Continuing the Legacy....
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:3-6
Hey there, friends,
My name is Darrel Cothran, the new Executive Director of The Pearl Foundation.
LET'S BACKUP A LITTLE BIT. I want to share with you a story that's close to so many of us. It's about the Hinsons—Darrell and Linda—who, for the past two decades, have poured their hearts and souls into The Pearl Foundation, a beacon of hope for underprivileged children in Nicaragua.
For more than twenty years, they've been the hands and feet of love, bringing not just material aid like food, education, and medical care, but also the intangible gifts of love, encouragement, and the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands of children and their families.
But life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect it, right? You’ve been there. Earlier this year, tragedy struck the Hinson family. Darrell, part of the driving force behind The Pearl Foundation, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. And within days, he met his Savior in heaven. Honestly, we were all devastated, especially Linda, her family, Addys, Jesse, Everthy, Fatima and the rest of the team in Nicaragua. I know many of you were as well. Even though we knew Darrell was rejoicing in heaven, it seemed to leave behind a void that would be difficult to fill.
In the face of such loss, it's natural to wonder, "Now what?"
Listen, here's the thing about legacies—they don't end when someone takes their last breath. Darrell's legacy, the legacy of love and compassion he and Linda built together, lives on. It lives on in the lives of the children they've touched, in the smiles they've brought, the hope they've kindled and the team they’ve built.
And while Darrell may no longer be with us in body, his legacy continues to guide us as we look to the future. Because even in the midst of unimaginable grief, the Lord has brought Linda peace, strength, and a vision for new opportunities that are waiting to be seized, new paths waiting to be explored, and many who need to know Jesus.
So, where do we go from here?
In short, The Pearl Foundation didn’t skip a beat. The ministry continued on. It’s what Darrell would have wanted. Linda is soon headed to Nicaragua for almost three months to go forward, with courage and with hope as she works with mission teams this summer. We go forward, knowing that the work Darrell and Linda started is far from finished.
For many months prior to Darrell’s passing, he and Linda prayed, discussed and planned for the person God wanted to join the leadership team. A person with a love for the people of Nicaragua and experience navigating the future. Under Linda’s leadership as President and Founder, I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to join the team as Executive Director of The Pearl Foundation. It’s a vision Darrell, Linda, and myself planned for - even days prior to his passing.
My connection to the Pearl Foundation runs deep. My first trips to Nicaragua were alongside Darrell and Linda over two decades ago, where I witnessed firsthand the impact of their ministry and we have been friends and partners in ministry ever since.
I am privileged to serve on staff at Church at The Mill in SC for the past 6 years and have been blessed to serve in mission efforts all over the world - most recently as a part of the leadership team of a highly successful ministry in Nicaragua for the past 8 years. My goal is to honor Darrell’s legacy by continuing the work he was so passionate about - sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making Disciples for Him.
So, as we embark on this new journey, we do so with humbleness, a sense of excitement and anticipation for what the future holds. We believe that God has incredible plans in store for the Pearl Foundation. We are poised to reach even more children and their families with love, compassion, practical support, and the Hope of Jesus.
To all our supporters, friends, and partners, we - myself, Linda, Addys, and the rest of the team - invite YOU to join us on this journey of hope and renewal. Let's honor Darrell's legacy by continuing the work he was so passionate about.
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can spread love, hope, and healing to those who need it most.
With gratitude and hope,
Rev. Darrel Cothran
