“As I starred at this picture I had a strange sense of hope. Maybe anger and hope. Anger seeing so much pain and injustice, but for the first time the surprising sense of hope - hope knowing we can actually do something about it.”
Newsletter: Watchword 2020 - Hear it, Accept it and Produce a Harvest
As we stay focused to be in that gap for the most vulnerable children and grannies... who by the way, are becoming more vulnerable every day, we choose to latch on to the latter part of the watchword. So when the COVID crisis came, Hands at Work became determined that we actually want to run towards the problem. When the seed of hope falls onto good soil, it produces a rare harvest of braveness and faith.
We can't choose what life is gonna throw at us, but we can choose how we want to respond. I want to invite you, respond with us in Hands at Work to the watchword, proving our Father's faithfulness and producing a harvest, even in the midst of a crisis.
Letters from Africa November 2019
Letters from Africa September 2019
George Snyman speaks about Jesus statement "...for the least among all of you is the greatest."
It is a theme from our Watchword, Luke 9:48
It is so tough to know that at five o'clock in the morning there will be a group of women that would gather down there, and they would walk together on this little foot path. And they would go high up in the mountains to work. They will walk sometimes for an hour or more. They will walk together for their own safety.
Why am I telling you all of this? When we talk about the part of the watchword that says the greatest among you would be the least. The least among them are the greatest. It's like saying to a child you must share! It just doesn't fit our nature.
Letters from Africa July 2019
George Snyman speaks about Jesus statement "And whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me."
It is a theme from our Watchword, Luke 9:48
One day while I stayed in their home, I watched her as he started packing this huge basket full of food - and she never said a word about why she was doing it – but when she was finished, she carried this basket to her car and put it in the backseat, and she said to me, "I'll be back just now."
I was curious and I said, "Can I come with you?"
Letters from Africa May 2019
George Snyman speaks about Jesus statement "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me..."
It is a theme from our Watchword, Luke 9:48
One day while I stayed in their home, I watched her as he started packing this huge basket full of food - and she never said a word about why she was doing it – but when she was finished, she carried this basket to her car and put it in the backseat, and she said to me, "I'll be back just now."
I was curious and I said, "Can I come with you?"
Letters from Africa - November 2018 "Generosity"
George Snyman speaks about generosity and how it has shaped his faith.
... And when God had to choose to whom He was going to pronounce the birth of His son, He chose a group of uneducated, simple shepherd boys sleeping in a field.
That is undeserved generosity! And that generosity compels me to be generous.
Letters from Africa September 2018
George Snyman speaks about Jesus being "the life". It is a theme from our Watchword, John 14:6
Many people will serve and love the poor and the most vulnerable, because they themselves are so broken. They can identify with these people. The problem with this is that they can’t bring hope and life, because they, themselves, are broken. And that’s one of the most wonderful things that I love about Hands at Work. The first time we do it, we do it in our own brokenness, because we can identify, but then, together, we find this love...
This one who came to knock on our doors, and for the first time, we can bring this hope.
Letters from Africa July 2018
George Snyman speaks about Jesus being "the life". It is a theme from our Watchword, John 14:6
Many people will serve and love the poor and the most vulnerable, because they themselves are so broken. They can identify with these people. The problem with this is that they can’t bring hope and life, because they, themselves, are broken. And that’s one of the most wonderful things that I love about Hands at Work. The first time we do it, we do it in our own brokenness, because we can identify, but then, together, we find this love...
This one who came to knock on our doors, and for the first time, we can bring this hope.
Letters from Africa May 2018
George Snyman speaks about Jesus being "the truth". It is a theme from our Watchword, John 14:6
Joseph will write out on the blackboard. He will clean the classroom. He will prepare as if he is a teacher in
one of the most prestigious private schools. By the time that 50 or 60 poor children arrive at the school, Joseph will welcome them as if they are the most important people that he has ever seen.
Some days, Joseph’s neighbours will go to work in the fields, or they will go and harvest, but Joseph will faithfully go to the classroom, to prepare these children so that
they could attend a normal school.
Joseph could do this because he found the treasure of life.
Letters from Africa April 2018
George Snyman speaks about Jesus being "the way". It is a theme from our Watchword, John 14:6
Jesus said ‘I came to heal the broken-hearted, to comfort those who mourn. I came to bring the good news because my Father is the good news.’
What does that mean to us? What does it mean to us that that good news is now living in you and in me? What does it mean to us?
Letters from Africa November 2017
Part 4 - George Snyman speaks about "practicing hospitality". It is a theme from our Watchword, Romans 12:12-13.
Practicing hospitality according to the bible is risky business. We know that there is a risk in everything that is worthwhile but to invite a stranger is risky. And in fact it is as risky as it is when we start to trust or to love someone. The more you love someone, the more you show hospitality, the greater the risk.
Letters from Africa August 2017
George Snyman speaks about being "faithful in prayer". It is a theme from our Watchword, Romans 12:12-13.
We need people that know these children by name, that know these grandmothers. That believe in the power of prayer. That believe that prayer can change lives.
Friends, it doesn’t take much. It takes some of your time, some commitment. You can change the lives of thousands. This year, will you join me to be faithful in prayer for our children?
Letters from Africa June 2017
Letters from Africa April 2017
Letters from Africa August 2016
Letters from Africa July 2016
We met a young boy, about two years old, called Kapello. Kapello's mom died a month before I arrived at the village and he stayed with his grandmother. He was dying when i got there. Kapello's needs were a bridge to far for his grieving grandmother. The day I walked into that house with Eric, the Hands at Work leader in the DRC, we started to fight for this little man's life...
Uniqueness (fearfully and wonderfully made)
by George Snyman
It is people discovering the names unknown; their stories are heard; they became part of a mysterious, scattered family across the globe; all equal and loved by the Father; and all in need of healing and acceptance.
This was exactly the dream and vision for Hands at Work right from the beginning that people will discover their uniqueness. The uniqueness of the mystery of being part of the beautiful body of Christ. The unique God who came as a servant to save us and now the unique opportunity that each and every one of us has to make a difference to others. You are part of a unique Hands family working in very unique places with very unique and amazing people. My question to you today is, ‘do you fully understand and live the truth that you were fearfully and wonderfully made?’
Marks of Maturity
What does Our Father want to do in us and in our churches in this time? We are caring for the most vulnerable children in the poorest villages, and God is using our ministry to shape our characters. As we reach out to the most vulnerable, God reaches out to us. He is interested in our character development – His heart is for us to grow to maturity! Maturity is developed through a renewed mind and tested faith.
Grateful for the Open Door
To our global family,
Carolyn and I just celebrated 21 years since our Father called us to bring hope to the most vulnerable. Looking back one cannot help but to become completely overwhelmed with emotions… emotions of gratefulness! Through all the valleys and mountain tops we can say this morning, “Not once did we ever for one second regret our step of obedience to follow His call.” Today we look at what our Father is doing all around us and it humbles us to no end.