SPRINGFIELD, PA — Thousands of families who fled Hezbollah’s deadly rocket attacks in war-torn northern Israel are considering returning home this month as a fragile ceasefire with Hamas collapsed in Gaza on Tuesday. More than 60,000 Israelis were forced to abandon their homes in the north and relocate, leaving behind virtual ghost towns. Now some… Continue reading Israel War Victims Pick Up Pieces of Shattered Lives
Tag: Poverty Alleviation
World Vision Statement on Humanitarian Aid Funding
SEATTLE — For 75 years and through 14 U.S. presidential administrations, World Vision has been living out our calling to work in the hardest places in the world to be a child. As a Christian humanitarian organization with a presence in nearly 100 countries — including many of the world’s most challenging locations — we… Continue reading World Vision Statement on Humanitarian Aid Funding
Helping Families Living With Disability in Brazil Through Vocational Training
BRAZIL — Bruna and Ana Cristina, both mothers of children with autism, share how they found hope and support through Joni’s House Brazil, which they discovered through their church.After taking a soap-making course offered by Joni’s House, Bruna and Ana Cristina started their own business making and selling soaps. This new venture not only provides… Continue reading Helping Families Living With Disability in Brazil Through Vocational Training
One-Third of Israeli Children ‘Living in Poverty’ Amid War Joseph Project International Unleashes Aid Tsunami
SPRINGFIELD, PA — One of the largest humanitarian aid operations in Israel is spotlighting the desperate condition of more than 1 million Israeli children living in poverty and hunger amid the nation’s ongoing war against Iran-backed terrorism. “Most Americans think of Israel as a prosperous, high-tech nation,” said Joel Chernoff, founder and executive board chairman… Continue reading One-Third of Israeli Children ‘Living in Poverty’ Amid War Joseph Project International Unleashes Aid Tsunami
What Does Christmas Look Like on the Other Side of the World? | Daniel Yohannan
WILLS POINT, TX — Bishop Daniel Timotheos Yohannan and GFA World shares on the true meaning of Christmas through bringing the hope and love of Jesus to the least of these around the world. As a little boy, I remember seeing “Christmas Stars” — giant paper lanterns — light up my father’s South Indian village… Continue reading What Does Christmas Look Like on the Other Side of the World? | Daniel Yohannan
Christmas ‘Chicken Challenge’ Helps Families Fly Poverty Coop
WILLS POINT, TX — A U.S. faith-based organization has hatched an “eggs-traordinary” challenge to help fight global poverty and hunger. GFA World’s “chicken challenge” is part of its annual Christmas Critter Campaign that aims to “rescue families from poverty and show them Christ’s love.” “This is not a one-time hand-out,” said Bishop Daniel, the organization’s… Continue reading Christmas ‘Chicken Challenge’ Helps Families Fly Poverty Coop
13 Families Facing Hardship Find Hope with Gift of Goats
KATHMANDU, NEPAL —On World Poverty Day, 17th October 2024, the District Women’s Fellowship Council of Rautahat District, under the Believers Eastern Church Archdiocese of Kathmandu, Nepal, took a proactive step in addressing poverty by distributing goats to impoverished families. This initiative aimed to support needy families and daily wage earners by providing them with a… Continue reading 13 Families Facing Hardship Find Hope with Gift of Goats
Christian Educators Gather in Kenya
NAIROBI, KENYA —Organized by Christian children’s charity CRY the aim is to bring together local and native Christian African educators who have the best understanding of what young people need to further their lives and escape poverty. Christian children’s charity CRY recently hosted an educational forum for African educators in Nairobi in Kenya, which was… Continue reading Christian Educators Gather in Kenya
Moises’ Story: The Love of a Family in El Salvador
EL SALVADOR — Moises Groezinger shares how his life was transformed when he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift as an orphan in El Salvador. Moises Groezinger: My name is Moises Groezinger. I’m from El Salvador. I’m a volunteer firefighter. I don’t know much about my country because I was raised in an orphanage.… Continue reading Moises’ Story: The Love of a Family in El Salvador
Shoebox Gifts Remind Mexico’s Children that God Is Near
MEXICO — A mother, daughter, and children in Acapulco, Mexico, praise God for the hope and joy they received through an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift after their home was destroyed in a hurricane. Esmeralda: It was 10 pm. A hurricane was announced. A hurricane became more powerful. It became a category 5 hurricane. I… Continue reading Shoebox Gifts Remind Mexico’s Children that God Is Near
