love mission Community of Faith is the
best gift 2023
When we founded Community of Faith In 2003, we dreamed of a church that would impact the world. God has certainly brought that dream to life! We are so grateful to be partners with you for God’s Kingdom. We believe God has blessed us individually and as a church, because of that commitment. And these blessings are not ours to keep, but ours to share. This is the DNA of Community of Faith! Across the years, COF has spread the love of Jesus in over fifteen countries! Communities of Faith have sprung up in unexpected places. Lives have been transformed, health restored, hope renewed, and eternal destinies secured. And we are just getting started! We can’t wait to see what the next 20 years will hold! We hope these brief stories of God’s power at work through your Best Gift offerings will remind you why you sacrificed to give and encourage you to give your very Best Gift to Jesus this year! Together for God’s Kingdom,
Mark & Laura Shook Page 3
community of faith CYPRESS, TX COF Kids began partnering with CyFair ISD Schools to have National Honor Society students serve in COF Kids. Ashvin Senthil Kumaran began volunteering with us over a year ago. He started as a COF Kids volunteer and later volunteered in COF Students. He was so excited to come and serve and help as much as he could on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and extra events. He recently told us that he met God here at COF and loves God and wants to get baptized. He grew up Hindu, but heard the Good News of Jesus and experienced God’s love here at COF. He now runs lights in the Main Worship service and continues to volunteer in COF students. He has now volunteered over 600 hours at Community of faith!
community of faith CYPRESS, TX Bailey Sharp is a National Honor Society student who started volunteering in COF Kids a few years ago. She helped in the preschool area and just loved serving. She heard the Bible stories in our large group area and talked to us about how much she loved God. She decided to get baptized here at COF and invited her whole family to come see her get baptized. She said her family doesn’t go to church, but she wanted to find a church where she could serve. She is now a preschool leader and serves every week in our three year old classroom.
“I always get so excited when I come to church because it is welcoming and everybody knows my name. My favorite part is worship because I love to sing and dance. Whenever I see the people on stage, it makes me want to do that one day and lead kids just like they do for me. When I chose to get baptized, I got to express that I love Jesus and show people. I love that Jesus cares for all people and He has helped me. When I feel afraid, I turn on worship music and pray.”
coF KIDS CYPRESS, TX When Kal-el first came to COF, he was super shy. He did not interact or want to be around anybody, and was struggling to find good friends. He would check-in, hand over his name sticker, say bye to dad, sprint into the room and find a spot to hide. Whether it was in the corner by the door, on the other side of the room with his face behind the TV, he did not want anybody to see him or talk to him. But he kept on coming. Slowly but surely, hiding became a game rather than a desire to stay hidden for this boy. He began to be more vocal about what he was going through, and in spite of being hurt, he decided to pray for the kids who were being rude to him and asked that God would help them in their hearts. He prayed they would stop being mean, and he asked God to help him find friends. He decided that if he couldn’t do something about it, he knew God could. Through the time of his heart being shifted, his faith grew. As his faith grew, he wanted to take a step further in his relationship with the Jesus that we taught about on Sundays. He decided that he did not want to wait any longer, but he wanted to give his life to Jesus. On Baptism Sunday, Kal-el was baptized and now wants others to know God and how He has changed his life. He wants them to know God can do the same for them. Thank you to COF Kids volunteers who would simply show up, play a game of hide and seek, build relationships, and lead children to Jesus. Kal-el is one of many who chose to give their life to Jesus this year!
community of faith CYPRESS, TX My name is Lisandra. This past year, I really got to thinking that I had no use in life. I used to remind myself of all my mess ups in life and the fact that I didn’t want to live too much longer. I was diagnosed with MS in 2016, and this year, I started having seizures. I managed to wreck, and total, two cars within 6 months, and things were looking very dark and gray for me. However, I joined a small group at COF, started volunteering, and most importantly I got baptized. Little by little, with all the changes that were taking place in my life, both of my parents and my oldest daughter started coming to church with me. God started showing me that he walks with me no matter what, and with him all things are possible! Thank you COF!
