A Life Impacted by HOPE Gives Back

Eder and his daughter Sofia

The last two years, we've had the privilege of having a student from one of our sites serve as the photographer at our fundraising events. Eder lives in North Richland Hills with his daugher and is a student at Cross Church North Richland Hills ESL. He later started attending the church services and his life was changed forever. He has also gained an excellent command of English as you can see from his own words of how God has used HOPE Literacy to change his life.

It has truly been an honor to support the event this year.

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”  Luke 6:43–45

I am certain that Hope Literacy has transformed the lives of many people, myself included. Through this program, many people have had the chance to learn English to improve their lives and, at the same time, to encounter the Lord in a meaningful way.

This experience (my second year now) has allowed me to meet wonderful people with sincere hearts, people who do not see skin color, background, or circumstances, but simply see a human being with virtues and imperfections. For many of us, leaving our home countries was a painful but necessary step to build a better life and secure a better future for our children. Finding the gospel, a welcoming church, and the opportunity to grow in Christ has brought profound improvement to our lives.

We are living in challenging times. Many immigrants feel judged or rejected because of the way we look or the language we speak. Yet I am continually reminded that the heart of Christ calls us to unity and compassion, even in moments when the world is divided. The way ministries serve others across borders is a beautiful reminder that God’s love has no boundaries, and that same grace encourages immigrants like me to keep going. It is a blessing to meet people and organizations who choose love first and who see the dignity God placed in every person.

For that reason, I want to thank Hope Literacy for extending help to those who genuinely need it. Your work brings encouragement, dignity, and opportunity to many lives. It is a testimony to what happens when faith guides our actions.

On a personal note, I often call my daughter by her nickname, Hope. She is the reason I keep going every day. Even her name reminds me of what this program represents: light, opportunity, and a reason not to give up."

-Eder Fajardo

If you would like to support Eder's photography business, you may contact him on his Facebook page.