Luis has a personality much like my grandson Luc. I appreciate my grandson’s commitment to sponsor Luis in school. I believe God has a special future of success for Luis, a good young boy from a mountain village. I love him like he is another grandson of mine.
Have you ever felt your heart squeezed? Since the earthquake in Haiti in early 2010, the hearts of people have been squeezed to do everything they can to help Haiti recover. Thank God Haiti is recovering. My three sons encouraged me to stay focused to help them in Haiti’s recovery.
Meanwhile, hundreds of children in the Dominican Republic have been waiting for sponsorship, while more are waiting to be registered. Our new high school that opened last year will open a second high school session this August—adding 150 additional students. I believe God squeezed the heart of my son, Tim, when he said to me, “Mother, I’m going to help you find sponsors.”
On April 10, Tim’s son Luc turned 13 years old. Nonna, as my grandchildren call me, has not been able to attend many birthday parties of my 10 grandchildren. I can only remember one birthday party with Luc when we happened to be passing through Orlando for a speaking engagement. Tim emailed to tell me he was sponsoring a 13-yearold boy from the Dominican Republic as a birthday gift for his son.
Students at our school in Sosua. Carlos Perez, seated in front, is loved and sponsored by Pastors John and Jen Tether of Queensbury, NY.
Monday morning could not come quickly enough for me to find Luc’s sponsored boy. I had a new calculator and some fine pens to give to Luc’s boy. I found Luis—and he had the same gentle, tender, loving spirit as Luc. I could feel his lean frame as I hugged him, and I felt like I found a new grandson.
Students at our school in Bombita. After holding school in a tent for six years, I believe we’ll see a school built, as God cares deeply for the children.
I apologized to Luis for the little gift, and he melted me with what he said: “Not important at all; it is your love for me that is important to me.” I never wanted to stop embracing Luis, as I loved him with words and a prayer. Luis is the son of a single mother from the mountains, and his mother has been working for the owners of the condo community where I live. I love this new sponsored boy, Luis, like a gift of another grandson.
My son Tim has found over 30 sponsors for children in the Dominican Republic. I have hundreds waiting—in addition to the 150 coming to the second high school session. I ask God to squeeze your heart to help change the life of an innocent, precious child just like Luis.
Students in the new high school at New Life School. In August we will open a second session of high school, and 150 students will have an education they never imagined. All 150 children are awaiting sponsors.
~Jeanne DeTellis O’Connor
