The Life of a Hand of Hope Intern

Sarah Foster - Hand of Hope Intern

When I first came to St. Louis in 2010, I was simply a Georgia girl from a small town. The thoughts of moving so far away from home, and to the inner city no less, was a scary thought. But I was up for the challenge. I knew there was something great planted deeply inside of me; I just needed help in drawing that out. The Hand of Hope internship program at the St. Louis Dream Center has been just the place for that. Daily I have the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and trust God. Every day is an adventure and there is never a dull moment. 

I've discovered inside of me skills, passions and leadership qualities that I didn't know were there. Through the world-class leaders and pastors at the Dream Center, I have personally been poured into in a way that, before coming here, I could have only imagined. With each encounter I've had with these great leaders, pieces of who God created me to be have been drawn to the surface. I've gone from feeling like a shy young girl, to a woman empowered to confidently and boldly go forth to fulfill all that God has called me to do and be. 

I am no longer afraid of life or of failing, or of not contributing enough to the world. I know that I have what it takes, because it's God that gives me what I need. It's a God-confidence. 

Being a part of the Hand of Hope internship program has enabled me to get hands-on experience in areas such as feeding the hungry, working in children's, youth, worship and youth sports ministry, as well as in the executive office of the Dream Center. Each service area has been a building block for the next...as God continues to teach me along my journey. 

The internship has also cultivated leadership skills in me as I have had many opportunities to step outside of myself and lead outreaches such as Street Evangelism, Adopt-A-Block and Kidzjam. My absolute favorite part is loving on the kids, and allowing them to love on me back. There's nothing that warms my heart more than pulling into one of the government housing complexes we visit, and seeing fifteen or more children running at the van shouting “Dream Center!” or “Miss Sarah!!” It is an honor that I get to be a part of something so great.  

The inner city is no joke. I have been challenged in countless ways to love the unlovely, step out in faith for protection, and simply marvel at a world that's outside the edge of my small-town-southern-girl comfort zone. I am so thankful for the Dream Center and all God has taught me through this place. I will forever be grateful for the life lessons I have learned during my tenure here. I have been equipped for nearly any area of life. Not only have I walked alongside the homeless, I've also rubbed elbows with the elite. I've dipped my toe in the wading pool of many different worlds, and that's what makes this place so unique. At the end of the day we're all people, and I've gained experience with all walks of life.   

The Hand of Hope internship has given me hope for a bright future. I have dedicated three years of my life to this place, and I do not regret one second of it. I will leave here in December knowing that I have what it takes to be a great leader and a great contributor to society. I'll also know how to “give 'em Jesus.”  

Thank you, Joyce Meyer Ministries and the St. Louis Dream Center for opening your doors for this once timid and shy girl, and allowing her to blossom into the woman that God created her to be.  

Find out more about becoming a Hand of Hope intern today!

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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Volunteers on the Ground in India

Scott Norling - Director, Joyce Meyer Ministries Asia Office

Over the past weekend Cyclone Phailin, the strongest tropical storm to hit India in more than a decade, devastated parts of the eastern states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Nearly 30 people have died, more than 250,000 homes destroyed, more than 750,000 people displaced, and most of the fisherman along the coast have lost their boats, nets and livelihood. 

Hand of Hope is currently in the process of dispatching 225 volunteers to work in four of the hardest hit districts for two weeks. They will help clean up the destruction, as well as share the love of Christ through encouragement and copies of Joyce’s books, Why, God ,Why?, Peace, and Tell Them I Love Them. 

The friends and partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries are also making it possible to provide rice, dal (a dried legume, such as lentils, beans or peas) and blankets to 10,000 families. These items should last for a month and give them time to get back on their feet.  

We will also have a community kitchen that will help feed the community at large. In addition to providing basic necessities, our main goal is to restore hope to the people who have suffered such great loss.  

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for making outreaches like this possible. Please continue to pray with us as the recovery efforts continue.  

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.

Follow Hand of Hope on Facebook | Twitter

Severe Flooding Strikes the Mekong River in Cambodia

Dr. Yem Tevyneath - Hospital Director, Hand of Hope Health Center

Continuous rain has left areas along the Mekong River in the Kandal province of Cambodia completely flooded. At least 83 people, including 34 children have died and hundreds of thousands have been affected. 

According to H.E Nhoem Vanda, Senior Minister and the First Vice Chairman for the government’s National Committee for Disaster Management, the floods have also decimated crops and attacked 13 capital provinces.
 

“About 800,000 people have been affected by severe flooding across the country,” he said. “More than 20,000 families were evacuated to higher ground, which is safer. 120,000 houses have flooded, hundreds have been completely destroyed, and 83 people have died in the floods,” he added.
 

So far, nearly 300,000 acres of rice paddy and numerous other crops have been damaged, along with 670 schools, 370 pagodas and 47 health centers.  

Hand of Hope is distributing food to those affected as well as Joyce’s books translated into Khmer. Currently the friends and partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries also enable us to provide feeding programs, children’s homes, a full-time healthcare facility and more throughout Cambodia on a continual basis. These outreaches allow us to reach out to many during time like these and year-round.  

Please continue to pray for those of us in Cambodia who have been affected by the flood. God bless you.  

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.

Follow Hand of Hope on Facebook | Twitter

God Did a Miracle in South Africa



Ashley Wilkins - Medical Outreach Director

When 34-year-old Abri found out she was pregnant, it was one of the happiest days of her life! Little did she know that in a few months she would lose the ability to walk and the end of her pregnancy would bring a lot of challenges and questions about her health. 

There was no explainable reason why she was no longer able to walk, and it seemed there was nothing that could be done to help her. Thankfully she didn’t have any complications with her pregnancy and she delivered a healthy baby, however she was still unable to walk. 

Last week our medical/dental team was in the rural part of South Africa where Abri lives, and her family brought her to our clinic in a wheelchair to be treated by our doctors.  

Our team treated her physical ailments, and then they prayed over her. After praying with our team, Abri gave her life to the Lord and He miraculously healed her legs! She stood up out of her wheelchair and was able to stand with no assistance and no pain, something she had not been able to do for months!  

We are so honored that the Lord chooses to send our teams around the world to help people like Abri.  

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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Providing Shelter & More Following Pakistan Earthquake

David Meyer - CEO Hand of Hope

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In the past week, a devastating earthquake and powerful aftershocks have hit the southwestern region of Pakistan. More than 500 people have died and thousands were left homeless as their mud-walled homes were destroyed. 

Hand of Hope is partnering with our contact on the ground in Pakistan to provide tents, food, utensils and Joyce’s books to affected families in and around the city of Awaran. 

Tents are in high demand because October is one of the hottest times of the year for Pakistan, with temperatures in the high 90s. Without homes, families are left to sit in the baking sun. These temporary shelters, along with the food and supplies, will provide much-needed relief. 

We ask that you join us in prayer for those affected. And as always, thank you for helping us provide immediate relief after disasters like this.

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.

Follow Hand of Hope on Facebook | Twitter