Jesus anticipated that disasters around the world would continue to increase, and He understood the stress that this would create.  He said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We are confronted with the news of disaster and tragedy on a nearly daily basis. It's challenging to process the pain and destruction this represents in the lives of people, and often we feel powerless to help. One response to this onslaught of trouble is to "tune out" and withdraw from the needs around us.

The other is to confront this suffering with the love of God.  What a privilege it is to carry this “Good News” of hope to many around the world…encouraging those who are facing their darkest hour and offering the "ministry of presence."

It is for this reason that Hope Force International [HFI] continues to serve in the aftermath of disasters in places like Texas, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Nepal. It is why we remain engaged in blazing the trail of expansion into Mexico, and hold trainings all across North America…while remaining vigilant on the home front as severe weather season picks up across this part of the world.

Below is a snapshot of HFI activities so far in 2018. We hope you will enjoy catching up on the latest, and above all, see God's compassion in action around the world! 

Hope Force International has been working in Nepal since the devastating, 2015 earthquake, and has sent ongoing teams since that time. Together, with our Nepali partner, The Apple of God's Eyes Ministries, a HFI Construction/ Medical teams were able to: 

• Construct a Staff Home
• Give Medical Assistance to 897
• Give Dental Assistance to 277

We are faced with choices everyday. Do we simply complete the task set before us, or do we choose to enter into more? To truly see the person before us. To see more than what needs to be done physically, and see the deeper needs.

This isn’t the easy way, because it requires time we don’t always have and a giving of ourselves when we don't feel willing – for this requires vulnerability and empathy. This requires an opening of ourselves to more of the story. Their story. Their pain. Their hurt. Their deep needs.

During our medical clinic in a rural village in the Himalayas, I chose the second option.

This is Elisha. I met her when she came to my station in the clinic triage. She was shivering so much her whole body was shaking. Her hands and feet were like ice. She was sick. READ MORE

We couldn't be more excited about our class of Mexico Reservists that were welcomed into the HFI family at the end of January!  Our time in Pachuca was very rewarding, as many traveled from across Mexico to attend and become better equipped to respond to disasters. 

The momentum continues, as we've just added another training in Mexico!  HFI has been invited into a new state, and we are looking forward to our time in Morelia, Michoacán in August.

We recognize that  a well-equipped cadre of Reservists in Mexico will increase HFI’s capacity to respond nationally, in the Caribbean Basin and throughout Central & South America.  We will be in a much stronger position to respond to disasters, such as last year's Mexico earthquakes.

However, we have a challenge: the actual, fixed cost of our training constitutes a significant hurdle.  We recognize this as an amazing opportunity to extend the response capacity of HFI in our own hemisphere…and around the world. The nation of Mexico has made significant economic advances in the last 25 years -- yet most still struggle to provide for the basic needs of their families. 

In recognition of this reality, we are compelled to offer our valuable disaster response training intensive in Mexico at a price significantly below our actual costs so that many can become equipped to serve.

Would you consider making a donation to help equip and empower even more followers of Jesus in Mexico to effectively and compassionately respond to disasters? A gift of any size and your ongoing prayers would be deeply appreciated.

Hope Force International's rebuild efforts after Hurricane Harvey's onslaught in the greater Beaumont, Texas area continue. Our teams, led by HFI's Disaster Services Manager, Joey Stoltzfus, come from all across the states.

An example of these efforts are depicted to the right, where our teams are rebuilding a home for a woman who cares for her paraplegic daughter.  They are not only working to restore her home after the floods, but are also making it more wheelchair-accessible.

The sense of privilege we have to come alongside people like this in their time of great need truly never gets old.

To date, seven of the classrooms have been built – but there is a shortfall of $30,000 to see the remaining classrooms, latrines and landscaping completed.

To learn more about the ECCA School Project CLICK HERE.

Would you consider helping us bring this project to completion this coming year?

If you haven't visited the work of Hope Force in Haiti, or it's been a while, please consider bringing a team in 2018! Your presence makes an incalculable difference, and you'll never be the same! READ MORE 

~  OCTOBER 13 - 20, 2018  ~

Hope Force International warmly invites you to visit your sponsored child in Haiti this year! This opportunity is exclusively for Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) participants and their guests. Those on the team will have the opportunity to:

• Visit a local church
• Tour the village and surrounding area
• Meet your child and his or her caretaker
• Share a Haitian meal with your sponsored child

Feel free to invite a guest! We expect a full team, so please reserve your space early.

It is our heartfelt desire to recognize the sacrifices our HFI Haiti Child Sponsors have made to support and connect with children in need!

Come join our ranks!  Currently, Hope Force International has trained approximately 2,000 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 is offering multiple disaster responder training intensives throughout 2018:  

• March 15-17, 2018  - Flemington, NJ
• April 19-21, 2018  - New City, NY
• May 17-19, 2018 - Cheyenne, WY
• August 9-11, 2018 - Morelia, Mexico
• September 20-22, 2018  -  Franklin, TN
• October 25-27, 2018 - Indianapolis, IN

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