Miracle Farm Boys CYPRESS, TX My name is Thomas. I was floundering when I came to Miracle Farm. I was quiet and shy and felt I did not have much to offer. But now, I am considered a leader. The younger boys look up to me. It was nice to realize that I enjoy people and genuinely want to hear about their day and show I care about them. I have held down a good job for over a year, graduated from high school, and recently started college to become a certified welder. I am excited about my future!
Miracle Farm Boys CYPRESS, TX My name is Jared. I used to avoid talking and felt embarrassed when anyone wanted to know more about me. I didn’t know them. I didn’t trust them. Why would I want to talk to them? When I arrived at Miracle Farm, I had a tough time seeing the positives and did not want anyone to see me smile. I was carrying hurt from my past. I have found a way to calm myself. I find comfort in the company of my horse and dogs on the Farm and have learned how to trust the people that are pouring into me. I am a hard worker and will graduate early and hope to work on a ranch one day. But the best thing is that I have found Jesus and was recently baptized. Now I have a reason to smile!
OPEN DOOR MISSION HOUSTON, TX My name is Christopher Hoff. I am a recovered drug addict and a child of God. I was lost in my addiction to heroin and fentanyl, and I knew I wanted to quit, but I couldn’t do it on my own. I thought God was not hearing my prayers for help until I hit the lowest of lows and was ready to end my life. At that moment, He heard my cry for help and instantly freed me of my addiction. I searched for a faith-based rehab and found the Open Door Mission. I started working there as Education Manager, in addition to the Transition/Career Guidance Manager. Now I am the Program Coordinator for the Mission and get the privilege of serving men that are desperate for help and turn their lives over to Jesus to finally be free of their addictions and rebuild their lives. I now do everything for God, and I praise and give Him the glory every day. Thank you for supporting Open Door Mission and welcoming us to COF!
OPEN DOOR MISSION HOUSTON, TX My name is Philip Vaughn. For 15 long years, I grappled with the chains of alcohol dependency, seeking solace in a bottle, and struggling to find my way out. I was a lifelong Agnostic, searching for answers, and devoid of hope. In my darkest hour, I reached the gift of desperation. With determination, I asked God for help. In that moment of vulnerability and surrender, something supernatural happened. I found the solace that I had been seeking in faith. I was given the strength to confront my addiction, to face the demons that had plagued me for over a decade. I have broken free from the shackles of alcohol. Today, I am alcohol free and serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the Open Door Mission. I am a living testament to the transformative power of God. No matter how dark the night, there is always the glimmer of hope when one reaches out to God and embraces the gift of desperation.
cy-fair helping hands HOUSTON, TX My name is Monique. Without Cy-Fair Helping Hands I honestly do not know where I would be. After leaving a toxic 20-year relationship, I was struggling to find a job, a home, and often didn’t know where our next meal would come from. With the help of the wonderful people at Cy-Fair Helping Hands my life changed dramatically. I no longer had to worry about how I would put food on the table for my 1-year-old son because their food pantry supplied us with groceries, home supplies, and at times even clothes. They put me in a position where I was able to find a job and save what I needed to find a place we could call home. Now not only do we have a great place to live, but I was also promoted at my job! Cy-Fair Helping Hands has helped me to start a new life. When I thought I had no one and didn’t know where to turn, Cy-Fair Helping Hands was there. Thank you, COF, for your support of Cy-Fair Helping Hands. I will forever be grateful for the new start they gave me and my son.
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cy-fair helping hands HOUSTON, TX My name is Brittany. I was completely down and out, staying in a hotel with my daughter, with literally no hope for what was next. I had exhausted all avenues I knew and felt like I had hit a brick wall. Cy-Fair Helping Hands came in and took my hand. They encouraged my faith and helped me believe I would succeed. Within a reasonable time frame the program helped me obtain secure housing. I am now in a new home with the adequate resources and tools to continue to live life and reach new heights. I am forever thankful for what Cy-Fair Helping Hands has done for my family. Thank you for the effort and compassion COF has put into this program. It truly is amazing.
