In July 2019, Pastor Theo Low visited Zambia with a team from Sunset Church in San Francisco, California, with Hands at Work. He shared his reflections as he finished his fourth full day in Africa and his third day of a church mobilization.
“Most of these local pastors are bi-vocational, which means they have small churches and they are not paid to pastor their church. But these men have a great hunger for the Word of God… I realized, I may leave, but this family and this neighborhood will still have faithful men preaching and teaching God’s Word. These men have affirmed their love for the true gospel, they hold God’s Word up high, and they constantly reference it.”
Nurses For Africa from Brian Hogan on Vimeo.
Nurses from all over Illinois are back with Hands at Work in Zambia for their third year in a row! You can hear regular updates from the field on their Facebook page, or watch the fantastic documentary created from their 2010 adventures.
As many of you may have read in our April newsletter(click here to sign up), individuals across the US are finding creative ways to raise money for Hands at Work communities in Africa. Here are two sites where proceeds go to support communities in Africa.
The Manna Project & My Love Squared
If you have a creative idea on how to raise money for Hands at Work in Africa, let us know by commenting below. We'd love to hear from you!! If you would like to donate to Hands at Work click here. Remember for only $15 a month you can provide a child with 3 essential services (Basic Health Care, Food Security, and Education) to read more click here.
Thanks
Greetings Friends,
A couple of weeks ago Lauren Lee and I had the opportunity to attend Hands at Work in Africa’s Regional Celebration in Zambia. Each year these celebrations are a time of gathering together Hands at Work international volunteers and the community-based partners from all over Africa to encourage each other and celebrate all that God is doing throughout the global Hands at Work Family. This year, from April 13-16, Hands had its biggest Celebration ever in Zambia with nearly 200 representatives from over 40 communities in Africa as well as representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.
The theme of the Celebrations this year was, “Going Deeper.” The vision of Hands at Work is the local church in Africa effectively caring for the orphaned, widowed and the dying and unified in this mission with the church outside Africa. All of the different sessions focused on Going Deeper in relationship to make this vision become a reality. The celebration kicked off with a message from Hands at Work founder George Snyman who focused on Going Deeper in our relationship with Christ. He asked the question, “Why do you do what you do?” The motivation for caring for the orphaned, widowed and dying should come out of a deep love for Christ, a thankful spirit for what He has done for us, and a willingness to share that sacrificial love with others through service.
An excerpt of Ephesians 4 was given to everyone at the start of the Celebrations to read. I think it speaks directly to the purpose of these regional celebrations.
"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received ...speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
On the last day of the celebration before the official program started a large group of individuals gathered in the morning to sing songs together. It was just an amazing time. Here is a video of one of my favorite songs, “Ananipenda,” which translates to, "He loves me."
Regards,
Jed Heubner
This just in! George has been invited back to Moody Bible Radio. Hear his interview live this Wednesday at 10am CST. If you're in the Chicago area, tune in to 90.1 FM or AM 1110. Outside of the Chicago area, visit the program's website or click on Listen Live. If you can't catch the interview live, don't worry! Past programs are also available on their website.
By Isa Ivette Velez Echevarria
George Snyman, the founder of Hands at work in Africa, visited various parts of the U.S. at the end of 2010. During this tour, George was able to spend five days in Puerto Rico, an island under American jurisdiction. Puerto Rico is a small island in terms of size, but there is much going on in this island. We have diverse natural resources here, surrounded by beautiful beaches. We love God and care for people in need around the world. I think this is one of the reasons God keeps blessing and showing His mercy to us. Many people from Puerto Rico are placed in different parts of the World working with different missions, including Africa. As such, George’s visit was such a blessing to us and set ablaze a desire in a lot of our hearts to visit and work with the people of Africa.
During his visit here, George learned a little bit about our traditions and our African heritage. His visit began from San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. He visited the Old San Juan and the Fort El Morro where he got to taste Puerto Rican food. Then he traveled to the south side of the island where he stayed at Diana’s (Hands volunteer) beautiful farm located in Ponce, where he experiences a typical Puerto Rican home life. He also preached at a youth service at the Iglesia Cristiana de la Familia (Family Christian Church) where he spoke of how our love for God directs us to love other people. George challenged the youth kids to use their time, talents and money for God’s work. Many of them were impacted by his simple yet essential and fundamental sermon. At the end, some of the people went to talk to him about their plans and dreams to visit Africa.
