The Power of Childlike Faith | A Thornwell Story
Watch this POWERFUL story here!
Thornwell’s legacy was built upon the simple, easy faith of a child more than 150 years ago. As the story goes, 10-year-old Willie Anderson listened intently to the vision God had placed on Thornwell’s would-be founder, Dr. William Plumer Jacobs, to build a home for orphaned children. Willie felt God’s call to give all he had – a fifty-cent piece – to see this vision become a reality. That small yet mighty gift caused a ripple effect that has allowed Thornwell to serve tens of thousands of children and families for nearly 150 years because of wonderful, generous people who give! Perhaps this is why God recently called another 10-year-old boy to carry on Willie’s powerful legacy.
“I think Willie is looking down and saying, “This ten-year-old boy is looking to carry on Thornwell in the future to help kids,” explained Hampton Hall, a Columbia, South Carolina 4th grader with a self-proclaimed obsession for Nerf tag.
When you speak to Hampton, you might forget his young age until you see that his feet do not quite reach the floor from the oversized chair in which he’s sitting. He speaks with the wisdom and confidence of an adult who knows God’s plans for him –and it’s because he does.
“I was sleeping one night, and I heard a voice,” said Hampton. “I thought it was God talking to me. He said, “Hampton, you are going to be a great missionary someday, and you’re going to help people and [get]whatever they need to help them.”
And that was all Hampton needed to go forward and change lives. He’d learned about Thornwell’s ministry through his church, Spring Valley Presbyterian, which also houses one of Thornwell’s Building Families Specialists, Elizabeth Ogorek – one of Hampton’s inspirations. Soon, he was off to the bank with his grandmother, “Mimi”, where she had started Hampton a savings account.“I just went through the numbers in my head what to give to Thornwell. And I was like, “Let’s see, I get twenty dollars from A’s, B’s, or gold stars. Then I just thought twenty isn’t enough. Some people need school supplies, books to read and learn, and food to eat,” Hampton explained. “Then I just said, “It’s a hundred!”
His parents can’t help but smile and get inspired.
“It’s a great story – children helping other children just because that’s just what they want to do. It’s just normal for them. The world we live in now isn’t always like that where we want to look and help other people and help our peers,” said Hampton’s mom, Kellie Hall. “It really makes me proud knowing that he’s the next generation already thinking about how he can help others.”
Hampton recently toured Thornwell’s campus for the first time to learn more about the place, the programs, and the people he’s helping across three states. He learned about remarkable people who join him in generously supporting Thornwell’s mission and how it takes all of us to come together in aiding vulnerable children and families!
The same boy who got wildly excited by the ducks on LushAcres Farm is the same boy who left us all with something profound to think about. “I have a message that God wanted me to say. God said he loves everyone on Earth. Treat others the way you want to be treated, and help families and children. [Help them with]whatever they need to give them supplies, a Bible, food, protection – they need it most.”Thank you, Hampton. You are inspiring us ALL to joyfully give and serve!