From Fear to Hope

A year ago, Dayana wondered if she would ever see her little girl go to school. Today, Génesis attends Agua Viva, enjoys spending time with her best friends, Danna and Cristian, and dreams of one day becoming a chef—or perhaps even a doctor. For Dayana, a young mother, entrepreneur, and Agua Viva alumna, seeing her daughter thrive at school is an answer to years of prayer and uncertainty.

Génesis’s first year of life was filled with challenges. When she was only one month old, doctors discovered problems with her heart and respiratory system. She spent extended periods in intensive care and had to return to the hospital more than once. God graciously brought Génesis through each of these difficult times, but her early health struggles affected her development. As the years passed, Dayana carried many fears about her daughter’s future. For a long time, she wondered whether Génesis would ever be able to attend school.

Then Dayana remembered the school that had once been part of her own life. As an Agua Viva alumna, she asked whether there might be a place for Génesis. She didn’t know what to expect. Because of her daughter’s health and developmental challenges, Dayana knew that not every school would be prepared to welcome her. When she learned that Génesis could attend Agua Viva, it was a moment of great joy for their family.

School life brought new uncertainties. Would Génesis adjust? Would she be accepted? Would she receive the support she needed? Much to their relief, from her very first day, Génesis and her mother discovered a community ready to walk alongside them. Her teachers, classmates, and other Agua Viva families welcomed and supported her. Her teachers have faithfully encouraged Génesis at each step, while also looking for opportunities to share the Gospel with her and demonstrate the truths of Scripture through both their words and their actions.

Today, Génesis is becoming increasingly independent, and milestones that might seem small to others are occasions for celebration in her family. Getting through a cold without serious complications and standing in front of her classmates to give a presentation are examples of how far she has come. Each new accomplishment is another reason to thank God.

Looking back, Dayana sees the Lord’s faithfulness throughout her family’s journey. She has seen God sustain Génesis through serious health challenges, provide for their needs, and surround them with a community that cares for them. Through Génesis’s scholarship and the daily encouragement of the Agua Viva family, Dayana has been reminded that she is not walking this road alone. What was once a future filled with uncertainty is now filled with hope.

We thank God for the privilege of walking alongside families like Dayana and Génesis. Their story reminds us that Christian education is about far more than what happens in a classroom. It is an opportunity to share the hope of Christ, strengthen families, and invest in children whose lives can be transformed for eternity.

As a donor, you are part of stories like this. Through your prayers and generous giving, you help make it possible for children like Génesis to receive an education in a loving Christian community where they are known, encouraged, and pointed to Jesus.

Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to make disciples of Jesus through education, mentorship, and strengthening families. We are grateful for the part you play in helping children and families move from fear to hope.