Dear Friend of HOPE worldwide,
As we enter 2011, I want to express my deep appreciation for the multitude of friends and partners who have responded to the needs of the poor during the past year. I am also pleased to report that your generosity enabled us to meet and exceed our year-end matching gift goal of $50,000. I am humbled by the degree of trust that so many continue to display by their sacrificial gifts of time and finances to help others – both here at home and across the globe in HOPE worldwide. Trust like this can only be built by a truly compassionate team of volunteers, supporters and partners. I am thankful for the important role they have played in our work.
There have been many, many stories during 2010 that exemplify great teamwork around the world. Some of our finest hours were when our church partners and HOPE worldwide joined together to help relieve the suffering from the Haiti earthquake. In December, we were able to further honor our commitment to take care of the church members in Haiti who lost their homes in the quake by purchasing a plot of land near Port-au-Prince. The site plan provides for a sufficient number of homes to be built by a partner NGO to completely house the 110 Christians that remain in tents on the church property. The site plan also includes a community meeting hall and medical clinic.
Another inspiring example of service is found in an email that I received last week from our Country Director in Cote d'Ivoire. The entire country is locked-down due to post-election violence that began last month when the existing President was voted out of office during the first open election in years. Although our program in Cote d'Ivoire had recently won grants worth several million dollars, the desperately needed funding was held up by the outbreak of fighting in the streets. In a display of both faith and courage, Dr. Solange Balou offered the following update:
December 30, 2010 - This week was quieter so we have been able to work. The U.S. people have been evacuated, meaning that PEPFAR directors and others are gone. However, we have received information that from now to next week our funding will be sent to us. So please pray for us, and for peace in the country. - Dr. Solange Balou, Country Director, Cote d'Ivoire
God's faithfulness to our work gives me great confidence as we enter a new decade of service to the poor. Already, support is coming in for a new hospital in Cambodia and our U.S. Chapters are poised for nationwide service on Martin Luther King Day later this month. As we look back at the events of 2010, please join me in a prayer of gratitude to God for the many ways he has blessed the work.
God bless,
Randy Jordan
HOPE worldwide CEO
Visit us at www.HOPEww.org to learn more about all of HOPE worldwide's programs and see how you can be a part of global change to bring hope to some of the world's most needy.
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