On Sunday George preached at the Family Christian Church, and his message focused on challenging Christians to carry out God’s great commission by helping the orphans, widows, the poorest and the disadvantage people. He told the story of how he was in the middle of a construction work and this boy was by his side staring at him, and he wondered what the boy needed because he had nothing to give him but a watch. He felt an urge to give the watch to the boy, but first he asked the boy about his life. The boy told him that he had no family and that he was alone. So George gave him the watch and told him that whenever he looks at the watch to remember that he loved him and was praying for him. A few years later George went back to the same village and he felt someone tapping him on his shoulder. When he turned around, he saw a young man. When asked who he was, the young man answered that a man once gave him a watch. This act of love changed this young man’s life. The congregation was deeply impacted by this testimony, including Pastor Angel Esteban. In response to the sermon, Pastor Angel gave his watch to George and told him to give it to another person just like he did with the young man. This action moved other people hearts and two more men gave their watches to George.
One of the most significant moments for me was when I was sitting with George and a few others interested in becoming volunteers with Hands. All of us were impacted by the lovely and passionate way that George talked about the Lord’s word, his testimonies and important subjects about his Christian views. It was inspiring and challenging for all us and our hearts were deeply touched that night. For many of us, George’s visit was indeed a tremendous blessing. It was challenging, encouraging, and inspiring. It stirred in our hearts a desire to keep working for the neediest people in the world. I can say with confidence that churches in Puerto Rico are going to be a part of God’s great work to care for those in dire need in Africa!
“Ilary is smiling again.” In October and November of 2010, George Snyman shared with churches and groups all over the Midwest the joy that filled his heart when he heard those words. Ilary, a Mozambiquan refugee in South Africa, used to wake up each morning not knowing if and how she would eat that day, and her haunted gaze used to keep George, founder and CEO of Hands at Work, awake at night. But Ilary’s story, which George shared often on his recent tour of the U.S., is a story of hope, thanks to God’s grace and the home-based care volunteers in Ilary’s community.
Some highlights of George’s tour in the U.S. included:
Thank you all for your prayers and support for George’s trip! Plans for 2011 are already underway. If you are interested in getting involved with George’s next trip to the U.S., please email info@us.handsatwork.org.
Chicago supporters praying for Baracka, Zambia, and for George
George on the chilly waterfront of Lake Michigan with Jed and Pam Heubner
Sharing about Africa with students from New Trier High School in Glendale, Illinois
George Snyman's six-week tour is underway. He will spending time in the UK and Canada before visiting the USA. Spending nearly three weeks in the country, he will be speaking in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minneapolis from 3 to 23 November.
George is known for being an encouraging and challenging speaker. He will not only be talking about Hands at Work, but also about our mandate as Christians to respond to poverty. Not to be missed!
Date Wednesday, 3 November
Venue University of Wisconsin-Madison
Time 08:00pm
"This is not OK"
AIDS is the greatest orphan maker of our time. If we really do want justice we must wake up... Individuals can change the world! Join K Love and live worship by The Spark as George Snyman speaks about his life's work. Download the flyer.
Date Thursday, 4 November
Venue Grace in Racine, 3626 Highway 31, Racine, WI
Time 07:00pm
Also see George at Grace in Racine on Sunday!
"This is not OK"
Come, listen to The Spark and hear George Snyman speak about his life's work caring and advocating for the most vulnerable, destitute and orphaned victims of AIDS in Africa. Download the flyer.
Date Friday, 5 November
Venue Glenview Community Church, 1000 Elm Street, Glenview, IL
Time 07:00pm
Date Sunday, 21 November
Venue Cornerstone Community Church, Orange County
Time Sunday services 09:00am and 11:00am
Love God, Love Your Neighbor
Date Tuesday, 23 November
Venue Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN
Time 06:30pm - 09:00pm
George will also be interviewed on radio! Tune in:
Date Monday, 1 November
Time 1:15pm
Radio station George will be interviewed by Frank Carmichael on Happenings Radio AM1050 WLIP
Date Tuesday, 2 November
Time 6:00pm
Radio station Milwaukee Public Radio
Date Wednesday, 3 November
Time 10:00 – 11:00am
Radio station Live interview via telephone with Nancy Turner from Moody Bible Radio
Heard on 90.1 FM Chicago and AM 1110 Chicago
Date Friday, 5 November
Time 3:00pm
Radio station Interviewed by James McDonald for Worldview on Chicago Public Radio
By Lauren Lee, CEO of Hands at Work in Africa (USA)
Greetings from the US hub of Hands at Work in Africa located in San Francisco, CA.
I am excited to be traveling to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from September 13- 28th. I will be visiting Carlos Guia in Mozambique as well as Dara Hillstrom who is a registered nurse from the US working with Carlos. My hope is to familiarize my self with the community that Wellspring Church supports in Mozambique, and to serve and remember what I am doing here in the states. I will also be visiting Zimbabwe very briefly as it is in the infant stages of another community Hands is reaching out to. Lastly, I will visit with the main hub of Hands at Work in Africa in South Africa. This will be a crucial time for me to meet face to face with colleagues that I regularly communicate with via e-mail. Please keep me in your prayers throughout my time in Africa. Thank you.
