A Faithful Walk
As a Hope Zone Manager, I’ve had the opportunity to walk closely with many of the mothers in our community. When the One Meal program first began, it was clear why many of them came. It met a real and immediate need. For families facing daily uncertainty around food, that kind of support matters and you go where provision is.
But over time, I started to notice something changing. What began as a practical decision became more intentional, and their motivation shifted. Many of the mothers began expressing a deeper desire for their children to grow up with strong values, understand God, and carry those truths into their lives. The program was no longer just about a meal, but a place where they saw something meaningful taking root.
What makes this even more significant is what it takes for them to be there.
Many of these women live in the remote mountains. To attend, they walk about 45 minutes each way. It’s not an easy journey or a one-time effort. It’s something they choose to do again and again. And what has stayed with me the most is that often the people who live the farthest away are the ones most committed to coming. That kind of faithfulness makes you stop and pay attention.
One story that has stayed with me is an aunt who brings her nephew to StoryClub every week. Even with the long distance and the challenges of getting there, she never misses. She knows how much he loves being part of it, and she has made it a priority to keep showing up for him.
After the boy’s parents left, she took on the responsibility of raising him and helping guide him toward a better future. When he first started attending, he was extremely withdrawn. He barely spoke or interacted with anyone. But little by little, I watched him begin to change.
Now he participates eagerly in activities, engages with the other children, and carries a joy that wasn’t there before.
What impacts me just as much as his transformation is watching his aunt. You can see the pride and love in her eyes every time she looks at him. The journey there is difficult, but nothing stops her from being present and supporting him. Her consistency has become a picture of genuine love, choosing to stay, invest, and walk alongside a child no matter how hard the road may be.
This aunt’s example has challenged me personally as well. When someone truly loves with commitment and purpose, excuses begin to lose their power. Despite every obstacle, she continues to be present for her nephew’s well-being and future. Her perseverance is a reminder that the things we do with love and faithfulness are always worth continuing.
It reminds me that something deeper is happening here. It is something beyond physical need. There is a real desire for children to grow up differently, rooted in faith, values, and hope for the future.
Witnessing this commitment has also strengthened my own faith. It reminds me that God is still transforming hearts, even in places that may seem distant or overlooked. Distance and difficulty do not limit Him.
Seeing lives changed in these quiet but meaningful ways encourages me not to grow discouraged or stop doing what God has placed on my heart. There are still many people who need to know Him, and sometimes transformation begins with something as simple as continuing to show up.
Moments like this shift how I see the work. It’s not just about programs but about people choosing, step by step, to invest in something they believe will last.
It also brings to mind the [Bible] verse about being witnesses to the ends of the earth. Sometimes that idea can feel distant or abstract, but here it feels very real. You can see it in the small, steady decisions these caregivers make every week.
For me, this is what I would call a “PAYDAY”… not because of something big or dramatic, but because I get to witness quiet transformation as it happens.
And often, it looks like a long walk up a mountain, made faithfully, again and again.
As a Hope Zone Manager, Juleisi serves with a deep passion for helping children and families experience God’s love in a real and personal way. She is committed to seeing communities flourish, believing that every child and family is deeply valued by God. Whether walking alongside local leaders, encouraging families, or supporting children in their faith journey, Juleisi finds joy in sharing the hope and love of Christ.