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boys and girls country HOCKLEY, TX George, who is affectionately known to all as “Gee”, came to Boys and Girls Country (BGC) when he was eleven years old. Before joining our family, he was living with his parents in North Dakota. Initially he was reserved, soft-spoken and hesitant to speak up. With time and nurturing, we witnessed Gee’s transformation into the compassionate and joyful young man he is today. He emerged as a natural leader, finding his voice and passion in the realm of sports. As a remarkable four-sport athlete, he played a pivotal role in guiding his football team to an undefeated district championship last year. Described by his houseparents as possessing an optimistic spirit and a genuine love for helping others, Gee has shown tremendous growth during his time at BGC. Not only has he excelled athletically, but he has also matured spiritually, taking on the role of leading devotions within his cottage and expressing a deeper interest in nurturing his relationship with God. His teachers have been equally impressed by his dedication and progress at school. We know Gee has a bright future, and we are grateful for God’s direction as we help guide him on this journey of spiritual and physical growth.
boys and girls country HOCKLEY, TX Since becoming houseparents, we have learned the true meaning of compassion. We both grew up in the foster care system and know how important it is for a child to have a safe and loving home environment. When the idea of becoming houseparents first came up, we were unsure what that would look like for us as a newlywed couple. We began to pray and open up our hearts to what God was putting before us. It didn’t take long for us to hear His voice. We realized that this job wasn’t just something that we wanted to do, but something that we had to do. The children at Boys and Girls Country (BGC) have forever changed our lives. Watching them grow spiritually and emotionally has been more rewarding than we could ever have imagined. We have the privilege of leading devotions as a family every night and witnessing them deepen their faith in Christ. When we first came to BGC, we thought we could provide the unconditional love that we never received as children. What we have received in return is a home full of compassion and mercy. Every day, we are witnessing God’s love at work.
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CASA HOGAR DULCE REFUGIO NICARAGUA Mr. Román is a new resident at the home for senior adults, Casa Hogar Dulce Refugio. It has been such a pleasure to have him with us. He lived for a while in the U.S. and speaks perfect English. He has no family. Before he arrived, he spent his time walking the streets in Managua. He spent many nights on the streets without food. One day, he heard of a home in the town of Diriamba, Casa Hogar Dulce Refugio, and decided to come find out about it. God had a place for him here! You can imagine his physical and emotional state when he arrived. After a few months in our care, he is now in perfect health! He volunteers daily to help with cleaning and washing dishes. But the most important change is that he has come into relationship with Jesus. He goes to church every chance he can, and is always asking when he can go back. He loves to praise the Lord and listen to the messages. Today, he is a totally different person. He has been transformed by the grace of the Lord. Thank you, COF, for making a way for Mr. Roman to find Jesus.
CASA DE MI PADRE NICARAGUA Lorena first came ot our church in 2014. She was invited to a service by her older sister. She is the youngest of five and single. She grew up catholic, but felt empty in her heart. She was raised by a harsh mother. She felt like her life had no meaning or purpose. When she arrived at Casa de Mi Padre for the first time, she said the emptiness in her heart disappeared and she found a purpose. Since that day, she committed her life to the Lord and to the church. Now, Lorena’s only desire is to live for the Lord. She isn’t interested in getting married. She is a true servant of the church, one of the leaders of the women’s group, and she also discovered she has a talent for acting! She spends every Tuesday visiting the women of the church and sharing the life-changing message of Jesus with them. Thank you, COF, for your part in Lorena’s story!
