Judy (right) with friends Vicki Depew, Jeri Colton, and Kerri Wall

Judy Brock calls Atlanta GA home, along with her husband Jeff. She has four daughters and two sons along with their amazing spouses who they love and adore. Not to mention their four grandson's that rule their world. They all live in the Provo, Utah area so she travels west as often as possible to be with them. She is currently the Stake YW President in the Cartersville Ga Stake (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and loves to hang out with the youth. She loves cardigan sweaters and warm slippers. Anything by the water is a vacation to her and dark chocolate isn't too bad either. For the last 25 years she has volunteered with her local Family Violence Center and more recently with Shiloh United Methodist Church's Daily Bread Food Pantry. She is looking forward to more opportunities to work with Rising Star Outreach and the wonderful people associated with it.

Judy and her family

It’s Valentine’s Day, and my first full day home from India and Rising Star Outreach.  The roses and card from my sweetheart were waiting for me on the kitchen table as I walked in the door from a long day at church.  I hugged my husband, and felt the love that he has for me; but this year, a new chamber in my heart was opened.  A chamber filled with love for the children and families affected by Leprosy, for the volunteers and interns, for the founders and dedicated board members and employees that have devoted years of service to our brothers and sisters in India. I wanted them all to know how much I have grown to love them, how grateful I am for the opportunity to rub elbows with each and every one of them.  I wanted to give them all a paper heart with expressions of love and gratitude for opening this chamber that always existed but was not yet revealed.

with our students

It all started several months ago, when I met Jeri Colton at the Salt Lake City airport.  We were both flying back to Atlanta and recognized each other as fellow volunteers that worked at the Atlanta Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I explained that I was in Utah to visit grandbabies and she said she was there to attend a board meeting for a charitable organization.  I asked which one and she began to describe the work of Rising Star Outreach.  I was immediately interested.  Just as our conversation was starting, we were asked to board the plane.  We said good-bye and promised to finish the conversation “one day soon”.  I boarded the plane and took my seat by the window.  Moments later, Jeri boarded and low and behold she was on my same row, aisle seat.  I quickly took the middle seat.  “One day soon”, had arrived and for the next four hours we scoured through pictures and details of Jeri’s recent experience in India and Rising Star Outreach.  By the time we landed, I was all in.  It was one of those moments of pure clarity that Rising Star Outreach was for me.


I returned home and told my family and friends all about it.  I got crazy confused looks and comments like, “Leprosy? There’s still Leprosy in the world?” and “Leprosy? Are you crazy?  It’s contagious you know”.  I fought the doubts and fears that others had planted.  I tried to clear up the myths as I moved forward to join Jeri and the other volunteers for the Women to Women session in January 2016.  My excitement grew even more when my dear friend, Vicki Depew committed to join me.  “There is safety in numbers”, I remember thinking.  My resolve was secured.

Medical Service

Vicki and I met Jeri and her friend Kerri at the airport. Three of us “new and naïve”.  Jeri was our faithful leader and mentor.  We were filled with excitement and hope for what this adventure might entail.  My focus was on what I could give.  I had no idea that what loomed ahead was what I would receive.

Judy and Divia

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the most beautiful children.  We quickly unpacked and toured the campus on our way to recess.  It was on that first day, that I met Divia, sitting alone with a two inch plastic baby doll that she was rocking in a handful of leaves.  I knew immediately that I wanted to be her sponsor and her friend.  Later that evening, Jeri and I attended a prayer meeting with the children.  The young women called to us, “Auntie, auntie, sit here”.  We sat. The service was in Tamil but the spirit was sweet and inviting.  One young women asked Jeri if she had the bible on her cell phone.  Jeri said yes.  She asked Jeri if she could open to Joshua chapter 1 and pointed to the verse.   Jeri looked at me, and showed me the verse. It was Joshua 1:9. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Not just any old scripture, but my favorite scripture.  The very scripture that rescued me from a tragic car accident years prior that took the life of a young 9 year old boy named Joshua.  My eyes filled with tears.  My doubts were extinguished and my original clarity confirmed. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be and that God was there too.

Our first morning at Rising Star, Curtis, one of our faithful volunteer coordinators encouraged us to move out of our comfort zone and to spend some time in the Growth zone. He did caution us to beware of the panic zone and not to push too hard.  Leaving the comfort zone was easy.  I left it in Atlanta.  Everything going forward was about managing my growth zone.  A talk I love by one of my religious mentors is titled, “What lack I yet?”  I found myself asking that question repeatedly and every day new opportunities for growth were provided.

The Artist that pained Judy's "Tree of Life" picture with her

I’m back home now.  My heart is full as I jump back into my comfort zone. The question I hear most often is: “Was it life changing?”…. I look in awe and reply honestly without hyperbole; “yes, it was… but the jury’s still out…”  I received so much more than I gave.  I pray that I can fully assimilate all that I learned towards a better me. And on this Valentine’s Day, reflect not just on the love I feel from others but the love that comes from truly loving another.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffjudy.brock
Mormon.org: https://www.mormon.org/judy

Emily Crowder served as a volunteer in 2014, and began sponsoring Vignesh right when she come, and has been sponsoring him ever since.
Vignesh is an only child who loves reading, English, and Science. He is quite a little artist and is especially good at making adorable cartoon characters. He is known for heading out to the center of the playground and pushing the “merry-goround” as fast as he can—much to the chagrin of the younger girls sometimes. He is also a kind and thoughtful friend and loves hanging out with Enocklee, Aravind, and Jeeva. Vignesh aspires to become a doctor. 

What made you select Vignesh K to sponsor?

I chose to sponsor Vignesh because he is a sweet, kind, and quiet boy who told me he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up.

How did your experience volunteering change your sponsorship experience?

Being a volunteer made me want to be a sponsor because I got to build relationships with the children, even if I was only there for a short time. It gave me the desire to remain a part of Rising Star even when I came back home to the States.

How has your choice to sponsor Vignesh affected you and your family?

My decision to sponsor Vignesh has made me happy and has made me feel like I am giving back. I haven't talked much to my family about the fact that I sponsor him, but I think they are proud of me and proud of my decision.

What is the most meaningful part of sponsoring?

The most meaningful part of sponsoring is just knowing that I am helping to provide a better future for Vignesh.

Why do you find it important to sponsor?

It is important to be a sponsor because it is important, in general, to find ways to give back and participate in community service. Being a sponsor is so easy because it doesn't require extra time or work, so it is perfect for me as a busy college student, as it allows me to still serve others.

What are your favorite kinds of updates to receive from India?

I love seeing the videos with Vignesh in them. I also love seeing pictures. I would like to start writing to him so that we can have a more personal exchange. I actually wish there were a way we could email each other! (Editor's Note: You can e-mail your sponsored child at kids@risingstaroutreach.org!)



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About our Sponsorship Coordinator

February President's Letter

The last few weeks I have had a remarkable first-hand experience observing the real dedication of the Rising Star Outreach campus in India.

When Ron and Joyce Hanson originally decided to venture over to India, they thought they might spend a few months helping Rising Star Outreach work through a few challenges and continue the progress of building and establishing the campus many of us have come to know and love. Their dedication however led to a full two years of committed on-the-ground service in India. Their countless contributions from this experience are ever-present on this beautiful campus, and their ongoing service and sacrifice continue to lift and bless some of the most stigmatized and disenfranchised people on earth.

Ron and Joyce Hanson