“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” — Ephesians 3:16-17
When David Michael was just three years old, his life changed in a matter of days.
First, his younger brother died during childbirth. Just two days later, his mother passed away from a disease affecting her spleen. Treatment was available, but the family could not afford the $100 needed to save her life.
Suddenly, David’s father was left to raise six children on his own.
“Life was actually hard because I lost my mom,” David remembers. “It was difficult for my father to care for all of us.”
When David was eight, the family eventually left Khartoum (the capital of Sudan) and settled in South Sudan, where David Michael’s father found work as a nurse. Although he had his family, David was at high risk of being exploited through child labor — a reality facing nearly two-thirds (64%) of children aged 5 to 17 in South Sudan, including forced labor, trafficking, and armed recruitment. Children not in school and living in poverty are often the most vulnerable.
However, God had a different plan for David who was welcomed into LUV’s program, where he received an education for the first time. Through your support, he also received nutritious meals, medical care, and the comfort of a loving community.
“I was not studying by then,” David said. “So coming here, I am having now some hope for my future…. It has been a transformative and serendipitous experience in my life.”
David still remembers arriving at HFSS for the first time.
“I came here at night, which is dark, related to darkness,” he explained. “But when I’m leaving this place, I will be going in broad daylight.”
Over the years, the seeds planted in David Michael’s life began to take root.
David discovered gifts he never knew he had. He learned English, developed a passion for science, grew in faith, and he began discovering not only what he wanted for his own future, but how he could use his life to serve others.
Today, David is pursuing a diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology through a LUV scholarship. He is also a writer, actor, preacher, and mentor to younger students in LUV’s network.
David goes above and beyond to nurture and inspire the generation coming behind him.
Watch him share his thanks for you and the long list of ways he’s impacting others here:
That is how deep roots produce new growth.
When you invest in a vulnerable child, that impact can grow far beyond one life. Education becomes an opportunity. Encouragement builds confidence. And those who were once given hope can grow into leaders who cultivate it in others.
Through your generosity, children across LUV’s network are receiving the opportunity to flourish — and, one day, help others flourish too.
As we look toward the end of the year, you can give more children access to the same opportunities that shaped David Michael into the young leader he is today.
Help the roots of hope grow deeper by starting a monthly gift this holiday season and invest in local changemakers who are making an impact; like:
Interns who have a place to earn income after high school graduation
Support internships for students like John in 2027
Provide a scholarship to an alumni pursuing their dreams
Through December 31, a generous donor is matching every gift, dollar for dollar, up to $250,000. Plus, if you start a monthly gift before the end of the year, your giving for the entire year will be matched dollar for dollar — doubling your impact through 2027!
Your gift can go twice as far to protect vulnerable children, equip local leaders, and invest in a strong future.
Together, we are Rooted in Hope — cultivating leaders today who will help hope flourish for generations to come.