COMUNIDAD DE FE LEON, MEXICO Before I heard God’s Word, I was uncertain about my decisions and my lifestyle. I didn’t know what to do with my life or where to go. I was very concerned about having a good job and being in good standing with people. I had a few “ups” in my life, and many “downs.” I used drugs and got into fights. One time, I was stabbed 17 times. I got into trouble with the law. Because of my lifestyle, I was always afraid that I would be killed, so I was afraid of death. I made lots of money, but it was never enough. I was invited to a Bible study at Comunidad de Fe, Leon.There, I heard the Word of God and decided to give my life to Jesus. I have a new joy for life now and I have happiness. I make half the money that I made before, but I am content and can even be generous with my money. I can walk through the streets without fear. I am learning how to control my thoughts. I have less problems at home now. I am learning to put into practice what God’s Word says. Singing worship songs brings me joy. Now, I share with others what the Good News of Jesus is whenever I have an opportunity, and I am leading Bible studies. Thank you, COF, for your support of Comunidad de Fe, Leon. You have changed my life!
COMUNIDAD DE FE LEON, MEXICO I was raised with traditional moral values. I had some professional success in my youth, but as an adult, I got away from God’s paths. I did not know how to raise my children properly. When my two oldest sons hit adolescence, one had depression and the other was very rebellious. Some sort of evil influence was attacking my family and I felt lost as to how to resolve that. My wife started attending Comunidad de Fe, Leon and sharing with me what she was learning. When I decided to attend church with my wife, I was captivated by the wisdom of the Word of God. Through it, I began to find meaning in my experiences. I met Jesus and acknowledged Him as my Savior. I learned to have faith and how to worship God. Now, I am learning how to share the Gospel with others, and I am discovering the great plan that God has for my life. I have found the way and I pray to God that I will stay close to Him.
COMUNIDAD DE FE CANCUN, MEXICO Our marriage was completely destroyed. When we decided to separate and I left our home, our daughters were greatly affected and heartbroken watching their family break. When I got to Comunidad de Fe, I found a new way to know God and discovered that our marriage and our family had an opportunity to be restored by putting it all in God’s hands. I invited Debi and my daughters to accompany me and that is when our transformation began. We have received all kinds of help to be able to restore our family. I attend the men’s breakfast every single week. We learn about life as a couple in marriage small groups. Our youngest daughter lived her greatest experience in the youth camp, and our oldest gets more and more excited by finding new friends in the Post-Prepa (Post-High School) ministry. We are so grateful to God for Comunidad de Fe that allowed us to restore our marriage and our family as a whole.
COMUNIDAD DE FE CANCUN, MEXICO When I was invited to Comunidad de Fe, I was yearning to know God more profoundly. I wanted to feel that He was speaking to me and guiding my life. I started getting more and more involved in church and, when I began to serve in the worship ministry, my heart felt that I was finally in the right place. I had found my family in Christ that I had been longing for. After some time, I mustered up the courage to invite my family and they accepted. It was amazing to have all of us there together! Nowadays, my mother is full of joy to see her prayers have been answered for her family. My father is committed to God and the church and he is using his talents to serve the Lord. My sister was able to heal her heart after it had been hurt by other churches. It is such a blessing to see God working in my family in every step that we take. We feel very fortunate and honored to be a part of Comunidad de Fe and to have the opportunity to serve together as a family.
EXCELENCIA FAMILIAR SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA “Maria,” entered our home in February 2018, at the age of 12, with no identification, due to her immigration status and low level of education. She has experienced trauma as a result of the illegal transfer from one country to another. Maria displayed a significant amount of aggression and suppressed anger due to the abusive, aggressive, and neglectful situations she has experienced. She manifested this in mistreatment toward other girls in the home and the caregiving staff. We began praying with her, giving therapeutic support, and education to help Maria deal with her pain and anger. After many months, Maria began to see the world differently, gain more confidence, improve her relationships with her peers and the staff, and joined a family that wanted to love and support her for as long as necessary. Despite many difficult situations, tears, and moments of wanting to give up, the family stood by Maria and remained present. We celebrated her 15th birthday, a special milestone in our country for teenagers. Maria continued her studies with a lot of difficulty, but she was always supported by the home’s tutor and the team. She always expressed fear of returning to her home country and being forced into prostitution, as it was the “job” that awaited her there. In July 2023, she moved in with the family that has been there for her, loving her, and they are happy to have her become a cherished member of their family. Once again, our home served as a refuge, providing spiritual, emotional, and educational guidance in the care and preparation of one more girl. Thank you, faith community, for being a part of this and so many more miracles!
