Royermin Timoteo Aguilar Obando isn’t your average 16-year-old. He lives in a small Nicaraguan village called (of all things) Kansas City.

Royermin and his five siblings have been raised by their single mom (Neysi) who washes clothes for neighbors to make ends meet. Though he’s still a teenager, Royermin helps his mother grow vegetables and staple grains like rice, beans, and corn for the household’s food.

On top of all the other challenges, Royermin’s dad left their family when he was nine years old. Over the years, Royermin began to feel resentment and anger toward his father for abandoning them.

But things began to change when he was connected with Mission: Hope. First, he received training from Marvin Alvarez (a Mission: Hope agricultural expert and trainer) so he can better support his family through improved farming techniques. By expanding his knowledge, he also plans to help with the next round of gardens planted in their community.

Royermin also began going to youth meetings led by Pastor Alvaro (a Mission: Hope leader) where he started connecting with other young people and learning about what it means to have a relationship with God.

“The meetings have been extraordinary times for me personally because I feel very encouraged to have a personal relationship with God,” said Royermin.

As he attended our Transformation Curriculum leadership training, Royermin learned about the plan of salvation and the forgiveness offered to us through Jesus Christ. Then, something changed deep within him. After years of resentment, he made the decision to forgive his father for abandoning their family.

Today, Royermin thanks God for the benefits that Mission: Hope brought into his life, providing food for both body and spirit.

“Now my heart is healthy, and I thank God for [Mission: Hope].”

Help us continue to equip more indigenous leaders like Royermin to be agents of positive change in their communities by joining Compass, our community of monthly givers dedicated to helping us bring holistic, life-changing impact to families in remote villages across the globe.