January 05, 2011

Christmas Devastation in South Africa

















Brad Senekal – Outreach Coordinator
Joyce Meyer Ministries South Africa Office


In the early hours on the day after Christmas, 2010, a terrible fire ravaged the township of Masiphumelele. What should have been a time of joyous celebration became a nightmare as 700 people, already very poor, lost everything as 168 shacks were destroyed. The poor became victims of their own poverty as overcrowding and a battle for land pushed these makeshift shacks right on top of each other. One small mistake with a paraffin lamp and their meager belongings turned to rubble.

Thank God that we have been connected to the community of Masiphumelele through a children’s club where we feed 200 children daily. We were able to respond by distributing 700 hygiene packs, and an encouraging book of Joyce’s to each of the victims in their native language, Xhosa. We believe that God is restoring these families, from ashes to beauty, and we are so grateful to our partners who make it possible to be an ongoing part of this healing process.

Hand of Hope is the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Our goal is simply to help as many hurting people as we possibly can, to alleviate human suffering and to help Christians grow in their faith.