Gifts Bring Joy to Israeli Children
ISRAEL — Samaritan’s Purse airlifted and distributed 24,000 boxes of gifts over Christmas for Israeli boys and girls. Ken Isaacs – Vice President of Programs & Government Relations Samaritan’s Purse: And today I’m in Moshavim, Israel. We brought 24,000 gifts into the country and we’re distributing them primarily in two of these regional council areas.… Continue reading Gifts Bring Joy to Israeli Children
World Vision Reviews Worst Humanitarian Disasters of 2023
SEATTLE — From the Maui wildfires to devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, along with cyclones in Mozambique and Myanmar, Christian humanitarian organization World Vision has been at the forefront of extensive humanitarian response efforts worldwide, supporting communities in crisis. In 2023, World Vision responded to 78 disasters and humanitarian crises in 59 countries around… Continue reading World Vision Reviews Worst Humanitarian Disasters of 2023
Still Packing Shoeboxes and Serving the Lord at 98
GREENSBORO, NC — Packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is one of the many activities Lela Mae Cummings enjoys in her still-active lifestyle at “98 and a half years old.” Leila Mae Cummings: I’m Leila Mae Cummings , and I’ve lived in the Guilford College area all my life. And I’m at Friends Home Guilford,… Continue reading Still Packing Shoeboxes and Serving the Lord at 98
The Salvation Army Calls On Donors To Help Their Neighbors in Need This December
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest private provider of social services, is asking the public for support this Giving Tuesday and throughout December. The organization, which has a presence in nearly every ZIP code in the country, relies on donations from the public to support life-changing programs for nearly 24 million people… Continue reading The Salvation Army Calls On Donors To Help Their Neighbors in Need This December
GFA World Launches Christmas ‘Chickens & Goats’ to Fight Poverty
WILLS POINT, TX — Can a chicken really change someone’s life? It’s happening all around the globe, according to mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org). The Texas-based organization has launched its annual Christmas “Chickens & Goats” campaign on WAY-FM Radio — an opportunity for people to buy life-changing gifts, such as chickens and goats, for families… Continue reading GFA World Launches Christmas ‘Chickens & Goats’ to Fight Poverty
Providing Vital Wheelchairs in Brazil
BRAZIL — Joni and Friends aims to provide wheelchairs to respond to Jesus’s command in Luke 14 to “Go out quickly…and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full.” Their Wheels for the World program is just one of the ways they seek to answer that… Continue reading Providing Vital Wheelchairs in Brazil
The Salvation Army Southern California Division’s Annual Gala Raised Significant Funds to Combat Homelessness
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A remarkable evening unfolded on September 21 as The Salvation Army Southern California proudly hosted the prestigious 2023 Finding A Way Gala. Sponsored by Payden & Rygel, the event drew an array of renowned celebrities, including the likes of retired NBA star Olden Polynice, Annalynne McCord, Erica Ash, and Tisha Campbell,… Continue reading The Salvation Army Southern California Division’s Annual Gala Raised Significant Funds to Combat Homelessness
Elena’s Story: Offering Praise in Poland
POLAND — “The war started suddenly,” Elena, a fine arts teacher in Ukraine, said. “I prayed every day, ‘Lord, I trust in You. Give me strength, patience, and humility for this day.’” Soon, she and her daughter fled to Poland to escape the increasing violence. They arrived close to Easter and moved into a hotel… Continue reading Elena’s Story: Offering Praise in Poland
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Togo
TOGO — Christian charity CRY has launched a campaign to highlight how education is helping to break the cycle of poverty in some of the neediest parts of the world. This report shares the story of how an orphanage that they support in Togo is providing life-changing opportunities for many young lives through the power… Continue reading Breaking the Cycle of Poverty in Togo
The Salvation Army Southern California to Host Annual Gala to Raise Funds to Combat Homelessness
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Salvation Army Southern California is set to host its highly anticipated Finding A Way Home Gala at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 21. Sponsored by Payden & Rygel, the extraordinary event will honor Sarah Michelle Gellar with the Judge Harry Pregerson award while showcasing an ensemble… Continue reading The Salvation Army Southern California to Host Annual Gala to Raise Funds to Combat Homelessness
