How a Word from the Lord Became the Foundation for SOUND OF HOPE

Published: June 27, 2024

How a Word from the Lord Became the Foundation for SOUND OF HOPE

By Movieguide® Contributor

The couple who inspired SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT call adoption “so rewarding.”

“We had no idea that God was doing something greater in our lives,” Bishop W.C. Martin said of his and his wife Donna’s work with children in the foster system.

The Martins’ story is told in SOUND OF HOPE.

“The film is inspired by the true story of a small community in East Texas that embraced kids in the foster system no one else would adopt,” Variety reported. “With the help of Donna Martin and her husband Bishop Martin, 22 families adopted 77 children in the town.”

Their mission to help kids began when Donna’s mother died. She struggled with that loss and prayed for help. One day, she heard His voice.

“The Lord just very gently and softly said, ‘I hear you. I’ve heard you, but your mother’s with me,’ and He said, ‘Think about those children who [are] out there that did not have what you had in a mother,’” Donna shared. “He said, ‘Foster, adopt, give back.’ Just an overwhelming spirit came over me, like a sense of healing.”

She and W.C. began adopting children, bringing four children into their home. In the end, 22 families in their community adopted 77 children.

“I see now, that I didn’t know then, that God was in this plan all the time,” W.C. said. “God doesn’t have to move in big places to carry out his will. He just moved right into the little small places to do what He wanted to do.”

He continued, “Adopting children is not an easy job. It’s not something simple. It’s not an easy solution [or] a quick fix, but it’s a rewarding fix.”

“It’s God’s will that no child be left,” W.C. concluded. “The state does not have the power to fix this problem, but the church does.”

SOUND OF HOPE was executive-produced by BLACK PANTHER star Letitia Wright.

“I saw this article in 2021 when I started my company, and I was just moved by this family and Possum Trot who — they didn’t wait for anyone to tell them what to do or to help them,” Wright said of her interest in the story. “They just saw a need in their community and they just provided that help. I was so inspired by them.”

A portion of the Movieguide® review reads:

SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT is a beautiful story about an entire town taking in foster children. As such, it has a strong Christian, morally uplifting worldview. However, the movie does deal with some of the realities and hardships foster families and foster children undergo. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for children and families. However, SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT shows that God’s love is real and that, no matter what your past is, God will always be with you.

SOUND OF HOPE: THE STORY OF POSSUM TROT will be available to watch in theaters July 4.