One Year

A year ago Brian and I had never...

been asked by a 4 year old if we were from DFCS when we went to pick her mama up for class.

had a student tell us they couldn't come to class because her neighborhood was in lockdown due to a manhunt for a shooter.

had a student tell us they were sleeping under a bridge.

feared a shooting victim in our city might be one of our students.

realized the murders reported in the news were relatives of our students.

played make believe phone with a toddler and heard them say to their Sesame Street phone, "who got shot?"

worried a student wasn't coming to class because they might be in danger.

prayed it wouldn't rain so our students could walk a mile to class.

fed a student their first meal in over a day so they could concentrate on learning.


A year ago we had never....

helped a homeless man find stable housing.

driven into the projects to bring food, diapers and hope to a family in need.

witnessed a senior citizen learn to read.

belly laughed with Kurdish, Afghani, Burmese and Iranian refugee women who are learning English.

watched an empty nester white mom sacrifice her time and convenience to coach a poor single black mom and cradle her baby so she could study.

experienced the joy of helping a poor, single mom of 4 realize she is going to get her high school diploma.

helped a single mom prepare for a job interview that could help her get out of the club she works at.

tutored a single mom so she can provide a stable home and change the course of her children's life.

felt like we were part of changing the fabric of our city and the legacy of a person's life.


What a difference a year makes.



Brian and Heather Flood are full time missionaries in downtown Savannah. They are the founders and directors of Hope Academy in Savannah, GA. Hope exists to partner with adults in their adult education needs and to help them discover and achieve their life purpose.To learn more about Hope Academy or how you can impact downtown Savannah one life at a time contact Brian Flood at bflood56@outlook.com.

Visit them at www.hopeacademysavannah.com , their  Facebook page or to donate and Share Hope with a Student go to their Go Fund Me page, www.gofundme.com/hopeacademysav .