A Spring of Hope in the Amazon Jungle

Chad Trafton, Staff Writer 

Nestled in the Peruvian jungle, Zungaro Cocha is one of hundreds of villages you may not find on a map but populate much of the Amazon River coastline. 

Although it’s Autumn, it feels a lot like Summer, with temps in the 90s bolstered by high humidity from frequent showers. Makeshift wood and cement houses with simple metal roofs line the muddy roads of this community. 

Most families have little more than a table and a few chairs, along with a wood-burning stove and a place to sleep. Many don’t even have this. And until recently, no one had access to clean water. Dirty water from the Amazon and its tributaries regularly makes them sick, bringing parasites and other diseases into the community. 

Thanks to you, Joyce Meyer Ministries’ Hand of Hope recently built a church and installed a fresh-water well in Zungaro Cocha, bringing physical and spiritual help to thousands. 

Gilberto Ahuanari pastors the church. For the past three years, they held services in a dilapidated house, not even able to keep out the rain. They prayed for an answer, and the Lord gave them Zechariah 6:15: “And those who are far off shall come and help build the Temple of the Lord.” 

“I didn’t know where it would come from,” says Pastor Ahuanari. “But its you. It’s a gift from God.” 

“Since I was a kid, I saw suffering from water,” says church member Ester Yahuarcani. People had a lot of disease…now they don’t. Now God has blessed us.” 

Over and over, the people we meet tell us, “You are the answer to our prayers.” Friends and partners, you are here in the Peruvian jungle, bringing hope and God’s love to so many along the Amazon River. 

Thank you for being a part of the answer. 

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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His Love Knows No Bounds

Kim Schmied, Hand of Hope 

After spending a week in the remote jungles of Peru on a Hand of Hope medical/dental missions outreach, I am reminded yet again that God’s love truly knows no bounds.  

It is a truth that has been well established in my soul for many years, yet every time I experience God on the mission field, it manages to catch me off guard as if I am discovering it for the very first time. I am reminded that there is no heart His love cannot reach, no soul beyond His grasp, no individual outside his line of vision. 

In each corner of the world, the needs of the people look different. In some places, like Ethiopia, they are glaringly obvious and visually devastating. While in others, like the jungle village of Mazan, Peru, you have to look a little more closely to see them. You may not see belly after belly distended in malnourishment or bodies riddled with disease. But you will see severe tooth infections and open wounds that when left untreated could easily become just as life threatening. You will see babies covered from head to toe in scabies and mommas hoping and praying that their children find some relief. 

The heartache of a mother watching her child suffer is the same regardless of geographic location or the severity of the physical condition. But just as the heartache is the same, so too is the joy and hope they experience when offered a solution. 

Whether that solution is a tooth extraction or medicine or the sound of her child’s carefree laughter as they blow bubbles and get sufficiently tickled while waiting in line, each person that comes through our clinic is touched and changed. Each one is reminded that they haven’t been forgotten and that there is a God in Heaven who not only loves them, but who will go to great lengths to reveal Himself to them. 

During our five days of clinic in Mazan, we were able to treat 2,541 patients, extract 304 teeth, dispense 8,651 prescriptions and lead 593 people to the Lord. The fact that God has chosen to partner with us, His children, to fulfill His purposes in the Earth is a humbling realization. And then to experience that partnership firsthand is nothing short of a divine privilege. 

With every medical outreach we do, we have a unique opportunity to meet people in their time of need. And through that need, we have an even more unique opportunity to introduce them to the God who sent us, shower them with His love, and give them a hope for the future that will last long after the medications are gone.

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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Praising God In the Storm

Looking out their window, Robert and Judy could see the tornado forming near their home in Mayflower, Arkansas. They sought safety in their safe room…the only thing from their home that was left standing when the dust settled. 

“I give God all the praise and glory because it was Him who kept us safe. And I’m thankful for the sweet people who He sent to be an extension of Himself and thankful for the ministry who supports all this.” 

Those sweet people God sent were from the Arkansas Dream Center, who we’ve partnered with to bring relief to those in Mayflower who were devastated in the F4 tornado. We also partnered with North Little Rock First Assembly to help those in Vilonia, a nearby town that was also hit hard. 

Because of the financial donations of the friends and partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries, we’ve been able to provide food, cleanup and basic necessities following the storm. 

We love the opportunity to help those in need, and are so thankful to everyone who helps make outreaches like this possible. 

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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Backpacks in the Jungle

Ginger Stache, Chief Media Officer of Joyce Meyer Ministries

Nine-year-old Jarumy hurried straight home after school and broke out her new colored pencils. She and 500 smiling kids in the jungle of Peru received a gift today of backpacks and school supplies. Jarumy's Vice Principal said it was like Christmas for these students and their teachers. And the parents were in tears. 

Joyce Meyer Ministries Hand of Hope may have handed out these backpacks but our partners are the heart that made it possible. Thanks for giving so many of us a great day and for allowing us to show Christ's love in such a fun way.  

