The room was quiet with the exception of the clicking of keyboard keys. Ricardo, a newly hired teacher at the Community Center in Tres Reyes, walked behind the three students as they worked on their computers. The teens were focused and working hard, and this made Ricardo smile. Recently, Iram, Angel, and Rubi, three teens… Read more
Stephen, a tutor at Igmin Kibe Education Center in Jos, Nigeria, watched the young man come around the corner. His hair was neatly cut, his school uniform freshly pressed, new socks and shoes on his feet, and a bright smile lit up his face. “Yusuf, you are looking so good these days! What’s your secret?”… Read more
Christmas Is… A Nigerian daughter, reading to her widowed mom the Christmas story in English, having been prepared for a future in the village education center. A Nigerian boy, who this year will receive a personal gift in a home aptly named Destiny. An Indian child, who feels for the first time she has a… Read more
Monestime raised his hand quickly as Jimmy Francois finished his question. Jimmy, Back2Back staff, called on Monestime and smiled as he provided the correct answer. He asked a second question and when another child from Harvest Care Children’s Home answered correctly, Monestime smiled encouragingly at them. Monestime and the other children at Harvest Care Children’s… Read more
Jatin’s* cry pierced the quiet night. The small boy ran for the door, but Rajini, his caregiver, patted his back softly, comforting the young boy’s unknown hurts. As his loud cries turned to small hiccups, Rajini led him back to his bed, praying he would find comfort and connection in his new home. In July… Read more
She was just not born to be a mom. I remember the first time I heard the words spoken. I couldn’t have known then just how much they would build up walls between my life and God’s plan. In that moment, I simply felt hurt, but it was only the beginning of spiritual attack. I… Read more
She walks shyly out of her room in a grey dress, looking at her feet more than at the people waiting for her. She sits down, a soft smile brightening her face. The audience coos over her dress, praising her workmanship. She touches clothing on the table softly, drawing her finger along the seam she… Read more
Jèsus handed his drawing to Ximena Zarate, Back2Back Cancun Staff, as he walked out of the room. She looked down at the page and saw Diego* written at the top. “Jèsus?” she called after him. He turned around and looked directly at her, “I want to be called Diego.” She made a mental note and smiled at him…. Read more
“Here, sister.” “Try to hit this one, sister.” “There you go!” “You did it!” Expressions of encouragement and gentle instruction could be heard all around the team house on India Hope Campus. Large Carrom boards were on the marbled floor, groups of four circled around them. Carrom, a ‘strike and pocket’ game of Eastern origin,… Read more
It is a beautiful day in Monterrey, Mexico. The atmosphere at the Back2Back Campus is busy, Hope Program students playing soccer on the field, staff members gathering for a recap of the day, and visiting mission guests finishing up dinner. The bustle of the campus is pierced with the sound of a ringing bell. Everyone… Read more