Jesus Paid is All

The Easter season is a special time at the home because the children are reminded of how much God cares about them. Whenever they read through what Jesus did for them on the cross, they become more aware of how much they are cared for. Their eyes are open to the fact that God went to the extremes to secure them a place with Him. The foster parents in the home have been such good role models in making the children understand this experientially.

Whenever the foster parents teach the children that God loved the world even to the point of His son’s death, they are building their faith tremendously. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Once the children understand the extent of God’s love for them, it is easier for them to open up to being loved in their new home despite all they have been through. This home is a testimony of the Lord’s love. Different circumstances led to the children finding themselves in this home, but we overlook it all and focus on giving them the best life we can.

In the same way, the Lent and Easter season comes with great hope and enthusiasm for everyone at the home. The worst possible case scenario of any challenge is death, and even that was conquered by Jesus Christ. As we constantly remember His suffering, death, and ascension, we are confident that not even death can subdue us. God’s covering has been evident for us. As a family, we rejoice more when we remember that Jesus paid it all for us and that we are now fully covered under His wings. Not only have we seen the fruits of salvation through Jesus Christ, but continue to live them.

We, the entire team, especially the children are so grateful to God for His gift of His Son. We are rejoicing in the blessing of each generous action in the faith of your support since Give Hope Ministries International started 10 years ago. As we observe this time of Lent and the journey of our Lord to the Cross overcoming death, payment for sins, and showing us the Love of the Holy Father and the gift of the Holy Spirit so we ourselves are not left Orphans as Jesus stated. We are humbled and grateful. Join us in giving Glory to God for his indescribable gift, in Christ Jesus, birth, life on earth as Emanuel. Suffering for us, walking in the same challenges we face daily and showing us that HE calms every storm for us. He gave His body as the bread of our lives and He asked that whether we eat or drink, let us do it in remembrance of him and to the Glory of God.

May each of you be as blessed as you are being fully accepted in the beloved.

In Christ Jesus.

Post-Author is Donna Onjala a Christian Freelance Content Writer

Living Water to Grow the Children

Life is indeed spiritual. At GHMI, everything has been working together for good. All the progress experienced has been an outward manifestation of what is happening in the spirit realm. Quite recently, the children went from a hand dug well, to a hand pump deep well and now by the grace of God, an automated in well electric pump that supplies clean water throughout the facility. It came with so much joy and relief from the burden of trekking long distances in search of clean drinkable water. Now they have sufficient clean water that does not run out in the facility and they can all rest. We are not ignorant of the symbolism of all this in their spiritual lives.

Surely, we can attest that the Lord is with us. His living water has occupied every part of our being and brings refreshment to every dimension of our lives at GHMI. Just as He has given His Living Water to us freely, all kinds of refreshment have come our way including various graces and favor. There is indoor plumbing in the facility meaning that the clean water can flow through every structure there. Likewise, GHMI has conducted the necessary preparations to ensure the Word of God flows freely to the children in unlimited portions for their spiritual growth. For every child, adequate measures have been taken to build a spiritual ‘connecting pipe’ so the Living Water can flow to them from the authorities that are connected to the source.

One attribute that has been nurtured by this Living Water is unity, for if every part of the facility is to receive the clean water, there has to be a constant connection without leakage or breakage. Therefore, we uphold the unity of all children and the larger GHMI family as the key to keep the Living Water flowing unrestricted to any of us. The children have experienced tremendous growth interacting with the Holy Spirit and knowing God through his Word.

Our interpretation of all this is of course not without scriptural backing. Jeremiah 2:13 refers to God as the fountain of living waters, meaning he is the source. Even as we enjoy the benefits of the well in our facility, we are constantly reminded that God is the source of living water that we desire to give to every child that they may experience transforming growth. Jesus also talks about the living water at length. In this context of John 4:13, He is referring to the Holy Spirit who would become in us a spring of water welling up to eternal life. How privileged we are to have Him living in us today. GHMI acknowledges the trinity including the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit that have made running the facility a success for us.

So what is so different about us? We rely on God fully as our source of the Living Water that we avail to our children. Every time you interact with any of them, you do not just give them love, but you are also connected to the Living Water that is in them, and you edify one another. It’s refreshing!

We give overflowing gratitude of thanks to all our giving partners. We are refreshed in the Lord daily and we are refreshed in His Love as He is the indescribable gift, the one who is the living water, so our spirit shall never thirst again. Join us in your prayer and give Glory to God as our source who through Christ Jesus provided the way, the truth and the life as no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6).

Post-Author is Donna Onjala a Christian Freelance Content Writer

Foster Parenting GOD's Way

Proverbs 22:6 tells us to train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it. Truly, there is no specification placed on the type of child that this applies to. This means that it is possible to train up an orphan in God’s way without them deviating from it. This is a special instruction given to foster parents too, whom the mantle of parenting orphans has been bestowed. It is a beautiful verse to walk by as a foster parent because you are constantly reminded how you ought to raise the foster child/ children God has blessed you with.

At Give Hope Ministries International, a unique strategy is implemented to give each child as much of a normal homely experience as possible through the establishment of households and families within the bigger group. Through this, children in each household relate with their foster parents and fellow adoptive siblings as a child with their biological family would. Of course, the Word of God is esteemed highly throughout their lives and they are introduced to the Gospel from an early age. The structures in place are made to mimic the ideal Christian home, in order to ensure they aren’t lacking whether in experience or understanding of what a believer’s family life ought to look like.

Having stuck to that technique of foster parenting, the orphans have been able to live in model setups that enable them to become better parents in future without feeling underprivileged. They learn by experience, how the family (which is the pillar of the church) ought to function in the Lord although their biological families are absent from the picture.

As we conclude, Luke 6:38 says, give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put in your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Foster parents are some of the most blessed people we have on earth. The riches stored up for them in glory are accumulating with every minute that they sacrifice all they have for others, for this is the very gesture of love that Jesus Christ showed for us to emulate. For even, He says in John 15:13, greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Just as foster parents have laid down their alternative life options for this noble course, they will receive their reward from God both here on earth and in heaven.

For those “Foster Parents” that are the partners in this ministry, we give Glory to GOD and so much gratitude for all you do in supporting the children and the ministry of Give Hope Ministries International. If you are not a partner of our ministry, please consider joining us by collaborating by volunteering or donating, so that we can continue, “fostering” what Jesus, stated were the least of these. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

 Post-Author is Donna Onjala a Christian Freelance Content Writer