September 25, 2013

Hand of Hope Celebrates 600 Wells Dug


Kacie Campbell, Staff Writer 

Not long after Haiti suffered one of the deadliest earthquakes in history in 2010, Hand of Hope partnered with a couple organizations to provide immediate supplies, food, water, medical care and more. 

I was honored to be part of the media team that covered the relief efforts following the disaster. Although numerous things will forever stick with me—the immense rubble, the feeding lines, the mass graves, the believers coming together to praise God—there is one specific thing that comes to mind often. 

I had several bottles of water stashed in my bag because the heat was unbelievable. We headed to the recovery tent city, which would eventually become Miracle Village—a place where Hand of Hope was later able to build 100 homes for survivors. Several children began to run to me, trying their best to use what little English they knew. I gave a couple of the children my extra water. 

To my surprise, they didn’t take the cap off and start drinking. Instead, they poked small holes in the bottom of the bottles and began to drink. Puzzled, I questioned my translator. What he said changed my heart forever. 

“They don’t get much water to drink, so if they drink it this way it lasts much longer.” 

I had at least four or five bottles in my bag that day and would have drunk them all without a second thought. And these children were cherishing every single drop. 

I’m so excited to know that this year, Hand of Hope was able to dig and install two freshwater wells in Haiti on the island of La Gonave. In fact, those two wells in addition to 48 others this year helped us reach an important milestone—600 clean water wells worldwide.

These wells, established in communities with little to no access to clean water, are a major blessing to these families. Over the years, we have been able to provide clean water wells in 21 countries. 

When you support Hand of Hope, by partnering with Joyce Meyer Ministries, you are a part of bringing clean water to so many in need. Thank you for partnering with us to be a blessing all around the world. 


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.

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September 12, 2013

Touching Lives, Both Young And Old In The Dominican Republic




Laura Matheny - Medical Outreach Coordinator

This was our second year to hold medical/dental clinics in the Dominican Republic. Both times, we have partnered with Love A Child, who did a wonderful job in organizing and hosting us! 

Our clinics were set up in two locations. We served both the local Dominican population as well as Haitian refugees who work in the sugar cane fields known as the "bateyes" where they are paid approximately $1 per day. 

Word of mouth had spread, and when our 34 volunteers arrived at the first clinic site, nearly 200 patients were waiting for us. Throughout the day we treated a large number of newborns. One baby was only a week old! Many of the children suffered from scabies and other various fungal infections. Thankfully, we were able to treat some very infectious and painful wounds with strong antibiotics. It is a huge blessing to these people to have free access to these medications.  

Dental needs were huge and our team worked non-stop. Many do not even own a toothbrush and will literally wait all day for a simple cleaning and a free toothbrush. It is always so humbling to see this and to be reminded of what we so often take for granted.  

We also held a clinic in La Romana, where we met a 13-year old girl and her 5-month old baby. This young girl did not have milk or diapers for her son, which we quickly provided and treated her baby for cradle cap and lice. We also connected her with the pastor of the church, which will be vital for her as she raises her child. Had we not been there, who knows what could have become of these two precious lives. Each person who visits these clinics is created in the image of God; He loves them just as much as He loves us.  

We had a lady come in to see us who was 100-years old! She came with her daughter from a neighboring town. While visiting our clinic, she heard the Gospel message and both she and her daughter gave their hearts to the Lord! It was a really precious moment. We were reminded of the reason we are here, not just for the medicine, but also for the eternal salvation of souls!

Through this five-day outreach, we were able to bring medical and dental relief to 2,560 hurting people in the Dominican Republic as well as the hope of salvation to many who were lost. From the very young, to very old, it was another great success for the kingdom of God.

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.

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September 05, 2013

In Her Own Words - An Inmate Says Thank You


Melissa K - A Former Inmate in Maryland

I want to personally thank all the people at Joyce Meyer’s Prison Ministry. You gave me hope and the will to survive and make it through. I recently was incarcerated at Maryland Institution for Women in Jessup, MD. Hand of Hope actually came and made an appearance back in May 2013. Everyone was touched to receive the books and personal items that were donated. You are definitely a blessing to those who are incarcerated. 

On July 28, 2013 I hit bottom and surrendered to God. It was the best day of my life, but I didn’t know it at that time. I have been physically abused, mentally abused, and sexually abused. I have been beaten, molested, raped and abandoned. I have experienced death, murder, prostitution and drugs…. [And] God has set me free.

Through the process the Lord never gave up on me. He never left me. He has never forsaken me… I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am so blessed! I am grateful to be alive! I will praise Him through the good and the bad and when I’m happy or when I’m sad. I will give Him all the praise….

Let me say that He has done all this through Joyce Meyer. The Lord has a special anointing on her. Without the encouragement from her books I don’t think I could have made it… when I read one of her books it was like she was speaking directly to me. She taught me in a special way. The gift she has is amazing … not only was God by my side, but Joyce was there as well.

I can honestly say that being physically sentenced to prison was the best thing that ever happened to me. That was when I felt free. It was God’s way of giving me a time out to experience His love.

I want to give back what God has given me. I want to live for Christ. There is a need to help women and encourage them through life’s trials and tribulations. God’s plan for me is to get involved in a prison ministry. He is also leading me to be an advocate for women… I have been released for two weeks now and I have enrolled in a university to earn a bachelors degree of applied science in human services.

I was baptized on June 22, 2013 at the prison. When I went down in the water to wash away the old and come up renewed, I came up praising God and speaking in tongues. I was saturated with the Holy Ghost.

I know that there is an anointing on my life and that I have a purpose and a destiny. I have stories and testimonies of all kinds. I am a witness for the Lord, Jesus Christ. Joyce taught me that the Bible says there is death and life in the tongue. I choose to speak life.

May God Bless you all! 
Your sister in Christ, 
Melissa K.

P.S. Feel free to share this with anyone, especially those that need encouragement that all things with Christ are possible! They can make it!

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.

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