All Storms Pass in GOD’s Timing

We at Give Hope Ministries International.org (GHMI.org) rejoice greatly because after many months of the Global storm named COVID-19, it is beginning to pass to a lesser issue. As such in Busia Uganda at our facility, we have been certified this past week to start to fully re-open and get back to full staff and all grade levels of the children, all teachers and caregivers.

So we thank GOD and give Him all the Glory, rejoice with us in this Mercy and His Grace upon the least of these who GOD so Loves. We thank Jesus Christ for letting us know; “Not all of us will have to face physical storms of this kind. But Jesus said that we would all face the storms of life (Matthew 7:25–27). Together we have all to various degrees faced it under the mighty Love of GOD.

We thank the Holy Spirit for guiding us along the best path to keep all the chaos at a minimal level and most of all, provide all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. We also must know that GOD watches out for us all and in the statement found in Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” 

One of those mighty provisions are our donors and partners who, despite the world COVID-19 storm in all our lives; refused to be distracted hearts from giving and making sure that Give Hope Ministries International’s absolute needs were taken care of as we had need. We are so grateful, so very grateful.

There was some damage from an earthy rain storm at the facility, and it has been repaired just in time for the children to return. Some of our most vulnerable children needed some support such as food and clean water, and it was arranged, even if we had to get permission from the authorities, GOD paved the way in every asking event with a nod to provide. This included supplementing our teachers who would be paid at at partial salary to help and support them as well. Our GOD and some generous partners made sure this was addressed almost before the matter was presented as an issue.

Assets as we have been blessed to have like good teachers for the children are very much a blessing and GOD in his providence made sure they were provided for enough, like GOD’s Grace for us all, enough.

This week we are starting back on the 3 level building project, at phase 2 and we still need to raise the funding to complete it all, but GOD will provide, he knows people! This is a great blessing and once the facility is completed in Phase 3, we will have all the buildings needed to support the finer efforts of maintaining and updating the educational offerings, beyond the core needs we currently offer them. This will give the students the best possible education adding other classes and challenges with more curriculum to their educational toolkit to enhance their opportunities as they go further on in education and in their lives beyond graduation from Proverbs Primary School. We always will make sure that even an Orphan can have the same chance as all other children at the facility, plus their other needs met so they to can grow and thrive.

No one desires to weather a storm, but in this case, the whole of the world had to face it, but like all storms, they don’t last forever. I am thankful Noah had the Faith in GOD to know this as well, though I am sure that 40 days with obvious end in sight was a great testing of the Lord on Noah and his families faithfulness, and Trust in the Lord.

We sincerely pray for all peoples of this world that they have weathered the storm and we are grateful that we had our GOD to make sure that even where there is struggle in poverty, GOD supplied all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. We pray that the others who have not found and accepted Jesus Christ as of Yet as their Savior will see our testimony and see that GOD does keep all His promises. Which are new every morning!

 There are only several weeks left until the end of the year and though we are very grateful that our facility and children’s needs were met, we still need to build up our provision, support our projects and make sure the model of GHMI.org has the fully restored foundation that allows the sustaining model our CEO and Founder Willy Ouma set forth once again to function properly.

We ask You first to be in grateful prayer with us that the storm of COVID-19 has passed and will not return. We ask You to pray with us for all the needs, supplies and financial support that is now needed to get caught up and back on full operation.

We ask You to give as You are able, we know that You, our partners and donors were affected as well. That is why we rejoice in all that You provided by sharing the burden our burdens as You purposed in your hearts.

We have added to the image slides of the children and the facility to see the joyful and smiling faces that now return to fill the classrooms and play in the fields. These Children and the Staff at Give Hope Ministries International are the living result of our Living and Loving GOD.

Check out our homepage to see the images in the slideshow on the completed phase 1 construction and the children returning as permitted.

Praise and every Glory to GOD and Thank You for all You have done in supporting Give Hope Ministries International with Your Prayers, Financial Giving and Gifting support in the midst of our and your Storms of Life.

In closing remember just how Loving our GOD is even in a storm as paraphrased from Isaiah 54:10:  He said, “even if the mountains and the hills decide to get up and walk away from you, even if inanimate objects decide to forsake you and turn their backs on you, I WILL NOT. I am not going anywhere. I am with you. I love you, my child and we are in this together.”

God Bless everyone that reads this and takes it into his or her hearts.

 

 

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 !