Were Hope is Always in Prayers

In all things, it is tough to give thanks, but we are directed to do so in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. When we see struggle, when we see suffering, when we as people or even a person, come to the place where those around us need a solution seem hopeless and so helpless to receive something to lift them up.

In GOD’s plan, there is every hope as GOD has already provided for us in more ways than we often realize and that in each if us he placed the power to call on Him (GOD) who is more than able overcome what we see before us. This power can be unleashed when we come together in the name of Jesus Christ and cry out in a unified voice to GOD who hears us before we even speak. Corporate Prayer is the power which we have and we all, need to come to pray, the simple prayer, HELP!

Below is an excerpt from a post in 2016 by Billy Graham.org:

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“Comfort each other and edify one another.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:11

We’re all human. So it makes sense that our hearts often hurt for people impacted by tragedies here and abroad—tragedies that can leave us feeling helpless.

What can we do in response to the violence and destruction around us?

1. Pray Deeply

“Prayer is the Christian’s greatest weapon.” —Billy Graham

As believers, we look up. We seek out God through prayer—and trust in His sovereignty.

Scripture tells us prayer is one of our most powerful resources. But how can you pray more deeply?

·         This article by Anne Graham Lotz, “It’s Time to Pray!”, breaks it down with tips on how to pray with humility, certainty, authority and clarity.

When you don’t have any words, or when you feel like you’re beating down God’s door with the same prayer day after day, ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is an intercessor for us and cries out to God on our behalf.

2. Immerse Yourself in God’s Word

When you feel as if your very soul hurts from news reports of another shooting, evil act or disaster, how do you find comfort?

There is a place of refuge. The Bible tells us, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5).

·         Here are 15 more comforting Bible verses for troubled times. Try incorporating these verses of God’s mercy and steadfastness into your prayers for those who are suffering.

·         Does the Bible give us any hope for a better world? Billy Graham responds in this My Answer.

3. Guard Your Heart

“Grief can kill a person emotionally and physically. If not counteracted with God’s strength and power, our personal weakness may debilitate us.” —Billy Graham

Do our minds ever erase graphic images such as horrifying footage from tragic events?

You may have experienced what’s called secondary trauma from viewing video clips and photos on TV and social media. It’s important to recognize how these lasting impressions can affect you, as they can be physically, emotionally and spiritually damaging.

Although Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) chaplains are trained to offer hope and comfort in times of crisis, they can experience secondary trauma themselves.

·         Learn how to cope with stress from troubling incidents as the chaplains do with this sound advice from RRT Director Jack Munday.

4. Care for Others

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:2 

It’s important to guard your heart, but you can also support others experiencing secondary trauma—some who may be going through a personal crisis as well.

·         Learn how to share hope amidst everyday tragedies through RRT’s Sharing Hope in Crisis course.

5. Support Crisis Ministry

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” —Philippians 2:4

No matter how out of control the world gets, taking action and selflessly serving others can allow God’s perfect peace to fill your heart. If you feel God leading you to help people but can’t be there in person, you can still share hope with others worldwide.

Please pray for all this world, remember in GOD’s word says the rain falls on all, so prayer can also fall on all.

We here at GHM are praying as we have a large family in BUSIA, Uganda and we appreciate if you pray, or you can give as well.

Go to our homepage and see how you can give specifically to our community.

This is an excerpt of the full article written in 2016 found at this link https://billygraham.org/story/5-ways-you-can-respond-in-times-of-crisis/

A Vision for 2020 – God IS Good!

As the new year begins, Give Hope Ministries is looking forward to a year of growth, education and ministry. At the end of 2019, CEO and founder Willy Ouma traveled to Uganda to begin work on the last Proverbs School campus initiative – building the multipurpose facility! This multipurpose facility will have the last 2 classrooms for students, a space for volunteers, a meeting space for the community and allow opportunities for growth. With over 310 children who attended Proverbs School in 2019, God impressed upon the hearts of Willy and the Board of Directors the need to begin construction on the multipurpose building in order to continue providing the children with the support they need to succeed.