GFA World Spotlights Global ‘Crisis’ of Adults Who Can’t Read or Write
WILLS POINT, TX — A shocking number of adults around the world can’t read or write even a simple sentence, says mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org) as it marks International Literacy Day, September 8. According to the United Nations’ education agency UNESCO, approximately 773 million adults worldwide — equal to more than twice the population… Continue reading GFA World Spotlights Global ‘Crisis’ of Adults Who Can’t Read or Write
Children’s Charity Launches Education is Power Campaign
UNITED KINGDOM — It is a sad fact that, globally, the number of children and adolescents who do not have access to school education is 260 million, nearly four times the entire population of the UK. In response Christian children’s charity CRY is launching their Back To School Education is Power campaign to highlight how… Continue reading Children’s Charity Launches Education is Power Campaign
Andre’s Story: Finding Acceptance in the Body of Christ in El Salvador
EL SALVADOR — Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. They bring this vision to reality through programs like International Family Retreat. Andre’s family in El Salvador experienced finding inclusion in Christ, transforming acceptance and love through family retreat… Continue reading Andre’s Story: Finding Acceptance in the Body of Christ in El Salvador
CityServe Family Center to open in Ukraine for families affected by war
BAKERSFIELD, CA — This month, CityServe International will have a grand opening for their new CityServe Family Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. In partnership with churches in Ukraine, this family center will serve to heal the multi-generational trauma of a war that has already claimed over 20,000 Ukrainian lives, including many civilians. The grand opening ceremony… Continue reading CityServe Family Center to open in Ukraine for families affected by war
Destiny Grace Academy Empowers Sierra Leone’s Next Generation
SIERRA LEONE — As Sierra Leone faces extreme poverty and high rates of illiteracy, Christian school Destiny Grace Academy is teaching hundreds of children, who’ve been rescued from the slums of the capital city of Freetown, to be the country’s next generation of leaders. A Christian-run school in war-torn Sierra Leone has provided life-changing education… Continue reading Destiny Grace Academy Empowers Sierra Leone’s Next Generation
Narrow Escape for Ministry Team in East Ukraine
UKRAINE — A ministry team from Great Commission Media Ministries narrowly escaped with their lives while delivering aid supplies in the Donetsk region of East Ukraine. They came within just 100 metres of being hit by Russian missiles, but thanks to God’s protection they were able to continue with their aid supplies delivering food packs… Continue reading Narrow Escape for Ministry Team in East Ukraine
Gospel for Asia Helps Families ‘Sew Their Way Out of Poverty’
WILLS POINT, TX — A new three-month campaign aims to help some of the poorest families in Africa and Asia “sew their way out of poverty” — one stitch at a time. Texas-based mission GFA World’s “Sewing Their Way Out of Poverty” campaign aims to provide 500 new sewing machines and vocational training for 500… Continue reading Gospel for Asia Helps Families ‘Sew Their Way Out of Poverty’
Good News and Great Joy for Namibia
NAMIBIA — As God works through Operation Christmas Child to reach the remote Himba tribe in Namibia, southwest Africa, they are hearing, believing, embracing, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pastor Rizera Hipakua – Volunteer: Jesus Christ is my Savior. He’s my personal Savior. I really love Jesus. I want to follow Jesus… Continue reading Good News and Great Joy for Namibia
Wheelchair Allows Didina to See the Sky for the First Time in 30 Years
ROMANIA — Didina was paralyzed at age 22 due to an unknown condition. Then for 30 years she lay in a small dark bedroom wanting to die to get free from the bed that felt like a prison.Joni and Friends Wheels for the World volunteers heard Didina’s story and came to provide her with physical… Continue reading Wheelchair Allows Didina to See the Sky for the First Time in 30 Years
CityServe International Partners with Love Has No Limits
HOUSTON — On Saturday, April 29, churches and parachurch organizations from across the region descended on metro Houston to lend a helping hand to neighbors enduring varying levels of hardship. In partnership with Love Has No Limits (LHNL) for 1DayHouston, CityServe International resourced 96 local churches so they can provide tangible support as part of… Continue reading CityServe International Partners with Love Has No Limits
Erdembayar’s Story: A New Purpose in Life in Mongolia