RESCUE PINK INDIA Drani, is a Rescue Pink girl in India. A few years ago, her father passed away from alcohol poisoning. After his death, her mom took her little brother and abandoned her. Her grandmother took her in, but the family was extremely poor and there was not enough to eat. We knew she was at high risk for all the things Rescue Pink fights against, so they asked her to join them. At first, she was so sad from all the trauma she’d experienced. She was lonely and didn’t know how to play and speak with others. She hadn’t learned to read and write and rarely went to school. After joining Rescue Pink, they gave her lots of counseling and educational motivation. She was also required to attend school daily. At first, she was shy to join in, but it didn’t take long to catch on. Now she is completely active in the center, playing games, and learning all the life skills Rescue Pink offers that will give her a better future. There was such a change in Drani, that her teacher from school called the Rescue Pink team and told them how she went from barely attending classes, to now being FIRST in her class! Drani has worked incredibly hard to completely change her future.
RESCUE PINK INDIA Latha attends the pregnant & lactating women’s program at Rescue Pink in India. They met her while hosting an awareness program in her village. She came to them after the program and shared her story. Her husband was making very little money and they could only afford one meal a day. They had one little girl already, and she was trying to breastfeed while starving, and now pregnant again. With their situation, Rescue Pink knew Latha, and her daughter, and her pregnancy, were all at extreme risk. So, they invited her to join their program that supports pregnant and lactating women. Latha started taking the supplemental nutrition and started getting healthy, which also improved her milk supply and the health of her little girl. She also gave birth to another healthy baby girl (born at 7lbs 11oz). Throughout the process she’s made lots of new friends and is learning of her own value and the value of girls. We hope once she’s ready, she’ll join the Rescue Pink women’s entrepreneurship program and continue giving the very best future to her girls.
RESCUE PINK INDIA Suneetha is a Rescue Pink Entrepreneur in India. When she first came to Rescue Pink, their family was very poor. She asked if she could join their women’s entrepreneurship program because she needed to be able to take care of her daughter. She said she had no idea what a “business” was, but she’d heard stories from other Rescue Pink women entrepreneurs. She wanted to learn, so they enrolled her into their business training. As Suneetha shared in the village her plans to start a business, they all laughed at her saying, “You have no education, and do not know how to do business. Why are you saying you are starting a business?” She said she even thought this quietly about herself too, but still she came, and the Rescue Pink staff gave her all the motivation she needed. She finished business training and started a phenyl business (a nontoxic, biodegradable, and environment-friendly disinfectant that helps rid insects from homes). She has been doing so well! Even recently, her husband was hit in a motorcycle accident and broke his leg. He will be on bed rest for 6 months; which in the past would’ve destroyed the family with no money coming in from daily labor. But because of her thriving business, they are doing just fine. Suneetha says, “With the encouragement Rescue Pink gave me, and the skills taught me in their entrepreneur training, I started a business and am supporting my struggling family. I sincerely thank Rescue Pink for giving me such courage and strength.” Rescue Pink says they didn’t give Suneetha the courage and strength–it was already inside her. They just got to be a part of showing her it was already there!
