This is the story of one of our HOPE family (staff). Christina tells in her own words, her journey and how she came to be part of Hope for the Island.
First of all I would like to thank God for His grace to me and I pray that I can remember all the things that He has done in my life.
Since first year High School my mother passed away and I really didn’t know what to do and how we could move on after what happened. I really couldn’t accept that my mom was gone.
Sometimes there are stark reminders of the poverty and disease that surround us daily. This story is one of those. An elderly woman brought a 14 year old, 40 lb. boy named Mark Anthony to us with an advanced case of Schistosomiasis. He was orphaned as a baby when his parents died of the same disease. Schistosomiasis, an often fatal illness, results from infection of the blood with a parasitic flatworm that causes debilitation as well as liver and intestinal damage. It is most commonly found in Asia, Africa and South America, especially in areas with water that is contaminated with fresh water snails which contain the parasite.
The Bible clearly states… “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27
This scripture has been our guiding principle to minister through God’s Word in accordance with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
James 2: 15-16 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food and one of you says to them “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” and yet do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
We are changing things up with Youth Ministry. Instead of celebrating the birthdays of the youth each year, we will celebrate their spiritual birthday.