A Lasting Impact

May 11, 2022

Working with new missions around the world is always exciting, but getting to go back and revisit the people and missions I love time and time again is by far my favorite. I love getting to see the growth whether it is the mission as a whole or in someone I have met along the way. On my very first trip to Zimbabwe with Hippo Valley Christian Mission, I met a little boy at the orphanage who made a lasting impression.

The little boy was about three or four at the time and had started playing with some sort of circular component from a tiny broken headphone. We started playing a game with his makeshift toy and he followed me around the rest of our visit. Since then, I have visited with him and taken a picture on every single trip because I love getting to see his growth. That tiny, shy boy is getting so tall and gaining so much confidence! My recent trip was even more special as I got to see how IDES made a huge impact on his life and on all the other children and staff at the orphanage. 

Through an IDES grant, the orphanage was able to install a new water system with additional water tanks and I could not believe the difference it made. Previously, the orphanage only had access to town council water for a few hours three or four days a week making it quite difficult to keep up with the needs of more than fifty children. This new water system provides water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are not only able to better care for basic needs but also supply their growing orchard and chicken project. As an added bonus, the grounds are just so much prettier with all the greenery that is now possible! 

It is always hard to say goodbye at the end of a visit, but this time was made a little easier knowing their excitement would continue long after we left. The orphanage administrators would not stop thanking us during our visit, but really their thanks is owed to our generous donors. We could not make this sort of impact without you.