UK-USA MINISTRIES UNITED KINGDOM Growing up in Northeast England, I never thought I would be leading a youth group one day or working in a church. My childhood dream was to be a footballer, but seeing the Kingdom of God grow through this current generation of young people fires me up and gives me so much joy - more than any football match could! I didn’t grow up in a Christian home and my parents separated when I was young. Fast forward a few years and I was spending weekends visiting my dad and playing football on Sundays. My two older siblings and Mum started attending church. But getting me from the football pitch to youth group was difficult. Then I spent a week at a UK-USA Ministries sports camp in my area called Camp of Champions. Throughout the camp, one of the youth leaders from a church in America spent the whole week getting to know me and hanging out. By the end of the camp, we built up such a great relationship that he prayed for me. At this point, I had never been prayed for in my life. Little did I know, this was all a part of of God’s plan. Months later, I was baptized in the North Sea along with my Mum and stepdad, Chris. Then, I started leadership courses and serving in local ministry. Even though I thought I was the most unqualified person ever to be serving in ministry, as the year went on, I started to really love the work. I loved seeing more and more young people lives be transformed, and inviting their friends to church. This past summer has been the best yet! We saw God’s presence fill a youth service of kids worshipping Jesus from the roughest neighborhood in Northeast England. More than 40 young people gave their lives to the Lord over summer 2023. Your faithfulness to give and to pray have been a strength and comfort to all of us to continue in the faith. As a kid who used to think all I wanted to do was be a footballer, I now have a heart that only wants to see this generation rise up with hearts burning for Jesus. I can’t thank you enough for partnering with us to see the UK transformed.
UK-USA Ministries UNITED KINGDOM At nine years old, I was headstrong and had the attitude of a teenager. I just wanted to be loved. I attended a kid’s club that UK-USA Ministries put on, and heard about Jesus and the life that I could have in Him, but it felt impossible. I come from a non-christian home where Jesus is very rarely talked about. Growing up, it was just me, my mum and my three younger brothers. The life they talked about was something I longed for, yet it felt unreachable. I could never see any good in my life. I grew up without a father figure in the home. Trying to imagine that the same God who created the entire world, loves me as his daughter, felt impossible. How could there be a loving God if I had suffered so much in my life? Fast forward to the summer of 2016. I was 13 and attended Camp of Champions hosted by UK-USA Minsitries. This sports ministry camp, help kids and young people encounter Jesus, but I was still adamant that I wanted nothing to do with a God I didn’t believe existed. Somehow this day was different. With all my heart, I prayed, “God, if you are really there like You say You are, be here for me. I can’t take it anymore. I am going to do something really drastic if you don’t meet me here. I really need you.” Suddenly, I felt a supernatural kind of feeling that overcame me. I felt a kind of overwhelming sense of peace, almost as if I was being hugged by someone that isn’t physical. The following summer, I made the decision to be baptised in the North Sea. It was so COLD! I publicly declared to all who knew me that I had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that I live for him. Since then, my life has done a full circle transformation. The clubs I was once attending and being invested in, four years later I am running from! I have seen God’s plan and purpose for my life slowly unfold and it has been such a beautiful picture of His faithfulness. He knows me by name and even my name is a testament to His goodness. My name, Helena, means “Shining Light” in Greek. I truly believe that God has called me to be a light in this broken world.. I lam now 20 and I love the church and I am so thankful that I made the decision to follow Jesus.
changing destiny SOUTH ASIA Haya came to our school this month. She lived with her grandmother. Her grandmother had been trafficked and brutally forced to be a child prostitute. Because this was all she knew, she then put her own daughter (Haya’s mother) into the same line of work in one of the most dangerous and violent red-light districts. Haya was born 8 years ago and has a sister who is four years old. Her mother ran away from the brothel with another friend a few months ago and abandoned her two daughters to be trafficked and abused at any time by their own grandmother. This would have been the third generation of prostitution. But now Haya is with us through our outreach team on the ground. Thanks to the support of COF, Haya escaped the destiny that her grandmother and mother had. Hers is changed now. She is safe and on the path to a great future with eternal Hope.
changing destiny SOUTH ASIA We are so excited that we got in two more children from the red-light district. Their mother was trafficked from her village in Nepal when she was under the age of 15. She did not want her children to be in the same business. She made contact with our outreach team on the ground and asked whether her kids could come to our school. Thanks to our partnership with COF, we had the resources available to bring these kids in. The two girls are settling in and trying to communicate in English. They have started school and it is a totally new world for them. They join in with the singing in the daily chapel services. Their futures now are bright!
