CYCLONE IN MYANMAR

Scott Norling

Director of Joyce Meyer Ministries’ Asia Headquarters

The devastation from Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar is simply overwhelming. Although more than three weeks have already passed since the storm first hit, the need for help is greater than ever. We are currently partnering with a local organization to distribute the most vital necessities like food, water and medical supplies to thousands in desperate need. In addition, we are also sponsoring an agency to dispatch doctors and medical teams to help treat some of the tens of thousands who have been critically injured.

You have no idea just how much your support is accomplishing here. Because the Myanmar government has been extremely hesitant to receive foreign aid and assistance, the need for help and medical assistance is even greater now than when the storm first hit. Thank you so much for your support, and please continue to pray for the precious people of Myanmar. We will continue to keep you updated on all of our efforts in the coming days. 

For more information visit Hand of Hope.

SOUTH AFRICA

Ron Martin, Director

South Africa JMM Office

Today was a busy day as we began working full speed to respond to the xenophobic attacks happening in Cape Town, South Africa. Since Saturday, more than 20,000 foreign nationals have been forced to flee their homes due to ethnic violence. All over the city people have been arriving at various make-shift refugee camps in dump trucks, busses, tractor trailers, and any means possible to escape the violence which has erupted in our country.

After distributing blankets, bedding, plastic sheeting, and other necessities, we loaded our vehicles and made our way to a makeshift refugee camp situated in Ocean View (about 20 miles south of the city). As we drove towards the gate with our supplies we came upon crowds of fearful and desperate people lining both sides of the road waiting to get inside. Once we got through the gates it was encouraging to see that the camp was mostly being run by church volunteers who had taken time off from their regular jobs to look after these refugees.

We unloaded and distributed the much needed items to the appreciation of the workers. Later we found out that they had run out of what little supplies that they had started with. Praise God that through JMM we were able to meet a need during this time of crisis in Cape Town.

SOUTH AFRICA

Dave van Rensburg

JMM South Africa

Hand of Hope

During our prison outreach in the Gauteng Province in South Africa, we visited 29 prisons and distributed nearly 54,000 hygiene gift bags, which included a Joyce Meyer book. Numerous letters and phone calls of appreciation were received from prisoners and warders. An inmate from Leeuwkop Medium C prison near Johannesburg expressed his situation and appreciation as follows: “I had given up on life. I did not want to live anymore. I told myself that there was nothing to live for. I could and cannot still get in touch with my family and friends far away in Zimbabwe.  I would like to extend my most profound gratitude for the gifts we received from Joyce Meyer Ministries. Surely I now feel that someone cares after all.” 

Many thousands did accept Christ as their personal Saviour as the gospel message was preached and we believe that the books will make a significant impact on their new lives in Christ.  By visiting these inmates in prison, we were able to do “the possible” and we trust God that He will do “the impossible”.

LESOTHO, AFRICA

Terri Martin

JMM South Africa Office

Lesotho is a country completely surrounded by South Africa. Although a small nation, 23% of the population has AIDS. With so much need in this country, we held an outreach in a small village called Thinyaku.  

We distributed blankets, boots and beanies to each child in the village, all purchased by Joyce Meyer Ministries South Africa. The region we went into gets very cold and it even snows there. Our team of volunteers came from a church in Durban called Harvest Ministries. Dave van Rensburg (our outreach coordinator) and his wife, Sharon were with us as well.

These children had absolutely nothing and it was such a privilege to give them something new.  We also gave the adults a new blanket and a New Testament translated into their language of Sesotho. A short message was preached and more than half of the adults raised their hands to accept Jesus into their hearts. It was truly an amazing sight.  

These people were so appreciate of the gifts that Joyce Meyer Ministries was able to provide them. The smiles on their faces told it all! Thank God for giving us the opportunity to literally touch entire villages with His love.   

HAITI

May 8, 2008

David L. Meyer

Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, lives up to its reputation. Poverty is evident everywhere. However, “Love a Child”, a ministry here in Haiti, is doing what it can to help. I had the pleasure of visiting them and seeing the work that they do. They have built over thirty schools and care for more than sixty orphans. They also are heavily involved in medical work, distribute millions of meals and just plain love the Haitian people. Hand of Hope will begin to partner with them to help them do more, specifically in the areas of feeding and medical outreaches.

BIGGER, BETTER, REDESIGNED HAND OF HOPE WEBSITE

May 5, 2008

Michael Daehn

If you enjoy the up to date news and information of the World Missions Log, be sure to check out the newly redesigned Hand of Hope website. The site is a way to show how our partners and supporters are making a difference. There are tons of:

• Photos
• Videos
• Articles
• News items
• And a sweet interactive map that shows all the places Hand of Hope operates

What are you waiting for? Take a look now.