“The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us.” -- Oswald Chambers 

Like you, we often take the opportunity afforded by a new year to reflect upon the recent past and then to project what the future might hold. More and more we’ve come to realize that our times are in His hands and that our highest ambition must be to love and obey God and to love and serve people. This process is not always comfortable, but it is often exhilarating and rewarding.

Hope Force International (HFI) will endeavor to continue this expression of faith in 2013 through the various initiatives underway in the USA and Haiti. In addition to maintaining vigilant preparedness for immediate disaster response, we are joining with church, civic and community leaders in Atlantic City to establish a Longterm Recovery Center.  This is a daunting undertaking and one that we believe God has initiated and invited HFI to participate. Also, our hearts are still for the people of Appalachia and our ongoing work there. 

In Sous Savanne and Babay, Haiti, the desperate cry for help remains strong. In Babay the residents gather each Friday for a time of prayer and fasting. In turn, the Lord has shared with us His heart for these people. We believe we are to continue the Houses of Hope program into 2013 with a goal of building 25 homes. We are trusting the Lord to multiply this into abundant provision as others partner with us in faith. 

We truly believe that our faith in God demands action. James 2:17 says: “In the same way faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.” We are keenly aware that the action steps we’re taking are beyond our known capacity. However, we approach them with absolute assurance of God’s good intentions towards those who love and fear Him.

Thank you for being a part of this adventure and for joining us as we strive to love God and love and serve people in Jesus’ name.

Jack & Cherie Minton
Founders

Much of the media and world have moved on from the news of the earthquake in Haiti. While images of the earthquake’s destruction filled our TV screens and computers in the weeks following the event, Haiti hardly makes headlines today, three years after the earthquake took its devasting toll.

However, those who live there have not so quickly forgotten how their world changed on January 12th. Neither has HFI. Many families and children in Sous Savanne, where HFI has focussed efforts, are still in a vulnerable position. While it can be overwelming to see such need three years on, we celebrate with the 18 families who now reside in a House of Hope.
For more information on Houses of Hope, click here.

HFI has set a goal to build another 25 homes in 2013. We also hope to rebuild one of the schools we work with in Mellier and are working towards and praying hard for the funding required.
Click here to read the story of a family directly impacted by Houses of Hope.
 

Please join us in prayer on behalf of the Haitian people. Pray for our team and the projects of hope and healing that are underway and planned for 2013. And, come join us in putting your love of God into compassionate action. Hope Force Reservist Janet Hall continues to return to Haiti, bringing fresh ideas with her.
Read her story here.

If you can’t go, we invite you to donate towards the efforts in Haiti. To see how your generosity impacted so many at Christmas time, click here.

Hurricane season for 2012 may be over, but the effects are still being felt along a large swath of the northeast. Hurricanes are expected weather phenomenons in the south of the USA, but they are almost unheard of further north.

While the lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy are just as detrimental as any post-disaster area, people in Atlantic City, New Jersey don’t have a reference point for them.

HFI seeks to change that by helping a community pull together.

Click here to read more.

Do you feel called to serve the people you have been reading about? Do you feel like you want to do something when disaster strikes, but you don’t know what to do? Join us and become a Hope Force Reservist!

Training dates are:

Franklin, TN: January 24-26 2013, $175
Training Information and Registration

Northern Virginia: April 11-13 2013, $195
Training Information and Registration

Not convinced yet? Read a Hope Force Reservist’s story of the “ministry of presence” here.

Hope Force is excited to announce the planning of our first European Reservist Training to be held this fall in Switzerland! More details to come nearer to the date.

Please consider making a financial donation to empower an effective response.