KHARIS HOUSE ZAMBIA My name is Regina. When I was 13 my dad went to prison for 25 years. We didn’t have money to eat or go to school. I thought if I found a man it would change my family’s story. But once my mom found out I was pregnant, she said, “Now you are pregnant, everything in your life changed. You will never be clean like other girls. You are now dirt.” She quit feeding me and made me move into the 27-year-old man’s house and become his wife. I felt hopeless. But after coming to Kharis House, Jesus changed everything about me. I now know God is great, He is my helper. I now know Jesus died for me and I want my daughter to know Jesus like I do.”
KHARIS HOUSE ZAMBIA I Named Him Blessing. I live at Kharis House with other young pregnant teens and young teenage moms. We have all had suffering, tragedy, poverty and abuse. Many of us consider aborting because we want to finish our education and we have lost all hope. Our families chase us away and our communities make us feel less then. The government does not allow us to continue school while pregnant and most do not return after our baby’s birth because of poverty and no one to watch our children. Thank you for supporting Kharis House. I was given Hope when I came to live at Kharis House. They provide counseling, discipleship, school, tutoring, physical education, medical care, parenting classes, life skills and more. And they watch my baby so I can go to school. Because of Kharis House I have hope and I’m able to see my son as a blessing from God.
NORTH AFRICA My name is ‘Secret Believer.’ I grew up (and still live) in a Muslim majority country. Many things have happened that you, in your country, have probably never heard of. There has been so much turmoil, so many changes, so much violence. I live with my sister and my brother. My parents passed away a few years ago. I started following Jesus five years ago. A friend shared with me about her faith in Jesus, and then I had a dream––I saw a man in white clothes, and He invited me to follow Him. He was so nice and peaceful, and His eyes were like fire. He didn’t order me to follow Him––He simply invited me. I realized this was Jesus. I wasn’t used to that at all. In my country, people tell you what to do. If you don’t listen, they beat you. Jesus was already showing me He was radically different. My brother knows I am a follower of Christ and beats me every day trying to convince me to become a Muslim again. But I love Jesus and I know He can touch my brother’s heart, too. As a secret believer, my life is always at risk. I’m still being watched. I can’t go to a church for fellowship, not even a secret house church meeting. I meet other Christians in hideout places. I go through the Bible with them, pray for them, and hug them. God is doing powerful things in my country, but He has given us a “night vision.” That’s what we call it. The night will get darker before day comes. In other words, we expect more violence and destruction before things get better. Please pray for us. We need God’s strength.
BURUNDI AFRICA When Charlotte came to the Student House, she was young and felt the weight of hopelessness on her frail frame. But with a community of fellow Batwa students around her, she found the courage to study, take tests, and eventually graduate from high school. During her five years at the house, she also finished a two-year nursing program. After graduation, she returned to her home province in the south of Burundi. She began working as a nurse in the local hospital, serving her community with her hard-won skills. A few years later, she got married and moved closer to Bujumbura, again securing a nursing job at a local hospital. Once again, she was serving a vulnerable community––and she gained a reputation for offering the best care to those in pain. Her return to Bujumbura, where the Student House was all those years ago, stirred something in her. She felt the spirit whisper that a new day was coming. She remembered the extraordinary love she experienced at the Student House, especially when the friends from COF traveled to visit every year and offer their presence. This broke the hold of hopelessness, giving her the capacity to accept love and feel hope for the first time. It transformed her whole life. Two years later, she was appointed by the President of Burundi to the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation. Her exemplary service in healthcare got her noticed, and she became an esteemed member of this commission to bring about truth and healing in the aftermath of the civil war. When she testified before the national parliament, Charlotte told them that God used a church in Texas to teach her that love, care, and hope are what Burundi needs to heal. “ My work on this Commission is to demonstrate love and show that forgiveness of our violent past is possible.”