MONGOLIA — Erdembayar, a boy in Mongolia, tired easily and couldn’t participate in physical activities with his friends. After he underwent heart surgery arranged by Samaritan’s Purse, he gained new energy and could actively play like other kids. More importantly, he and his mother both trusted Christ as their Savior. Now, Erdembayar wants to become… Continue reading Erdembayar’s Story: A New Purpose in Life in Mongolia
Empowering Children in Africa’s Largest Slum
KIBERA, KENYA —A Christian charity is empowering and educating children in Africa’s largest slum in Kibera on the outskirts of Nairobi in Kenya. Most of the residents live in extreme poverty. There are few schools, little clean water, and very little electricity, medical care or toilet facilities. With no government services, schools, clinics, water and… Continue reading Empowering Children in Africa’s Largest Slum
Franklin Graham Thanks God for How Operation Christmas Child Has Grown
CHARLOTTE, NC — Celebrating the 200 millionth shoebox gift collected since 1993, Franklin Graham encouraged staff and volunteers at the Charlotte Processing Center this Christmas. These shoeboxes represent opportunities to tell boys and girls about the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Greatest Gift. Franklin Graham – Samaritan’s Purse CEO and President: 29 years ago right here… Continue reading Franklin Graham Thanks God for How Operation Christmas Child Has Grown
Ian’s Perfect Gift: A Pediatric Wheelchair and Gospel Hope
EL SALVADOR — Four-year-old Ian from El Salvador was born prematurely. Lack of oxygen at birth caused a brain injury, leaving Ian with cerebral palsy. Living under the double weight of poverty and disability, Ian’s parents couldn’t afford a wheelchair for their son. Then, at a Joni and Friends Wheels for the World™ outreach in… Continue reading Ian’s Perfect Gift: A Pediatric Wheelchair and Gospel Hope
Shoebox Gifts Impact Mongolian Family
BAYANKHONGOR, MONGOLIA — Baljinnyam praises God for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift he received when he was 13 in Mongolia. Through that gift, he gave his life to Christ. Now, Baljinnyam is an adult and saw his young daughter receive her own shoebox and learn more about Jesus. Baljinnyam: My name is Baljinnyam. I… Continue reading Shoebox Gifts Impact Mongolian Family
Media Ministry Supplies Vital Winter Heating in Ukraine
UKRAINE — Winter is coming to Ukraine. Russia has bombed Ukraine’s power grids and heating infrastructure. To survive this winter thousands of families, mothers and children need a heater. In response, Great Commission Media Ministries has been distributing hundreds of families with wood-burning stoves for heating and for cooking but they say thousands more are… Continue reading Media Ministry Supplies Vital Winter Heating in Ukraine
CityServe Pledges to Help More Families in Ukraine Stay Warm, Plans to Deliver Another Million Meals
BAKERSFIELD, CA — As an energy crisis unfolds in Europe, Ukrainians may face the inability to heat their homes, or lack the resources to do so. Consequently, CityServe International is partnering with over 6,700 churches in their church network in Eastern Europe to help deliver generators and C-train homes to Ukrainian families to ensure they… Continue reading CityServe Pledges to Help More Families in Ukraine Stay Warm, Plans to Deliver Another Million Meals
Shoebox Gifts Bring Joy to Deaf Children in Namibia
NAMIBIA — The classroom was quiet as deaf Namibian boys and girls opened their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. There were no squeals of excitement or chattering, no shouting for friends to come and look at the fun gifts inside their shoebox. The Operation Christmas Child outreach event marked the first time that most of the… Continue reading Shoebox Gifts Bring Joy to Deaf Children in Namibia
A Smile for Ethiopia Project
ALBA LULIA, ROMANIA — The “Philippi Vision” charitable association from Alba Iulia carries out missionary and social projects in Romania, Europe and Africa. The organization was founded in 2018 by some young men, Florin Lupean and David Murza, out of the desire to help people in poor areas and to make God known. We will… Continue reading A Smile for Ethiopia Project
Edouard’s Story: A Perfect Picture of God’s Love
SENEGAL — Edouard Ndecky realized how much God loved him when he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift when he was growing up in Senegal. Now, Edouard lives in the U.S. and encourages others to prayerfully pack shoeboxes so that other boys and girls in need will receive a tangible expression of God’s love… Continue reading Edouard’s Story: A Perfect Picture of God’s Love
From Exhaustion to Rest at Joni and Friends Family Retreat
