Hope: What Happens When We Decide to Act

Lisa M. Hendey reviews the upcoming film, Sound of Hope, the story of 22 families from a church community who decided to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care.

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot opens in theaters nationwide on July 4 and recounts how a movement of the Spirit inspired 22 families from a rural Black church to adopt 77 children from the foster system. 

Synopsis:  

The fight for kids begins July 4. Inspired by the powerful true story, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, follows Donna and Reverend Martin as they ignite a fire in the hearts of their rural church to embrace kids in the foster system that nobody else would take. By doing the impossible — adopting 77 children — this East Texas community proved that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won. 

View the Official Trailer: 

No Promise That Life Will Be Easy  

Sound of Hope is inspired by the true story of Bishop and his wife, First Lady Donna Martin, who made the personal decision to adopt four difficult-to-place children as siblings for their two biological children. Eventually, Bishop Martin’s challenge to his faith community resulted in the adoption of 77 additional children by 22 families in their rural church community.  

While the film is a dramatization of the actual events, it is effective at portraying the challenges that accompany the decision to welcome foster children permanently. Most of the stories in the film involved kids who had faced radical trauma and, in some cases, violence, abuse, and the death of their birth parents.   

Nike King, starring as Donna Martin, captures an adoptive mom's boldness and fragility. Grieving the loss of her own mother, who had always challenged her to welcome more children into her heart, Donna steps out in faith. Initially, Reverend Martin (Demetrius Grosse) is reluctant. But he ultimately decides to practice what he has been preaching. When the Martins welcome two young siblings, their community follows suit. Elizabeth Mitchell (LOST) is phenomenal as Susan Ramsay, the tireless social worker who partners with the Martins and their church to find forever homes for scores of children.  

But these homecomings aren’t the picture-perfect Hallmark stories we might hope for. Most of these children must work through years of trauma. Many of them act out in ways that challenge their new families. The entire faith community, on the brink of falling apart, ultimately learns to lean into and support one another spiritually and materially. The Martins find themselves in need of such help when their teenage adoptive daughter Terri (Diaana Babnicova) acts out and faces excruciating pain that terrorizes her new parents.   

At a few points in the film, Bishop Martin reminds his congregation that God never promised that our lives would be easy. When I heard this reminder, it echoed in my heart. Each of us can look at times in our lives when we faced an enormous burden that felt unbearable. In looking at these moments, I can also see how God’s presence helped me survive these times. That help often came through the hands of loved ones who extended themselves to care for me.  When you watch the film, stay to the end to meet Possum Trot's real families and hear updates on their lives. This portion of the film is a potent reminder that we need one another — and that God truly works through us.  

Watching Sound of Hope is not easy, but it is important. Recent statistics indicate that more than 400,000 children are currently in the foster-care system. Each of them has a story to tell. Each of us can contribute to learning their stories and finding a solution to provide them with hope for brighter futures.  

What's it rated? And how do I get tickets?

Sound of Hope is rated PG-13 for thematic material involving child abuse, some violence, language and brief suggestive material.

The fight for children starts July 4th, 2024. Get your tickets today and learn more about the movement to support children and families.  

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Copyright 2024 Lisa M. Hendey
Images: Copyright 2024 Angel Studios, all rights reserved.