Many sponsors dream of visiting their sponsored child; for most, it remains just that—a dream. But for the Hall family, that dream became a beautiful reality as they traveled to the Philippines to visit their sponsored child, Adrian.
The journey was less about crossing a geographical divide and more about bridging a deeply emotional one, uniting their worlds through the power of empathy and connection. Their story highlights how profoundly your prayers and Child Sponsorship impacts the lives of children and their families.
Traveling to a remote village in the Philippines to meet Adrian
The Hall Family (Jeanae, Jeremy, and their children) started sponsoring a young boy named Adrian in 2018 when he was 10. Today, Adrian is 16 and lives in the remote Bigte community, three hours northeast of Manila in the Philippines.
The Hall family’s sponsorship journey with FH began because they wanted their kids to understand more about the world. Jeanae and Jeremy wanted to expose their children to diverse cultures and realities of other children their own age while cultivating a lifestyle of prayer and generosity for others.
They considered the possibility of visiting and spending time with their sponsored child and his family at some point in the future. In time, that future became a reality when the opportunity arrived for them to travel to meet Adrian face-to-face — a wish come true.
An unforgettable experience for the Hall family
Through the journey to reach Adrian, the Hall family got a glimpse into his life and challenges. Since his community is so isolated, the ride was bumpy, and the road was still being built. Jeremy shares, “I was shocked they lived so remotely. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to get to the village where Adrian lives.” However, they made it and were welcomed into his home and life with love and grace.
“It was eye-opening,” Jeanae shares. “We could see how much love the community had for the Lord. The whole experience was a true gift, and we’re grateful for it. God places a love in your heart for these people through prayer, and then to get to meet Adrian and his family, it was full of the goodness of God.”
Their time with Adrian and his family not only revealed the tangible effects of their sponsorship support but also deepened their connection to Adrian and his community.
Adrian lives with his parents, grandparents, cousin, and little brother. His parents are trying to save money to build onto the grandparents’ home, and his mother cooks and sells food on the street at a street stall to help. “They made us a fresh meal when we arrived,” Jeanae recalls. “Adrian was timid at first, but sweet and kind and began to soon open up.”
“We learned about his hopes and dreams and his interests in computers and anime. Though we had a translator to help us communicate, the connection emotionally went beyond any language barrier. Before our visit, we felt like we had a glimpse into who Adrian was and what his life was like. But now, after visiting, we have a much fuller picture. We loved hearing about his desires and encouraging him throughout our time there that the Lord has big plans for his life.”
There is a bond beyond words between the two families
Though there was a language barrier, their bond through years of letters and prayers was strong, making their meeting feel like a family reunion. Jeanae says, “One thing that surprised and encouraged us was how curious Adrian was about us, how he asked questions and was just as eager to learn about us as we were excited to know more about him. It was also really encouraging to see the relationship the FH staff had with Adrian. It was evident that they knew Adrian, and had a relationship with him and his family.”
Jeanae shares that a highlight for her was “the connection with Adrian’s mom, the look in her eyes when we met. It was a moment of one mother’s heart to another. It was evident she loves her son, and we do, too. The feeling was indescribable, an outpouring of God’s love and kindness that is hard to put into words.”
The experience really impacted the Hall’s son, too. She shares, “He got to see firsthand what life was like for Adrian. He played with children in the community. Before we left, he had to wash his hands, but there was no running water in the home, so he washed his hands with water from a jug. After our visit, we helped him process the reality that not all homes have running water, and it’s part of why we sponsor. We also talked about what we experienced, how we felt welcomed, and the love and joy we saw between Adrian and his family.”
How sponsorship transforms a child… his family… his community…
The Hall’s experience reinforced their commitment to supporting Adrian’s well-being and growth. They saw firsthand how Child Sponsorship impacted Adrian’s life. They were reminded that sponsors get to not just support but play an active role in the life story of their sponsored child to help them reach a brighter future.
Though not all sponsors will visit the children they sponsor in person, if you are considering visiting, we pray you can see the power in the experience for all involved. For sponsors unable to visit or those considering sponsoring a child for the first time, you can profoundly change a sponsored child’s life through your monthly support, sharing messages, and praying for them.
If you’d like to learn more about sponsoring a child, go to the sponsorship page. If you are considering visiting your sponsored child, find out more in the FAQs. You can also call us at 866-307-3259 or email sponsorvisits@fh.org to start planning your visit now.