September 13 Leave San Francisco
September 15- 20 Mozambique
September 21-22 Zimbabwe
September 23-27 South Africa
September 28 Return to San Francisco
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (New King James Version)
Johnny, Holly, Hannah, Joey
Many kids spend their summers playing sports, hanging out with friends, and avoiding as much responsibility as possible, but not the Gilchrists. This summer Johnny, 12; Joey, 11; Holly, 8; and Hannah, 6, did odd jobs to raise money for the Baraka community in Zambia.
Recently, Bridgette Gilchrist of Northbrook, IL, heard about Hands at Work in Africa from a friend, Chloe Steinke. Chloe had invited a handful of people to a Skype call she held at her house with the founder of Hands at Work, George Snyman.
Bridgette Gilchrist said, “After talking to George, I was really excited about hearing about Baraka, Zambia. I told my four kids about the situation and the first thing one of them said was, ‘How can we help the orphans?’”
Joey immediately responded, “We can take care of other people’s pets over the summer!” A short while later he had a flyer printed up advertising his services with the slogan, “H.E.L.P.: Helping Everyone’s Lives Prosper.” He passed out flyers all over the neighborhood and talked about the vulnerability of the children in Baraka.
"It was hard to raise the money at first because I didn't get a call for awhile,” said Joey. “But as the days passed, the calls started coming in. I love dogs so it very fun taking care of them. I heard all of the terrible things from my mom that happened there and I wanted to help." Joey, with help from his brother, Johnny, ended up having a pet every week from the end of June to the beginning of August.
Hannah and Holly put a map of Zambia up in their bedroom and pray for the village of Baraka nightly. Hannah decided to make her own flyer as well. Since she wasn't old enough to pet sit she listed chores on her flyer like taking in the mail while people were on vacation, sweeping porches, watering flowers, or any other tasks people wanted done. The title of her flyer was "Africa on My Shoulders".
Hannah and her sister, Holly, had a neighbor that called them all summer long to collect her newspapers and mail. Bridgette also put out a bucket at the office where she worked to collect change from all my officemates.
“At the end of the summer we ended up with $500! What a miracle!” said Bridgette. With the success the kids have had they have decided to pet sit and collect mail for the village in Baraka, not just in the summer, but all year round.
While many children are saving up money for the next toy or video game these kids were raising money for orphaned children in Africa. When asked if it was hard to give the money away 12-year old Johnny said, “It wasn't that hard to give the money away because I knew it was going for a good cause. I knew that the orphans needed help." 6-year old Holly added, “"It was so sad that they didn't have anything. I loved working for the orphans because you could actually feel what it was like to give money away to other people. I want to help them because we have everything that they don't have. It feels really nice to give away money."
8-year old Hannah said, “I have drawn a line from where we are to Zambia on a map and I taped it above my bed. I knew that I had to give the money away because I knew that the orphans need stuff more than me. They are a really poor country and God is telling a lot of people to give them money so they can live. I prayed for Baraka and that all the orphans get what they need and that they would have clean water and food. One day I want to visit Baraka."
Hands at Work would love to thank the Gilchrist family on behalf of the community of Baraka and add that I know the children of Baraka would love for you to visit!
“In 2008, more than 14 million children in sub-Saharan Africa had lost one or both parents due to AIDS.”
-UNAIDS.org
“Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of all who are poor. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9
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| From Taste of Africa Fundraiser |
On Tuesday, June 1, my wife and I who have spent 3 years serving with Hands at Work in Africa hosted, “A Taste of Africa,” a fundraising dinner and awareness event at Grace Lutheran Church in our hometown of Hibbing, MN.
We have been so challenged by what we have seen during our time here that we wanted to share stories and challenge others to take action.
We started planning an event before we left South Africa where we are working. After debating for awhile what we should do we decided on doing a traditional “African” meal. The meal consisted of chicken, mealie meal, Chakalaka, Coleslaw, and ifisashi.
After the dinner we shared a video and then a presentation about what Hands at Work and the church in Africa are doing in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. People were shocked to hear that 6000 children a day will lose a parent. The devastation we have seen throughout Africa caused by disease and poverty is immense. But the hope that churches across Africa are bringing to their communities is also astounding. Hands at Work in Africa works through local churches in communities in Africa. They find areas where HIV/AIDS infection rates are high and support structures like clinics and hospitals are low, and then challenge the church with what the Bible says about helping the poor, orphaned and widowed.
