Returning to Las Gradas

By: Brittany Hynson and Frank Hynson

February: A New Year Begins in Las Gradas

After the excitement of camp came to a close, we turned our attention to a new year of our regular program in Las Gradas. Early February brought registration week, and nearly 80 children signed up, 15 of them joining us for the very first time. It’s always encouraging to see both familiar faces and new ones eager to be part of what’s happening here.

During our welcome week, we were able to distribute school supply packages to every child in the program. This was made possible through a generous donation, and it met a very real need. While public education is technically free here, the cost of supplies and uniforms often becomes a barrier that keeps children from attending school at all. Being able to remove that obstacle is one small but tangible way we can support education in this community. We’re continuing to see new opportunities open up in this area, and we’re excited about what’s ahead. More on that soon.

March: Learning, Growing, and Asking Questions

Three weeks into March, we found ourselves fully immersed in teaching Bible lessons again. Each story is explored in multiple ways: through video, reading directly from Scripture, comprehension questions, and hands-on crafts. Along the way, the children also practice reading and writing, which helps us better understand where they need extra academic support.

This semester, we’re walking through the final week of Jesus’ life. We began with the Triumphal Entry and the Last Supper, and as Holy Week approached, we continued with the Crucifixion. After Easter, we turned our focus to the Resurrection and the responses of the disciples.

Our prayer is simple: that the children begin to see themselves in these stories. That they would recognize their own questions, doubts, and hopes reflected in the lives of the disciples, and ultimately come to know Jesus not just as a figure in a story, but as their Savior and friend.

Stories of Growth: The Power of Small Changes

One of the greatest gifts of having a consistent presence in Las Gradas is the ability to witness long-term growth. Many of these children have been part of the program for nearly five years, and while the changes are often small, they are deeply meaningful.

One boy in particular comes to mind. Early on, he often went unnoticed at home and struggled to find positive attention. In our program, that showed up as constant disruptions—interrupting lessons, making inappropriate jokes, and trying to pull focus in any way he could. Over time, we began to realize that he likely had undiagnosed attention challenges. When we were able to work with him one-on-one, everything shifted. With focused attention, his intelligence and capability became so clear. He didn’t lack ability, he simply needed support that he wasn’t receiving elsewhere.

Last summer, during a reading and writing workshop led by our interns, he received three weeks of consistent one-on-one attention. The transformation was incredible. He began reading and writing with a confidence we hadn’t seen before, and that growth carried over into our regular program.  At the end of the year, he proudly showed us his Spanish exam score: 99%. The joy on his face said everything. He even borrowed Brittany’s phone to send a thank-you message to the intern who had worked with him.

Moments like that are a powerful reminder: what we’re doing matters. The small, steady investments, the ones that are easy to overlook, are the very things that add up to lasting change.

Passing the Torch: From Children to Young Leaders

In Las Gradas, there is a separate youth program led by local leaders and missionaries. When students reach 7th grade or turn 13, they transition into that group. This year, nine of our students made that step right after Camp Encuentro. Even more exciting, five of those nine made the decision to accept Christ at camp. While it’s bittersweet to see them move on, we’re now hearing stories of how they are thriving. They come to youth group with their Bibles in hand, a habit we’ve worked hard to instill. They’re comfortable opening Scripture, discussing it, and engaging deeply with what they’re learning. Not only are they attending regular youth meetings, but many are also participating in weekly discipleship groups. They’ve quickly become examples to the other teens, demonstrating commitment and hunger for growth.

It’s a beautiful picture of what long-term investment can look like. Seeds planted during their elementary years are now taking root and beginning to flourish as they grow deeper in their faith.