Journal by Andrew Brownback
As I spend a few minutes and think back to this past week the phrase that comes to mind is life-change. I cannot begin to describe the amount of work and hope that Giving it Back to Kids provides for families in Cambodia and Vietnam.
As we approached the home in Cambodia, we were immediately greeted by 15 of the smartest, kindest, and best girls I’ve met. You could tell that these girls were blessed to be part of such an amazing home. And then, when I got the chance to talk to these girls their stories simultaneously broke my heart and filled me with such inspiration. I heard story after story of girls who had the deck stacked against them, they grew up in poor single parent homes, were teased or bullied in school- where pressured to drop out of school, some of these girls faced abuse and trauma that I cannot even fathom.
But in each story, there was a turning point, when they were introduced to Giving it Back to kids- They received a place to live, meals, they were given a message of love and hope, and ultimately each of these girls now dream BIG because of what they were given. They each want to be doctors, or pilots, or police officers, because they know that they have a purpose on this earth, they know they matter.
When we got to Vietnam, I was so impressed with the amount of kids Giving it back to kids is currently working with. On our final evening we sat with over 60 students who work incredibly hard at school, and also are passionate to helping each other succeed. It is so refreshing to see so many kids and students work so hard. On top of that, the staff and teachers in Vietnam are passionate about giving each kid a maximum opportunity to succeed in life. It is incredibly inspirational.
After 7 days of hearing stories like these and seeing kids and families who have been so transformed, I cannot help but be so encouraged about what God is doing and the life change that is taking place.
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