Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Venezuela: Some Hope in Tragedy

Venezuela is suffering.  

Families are running out of food. 

Children are starving.

  

Doctors are leaving the country and there is no medicine for those who have stayed.  

Once, the richest country in South America and currently a country that holds world's largest supply of crude oil, former dictator Hugo Chavez became the people's hero by enacting a socialistic government which overspent on welfare programs with the hope of banking on oil revenue - the revenue of which has been cut in half.  Farmlands were declared "state" lands and were no longer farmed. The now President Nicholas Mudero has printed more money (leading to more devaluation of money) and the country is now in debt to China and Russia.   In 2010, an American dollar was worth 8 bolivars (Venezuelan currency).  Now an American dollar is worth 8,000 bolivars!   Currently, the average Venezuelan living in poverty lost 19 pounds last year.  In a nutshell, Venezuela is absolutely suffering.

Imagine.

Imagine what the children are going through.

And imagine if you were the parent.

I recently learned through a Venezuelan coworker of all this suffering.  

Soooo - here is the PLAN.  We need donations!  Rice, dried beans, dried milk, canned milk, condensed milk, canned tuna, sardines, spam, hard candies, coffee, sugar, children's clothing and shoes!  Whatever we collect will go into a purchased barrel and with shipping will cost $300.   OR let me know when there is a supersale somewhere local and I can purchase some of these items inexpensively!  Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."  It is the HOPE that these barrels will reach the ones who need them.  My coworker has sent what she can, and those who receive them share with the children's orphanage close by.  We cannot sit idly by and see people suffer like this, when it is within our power to do something... Please contact me if you can help! 


Sunday, December 27, 2015

Making it all Count This Year

I recently read an article about longevity http://qz.com/572284/the-tail-end/ and the potential days we have to live. We all consciously know our days are numbered, but have you ever thought about exactly how many potential days you have?  I thought about this and, at first, it was disturbing.  I don't want to waste whatever days I have left on this earth! I want them to count!
One of the fears in my life has been dying too early.  Now I know that one shouldn't dwell on these thoughts... but, like our new Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, I too had a Dad whose days were numbered young.  And my dad's father died young... His sister... and it goes on.  All genetic causes.  So, from my late teens and early twenties, I was more consciously aware of my mortality than perhaps most my age at that time.  I have made some "life changes" in order to increase my chances of living longer; eating right, exercise, no alcohol or tobacco, wearing my seatbelt, yearly physicals...  Doing everything I thought would lengthen my life.
This year, I pondered what the Bible had to say about long life.  There are plenty of scriptures.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Eph 6:1-2

 I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:25-26

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;  1 Peter 3:10

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity.  Isaiah 57:1

With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalms 91:16

For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. Proberbs 9:11

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor Prov 3:16

The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. Prov 10:27

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you  Exodus 20:12

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8

And then we all know someone whose life was cut short too early.  And we wondered why God would allow the innocent ones to leave early, while leaving others who do evil.

Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? Job 21:7

In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Ecc. 7:15

There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.  Eccles. 8:14

And then there is this verse, which implores us to seek understanding and wisdom...

And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 1 Kings 3:11-14

When it's all said and done.  I want my life to count.  We are all given a purpose.  Maybe it is to raise our children well.  If so, then do it well!  Maybe you are one of the quiet ones, who never sought fame, but perhaps it came to you (Mother Theresa).  Use that fame well.  Perhaps you were given much, and much is required of you.  Don't squander it!  If you were given little, it might be that you must work harder to increase your portion, so that you can give AND finish well.  Whatever your lot, or the portion of your days - let's seek understanding and wisdom.

We even have this promise... "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3

This year, I hope to increase the abilities of Mission: Hope to give to several different mission groups.  If you'd like to help in that venture, please feel free to send a check to Mission: Hope c/o Life Church, 4550 NE Palmetto Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 34957


Sunday, May 31, 2015

Keeping Hope Alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxg_bIjnDgE

Keep HOPE alive!  When we are feeling down, feeling like we have no contribution to make in this life -  it truly helps to open our eyes and focus on those who are suffering around the world.  When we take the focus off of ourselves, we become able and empowered to reach out and help others!  Please pray with us as to where/when our next mission should be.  The coolest thing was waiting and praying, and finding Roberta Ashcraft, a missionary to Sakwa, Kenya - and connecting with her in July 2014 to do a medical mission in the small village she lives in.  What awesome things can happen when you pray!   For those of you who have so graciously given to this ministry, thank you!  Please continue to keep us in mind!  If you'd like to donate, please mail to Mission: Hope, c/o Life Church, PO Box 1764, Jensen Beach, FL 34958.  If you are interested in being a part of our next mission, please feel free to contact me (Natalie Evans) at missionhope1@gmail.com.  If you have a place you have been inspired to reach out to and have a contact, let me know!  I'll find time to explore the possibilities!  Meanwhile, we thank you for prayer!

