A Christmas Blessing

By 7017444915 December 23, 2025
For the entire beginning of his life, Luke lived life on the floor. We met him on our fourth distribution day in Kenya. His arrival at the site was quiet, but his story spoke volumes. Luke, 11, lives with cerebral palsy. Before he was brought to a children’s home for the disabled, he had endured years of neglect. He was tied up, unable to move around, and kept inside his home so his disability would remain hidden. When they found him, he was emaciated, in constant pain, and X-rays revealed a broken hip that had gone untreated for years. His caregiver, Don, brought Luke to our distribution site for the first wheelchair he has ever owned. Fitting his chair took more than two hours, but Luke smiled through every moment of it. He seemed to understand that his world was opening up for the first time. During the fitting, one of our team members stayed by Luke’s side, comforting him. She shared, “I spent a lot of time with him, praying and singing and just stroking the side of his face. And I think that’s one of the things that really got me, I don’t think he’s had much human contact. He would just lean into me, wanting me to keep going, and he grabbed at my hands like he didn’t want to let go.” Every wheelchair you help provide becomes a turning point - a chance for a child to sit upright for the first time, attend school, join their peers, or simply experience life beyond the walls where they were once hidden. For Luke, it meant being seen, supported, and cared for in ways he had never known. This Christmas season, you can give the gift of mobility and change a life forever. Your support ensures that the most vulnerable are not forgotten and brings dignity and hope to children who have endured far too much. Luke is not alone — children like him are waiting across the world. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 You can change a life today. Every gift brings light into the darkness and gives children like Luke a future filled with possibility. Thank you for giving children like Luke, and so many others, a chance at dignity and hope. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as we continue our mission to serve and uplift those in need.
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This year at Christmastime Brody Lauritsen had a unique idea to help spread holiday cheer. Brody’s mother Nicole works with Hope Haven’s My Day program in Estherville Iowa and that connection got Brody thinking about the children that Hope Havens serves at nearby Faith Hope & Charity (FHC) in Storm Lake Iowa.

With some help from his family Brody obtained and wrapped 108 Christmas gifts for the children at FHC – four presents for each child served at this location.

Hope Haven Spiritual Associate Jim Hudzinski recounts “I have the joy of spending time with Hope Haven’s My Day groups in the Iowa Lakes Corridor and this month we had decided to write notes and create handmade Christmas ornaments for the kids served by Hope Haven at Faith Hope and Charity (FHC) in Storm Lake. When Nicole “Nikki” Lauritsen (My Day staff member) let me know that her son Brody wanted to get gifts for the kids at FHC I couldn’t have felt more grateful.”

“Brody said that he so glad to make sure the kids have a Merry Christmas ” remarks Brody’s mom Nicole.

FHC is licensed as an ICF/ID (Intermediate Care Facility for individuals with Intellectual Disability) home for children ages 2-21. ICF/ID is a 24 hour a day total care service providing housing meals activities nursing recreation skill building community interaction and many other services needed by the children served.

“I was so impressed by this young man ” adds Hudzinski.  “What Brody did was an incredibly generous gesture and one that truly exemplifies what it looks like to give of oneself to others.” 

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