Have you ever wondered what happens to a sponsored child after sponsorship?

Luis Alberto Lopez, is a former sponsored child who grew up in a one-room home in Colombia with his mother and siblings.

Today, 27-year-old Lopez is a math teacher in his hometown of Bucaramanga.

He is thankful to his former sponsors, Okko and Ria Bekker of Port Alberni, B.C., for their role in his success.

Lopez and the Bekkers had a chance to ask each other five questions, ranging from career decisions to plans for the future. See what they learned about each other.

5 Questions for Lopez

What made you decide to become a teacher?
I wanted to study industrial engineering, but I had difficulties. Then I had the opportunity to study teaching mathematics and I liked it. Plus, this job was related to my work as a youth leader.

What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to create an educational institution that will help students develop Christian values, a love for Colombia, community service and preserving the environment.

Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?
I like sports a lot. I play soccer and I also like music and dancing.

Is there a lot of poverty in the area where you live?
The neighbourhood we live in has improved compared to the past. But my area is known as an excluded area of the city. Many other families have a lot of needs and few children have the opportunity to study.

Aside from teaching, do you also help the children with after-school programs?
There are times in the year when I don’t have a lot of work, so I organize soccer groups.

5 Questions for the Bekkers

How would you feel if you were in the following situation: You are a nine-year-old boy who lives with his mother in an impoverished area with few opportunities available to you?
We would feel left out. We would also feel as if nobody loved or cared for us.

Thanks to your support, I received an education. How would you like to see me use this knowledge within my community?
We would like to see that you are willing to teach the children who don’t have a chance to get an education.

For what reason did you continue to support me over the years?
We did not want to interrupt your education and thought that it would be better for you to finish your schooling.

You were an important part in my life. Did you ever feel that you were somehow my stepparents?
We did feel somewhat like stepparents because we cared about you and prayed almost every day for you and your family.

If you had the opportunity to meet me for just a few minutes, what advice would you give me?
We would let you know how proud we are of you, and that we hope you will always put the Lord first in your life.