As the end of the year is approaching, I wanted to express my gratitude and thanks for being allowed to serve as the chairman of Christ’s Hope International for the past seven years. While Christ’s Hope has faced many challenges, through the Lord’s blessings and guidance, there is much to be celebrated.
Christ’s Hope now has nearly 2000 children who are being nourished both physically and spiritually in sub-Saharan Africa. This is only possible through the generosity of donors and child sponsors when combined with the dedication and efforts of our global staff. I am grateful for our staff’s efforts especially during the Covid crisis where they changed the format from children coming to the Christ’s Hope Ministry Care Points for care and support to more of an outreach effort to reach the children in their families and communities. Tons of food and health supplies were distributed in the communities where we serve.
I am pleased also to announce that Jannetta Huisman will be the new Chairperson of Christ’s Hope International’s Board. Jannetta has been involved with Christ’s Hope as the Country Team Leader in the Netherlands and also as a Board member for Christ’s Hope. As a medical doctor, she has served in Africa and also in her local community for persons in need. Please keep Jannetta in your prayers as she takes on the leadership role.
We have two new board members this year as well, Sammy Kaunga, from Kenya and Michael Van Huis from the US. Both men have a deep background in ministry leadership and have been associated with Christ’s Hope in different capacities. I will continue to serve as a Board member as well.
One great blessing this year occurred in the DRC (Congo) as the result of prayer and perseverance. Several years ago Glenn Vantieghem (DRC Country Team Lead) and Orlando Furfari (Former Belgium Board chairman) travelled to the Vatican to request the Catholic Church donate the former convent that Christ’s Hope Congo was renting in a large slum known as Camp Luka. The request was that the money spent on rent would be better served feeding children and teaching them about Christ. Initially rejecting the request, the head of the Carmelite Order was moved by our work and passion for His children and contacted Glenn while he was in the Congo last year. He shared with Glenn that a property was being sold in Europe and he had made arrangements for a portion of the funds be used to gift the DRC property to Christ’s Hope. An amazing answer to prayer as the donation has been completed and plans are underway to further develop the property to expand the ministry to care for more children!
As part of the expansion of Christ’s Hope, we are engaged in an ongoing vision process. As AIDS becomes less prevalent, the focus is on orphans and children living in extreme poverty, a common denominator with AIDS in our ministry countries.
As the season approaches when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I am humbly requesting that our donors and sponsors consider a donation to the ministry of Christ’s Hope so that we can continue the effort to bring the Hope of Christ to the children God has brought to us. Please also remember to pray for our children, their families, staff and the leadership team.
Blessings to all,
Denny Bayer
