From HFI Co-Founders, Jack & Cherie Minton: |   |   | ...
 
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From HFI Co-Founders, Jack & Cherie Minton:

August 17, 2020

Dear Friends,

Hope is a powerful force in the lives of people in times of trouble.  Sometimes it is all but snuffed out by the stress and disturbance of tragic circumstances. It is when hope is most vulnerable that the “ministry of presence” and practical help is needed most.  We at Hope Force International have seen firsthand how the kindness of compassionate action rekindles hope. 

As followers of Jesus, our motivation and ability to respond to the plight of people in the midst of calamity is derived from the love God has for each one of us.  It is a well that does not run dry; a true source of strength and comfort for those we serve.  Compassionate service is our response to Him…our gift of love -- the overflow of a grateful heart.

We hope you enjoy this update highlighting the ongoing work of Hope Force International in the midst of these difficult times.

Jack & Cherie Minton, HFI Founders

 

Haiti

 

Great News!  The Hope Force International (HFI) family is growing.  Amidst the beginning of Hurricane season and all else that we have going on, HFI is excited to announce the arrival of two new staff members, Brian Wagner and Aaron Stetson, both of whom have a long history with Hope Force and with each other.

Brian Wagner & Family

Brian grew up in Danbury, Connecticut, where he attended Gordon College in Massachusetts from 1996-2000 — graduating with a major in Youth Ministry and minor in Biblical and Theological Studies. Since graduating, Brian has served at Presbyterian churches in Edmond, OK (2 separate times), and Windham NH. Most recently, at a Converge church in West Hartford, CT.

Brian first connected with Hope Force during Hurricane Katrina as he led two different teams of adults and students from New Hampshire to serve alongside Hope Force in Biloxi, MS. In Brian's last year at Windham, he led his first team to Hope Force's Appalachia long-term work in War, WV. On that trip, Brian fell in love with the area and the people of War. While serving at Windham Presbyterian Church, Brian completed his Master's Degree in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In 2015, Brian joined Hope Force staff in Appalachia for a year and fell further in love with War, WV. Brian then served at Calvary Fellowship in West Hartford, CT, for four years as their Family Life Pastor. As 2019 came to a close, and after significant prayer, Brian joined the Hope Force Staff ranks at the beginning of January, 2020. Brian now oversees our Appalachia Outreach for Hope Force and serves as the Central USA Disaster Response Coordinator. In July, Brian and his family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma. They live in the same community as they did while serving on church staff in the past. Brian will be queued up to deploy with a truck, trailer, tools, and supplies — ready for any disaster in the central USA. Brian and his wife, Kim, have been married for 20 years; they have two sons, Tyler 15 and Gavin 13.

Aaron Stetson & Family

Aaron grew up in rural western Massachusetts and attended Gordon College from 1997-2002, graduating, as Brian did, with a double major in Youth Ministry and Biblical and Theological Studies. Upon graduating, Aaron began an electrical apprenticeship, then went on Young Life staff as an intern. In 2004, Aaron moved to Vermont to complete his training in the electrical trade. He earned his Journeyman's Electrician license and in 2010, Aaron answered a call to serve as Youth Director at Windham Presbyterian Church. Aaron came on as the successor to Brian at Windham, and they quickly developed a friendship. Aaron served as the youth director for Windham for ten years and simultaneously owned and operated a small, part-time electrical contracting business. During his time, while living in Windham, Aaron earned his Master Electrician licenses. 

Aaron first got connected with Hope Force through our Appalachia project. In 2011, he led his first trip — a mix of students and adults to serve in Appalachia. God began stirring in Aaron's heart just one year later — while serving on Hope Force's Appalachia project for a family in dire need. Aaron's heart was captured by the ministry of Hope Force while deploying in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. Aaron and his family have been praying about joining Hope Force staff for the last three years. After taking a leap of faith, he and his family moved to Spring Hill, Tennessee in early July. Aaron works out of the Hope Force office and serves as our Disaster Response Coordinator. Aaron and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married for 18 years, and their daughter, Emily, is 13.

Please feel free to reach out to either Brian brian.wagner@hopeforce.org or Aaron aaron.stetson@hopeforce.org. Please keep both Brian and Aaron and their families in your prayers.  They (as with all our staff) raise their financial support; their families have made significant changes during this season in our world. Brian and Aaron wish to convey their excitement and gratitude to be serving with Hope Force.

 

Haiti

Beginning in 2020, Joey Stoltzfus’ responsibilities have increased, and he is now serving as Director of Disaster Services for Hope Force International. Joey Stoltzfus and his family have served faithfully with HFI since 2013 and is a vital part of the ministry.  Joey is taking the lead in the ongoing development of HFI’s overall disaster response capabilities and programs.  His duties include providing support, direction and oversight for Aaron & Brian in their function as Disaster Response Coordinators. Joey is gifted as a networker and enjoys favor with other agencies as we seek to collaborate. He serves as HFI representative to NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) — an important connection as we seek to interact with other agencies. Joey will continue to provide leadership for HFI’s rapid response capacity, as well as our initiatives during the rebuild phase of disasters — designed to provide longer term assistance to survivors of disaster.

 

Haiti

The ministry of HFI in México continues serving the most vulnerable through distribution of food, hand sanitizer, masks, face shields and children kits -- as well as offering emotional and spiritual care.


Widows, elderly and young couples with children are among those receiving supplies.
We’re grateful that we were able to purchase hand sanitizer in Morelia, Michoacán, that was produced for us with the right ingredients and the required quality. In addition to the hand sanitizer that we are donating, we helped to purchase and transport 900 (250ml) bottles and 400 its. of hand sanitizer that is being sold at an affordable price in the Huasteca indigenous region — where hand sanitizer was almost impossible to find and inaccessible because of the price. This region has been one of the most impacted by Covid-19 infection. Last week, the second and final shipment was transported from our office in Pachuca, to Huejutla and San Felipe del Progreso. READ MORE

 

 

Haiti

Hope Force International’s (HFI) primary location focus in Haiti, since the 2010 earthquake, has been the rural village of Sous Savanne. However, back in 2012, we were approached by leaders of Babay — a village located on the top of a nearby hill — seeking help for their village after seeing the improvements in Sous Savanne.  After investigating their conditions, we decided to help by providing housing through the Houses of Hope initiative.


En route to the building site, we passed several Red Cross transitional homes and Haitian glissades (shacks) — many still living in homes cobbled together with old tarps, pieces of metal and sticks. A desperate grandma living close in one of the Red Cross shelters was determined to secure help for her family.  Knowing that we would be returning by this route, she gathered a number of large stones and covered the road with them, enough to keep us from passing. She took one of her small granddaughters and put her right on top of the pile of stones to capture our attention.  “Grandma” was awaiting our arrival and came out to explain her plight, and to make her appeal for help. READ MORE

 

Haiti

Come join our ranks!  Currently, Hope Force International has trained over 2,300 HFI Reservists -- yet there is a need for many more.  We need all skills -- all ages...and there is a place for you! As a part of our commitment to provide a pathway of service for willing responders, HFI will soon be offering a disaster responder training intensive:  

  • October 9-10 - Franklin, TN

CLICK HERE for more information on HFI's Disaster Responder Training Intensive and/or to register.