Blog Post

HYC Dallas: Kaleigh Sunderlin

Hope Worldwide • Oct 14, 2015

HOPE Youth Corps has a deep spiritual impact. Apart from serving underprivileged communities, every day, the participants hear Bible lessons, have quiet times together, have discipleship groups, and deep spiritual conversations. They share their faith, lead Bible talks, and strive to be more like Jesus.

Again and again, we hear of young people turning their life over to God after attending one of our volunteer trips. Listen to what this young lady, Kaleigh Sunderlin, has to share. She was just baptised earlier this month...

"I've grown up going to church my whole life. I lived in Texas until I was 9 years old. Moving to Illinois was very difficult, having to leave the only friends I'd ever known. I remember crying and praying several nights begging God to move my family back to Texas. Eventually I made some great friends in Illinois, but after getting close to them we had to move again. This time we moved to California. I was super excited when we first moved there because of all the fun things there were to do. I became consumed with so much in the world that I started to lose sight of God. I still participated in all the church functions but only half-heartedly.

I began to pursue my dream of singing and playing piano; I auditioned for Orange County School of the Arts, and began recording songs. My life was all about me; how I looked, what I wore, and what people thought of me.

I had previously applied to go to HYC Dallas because of the changes I'd seen in my brother and my friends. What I didn't know was I'd be moving to Dallas the same summer! I was excited that after 7 years God finally answered my prayers and brought us back to Texas, but this meant I would have to leave my new friends and the lifestyle that I was pursuing.

I had a lot of questions about God, and one day at HYC, I decided just to let it all out, and ask Derik and Leigh Anne Vett for advice. I thought they would just say, read your Bible and pray, but they actually took the time to give me direction on how to pursue a relationship with God.

My experience on HYC and the love of the people in the Dallas Church inspired me to study the Bible. I began to see how much God loves me and sacrificed for me. I fell in love with God's Word and wanted to learn more and more about Him. The more I learned, the more I recognized how much I need God. A little over two months later, through God's grace, I was baptized on October 3rd, 2015. I'm no longer living for myself; now I am living for God. I am so grateful for His unconditional love!"

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Dear HOPE worldwide Community, First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome you have extended to me as the new CEO of HOPE worldwide . It is both an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with this leadership role, and I am excited to embark on this journey with each and every one of you. As I reflect on my life's journey, I am reminded of a pivotal moment that shaped the very essence of who I am today. Losing my mother tragically at the tender age of four taught me the harsh reality of impermanence, of how someone could be there one moment and gone the next. At such a young age, I did not fully understand the concept of death, but what I did understand was the importance of living. James 4:13-15 holds a profound truth that resonates deeply within me: “ Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’” Our time on this earth is fleeting, and the realization of this truth was the spark that awakened a desire in me to truly live and embrace every moment with purpose and passion. I have found my purpose, my calling, in the mission of HOPE worldwide. The work we do here, touching lives and making an impact by loving our neighbors, allows me to live my passion.

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U.S. Secretary of State recognizes HOPE worldwide Clinic in Papua New Guinea

27 Jun, 2023
PRESS RELEASE June 27, 2023 HOPE worldwide , a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, high-impact, community-based services, including critical healthcare services, disaster relief, and education, to underserved communities globally, is proud to announce the recognition received by the Lawes Road Clinic in Papua New Guinea during a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken . This visit highlighted the impactful work carried out by HOPE worldwide global network member, HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea (PNG), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. government’s largest effort to combat HIV. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, Secretary Blinken had the opportunity to tour HOPE worldwide PNG’s Lawes Road Clinic, which is led by HOPE worldwide PNG Country Director Priscilla Sine Mal, and witness firsthand the incredible efforts undertaken by the dedicated team. The clinic's commitment to improving the lives of the local community in various areas, including HIV prevention and treatment, and treatment for victims of violence against women deeply impressed Secretary Blinken. In his remarks, Secretary Blinken expressed his admiration for the clinic's work, stating, "This was a real privilege to be here at the Lawes Road clinic where quite literally our partners are saving lives, changing lives, every single day." The visit showcased the significant impact of HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea’s clinic on the region, highlighting its vital role in providing essential healthcare services to those most in need and who often have the most difficult time getting treatment, in part due to the social stigma often associated with their conditions. The Lawes Road Clinic operates under the auspices of the Presidential Emergency Plan For HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), funded through USAID and implemented in collaboration with FHI 360 and HOPE worldwide . The clinic has been instrumental in providing critical care, support, and testing for HIV/AIDS patients in Papua New Guinea, contributing to the nationwide efforts to combat the disease. This year, PEPFAR celebrates its 20th anniversary, and its 17th year of implementation in Papua New Guinea. HOPE worldwide is honored by the recognition bestowed upon HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea and the Lawes Road Clinic by Secretary Blinken and remains committed to its mission of transforming communities and improving lives through local, volunteer-based initiatives. With the continuous support of partners like USAID and the unwavering dedication of its teams on the ground, HOPE worldwide and its global network of members like HOPE worldwide PNG strive to create a healthier, more resilient future for all.
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