May 30, 2012

Adventure Along the Amazon River

Ashley Wilkins, R. N. - Hand of Hope Medical Outreach Director

Living in a hammock on a boat on the Amazon for a week is not easy. Of course, hammock or no hammock, living in the Amazon is never easy, which is exactly why Hand of Hope wanted to reach the people living in this desperate area. We traveled for 7 hours in a boat down the Amazon and arrived in Curua Brazil, a remote village with very little medical or dental help. We were faced with life and death situations requiring immediate attention. 

From day one, our clinic functioned more like an emergency room than a normal day-to-day medical/dental clinic. One little boy’s story paints the picture perfectly, 8 year old Claudio. He arrived with a previously undiagnosed heart murmur, as well as a high fever. If the heart murmur was not worrisome enough, while we were caring for this little boy his temperature spiked to 104° F and he was becoming increasingly lethargic. The cardiologist on our team diagnosed him with an infection around his heart. Claudio didn’t have long to live. So, we started an IV on him, gave him antibiotics, and prayed. Children Claudio’s age that don't respond quickly to treatment can easily die very quickly. So, we monitored him all day, giving him the appropriate medications and fluids. 

He had not improved by the time we were closing the clinic for the day. All we could do at this point was make arrangements to have him sent by the fastest method there, by boat, to the next biggest city where there was a hospital that could treat him. The boat was leaving at 9pm, but miraculously at 8pm his fever broke and he was almost totally recovered! Jesus very likely saved his life, the lives of 5-6 other patients on this day and the souls of many more! 

Our time on the Amazon was an incredible experience, one we will never forget. In one short week we treated 3,388 patients and prayed with nearly 400 to receive Christ. Although our team was there for a short term mission, I am so thankful for the on-going work being done by our ministry partner, Project Amazon, who serves remote Amazon villages all throughout the year on the medical/dental boat purchased by Hand of Hope. Lives being changed, people being helped, Christ's name brought to the most remote parts of the earth. All because of you, thank you for serving with us!


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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May 23, 2012

Benin, Africa: human trafficking, hunger, poverty–overcome by Jesus!

















Shelly Meyer–Hand of Hope International Relations Officer

In Benin, a small country in West Africa, many children in rural villages are suffering from exploitation and poverty – being sold and stolen for child labor, sex and organ trafficking.

We began partnering with Action and Impact Plus, a local organization that founded a Christian school in a particularly vulnerable village. They care for the most at-risk children, mostly orphans, by educating, housing and loving them. On a recent visit, our team noticed a need for a consistent supply of food. As a result, Hand of Hope is now supplying enough food for 3 meals daily, 7 days a week for all 77 children living at the school. The children are safe, healthy, well fed and know the love and protection of Jesus – while being educated!

In addition, we are now airing Joyce’s teachings on local radio in French, reaching into villages across Benin.  We are amazed at all that God is doing around the world, and how he leads us to help others.


Thank you partners for your support.

 
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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May 16, 2012

Giving Hope to Children in Cape Town


















Brad Senekal: Joyce Meyer Ministries South Africa Outreach Director

Mrs. Truter is truly an appreciative grandmother. She expressed so much gratitude for the programs available for her grandchildren and the kids of the community provided by Living Hope in Cape Town, which is supported by the friends and partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Mrs. Truter said, “I know not many parents come to say thank you, so I’m doing it for all of them, just like the one who went back to thank Jesus out of all the others who just walked away.” 

Her grandkids are so excited when they get home from school, they can’t wait to go to kids and teens club. She talks to them every day when they get back from the club about what they are learning. Thank you for your support in providing Christ-centered alternatives to the children of South Africa.

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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May 09, 2012

Producing Hope and Health in Cambodia

Dr. Yem Tevyneath – Hospital Director – Hand of Hope Health Center

With no local opportunities and only a second grade education, Chanty Sok moved away from her birthplace with her family and husband to pursue the only opportunity available to them, farming. During a trip back to her home province, Chanty heard about the Hand of Hope Health Center, supported by partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries, from villagers in the area. The Hand of Hope Health Center has been providing much needed medical support to families like Chanty’s in and around Pursat, Cambodia since 2009. 

After traveling about 9 ½ miles, Chanty arrived at the Hand of Hope Health Center with her only daughter Pisey. Pisey was one year old, born premature and suffered from nerve problems and frequent bouts of sickness. She was seen by a doctor and became one of the 50 patients the Hand of Hope Health Center sees every day. Slightly smiling, Chanty says, “I am so surprised and so joyful to have a health center in my province for the poor who can pay nothing. I would like to say thank you to the physicians who serve here and to all the supporters who have been helping promote health care in the Pursat province.” Thank you partners for helping make 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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May 02, 2012

Reaching Prisoners in the Dominican

Roy Lormis - JMM Prison Ministry Supervisor

Hand of Hope, in conjunction with Dan Salas Ministries, completed a two week prison trip in the Dominican Republic earlier this year. We were able to visit inmates and distribute hygiene gift bags which included personal care items, an encouraging note and one of Joyce's books. The harvest from this outreach was astounding. We held 37 services in 28 prisons in two weeks and had 7,643 come to Christ. We distributed a total of 22,400 gift bags. A lot of attention was given to this outreach locally – there were several press conferences and one TV station aired 14 minutes of our outreach including some of the preaching. 

We consider it a great honor to have been in the Dominican Republic and represent the Kingdom of God. Every mile traveled, every bump in the road, every cold water shower, every meal skipped, and every long day is nothing compared to the harvest we saw during our time there. We would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Our heartfelt thanks to Pastor Nelson of the Federal Chaplains Federation and Pastor Okeke for coordinating efforts locally in the Dominican – and thank you partners and friends for sending us.

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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