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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Prison Outreach Update: South Carolina

Roy Lormis, Prison Outreach Supervisor

We just returned from our prison outreach to South Carolina. At the first facility we visited we handed out the gifts to the offenders and then scheduled to return in the evening for a service. The service was not previously scheduled; however, meeting the warden and giving him the box of gifts for him and the box of gifts for the staff opened the door. 

At this facility a young man had given his soap to another inmate who needed some. He had told his mom about this a couple of days before our arrival. She had told him to pray. He had asked his brother if he could help him with some money to get soap from the prison store, a request his brother denied. His need was filled though when we showed up and gave everyone soap, shampoo and Joyce Meyer books. He was blown away that God would answer his prayer in a way he never even thought possible! 

We continued to see God work and move in men’s hearts. In a maximum security unit, where we had to put protective gear on just to hand out the gifts, we saw a lot of men in total disbelief that someone would come to where they are to give them something without expecting anything in return. 

At the Broad River Correctional Institution we were allowed to have a service with 69 men in attendance. This was a maximum security prison and they don’t let a great number of guys out at a time. The good news was that the service was piped throughout the prison and recorded so it could be replayed over and over. I know God uses the gifts as a tool to open the hearts of the men and women we visit. 

On this trip we handed out 11,370 gift bags, held five services and had 104 come to Christ. Of the 13 prisons we visited, two were on medical lock-down. They had a flu epidemic and under quarantine. Some of the offenders will get the books (“Be Healed in Jesus’ Name) we left for them when they come off of lock-down 

Blessings,
Roy Lormis  

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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How One Goat Changed The Life Of This Mother And Her Baby

by Laura Matheny, R.N. – HOH Medical Outreach Coordinator

In February, I had the privilege of leading a Hand of Hope medical missions team into Niger in Central West Africa. Niger is a place of great need, both spiritually and physically. Our medical/dental clinic was an incredible open door for the people to experience God’s love and hear the message of salvation. It was truly an honor to serve them. 

The highlight of our trip was one of the last patients we saw. Her name was Fatisima. She was about 1 month old and weighed a little under 6 pounds. 

This baby came to us very malnourished because her mother wasn't able to produce enough milk to feed the baby. In fact, this woman had lost 5 babies already due to the inability to provide enough milk for them. Fatisima was her sixth child, and was quickly heading down the same path. But her mother had heard about our clinic and came to us with hopes that we could help her. 

Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do about her milk supply...so we bought her a goat instead. There is a "goat milk" program in Niger that involves feeding malnourished children. It has had high success rates and so we asked the mother if she had a goat. She did not...and was not able to afford to buy one. So, for $60, we bought her a goat to take home with her and use the milk to feed her baby.  

When we told her about the goat, she was so happy! Finally, she has hope that one of her children will live! 

What a privilege it was to be a part of such an awesome act of love. While we were driving out of the clinic, our last sight was this mother and her child leaving with a goat...and a new hope for a better future. 

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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Meet Pastor Alex from our St. Louis Dream Center

My name is Alex Bryant, and I am the new director of the St. Louis Dream Center. In July of last year my wife, Angela, and I (along with our 5 kids) moved here from sunny Southwest Florida. We did this for one reason: we believe that people want to be a part of something bigger than they are! And what is happening at the St. Louis Dream Center is definitely bigger than all of us. 

My family is from the Midwest, and my mother has been a student of Joyce’s teaching for many years, so, I was familiar with the DC. I knew that the staff and volunteers had been meeting the needs of inner city kids and adults for a number of years. Great things have been happening for a while – long before I arrived. So, when the opportunity arose for us to come and be a part of what’s going on, we jumped at the chance! 

Having grown up in the housing projects in a town just north of St. Louis, I know what it’s like to be poor and needy. I have eaten the government cheese and peanut butter. I have gone to school with clothes that were worn out and didn’t fit. But, God had His hand on my life the whole time. 

I made it out of the ‘hood’ through education! Educating my heart with the knowledge that Christ is real and has a plan for my life. Educating my mind, through college, developing the tools necessary to fulfill this plan. I feel like God has been preparing me for this all my life!

God has given us an even bigger vision for the ministry here at the Dream Center and the surrounding community, the 21st Ward. We want to see more people move from where they are (perhaps homeless or in extreme poverty) to become productive members of society. We want to help them get GEDs and higher education that will help them get better jobs to support their families. We want to help them develop life skills (e.g. personal finance, parenting, and social acumen) that will help them feel more confident about accomplishing their dreams and goals. We want to teach them God’s Word so they will know His values and His expectations for their life. And then we want to release them into the community with the mandate to help us fulfill the Great Commission!