BURUNDI AFRICA No one thought Aime would see his fifth birthday. Failure to thrive by all health indicators, compounded by a family in the grip of extreme poverty––he had zero chance of surviving. That was the assessment of the team when we started working in Bubanza in 2012, and he was just three years old. He began eating fortified porridge for breakfast every day at our small clinic. It took nine months to move him from his dire condition to one of basic health. It was a hard year, but he survived. As a matter of fact, he made it to his fifth birthday! And that same year he started kindergarten at Kwizera Academy. He had fortified porridge every morning, a hot lunch every afternoon, and time to both learn and play. He flourished. He has remained in school, benefiting from the amazing teachers. Sometimes he had to visit the Laura Shook Health Clinic for some medicine, but the nurses always took good care of him. With the love of his mother, and the entire community, he kept growing strong. “Today I am starting 9th grade and I am determined to finish high school and go to Bujumbura medical school so that I can come back and work at the Laura Shook Health Center. I want to help restore the health of my people. God has been faithful to us; we had no chance at life, but today we can dream big for the future.”
BURUNDI AFRICA A friend told Francine about Kazoza Bank and our classes for new business people – plus small loans to get started. She arrived to a training session without much expectation because she didn’t have anything for collateral or anyone who could co-sign even a small loan for her. She said it was the grace of God when she was entrusted with her first $100 loan. She worked hard starting a business––and paid back the loan on time. She went back to Kazoza every four months for another $100 loan, always paying it back while slowly growing her business. After her sixth loan cycle, she was entrusted with a much larger loan with a longer repayment time. She was truly a business woman now! “When you are faithful with small amounts, God will open doors for bigger amounts! Today, I am married with 3 kids and run a very successful business. My loan at Kazoza is the equivalent of $30,000 now. I am an employer who created 15 jobs, I contribute to the national economy with my taxes, and I support my local church and community. Kazoza means “good future” and it has been just that for me and now I am creating that for other young women like me.”
Tumaini KENYA, AFRICA Jacqueline is an alumni of Tumaini International’s child sponsorship program. In 2010, Jacqueline started experiencing seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Tumaini was not able to provide her with complete care and referred her to a hospital in Nairobi almost 60 miles away. From there, she was referred to yet another hospital and prescribed medication. In 2020, she developed a complication that required two surgeries in her right arm. Tumaini was able to provide her prescriptions and cover all costs. Tumaini’s investment in Jacqueline has paid off. Today, she is an expert tailor and is fully self-sufficient. However, her journey could have been better if quality affordable care was available in her community. Unfortunately for many in her community with health issues like these, they never get the help they need.
Tumaini KENYA, AFRICA This is Joseph, a retired educational worker. He lives in Makueni County, a neighboring region 16 miles away from the Tumaini Mission Hospital. Joseph suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. He used to travel to a Nairobi hospital for his prescriptions. Unfortunately, those medications were not effective in treating his condition. In 2018, Joseph learned about the Tumaini Mission Hospital. He comes regularly for check-ups and prescriptions, which have been successful in keeping his blood sugar and pressure in check. The prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure are projected to increase in Kenya in coming years with low-income communities disproportionately affected. Having access to affordable quality healthcare is crucial to improve Kenyans’ life expectancy and quality of life.
My Refuge House PHILIPPINES Ashley’s life has been filled with ups and downs. She never knew her biological family, and her adoptive family became physically abusive toward her when she was only six years old. She always felt like she was doing something wrong and she ended up running away right before she turned eight. Unfortunately, she met a foreigner online who took her down a very dangerous path for a while. Thankfully, a social worker intervened and Ashley found herself at My Refuge House. While at MRH, she discovered she was quite smart and began taking advantage of the education offered. Within a few years, she completed junior high school and went on to graduate from the local high school. While at MRH, Ashley discovered her tremendous talent for art and design. She was accepted into a prestigious architectural program in one of the local universities. Her dream is to design homes (not just houses) where kids can experience what she did not have before MRH––the love, stability, and family she herself once longed for. It took Ashley years for to regain her confidence, but now she is walking through life with courage and purpose. Thank you COF, for faithfully supporting the girls of My Refuge House.
COMMUNITY OF FAITH