May 27, 2009

BURKINA FASO OUTREACH



Shelly Meyer


Burkina Faso is a small country in western Africa. Many in this nation suffer from Malaria, Typhoid Fever and AIDS. There are also times of severe drought that cause famine and malnutrition, leaving many widowed and orphaned.

 

In 2003, Hand of Hope began supporting missionary Lynn Peters and her organization Burkina Faso Outreach (BFO). The ministry of this outreach has been significant. After a drought late last year, the straw bins which should have been full of millet were empty. The numbers of hungry widows and malnourished children knocking at Lynn’s gate became overwhelming. Hand of Hope quickly responded by sending an additional donation to BFO which was used to purchase grain to bless over 450 families! Families that once had very little hope, lined up at the ministry with their donkey carts to carry the food home. 

 

The vision of BFO is to share the love of Christ through a child sponsorship program and community food and medical assistance, as well as sharing the gospel through educational programsThe very basic need for food, medical care and education will continue. But as the Lord blesses Hand of Hope and organizations like Burkina Faso Outreach, we will continue to see lives transformed and souls added to the Kingdom.


Visit our website for information about Hand of Hope.


May 20, 2009

SENDING RELIEF TO SRI LANKA



Shelly Meyer


Reports say that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces have been defeated, and that founder and leader Prabhakaran was killed on May 18, 2009. Although the war is officially over, more than two decades of fighting has created a horrible humanitarian crisis.


Recently, we received an urgent request from Convoy of Hope, our long term partners in disaster relief. We work extensively with them to bring relief to many people in desperate situations. The civil war between the government and the Tamils in Sri Lanka has created a horrible humanitarian crisis, with approximately 200,000 internally displaced people in dire need. Many of them who have come out of the northern areas are not being properly cared for by the government due to prejudice and possible ties with the rebel cause. The national church is already involved in this matter.


Thanks to our friends and partners, Joyce Meyer Ministries is assisting Convoy of Hope as they work in helping these people. It is our prayer that these families will soon find permanent shelter and peace will spread throughout the country.


Visit our website for information about Hand of Hope.



May 13, 2009

CAMBODIA UPDATE



Today Was Well Worth It...


Ginger Stache

Chief Media Officer


Today was a difficult day. Our Broadcast team spent it shooting in Cambodia's municipal garbage dump where thousands of children work and live. It's heart-breaking to see the conditions the kids live in and you can't help but get a little overwhelmed with it all. What makes it all worthwhile is meeting little boys like Loy. Loy is nine years old and lived here at the dump until just over a year ago. Both of his parents died of AIDS so a neighbor dropped him off here to fend for himself. Eventually a friend heard about one of our Hand of Hope Children's Homes and asked if they had a place for Loy. Thanks to Joyce Meyer Ministry partners the answer was YES!


Now Loy sleeps in a clean bed, goes to school instead of working all day, and has house parents who love him and are teaching him about Jesus. When we saw him he was playing soccer with his friends and dragging around a happy puppy. Quite a contrast to the children we see picking through the trash today. Days like today are hard but well worth it when we think of all the other children like Loy who need our help.


Visit our website for information about Hand of Hope.

May 06, 2009

SHARING THE GOSPEL IN ARIZONA PRISONS



Roy Lormis

JMM Prison Ministry Director


The Arizona prison outreach in April was a great success. This trip was indeed a bit unusual as we were able to actually minister to over seventy different nationalities. These prisoners were State, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Federal Marshal Detainees. We truly are taking the gospel to the entire world. These men and women will one day be released and deported. I believe the message they received in the books and the teaching from Joyce on TV or radio, along with the message we shared, will allow them to become ambassadors for Christ in their home countries. (Joyce is on the TBN Second Chance programming inside the prisons, which is provided via satellite receptors installed at these facilities by TBN.)


All total we touched the lives of 12,842 inmates with the Hygiene Gift Bags. We had 1,329 attend the 13 services, resulting in 819 salvations or re-dedications. Each of these offenders has family and friends. I trust the decisions they made will positively impact thousands.


Again thanks so much for sending us. We could not do what we do with out the help of all of our partners, volunteers and the prayers and support of everyone. I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to us. We see firsthand the power of God touching so many lives for all eternity. 


For more information visit Hand of Hope.