James 1:27, “Pure religion is to help the poor and widowed in their distress and keep oneself unstained by the world.” Having seen what we have seen it is impossible to stay silent. To find out more about what Hands at Work in Africa is doing to help visit www.handsatwork.org/our-response. To read more about the affects of HIV/AIDS on Africa go to www.avert.org or visit www.unaids.org.
Carlos is a local pastor from Mozambique currently serving over 2,000 orphans. Though his days are often filled with burying the dead and praying with the sick and dying, you will often catch him with a big grin on his face. He is a man who truly rejoices in his savior even in the midst of suffering that he faces everyday. Carlos’ ministry in Mozambique has also touched many believers here in the U.S. through his recent visit. He arrived in the U.S. on February 12th and spoke at various churches in Colorado, North Dakota, and California over a span of a month and recently returned home. Here is a short video clip of Carlos addressing Hands supporters in the U.S.
More information on how Hands at Work is working with local churches in Mozambique to care for the orphans and the sick can be found here.
Hannah returned to the US in July of 2009. She spent one year as a volunteer serving in South Africa and Mozambique. Click on the image below to view pictures from Hannah's album and learn more about her trip:
Pascoa & Hannah
Hands at Work in Africa CEO and founder George Snyman will travel to the US in November/December to challenge churches about their role in caring for the orphaned, widowed and the dying, to cast the Hands at Work vision, and to attend strategic meetings with the organisation’s country offices and partner churches.
His itinerary is as follows:
St. Louis, MO, November 9-11
Meeting with Ten Talents Foundation
Minneapolis, MN, November 12
Breakfast meeting with local area pastors 10:00am
Hope Church in Apple Valley, MN
(If you would like to attend please RSVP to Dara Hillstrom at DaraJean15@hotmail.com or Kristy Kes at islandgirlKristy@yahoo.com)
Evening with friends of Hands at Work 7:00 pm
Vision of Glory Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN
(Contact Dara Hillstrom if you have any questions: 480-272-2742 or darajean15@hotmail.com)
Racine, WI, November 13-18
Sunday, November 15, services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. at Grace Church in Racine, WI
Small group meetings throughout the week
Boise, ID, December 6
Sunday, December 6, services at 9:00 am and 10:45 am at Faith Community Bible Church in Boise, ID
For any queries or to schedule a meeting with George during his time in the US, please email lauren@us.handsatwork.org or Jed@handsatwork.org.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Two new announcements:
Friday, August 06, 2009
Has it really been almost 5 months since the last post? It has, and oh so much has happened. Here's a brief history:
Day Six - "Heal" from Nurses for Africa on Vimeo.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 09:48AM
A Grannie works in the community garden at a Care Center in Masoyi, South Africa.With an estimated 5.5 million people living with HIV in South Africa, the AIDS epidemic is creating large numbers of children growing up without adult protection, nurturing, or financial support. Of South Africa’s 18 million children, nearly 21% (about 3.8 million children) have lost one or both parents.
Despite the magnitude and dire consequences of the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in South Africa and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, there is insufficient documentation of the strategies deployed to improve the well-being of these children.
To fill these knowledge gaps, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief commissioned Khulisa Management Services of Johannesburg, South Africa, to research and write case studies of 32 OVC programmes in South Africa that receive emergency plan funding.
Hands at Work’s Masoyi Home-Based Care project serves Masoyi, consisting of six villages in Mpumalanga Province. Here is the case study of what we do and how we do it.
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 03:26PM
George Snyman, founder of Hands at Work in Africa, is touring North America and the UK over the next month and a half. If you are interested in a more detailed itinerary with all the locations that George will be speaking at please email: lynn@handsatwork.org.
United Kingdom: May 6 - 12
Tuesday, May 6: Zion Christian Centre
7:45pm Halesowen West Midlands (details: 0121 550 7056)
Wednesday, May 7: Hands at Work in Africa Exhibition
2:30-4:00pm at The Place, Lime Walks, Oakengates, Telford, Shropshire (details: 01952 820451)
Wednesday, May 7: Holy Trinity Church
7:30pm Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme (details: 01782 624669)
Friday, May 9 : Doncaster and North East
Other dates and events to be confirmed (details: 01952 820451)
Albany, NY: May 2 - 5
Sunday, May 4 - Calvary Tabneracle Church
New York City, NY, USA: April 30 - May 1
Racine, Wisconsin, USA: April 26 - 29
Sunday April 27 - 10 min apprearance at Grace Church
Orlando, FL, USA: April 23 - 25
San Fransisco, California, USA: April 17 - 22
Friday, April 18 Church Leader Breakfast-open to all leaders
Sunday, April 20 Creekside Church morning service
Sunday, April 20 Wellspring Church morning service
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: April 10 - 16