 

After graduation, Grace made some poor choices and strayed from her intended path. But neither Happy Horizons nor God ever gave up on Grace, and she is now fulfilling the dream God placed in her heart as a teacher at Happy Horizons Academy. Your generous gifts can change lives forever.

Read more about Grace: Update Vol 17 / No 2