December 31, 2008

BOOKS FOR SYRIA


JMM Middle East Coordinator

I was in Syria recently to check on a shipment of JMM books that were being sent from Cairo to Damascus. Damascus is considered to be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. This picture was taken in the village of Maaloula about forty minutes from Damascus where they still speak Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke. It was a blessing to see our second shipment of JMM books arrive safely and legally into this country. This is no small feat as there is no Pentecostal Church registered in Syria. They are viewed as a cult and have no legal rights to assemble together. The Director of the Bible Society, who is a member of the Syrian Orthodox Church and a faithful believer, has been helping us distribute the books throughout the country to members of the Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and Baptist Churches. His wife loves Joyce Meyer and is a faithful daily viewer of Enjoying Everyday Life and there are many others being blessed by both her books and the EEL program. In the past three years we have shipped about 400,000 JMM booklets to Syria.

For more information visit Hand of Hope.

December 22, 2008

BRINGING AID TO THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IN ZIMBABWE


Zimbabwe's children are the most vulnerable to the Cholera epidemic.

Shelly Meyer

Recent reports say that over 1,100 people have died and more than 20,000 have been infected from the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe. Medical care is scarce in this nation that is already struggling with poverty and malnutrition. The children are the most vulnerable to the ravages of this disease. That is why we have sent our South Africa director of outreach there this week to bring aid and see how we can help those who are suffering. Please continue to pray for the people of Zimbabwe that God will heal those who are infected and stop the spread of this terrible disease.

For more information visit Hand of Hope.


December 17, 2008

GOD'S LOVE IN KOSOVO


Bledar assisting the dentist in the new dental clinic.


A young man named Bledar was a victim of the war in 1999. He, his mother, sister and brother watched as the Serbian soldiers came to their home and burned everything they owned. When his father and grandfather were being taken away, Bledar’s five year old brother broke free from his mother to try to hold onto his father. One of the soldiers grabbed the boy and slit his throat. He then shot the father and grandfather…killing them on the spot. They then threw the grandfather’s body into the well to try to poison the water.


Service International (SI) has reached out to help the family over the last nine years. They have built them a permanent home. Bledar liked to work alongside the SI volunteers during the time of construction in an attempt to heal his brokenness and hurt.


In 2001, SI established the first dental clinic in the village of Hereq. Bledar lived in that same village and asked if he could watch the dentist as he worked. Dr. Ortinau took Bledar under his wing.


Bledar was inspired at seeing how people were helped with dental care. He went to school to become a dental assistant. When he graduated, it just so happened that SI was looking for a dental assistant for the newly established full time dental clinic of Gjakova fully funded by Hand of Hope! Bledar is now one of SI’s faithful staff members! Now Bledar can help stabilize his family’s condition while doing something he loves.


Bledar’s story is a stunning reminder that God’s goodness is not thwarted by the evil deeds of the enemy. He restores hope and breathes life into any situation. Bledar is a living testimony of God’s love!


For more information visit Hand of Hope.

December 12, 2008

PUERTO RICO PRISON OUTREACH


Roy Lormis

Prison Ministry


This was truly a life changing outreach. Puerto Rico will never be the same!


One of the highlights of the trip was a service at Vega Alta Women’s Prison. Here at least 28 inmates received Jesus. As we shared with them we saw the power of God move mightily. Many of the women were broken and weeping openly before God. There were many women in this facility who are pregnant.


We also visited a youth facility in San Juan. Here we met a seventeen year old boy who was recently sentenced to 200 years for a triple murder. There was another young boy who was sobbing when we met him. His mother was a drug addict and used all of the family's money to fund her addiction. With no money left and fearing his little brothers would not have food to eat, he stole some bananas in an effort to provide for them and was arrested. We were able to minister to both of these boys, as well as many others.


Over 16,000 lives were touched by the generosity of this ministry, its partners and volunteers. 4,300 people gave their lives to Jesus!


Words can not express my gratitude for the opportunities given to us. What a joy to see the lives of so many touched by the hand of God. Many will have a brighter tomorrow and a whole lot less sorrow in the future. As long as people can change, the world can change. We are making a difference together. THANK YOU!


For more information visit Hand of Hope.

December 02, 2008

Letter of Thanks From Zimbabwe


Shelly Meyer


The political situation in Zimbabwe has made it very difficult for aid organizations to get assistance to the people who are suffering greatly due to the conditions there. God has made a way for us to provide a daily hot meal to thousands of school children in Zimbabwe. Here is a letter of thanks from one of the schools:


Madam Meyer,


I wish I had a thousand tongues then I could fully express in sincerity the gratitude that the community of Nembe has towards Hand of Hope and Joyce Meyer in particular. An empty stomach had been order of the day for most of the pupils until you came to the rescue. To highlight a few cases of serious starvation. I have a family that lives solely on this porridge. Gugulethu Msebele is a 13 year old girl, seventh in the family and doing grade 7 at Nembe Primary School. She is staying with her grandmother. Her parents passed away in 2002. They survive by asking for food from other people. She is performing well at school. I wish she could proceed to a secondary school.


May the Lord keep you in good health and keep on blessing you abundantly as you continue to bless those who have been blessed by your life saving ministry.


Nembe Primary School - Nov 2008



For more information visit Hand of Hope.