Sponsor Testimonials

Ted Smith’s Story
Sponsor of five-year-old Miguel

For several weeks after I made the decision to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, I would awaken at around 2 a.m. and ask myself, “Are you crazy? What makes you think you are qualified to make the trip and what in the world do you have to offer?” But at the first orphan’s home we visited, I was one of the first to reach the front door. Standing in the doorway were two little boys with outstretched arms. I reached down and picked up both little boys and just held them. At that moment, I realized that God knew exactly what He was doing. He had sent me to the right place and I had arrived at His designated time.

One morning of the trip, my pastor and several of us visited a Dominican home. What we found there was heartbreaking. We found a 21-year-old young man and four boys, ages five years to maybe 13 or 14. The young man had taken his four nephews in after their father had died, or been killed, and their mother had abandoned them. The back room of their original two-room house had been blown away by a storm and the rubble from the storm was still in the very small back yard. We loaded the uncle and his nephews into the van and drove to LaSerena, a store similar to our Wal-Mart. There we purchased school clothes, including shoes for each one, backpacks, school supplies, and enough food to last them for about three weeks. The uncle said he did not need anything but just wanted food for the boys. After several minutes of persuasion, he agreed to let us buy him a pair of new shoes. Throughout this shopping time the little five-year-old boy sat perfectly still in my shopping cart. He soon stole my heart and became my little friend without uttering a sound or even smiling. After the shopping was completed, we purchased lunch for this young family. One of the ladies encouraged my little friend to eat and after just a few bites, his expression changed and he began to smile. 
 
When I returned home from the mission trip, I could not get this little boy out of my mind. My thoughts and prayers were still with him. I emailed Joanna Berry, our contact person at South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, to inquire if this little boy had a sponsor. She immediately replied that he did not. God, in all his glory, has made it possible for me to become a sponsor for this newly acquired little friend by sending a small check of just $30 each month for his support. We are requested, as a sponsor, to provide support until the child is 18 years old. I don't have that many years left to see Miguel Angel Concepcion reach his 18th birthday. But I believe that someone will step forward when that time comes and continue to sponsor him. 
 
When people ask me what impact the mission trip had on my life, I just say that I’ve told my pastor, “My suitcase is partly packed. Next year when it is time for you to return, please don't leave without me.”

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