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Check out our new Mission: Hope video! Please take time to read about our recent mission in Sakwa, Africa here on our blog. Your donations brought medicine, medical supplies, goodwill, and LOVE to the people. Missionary Roberta Peterson with Hope Africa Ministries said, "The people were just honored that anyone would visit them and that 'someone knows they are there and they are not forgotten.'" On missions, you often go to help someone else. But much of the time, YOU are radically affected. We came home and Mission: Hope sent an additional $1180 to Hope Africa Ministries this past year (not including our visit, medical clinic and ministry to the students). We sent $120 to "Pastor Gideon" to supply a Christmas to his church in the slums. And $300 to other international ministries. Several on our team decided to sponsor a child when they came back. The beauty of Mission: Hope is that we have almost no overhead. Your donations are fluid and go directly towards the need at hand! Thank you! I hope this video expresses how joyful the team felt about going... and a little of the joy we received.  

Click here to view our latest video (Thank you Charlton Taylor Mason for creating and editing this project!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxg_bIjnDgE

Monday, December 29, 2014


We had a really special visit from Missionary, Roberta Peterson, with Hope Africa Ministries.  Roberta hosted myself, Sandi Blankenship, and Maya Bond-Duarte, as well as a team from North Carolina on a trip to Sakwa, Kenya, Africa this past July.  I'm really blessed to be able to say that many of the monetary gifts to Mission: Hope this year went towards medicine, medical supplies, shoes, clothing, support towards Hope Africa Ministries.  In this month's visit, Mission: Hope was able to cut a check for $600 for Roberta and her ministry, as well as Life Church Jensen Beach supporting with $351 in sales of T-shirts and other donations.  So, dear supporters, your gifts DO make a difference.  Please continue to pray for Roberta's ministry.  She was recently robbed at gunpoint in Sakwa.  She is one of the bravest people I know.  Special thanks to Jeff & Cindy Cannon for hosting Roberta this month.

Being Resolute in 2015



Being Resolute in 2015

I will remember that all human emotions are a normal part of life; happiness vs. sadness, etc.  These emotions will not define my entire outlook on life.   Sometimes, despite all human and even spiritual effort, unpleasant emotions can exist.  I will remember that “tomorrow” is a new day.  (read all of Psalms! J)

I will meet each day with extreme thankfulnesss.  (Psalms 138)  In fact, I will keep a list nearby to look at, if I happen to have the misfortune of forgetting J (Lev. 26:42, Psalms 103:2) (Remembering how many times God told us in His word to “not forget” or to “remember” the things of the past.  It is a good and worthy habit to get in to.)

I will attempt to recharge by eating whole foods, juicing, resting, playing, exercising, and reading God’s word to keep my heart and body fit.  I will remember that this has a direct affect on my quality and outlook of life – as well as affecting those around me. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I will clink to Hope, as expressed by the words of Jesus. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I will devote my life to a life of service to my family and others.  I will quit thinking that “someday” I will HAVE such and such, or DO such and such, if that thinking makes me dissatisfied with my current station in life. (Galatians 5:13)

I will remember that I have an active purpose TODAY in my life; that the actions that I do today will have an equal effect to my family, friends or even future descendants.  (Deut. 4:9)

I will remember that we all experience failures; I will allow this to be a learning experience and not dwell on discouragement, but allow them to motivate me further. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

I will keep praying for God’s wisdom, for God’s strength in my life, and to give Him glory for it all.  I will commit my way to Him, recognizing how much I need Him for the very breath that I take, for the strength of my mind and body.  I will remember that I am accountable for everything that I do in this life. (James 1:5,  Psalms 37:5, Romans 14:12)


As I hope in the Lord, my strength will be renewed this 2015th year.  I will soar on wings of eagles.  I will run and not get weary.  I will walk and not faint.  (Isaiah 40:31)   I will not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:1)  I will not become weary in doing good.  (Galatians 6:9)  I will go from strength to strength, til I appear before God in Zion (Psalms 84:7)

Sunday, November 9, 2014

T-Shirt for Sale Donating Mission: Hope!

Special thanks to the Jordan & Steph Showe family for the CASES of T-shirts donated to Mission: Hope!!!  For a $5 Donation, you can have your choice of a short-sleeved t-shirt and for an $8 Donation, a long-sleeved one!  These are quality T-shirts, most made of 100% brush cotton!  Really wonderful!  We have men & women's, all sizes!  Please contact me at missionhope1@gmail.com if you are interested in some!