In the northwest corner of Arkansas, we met in English II, taught by Brad Gambil. We found love, shared dreams, and a shared calling that would take us on an extraordinary journey. We were first-generation college students who had personally experienced the profound impact of mentorship. Throughout our educational journeys, we were inspired and guided by teachers, pastors, friends, and professors who believed in our potential. These experiences left a mark on our hearts and instilled in them a deep desire to pay it forward; to build a legacy of empowering students.
Once married, we embarked on a new adventure together. We moved to Honduras, a place where we saw an opportunity to make a difference. Little did we know that our faith, passion for education, and commitment to empowering others would soon lead to the creation of something truly remarkable.
It was during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic that our journey took a significant turn. We crossed paths with Juan, one of Austin's students who needed a lifeline. Juan Lorenzo was from a remote town, a grueling 5 to 6 hours away from school. The school had gone online, and he didn't have access to a computer or the resources to continue school, let alone what he needed to succeed.
Without hesitation, we opened our hearts and our home to Juan. We became his mentors, his providers, and his unwavering support system. Through fundraising efforts and our own commitment, we bought Juan a computer and taught him the skills he needed to thrive in this new educational landscape.
The transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Juan, once an average student, became an overachiever, a shining example of what could happen when someone believes in your potential. He began to dream bigger, to see a brighter future for himself.
It was a revelation for us. We realized that all it took was someone to love, support, and believe in a student's potential and provide them with the necessary resources. We knew that we wanted to use our passion for education to help more students like Juan.
We began with small projects, opening our house to students in their community and providing access to the internet and computers with the help of sponsors and friends. Soon, we expanded our efforts, conducting workshops and even providing food baskets for the community. God used acts of love and kindness through us, and our influence in the community grew stronger.
As we lived out our faith, people grew closer to us, and we found more opportunities to share our faith and passion for education. Our desire to make a more significant impact led us to create Sembrando Esperanza, also known as Sow Hope. Their organization's mission was clear: to plant seeds of hope and empower teachers, students, schools, and communities to build a brighter future and reach more communities.
We firmly believe in the words of John Joseph Powell, who once said, "It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being." We see their calling as mirrors of God's love, reflecting the value and potential that lies within every individual we serve.
With Sembrando Esperanza, we are striving to sow the seeds of hope and empower others to see the reflection of their own worth and potential, guided by our unwavering faith in God’s goodness and our commitment to education.