I made it out and now I want to help as many people as possible make it out too. If I can do it, so can they! Pray for us as we continue to grow the scope and reach of the St. Louis Dream Center. If we all work together we can achieve more.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Pastor Alex 
Executive Director of the SLDC

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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Medical/Dental Missions in El Salvador

In January, Wade Hosseini, Medical Outreach Coordinator for Joyce Meyer Ministries, led a team of medical and dental volunteers into El Salvador to provide care for people in need. Here’s what Wade and his team experienced there: 

Thanks to God, our team had a phenomenal experience in El Salvador. Many people were treated medically/dentally and more importantly, lives were touched eternally. Lives were transformed right before our eyes through the simple gift of vitamins and medications that we were able to provide. Patients were heard saying, “no one has ever given me anything.” The extension of Christ’s love made a lasting impact to over 3,500 people! I can’t say enough good things about the El Salvadorians, such humility, generosity, and compassion was shown toward our team. 

Among the 3,537 people treated through our week of clinics there, 373 came to know Jesus Christ as their savior. Our team has many stories of how God worked through our mission in El Salvador, but these two stand out: 

• Our team was able to change the life of a young boy. Having been born with a speech issue due to underdeveloped oral tissue underneath his tongue, his speech had always been slurred. With the medical supplies our team had on hand, a small procedure was done, freeing his tongue to move. Eventually this will help with his annunciation of words. Catching this early on in his life, will enable him to one day speak perfectly clearly.  

• A frantic mother brought a baby in with a severe fever. As she was unable to afford the necessary emergent care, we treated the child and we were able to bring the fever down and prevent the child form having seizures as a complication, which had happened in the past the mother said. Happy we were there to help! 

Medically, these are really simple treatments and procedures, the kind we might take for granted. But to these people, our work there literally changed the course of their lives! And of course, the best part about it is that God was glorified in this work. Thanks to our Partners and all the medical/dental volunteers who make these outreaches possible 

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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Muffins For Missions

Recently, Hand of Hope, the world missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries, received this letter from a 9 year-old little girl in Florida. Like Joyce, medical issues in her own family opened up her heart for those who are in need around the world. 

Dear Hand of Hope, 

I am nine years old and I live in St. Augustine, Florida. This past summer my dad had to have heart surgery. He had an aortic aneurism and a bad valve. He was able to get help at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I thank God that my dad still lives today. 

My mom told me about Hand of Hope and about people who need help in other countries. I’m not innocent. I forget about them too. I am very thankful that my dad was able to get medical help but also sad for the people who couldn’t. That’s when I decided to have a bake sale to raise money for medical missions. I made invitations and put them all over my neighborhood and sent some to friends. 

Many people came, and we raised $176. Please use this money for medical missions. We prayed over the bake sale a lot and we thank God for the amount we raised. 

With love, 
G.J.  

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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Finding Home in Serving Others

Sarah Foster, St. Louis Dream Center Assistant

Queen of the hill, she had everything at her fingertips. She was the star of her college’s women’s basketball team. A career in the WNBA seemed all but certain. She was on top of the world, and nothing was going to bring her down. But sometimes life has a way of knocking us to our knees…that’s what the rape did to her. That’s what two basketball-related injuries did to her. She gave up, she let go. She succumbed to the humbling blows that came her way. 

Fast forward to today – past the years she spent as a drug dealer, past the years of depression, past the moment when she was asked to leave her sister’s house because she couldn’t kick her drug habit. Today, you’ll find the former queen of the hill serving others at the St. Louis Dream Center as a volunteer in the food pantry. “Good morning!” she says cheerfully as the next client walks past the desk with a grocery cart. She carefully gathers the food items and hands them over with a friendly smile. When watching her, it’s almost as if she were born for this. 

In fact, she was in the grocery business for eleven years, much of that time managing stores throughout the southeast. This is her “niche.” It’s apparent this isn’t just a woman fresh off the streets, working hard to leave the drugs in her past; you see her as something more. You begin to see her as God sees her: A woman with hope and a future. A woman with a smile. A woman with joy. A woman who has found a family and a home. 

Meet Kasha Doomes. Right now she may be “homeless,” bouncing from friend’s house to friend’s house as she diligently works to get her life back in order, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a home. When asked to describe the Dream Center in one word, “inspirational” is what immediately comes from her mouth. 

“This place feels like family, it feels like home. Sometimes I don’t want to leave at the end of the day, but I know I have to.” She hopes to one day open a home or facility that will help women who have experienced similar difficult situations in their lives. She wants to take the inspiration she has received from the Dream Center and pass it along to others in need. She would also like to write a book. 

What would she say to someone that is considering volunteering at the Dream Center? “It’s a good environment. Being here will not only teach you a lot about other people; it will teach you about yourself. It will help you to see who you really are if you don’t already know.” 

Kasha needed something positive, a better place to be. She needed somewhere to invest her time, a good environment. When it seemed like her life couldn’t get any darker, a friend introduced her to the Dream Center and volunteering. She was in search of doing something good with her time. In turn, she found inspiration. She found hope. She found a family. She found home. 

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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