Adriana and Itzel both grew up with difficult home lives but everything changed for them when they joined Trigo y Miel, Forward Edge’s program in Oaxaca, Mexico. As children, they didn’t have many material possessions, but because of the program they were privileged to hear about God’s love regularly. They also were given the opportunity to graduate high school and attend college. All while receiving letters of encouragement from their sponsors, reminding them of their value and God’s amazing plan for them. In short, they received the three elements of all Forward Edge programs that directly contribute to transforming the lives and futures of children.
Ever since she was little, Adriana had a very difficult life. Her father died in an accident when she was 7 years old, and she quickly became the caretaker for her sister and soon after another baby sister. Her mother was unable to care for them as she battled depression and was looking for a job.
At age 10, Adriana’s mom left a toxic relationship with a man, and the family moved to the community where Trigo y Miel is located. Here Adriana heard about God and began attending the youth meetings. She and her mother later accepted Jesus as their Savior!
She will begin college this August, and is the first woman in her family to study for a degree. She is planning to get her Bachelors of Education in hopes of becoming a teacher. “I want to be an example for my younger sisters,” Adriana explains. “That inspires me. In Trigo y Miel, Pastor Victor and Lety inspire me to succeed in my life.”
Itzel has been a part of the Trigo y Miel program for a long time. Her family used to live in a rented two-room house with an outdoor kitchen and bathroom, but thanks to Operation Enduring Homes (a ministry of Forward Edge), they now have their own home with indoor plumbing and running water.
Itzel’s father is a school teacher in a small village, and is often gone for weeks at a time. He has children from a previous relationship and half of his salary goes to support them. Itzel misses having him around.
She went through the scholarship program, and while there, received Jesus as her Savior and was baptized! She now attends the weekly discipleship program and is in her last semester of college studying to receive her Bachelors of Education.
Despite the hardships Adriana and Itzel have faced, it’s remarkable to see the joy they have as they serve and give back to their community. After being discipled and invested in, they now choose to be active and engaged in the community that poured so much into them.
Currently, Adriana is helping the Child Sponsorship Coordinator, Raquel, with her duties. They help the children write letters, update photos, complete assessments, and much more. Raquel shared, “Adriana is a very hard working girl. She is very responsible and tries to get things done she needs to do. Her help has been very good to me as she is very dedicated to getting the job done.”
Itzel is now a 1st grade teacher. The Director of Siloé School, Julian, shared: “She has had quite significant achievements as a teacher, as she has managed to get all her students to learn to read and write. Itzel not only teaches reading and writing, as a teacher she teaches all subjects, such as Spanish, Mathematics, Science and Values. Itzel can understand firsthand the importance of education for the children of Trigo y Miel and how it transforms people’s lives.”
What a delight to see these girls who were once in the sponsorship program now working at the program in different capacities. Having their lives changed by three important elements of Forward Edge programs—exposure to God’s love, education, and the support and encouragement of sponsors—they now want to equip and enrich the lives of those around them.
In what ways have our lives been transformed by God? How might He be calling us to invest back into the lives of others?
“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do
As a child sponsor for over 3 decades, and now as the Child Sponsorship Administrator for Forward Edge, I am often asked (and challenged myself) about how to best communicate with a sponsored child. In almost all cases, the children we sponsor live in other countries. We do live in
A special message from our Program Directors in Mexico, Victor and Lety Velasco: Hola and Feliz Navidad from Forward Edge and our program down here in Oaxaca, Mexico. We want to tell you a story of the impact you’re making. One of the first families to join our program 10
In his book, “Empowering Children”, former Forward Edge board member, Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, shares the importance of involving children in the process of their own development. When a community invests its resources in its children, it invests in its own future. Just as Forward Edge values all children and believes
5 yrs. old
Entered the program: November 2023
Mary lives with her mother and big brother in a five-room mud house. They have electricity, an outdoor kitchen and a latrine in good condition. They use firewood for cooking and fetch water from a borehole.
Mary’s father passed away and a friend gave them a house to live in temporarily. Her mother is a casual laborer who struggles to make ends meet.
