Across the world, people, who have come to serve with Hands at Work have experienced and been a witness to the transforming work that God is doing. Having seen the Biblical mandate to care for the orphaned, the widowed and the dying being lived out within the most vulnerable communities, many people return home inspired and challenged to take what they have learned and experienced back to their own community with the desire to bring hope, love and Godly transformation.
Molly, Link for Life Team Member
For many years, the Link for Life Project in the UK have been facilitating local partnerships between High Schools, their local churches and communities through a partnership with Hands at Work. Recently, they realised that they needed a local expression of they care for the vulnerable; that this should not just be demonstrated in Africa. They explored partnership with a local support group working with asylum seekers. In July, Link for Life volunteers who had walked with care workers in Africa the year before accompanied families on their annual day trip to the seaside.
“I got involved in this partnership because I wanted to help and care for people in the UK and not simply in Africa. It's important to help the local community as well as the international because people's needs are just as important here. We should help everyone in our community if we are trying to be the best people we can. Spending time with people was similar to being on a Holy Home Visit in Africa; we had to modify our behaviour and actions so that we were being appropriate and respectful. We were really there to be present.Hands at Work and Link for Life have given me lots of opportunities to help others. I feel challenged to be a better person and help not just people in Africa by advocating for them, talking about them and raising money, but making sure that people in our community are being looked after and treated well.”
Suzette Lee, International Office Volunteer (US)
“For my husband Abraham and me, seeking to lead a life that reflects “Kingdom culture" is guided by two scripture verses: “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together (1 Corinthians 12:26)” and “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).” We have been blessed by and compelled to follow the example of others who have sacrificially laid down their lives and made caring for the vulnerable their personal priorities — like the Care Workers who show the love of Jesus Christ to the orphans and widows in the communities where Hands at Work serves, and our fellow volunteers of City Impact’s Adopt-A-Building ministry who regularly visit formerly homeless residents in the impoverished Tenderloin neighbourhood of San Francisco. As Abe and I embark on a new chapter of our lives in Chicago, we’re committed to perpetuating Kingdom culture by seeking opportunities to care for others in our new church community and those who are disadvantaged, marginalised and vulnerable in our neighbourhood, city and beyond. We want to serve God by honouring others and bearing their burdens —and also be willing to be vulnerable ourselves by sharing about His faithfulness in our lives —- so that we can rejoice in Christ together.”