Hands at Work Volunteers in the US
Hands at Work envisions the local church in Africa united with the international church around the world, serving together to care for the most vulnerable people in the poorest African communities. To carry out this vision, God has called volunteers from many different countries to serve in Africa and also in Australia, Canada, Germany, the US and the UK. Hands at Work volunteers in each international country give their time, resources and passion everyday to serve on behalf of those in need in Africa. Each team of volunteers has sacrificed paid work opportunities and future plans, laying down their lives to answer the call of God to bring hope to the hopeless.
In the US, Suzette, Michelle and Sara are three members of the Hands at Work US team who have answered this calling on their lives. Spread across the country, they continually give of themselves both to the Hands US community of volunteers and to those serving Hands at Work on the ground in Africa. Here they reflect on their call to GIVE:
Suzette Lee
How has God called you to give on behalf of the most vulnerable?
God has been tugging at my heart for the disadvantaged and marginalised all my life; through my own experience having been freed from self-doubts as a result of putting my hope and faith in Him, and through a growing understanding of His desire for us to serve and speak out for those who are vulnerable and unjustly treated. Hands at Work is allowing me to live out this calling.
What is the greatest challenge serving in your own country?
Advocating for our vulnerable African brethren here in the US is often an uphill battle against other priorities of modern living. It is tough to get folks to care about or relate to people far away who don't have the same worries and concerns as they do.
What have you been given since you have volunteered with Hands at Work?
Suzette with her husband Abraham in their hometown of San Francisco
I've found community among others who share my holy discontent. As my husband Abraham can attest, this ministry has drawn me closer to God and compelled me to live with greater purpose and joy.
Three words to describe your life as a Hands at Work volunteer:
Belonging, Grateful, Perspective
Michelle and her new friend in Africa
Michelle Tom
How has God called you to give on behalf of the most vulnerable?
God has invited me to be a part of His will to advocate for those who have no voice. He has asked me to look beyond myself and my own desires and comforts to serve those in need.
What is the greatest challenge serving in your own country?
It's challenging not to be distracted or affected by what our society values which is so often against Kingdom culture.
What have you been given since you have volunteered with Hands at Work?
Michelle with Hands US volunteers Brooke (L) and Suzette (R)
God has drawn me closer to Him as my Father and has drawn me closer to His heart. God has grown my understanding of the depth of His love, compassion, and grace. It's an amazing privilege to be a part of the Hands family and to serve the most vulnerable with my brothers and sisters (both in the US and internationally) with Christ as our foundation.
Three words to describe your life as a Hands at Work volunteer:
Called, Blessed, Family
Sara with her friend and Care Worker (also named Sara!) in Mcheneke, Malawi
Sara Waldvogel
How has God called you to give on behalf of the most vulnerable?
God has asked me to spend myself on behalf of the vulnerable wherever I am. In New York, it means giving my time to children who come from broken families. In New York on behalf of Africa, it means speaking up for the poor, widows, orphans, and sick that I met in Africa who feel they have been forgotten.
What is the greatest challenge serving in your own country?
It is often hard for me to stay committed to serving people who are thousands of miles away when I live in the center of a culture that thrives on ambition and status.
Sara with Hands US volunteer Michelle
What have you been given since you have volunteered with Hands at Work?
God has filled me with an overwhelming joy in allowing me to be part of His transforming work in Africa. I feel so privileged to serve alongside people who seek first His Kingdom and hold me accountable to do the same.
Three words to describe your life as a Hands at Work volunteer:
Family, Purpose, Joy
Do you feel called to GIVE? Learn more about giving life to the most vulnerable children and giving of yourself as a volunteer in Africa.