Hurricane season for 2012 may be over, but clean-up is still ongoing for Atlantic City.

Hope Force International (HFI) has been in Atlantic City since the hurricane hit in October of last year, assisting families and helping to pioneer a new Recovery Center. HFI has had the privilege of serving the city by standing up the center, and by providing much needed expertise and manpower.

The Hurricane left behind a path of destruction in its wake, including flooded homes and massive power outages. Clean-up efforts continue, and now with the opening of the new Recovery Center, efforts will be maximized with both manpower and resources. 

The Atlantic City Recovery Center officially opened on January 18, 2013. Attended by Atlantic City’s Mayor Lorenzo Langford and state Senator representatives, along with a number of other dignitaries within the city, the grand opening was a celebration in advance of the good things to come from the center.

Hope Force needs your help! Click here to find out more, and how you can get involved!

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, now more than three years after the earthquake took its devastating 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 focused efforts, are still in a vulnerable position. While it can be overwhelming 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.

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! For further information on how to join our long-term recovery efforts in Haiti -- and even bring a team from your church or business, please email us at info@hopeforce.org.

Sometimes simply showing up is all that is necessary. Marianne Lako shares her story of the ‘ministry of presence’ while working in Haiti: “One morning, only two days before the Christmas party, we heard a sad cry -- not just a normal cry, but crying due to pain. We noticed a lonely little boy holding his head and in great discomfort. When he got closer we asked what was wrong, he answered with tears down his cheeks: ‘My head, my head...’ Touching him we felt him burning up with fever...”

Read the rest of the story here.

Hope Force Reservist Janet Hall continues to return to Haiti, bringing fresh ideas with her. Read her story here.

April 11-13 in Oakton, Virginia. Reservists are encouraged to come audit for free – invite your friends! Click here for Training Information and Registration.

Hope Force is also 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.

HFI is looking for Reservists willing to go to New Jersey! We are eager to have any and all interested Reservists, but specific key needs at this time include the following:

• Casework: We are looking for people who enjoy chatting, listening to stories and helping with paperwork.
• Administration: HFI is in need of those with strong administrative and computer skills.
• Rebuilding skills: Are you good with your hands? Know your way around a construction site? Can you muck out a home? Then we need you to help rebuild Atlantic City!

Hope Force International held its most recent Reservist training session in Franklin, Tennessee, January 24-25.

Twenty-three new participants from six states and Canada, and 14 different churches, were trained over the course of the two days. Six Reservists audited the training.

Two-thirds of the participants came to the training at the invitation and encouragement of other Reservists from various areas.

Garry Monterra from British  Columbia, Canada, offered his reason for coming to Tennessee for the training: “With an interest in disaster aid and some short term experiences, my search was on to find like-minded organizations to partner with. It didn’t take long to see the heart and true compassion Hope Force has for people in dire need. Their approach to start with training people to be ready not only in practical ways, but spiritually, is an exciting combination for success.  Thank you Hope Force!”

Dianne Anderson, a newly trained Reservist from Nolensville, TN, had this to say: “If I could sum up the Hope Force training experience in just two words, I would choose ‘Life Changing!’ I feel as if I have been practically and powerfully equipped to relate well to others both in day-to-day life and in the midst of disaster situations. I simply cannot adequately express how grateful I am to have attended the training. I look forward to seeing how God will use what I have learned!”

You may recall the following from Dr. Erik Spruyt’s teaching:  “Our goal in serving those in crisis and loss is to help them with a healthy start on their grief journey.” The new Reservists discussed how that can look like many things -- serving a meal, mucking out a flooded home and listening to stories of individuals.

Spread the word -- share your own experiences with HFI as a Reservist with your friends, family and churches. You may be the catalyst someone needs to take a training plunge!
Click here for upcoming training events.

Please consider a special gift as part of your support of our work this month. Every dollar given to the work of HFI is considered sacred and our financial stewardship principles are taken very seriously by each and every staff member. Thank you for standing with us.