We are excited to share construction began in November on the foundation of the building. While we still have a lot of fundraising to do in order to ensure success of the project, as always, we have faith God will provide for the needs of Give Hope Ministries. With Willy spearheading the project, we are confident the multipurpose facility will be completed by the end of 2020. The children, administrators, teachers and community are all supportive of this next step at Proverbs School. Willy and the Board of Directors are diligent in their desire to provide the best quality to the children who attend Proverbs School, where we are always working together to “defend the cause of the fatherless and widows” within the community of Busia. (Deut 10:18)

Another exciting new area we want to tell you about is the expanding opportunities for the students. We are beginning a new program which allows Ugandan students to experience the United States in an educational outreach opportunity. One of the goals of this program is to allow students to learn, experience new cultures and become empowered as they move towards a future of hope.

Our first student, Emmanuel, will be traveling to Santa Clara, California in January. During his stay with a local family, he will experience a cross-cultural education between his home in Uganda and the United States, allowing his view to expand and develop while receiving quality education.

God has been providing for Give Hope Ministries since 2012 and we are now experiencing not only the impact in Uganda, but throughout the world as we begin offering this educational traveling experience to students. There is A LOT happening at Give Hope Ministries in 2020 and we look forward to keeping you up to date about these two key projects. God is providing new opportunities every day for Give Hope Ministries to provide orphan housing and meals through our self-sustaining model, offer quality education to the community as well as the orphans and build a campus that will be safe, clean and continues to offer hope for future generations.

We look forward to keeping you posted on the progress of the multipurpose facility and the journey of our student. It is going to be an exciting year! God IS good and He continues to work in miraculous ways at Give Hope Ministries! Thank you for being a part of our journey.

We are always delighted to have guest Blog writers. Alexis Geers offered this submission. Thank you Alexis !

Through the Eyes of a Board Member's Joy

My first visit to Give Hope Ministries occurred in June of 2015 prior to my joining the Board of Directors.  I had been involved with the ministry since 2012. My reason for that trip was God’s and Willy’s insistence that I needed to meet the children and teachers so that I would establish a relationship with the ministry. That happened! I came away from that trip knowing we needed a pure, permanent water supply for the children. That came to pass in 2016 with the drilling of a water well which has become a blessing to the Give Hope ministry and the local community.

This trip, I went as a Board of Directors member, to review the current facilities and look at possible future needs.  We are currently at least two classrooms short of space, we are short of orphan housing and the Busia Community Church needs a bigger home.

For the trip, I took 5 suitcases of school supplies, exercise equipment including 24 soccer balls, clothing for 58 orphans and 150 Beanie Babies. I had taken the same amount of Beanie Babies in 2015 when the school enrollment was 150 but now the school has 305 students.  They had been a huge success and I felt the teachers would figure out a way to use them to their best advantage. Little did I know they would cause a near riot.

On the 4th day at the school, my daughter Aimee and I unpacked the 5 suitcases so we could do a clothing distribution to the 58 orphans that are supported by the school. We divided up the materials so the teachers could see what other items we had brought.  The Beanie Baby pile looked impressive and it drew the attention of the students as we did the clothing distribution in one of the classrooms. The clothing distribution went well with Aimee matching clothing sizes to the boys and girls. Every orphan got at least one new outfit. The students were very well behaved and patiently waited their turn as it took a while to fit everyone.

At this point, Willy Ouma, School Founder and Director, felt it would be great idea if we also distributed the Beanie Babies.  Having seen what had happened in 2015, several of the teachers and myself strongly recommended he not do this. He was not to be dissuaded. He grabbed an armful and headed outside. Classes were over for the day, so you had children ages 4 to 14 outside. When Willy tossed out the first Beanie Baby pandemonium broke lose. Every student headed for Willy to get a Beanie Baby. After the first few minutes, I thought Willy was going down under the crush of children rushing him. It turns out he was trying to protect some of the smaller children.  Aimee tried to follow Willy’s lead, but wisely stayed in a classroom doorway so she avoided some of the crush. God protected all, no one was hurt, but I saw some pretty amazing athlete feats by some of the boys jumping a fence trying to get to Aimee.

After the craziness died down, Willy had a comment that summed up the situation: “That was not one of my better ideas”.

God is good.  We had an amazing visit that was richly blessed. God is doing great things at Proverbs Junior.

Richard Zander

Richard is one of the Board Members who went on the August 2019 trip to BUSIA with his daughter and the Founder/CEO Willy Ouma. This is his Joy as seen through his eyes on what GOD is doing. His favorite response to the amazing events is “God is Good” and that is a fact.