JACKSON, MS — Reyna is a mother to four children in Jackson, Mississippi. Her oldest kids, Belen (19) and Leonardo (16), have disabilities that require the use of wheelchairs and around-the-clock care. Even with the help of her 10-year-old son, Yahir, to feed and change his siblings, Reyna lives in a state of mental and… Continue reading From Exhaustion to Rest at Joni and Friends Family Retreat
Marcela’s Wheelchair in El Salvador: For Every Wheelchair Given, Millions are Needed
EL SALVADOR — The World Health Organization estimates that over 75 million people in the world today need a wheelchair, and more than 85% of them can’t access one*. The brunt of these unmet needs hits people in developing nations, like Marcela in El Salvador. Marcela suffered cardio-respiratory arrest at birth, which caused cerebral palsy.… Continue reading Marcela’s Wheelchair in El Salvador: For Every Wheelchair Given, Millions are Needed
GFA World Shares a Surprising Antidote to World Poverty: Farm Animals
WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, to assist the poor and deprived worldwide, issued this Special Report on a surprising antidote and solution to world poverty: farm animals. Recent decades have seen a general trend toward prosperity in much of… Continue reading GFA World Shares a Surprising Antidote to World Poverty: Farm Animals
Wheelchair Distribution Delivers the Hope of the Gospel in Thailand
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND — Namthan has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. She cannot walk or even sit on her own and has a permanent shunt surgically implanted in her brain. Raised Buddhist, Namthan’s parents believed that bad karma caused Namthan’s disability. But when Joni and Friends brought Namthan a wheelchair through our Wheels for the World… Continue reading Wheelchair Distribution Delivers the Hope of the Gospel in Thailand
Joni and Friends Delivers Wheelchairs and Christ’s Love in Thailand
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND — 12-year-old Pleng was born with cerebral palsy. Unable to afford a wheelchair for Pleng, her family resorted to carrying her, or just staying home. In addition to struggles with immobility, Pleng’s family suffered from shame, believing Pleng’s disability came from bad karma—a deserved punishment, or curse. When Pleng arrived at the… Continue reading Joni and Friends Delivers Wheelchairs and Christ’s Love in Thailand
GFA World is Providing Free Health Care in Remote Areas of Asia
WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, has been the model for numerous charities like GFA World Canada, to help the poor and deprived worldwide. Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported medical ministry is helping thousands who are in need of medical attention, all the while displaying the love of Christ.… Continue reading GFA World is Providing Free Health Care in Remote Areas of Asia
Joni’s House is a Lifeline for Mother with Two Disabled Sons
SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR — Esmerelda’s pregnancy was typical and uneventful, but while carrying her son, she was a victim of domestic violence. Esmerelda worried that the abuse she suffered at her husband’s hand would cause their new baby to be born with a disability. At five months, Kevin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. When… Continue reading Joni’s House is a Lifeline for Mother with Two Disabled Sons
Mobile Food Drive, Sponsored by Nations Church in Partnership with One Heart for Women and Children
ORLANDO, FL — Nations Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in America, based in Central Florida, recently partnered with One Heart for Women and Children to assist families and individuals struggling with food insecurity in the local community. On March 16th, Nations Church and One Heart combined their teams, arriving at the Christ for all… Continue reading Mobile Food Drive, Sponsored by Nations Church in Partnership with One Heart for Women and Children
Christian Aid Mission Helps Desperate Single Mother in North Africa
AFRICA — A single mother of three in dire need, Shahd* was desperate when she called the national missionary supported by Christian Aid Mission. The missionary responded with compassionate aid and support, providing Shahd with the means to establish her own business and empowering her to provide for her family. According to the mission organization,… Continue reading Christian Aid Mission Helps Desperate Single Mother in North Africa
Richmond’s Story: From Poverty to Pastor in Uganda
KAMPALA, UGANDA – Richmond’s childhood was a painful and challenging one, marked by extreme poverty, illness, loss and hopelessness. His family often went without food. He suffered from malaria almost a dozen times, and his father was murdered. When he was sponsored and began attending Compassion’s child development center at a local church, the healthcare,… Continue reading Richmond’s Story: From Poverty to Pastor in Uganda