O R P H A N ’ S P R O M I S E N E W S L E T T E R | J U LY 2 0 1 7
hope can change a nation
by Drew Friedrich, Orphan’s Promise Director of Marketing
It’s been nearly nine months since we were on the ground in Ghana, Africa, helping to cut the ribbon and pray a blessing over one of our newest partnerships, Project Nyame Nsa’s Village of Hope. The Village was built as a “city on a hill” in a place where poverty and broken families are practically woven into the fabric of society. Thirty-six orphaned and abandoned children would soon call this place home, as they joined new foster families and found new moms and dads who would give them the love they so desperately desired.
From the joy on these faces, you would never guess that they had displayed fear and uncertainty when the children first walked through the Village of Hope gates. These children had been abandoned, abused, let down, hurt, and disappointed at nearly every turn in life, and while the offer of a new family sounded appealing, they were cautiously awaiting another let-down. What they’ve found instead is a new opportunity to hope and dream of a better tomorrow. These young people are hugged and bathed and fed and prayed for by their new parents. They attend school and learn to recognize their giftings and passions. They are learning to build healthy relationships while allowing the God of the universe, who knows each of them by name, to begin healing their broken pasts.
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Orphan’s Promise believes that God ordained the family as the perfect place for children to grow and develop. When circumstances force children out of their homes, they often end up in orphanages or out on the streets. Whenever possible, we seek to return them to families that will love and support them.
GOD-SIZED DREAM God gave Devon, the founder of Project Nyame Nsa, a vision for the children of Africa when she was just a young girl. He told her that she would someday come back to this beautiful nation and be a shining light to the people who so sorely needed something to believe in. Never forgetting that dream, Devon pursued her education while her heart longed to return to Africa and break ground on her God-adventure. Devon (right) with her friend, Junior.
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Looking back on this past year I am amazed at all that God is doing in the lives of the once-vulnerable and orphaned in Ghana. I have seen His hands actively at work. This year has been a year of renewal, revival and change—a year of turning young hearts to the Lord. These young hearts are beginning to see God as a father, which is stirring a deep devotion to prayer. As a result, chains and curses are being broken before our eyes, as God’s faithfulness enters their reality. The Village of Hope has become a place for these children to dream, excel spiritually and academically, and achieve what they never imagined possible through the Lord’s love and never-ending grace. – Devon
HE PLACES THE LONELY IN FAMILIES When we met Devon and learned about the Village of Hope, we could see that God’s hand was in this enterprise, and when God is doing something big, it’s easy to say “Yes!” We are as excited today about our partnership with Project Nyame Nsa as we were the day we cut the ribbon to open its doors. God continues to use this place to carry out His plan for the children of Ghana, and we believe He is only getting started. As more children arrive at the Village of Hope, we can’t help but smile at the symbolism. As believers, we move from darkness into light—from hopelessness to hope, from death to life. As these children walk through the gates at the Village, many leave a very dark past behind them. They are literally walking from a hopeless life into a village built on the hope of the Gospel.
faces of hope
’ It’s hard to believe one year has passed since we stood on the grounds of the Village Of Hope and cut the ribbon, dedicating it to the Lord. God continues to fulfill the dream he placed in Devon’s heart so long ago, and many of you have come alongside us in supporting that dream, as well. We adore these faces of hope, but we know the true reward is the impact we will see as they grow into world changers. Blessings, Terry Meeuwsen
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Orphan’s Promise, a children’s ministry of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., serves orphans and other vulnerable children around the world, taking them from at-risk to thriving through the transforming power of God’s love. CBN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and your contributions to our ministry are tax-deductible.