Child sponsorship is the heartbeat of Living Water Adopt-A-Child and we’re overjoyed when one of our sponsored children goes on to make a powerful impact in our world. Thank you to our faithful supporters who are helping us make a kingdom difference in the lives of thousands of children.
We hope you enjoy this moving testimonial from Angel Gabriel, a former sponsored child from our Guatemala program:
“My name is Angel Gabriel, and I was born in Zacualpa, Guatemala, in 1988. I have two sisters and two brothers, and we all grew up with our grandmother because my parents separated when I was only three and went to live in the USA, where they each established another family.
“During my childhood, I was a shy and sad boy because relationships with the people I loved most were broken, which created confusion in my life.”
“I thank God for my grandmother’s life because she took the responsibility of raising my siblings and me. It was very difficult for her, and we lived in poverty for many years, often with little or nothing to eat.
“My grandma heard about Living Water Ministry and registered me in the feeding program in Zacualpa when I was nine. The feeding program days were the best days for us because we could receive a delicious plate of food and afterward I had fun with the games and learned about God.
“Sadly, I started using drugs when I was eleven and fell into a world of rebellion and drugs. I joined a youth gang because I thought I could fill the void and relieve the sadness I felt at not having my parents with me. Those were difficult years because I abandoned my studies due to the drugs, getting involved in fights, problems and drunkenness, and almost died when I was seventeen due to a cocaine overdose. After my stay in the hospital, I reflected for several days and finally realized that the drugs were never going to fill the void I felt or solve my problems.
“I finally understood that the only one who could fill this void was God. I decided to leave the drugs and the gang, even though it was not easy for me.”
“When I was eighteen, I met my wife, Teresa, and we have a wonderful son, who now attends the Zacualpa feeding program. I attended Liberty Church in Zacualpa and finally accepted Jesus as my personal Savior when I was nineteen. I am now blessed to be part of the Living Water Adopt-A-Child team, in charge of The Blessing Fields Project, which provides produce for the programs and community and training for young people. At my church, I am part of the leadership, serving as a deacon. All that I lived through in my childhood and adolescence led me to start a radio show called ‘Conección Juvenil’ (Youth Connection) on a radio station in my town, preaching God’s Word and helping teenagers and young people who are passing through situations similar to my experiences. Now I am happy with my family and serving God.”
Today, we’re humbled and grateful to say that we’re caring for a record number of children in Guatemala and Albania, despite the global pandemic. Yet, more than 3,000 children are still waiting to receive the life-changing gift of sponsorship.
When you give the gift of sponsorship, a child receives nutritional meals, medical and dental care, and pastoral care… all in the name of Jesus. Please prayerfully consider joining us in our mission to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to care for “the least of these.”
