by ChildHope President Mary Kathleen Mahon
“Back to school.”
That simple phrase can spark so many emotions …
… And this year “back to school” has taken on new meaning as we emerge from the pandemic.
Our schools have done an incredible job educating the students throughout the pandemic. In most cases they have done a better job than the public schools. That is because our teachers and directors are called by God to transform the lives of those precious children.
One example is Michael and his teacher, Brenda.
Recently I met third grader Michael at one of our ChildHope schools. Before coming to us, he attended another school where he was bullied. It was so painful for Michael that he became withdrawn and depressed. His mother watched as her little boy turned into a different child, and it broke her heart.
When she heard about a school based on Christian principles that expressed the love of God in tangible ways, she decided it was time for a change and enrolled Michael in the ChildHope school in Los Guido in Costa Rica.
At his ChildHope school, Michael learned about God’s love and experienced that love through his teacher, Brenda. He was able to overcome the hurt caused by the previous bullying. His teacher helped him learn how to trust again, and now he has lots of friends! Michael is thriving.
At Michael’s previous school, the thought of “back to school” brought him anxiety and pain … but now that phrase fills him with joy and hope!
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
This pandemic has hindered the children for too long … we are ready for things to get back to normal! Please pray for each country we serve, that the pandemic spread will subside so we can receive all our students back to school in person.
