“I get out of bed and put on my KIDS HOPE t-shirt. It is red. I go to the school to meet with my child and see more people in red shirts all there for the same reason, to love on a little child and hopefully make a difference in the life of that child. To show them that people care. To show them we will always be there. I sometimes pretend that I am happy just to keep up appearances. But after an hour with the child I mentor, my smile is genuine. My child teaches me what true love looks like. My heart began this process of mentoring heavily guarded. But it did not take long for this child to break down those walls. I am so grateful for the opportunity to know that I can make a difference, if only for a little while. I learned I have what it takes to love a child. I have learned how to celebrate the small things and that showing up is so powerful. It seems so easy but for a child whose parent’s do not show up for an event it means the world when their mentor shows up.
Sometimes, as I leave the school, my heart is overwhelmed and the sidewalk is blurred by my tears. My heart is just so full of joy that I have this opportunity. Other times they are tears of sorrow as my heart breaks over some of the tragic stories of the children’s lives. Sometimes, I look into the child’s eyes and see my own pain mirrored there. It is then that I realize healing is occurring for I am doing for this child what I always wanted someone to do for me- listen, so simple yet so powerful.
I’m so glad I can put on my red shirt once a week. I am proud to be associated with KIDS HOPE USA.”
This testimony was submitted by our friends at First Baptist Church of Pekin in Mapleton, IL.