By Mary

Exactly nine years ago, I met Restoring Hope children for the first time.

I had the pure joy of serving onsite with Restoring Hope, and all these years later, I can still see the smile of these children and remember the sounds of their laughter so clearly.

My team helped facilitate several summer camps for Restoring Hope children over the course of a month. These summer camps (now called “Summer Celebrations”) were much anticipated for all Restoring Hope children, often what they looked forward to all year long.

From the youngest child to the oldest adult, camp was enjoyed to the fullest and filled with purpose.

The theme for our camps in 2014 was The Kingdom of God, and our games, development activities and devotionals were centered around Matthew 19:14 — Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.

It is still so sweet to reflect on my time nine years later, and in doing so, wanted to share part of the journal I wrote during this trip in May 2014:

We are finishing up our fifth camp for Restoring Hope… What a blast it has been. I feel like I have gained so many little brothers and sisters! You can see hope so clearly in all of their eyes. The stories of what each of these children have walked through are heavy, but you’d never know they were once orphaned by meeting them. Their hearts are so pure, and their joy runs deep. Restoring Hope truly is changing the trajectory of their lives.

I saw firsthand that what these kids experience through Restoring Hope is nothing short of transformational.

I knew I wanted to be part of this vision however I could.