Thirteen years ago, Larry and Karen Mulder encouraged our congregation to join them in starting up a Kids Hope program in our church. In the past 12 years I have mentored 5 children at Vanderbilt Academy. Eloise Van Heest has been my faithful prayer partner for all of those years. For the past 5 years I have also been co-director with Barb Joldersma.
Over the years I have been so thrilled to work with students, staff at Vanderbilt, and most especially, the mentors, prayer partners, and substitute mentors from Hope Church. To see so many people caring for and giving of their time to touch the lives of children has been inspiring.
I finally had to make some hard choices of how I use my time. I have a great job at Benjamin’s Hope, and 6 grandchildren (with another on the way) that I spend time with each week. So this is my last month (May) as co-director of the Kids Hope Program.
Barb Joldersma has been a delight to work with! Vicki Rumpsa will be taking my place, and I know this program is as dear to her heart as is mine.
I want to thank all of Hope Church in supporting this program so enthusiastically, and I will continue to pray for Kids Hope.
~Anne Duinkerken