PROJECT HANNAH touching hearts, instilling hope
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
Welcome
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TO PROJECT HANNAH!
tatistics tell us that millions of women worldwide face deplorable situations: economic poverty, disease, domestic violence, human trafficking and slavery, prostitution and sexual abuse, spiritual bondage, and violation of basic human rights, often in the context of oppressive cultural and religious teachings. This physical, spiritual and emotional oppression strips away their dignity and sense of worth. They are left in darkness, feeling trapped and hopeless. It is into this darkness that Project Hannah is showing the light and hope of Jesus Christ. Proverbs 31:8-9 tells us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (NIV) As part of TWR’s (Trans World Radio) ministry to women, Project Hannah has been actively responding to this command since 1997. We offer compassion, encouragement and hope to hurting women worldwide through a global prayer movement, awareness, mercy ministries, and radio programming. I encourage you to read the pages of this brochure. Together we can make a difference. Together we can proclaim freedom in Jesus’ name, giving these precious women hope and an eternal future!
Colleen Shoemaker
Please join us in this vital ministry.
Canadian Coordinator, Project Hannah www.twrcanada.org/ph www.projecthannah.org
Project Hannah? WHAT IS
Project Hannah offers compassion, encouragement and hope to hurting women worldwide. We seek to meet the needs of the whole woman, providing practical advice and spiritual guidance through prayer, awareness, mercy ministries, and radio programming.
Prayer Rooted in prayer and fasting, Project Hannah has become a global prayer movement. Our monthly prayer calendar is used by more than 40,000 intercessors in over 120 countries, all praying the same prayer requests in 70 languages.
Awareness Each monthly prayer calendar educates intercessors on the plight of women across the globe through an awareness article. As well, Project Hannah promotes awareness of women’s issues by speaking at churches, women’s groups, conferences and other events.
Mercy Ministries Project Hannah Coordinators and their teams worldwide are showing compassion and love to the suffering women in their home countries through visitation, counsel, Bible studies and various practical ways; they are serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Radio Programming Radio can reach women where they are, no matter their social status, culture or location. Our signature Women of Hope broadcasts share practical advice and Biblical teaching, letting listeners know they are understood and loved—especially by God. First aired in 1998, today the broadcasts are aired in more than 60 languages from hundreds of AM, FM and shortwave radio stations.
“No other god values women as does our God...” from When Hope Wins
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native of Brazil, Marli Spieker is the Global Ministry Director/Founder of Project Hannah, a ministry of TWR (Trans World Radio). Marli and her husband, Edmund, began their ministry with TWR over 40 years ago. In 1997, while serving with TWR in Asia, the Lord called Marli to start Project Hannah after she witnessed an Asian woman, covered head to toe in a black veil, walking in the 100-degree heat. Anger welled up in Marli, and she felt God telling her, “Did you see that black veil? It is not only over her head, it is over her mind, her heart, her family,
her spirit – her whole life! This woman lives in darkness!” Marli’s response? “Lord, whatever You want me to do to bring her into Your light I will do it!” Today, Marli has become an advocate and authority on the plight of women worldwide. She has traveled extensively, ministering to women in more than 70 countries. She is also the author of “When Hope Wins,” a testament to the transforming love of Jesus and how Project Hannah has spoken into the spiritual darkness, giving women the light of Christ.
PROJECT HANNAH GLOBAL MINISTRY DIRECTOR/FOUNDER,
Marli Spieker
Women
THE UNJUST TREATMENT OF AROUND ROUND THE E WORLD
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18 (NIV) Simply because of their gender, countless girls and women face unimaginable horrors from wars that never seem to end; natural disasters sweeping away their families and homes; diseases that ravage their bodies and steal their futures; and poverty and illiteracy that leave them struggling to merely survive. As the first to suffer the effects of war, poverty and disaster, they are often the last to see equality, freedom and justice. • 70% of the world’s poor are women. (World Health Organization, 2002) • 66% of the 880 million illiterate adults worldwide are women. (UNFPA, 2000)
• Women between the ages of 1554 are more likely to be maimed or die from male violence than from cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war combined. (Wunrn.com – Women In An Insecure World) • Every day, more than 10 girls are murdered by their own families, victims of ‘honour killings’ for perceived sexual misconduct or the ‘dishonour’ of having been raped. (UNFPA) Project Hannah seeks to provide awareness of the plight of women, to encourage intercessors to stand in the gap on behalf of those whose voices are not heard, and to educate and lead women to seek God and to instill His lasting hope in their hearts.
Will you join us?
PROJECT HANNAH CANADA MINISTRY OVERVIEW:
Where We Minister
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n Canada, Project Hannah is part of the global prayer movement with more than 40,000 others worldwide. We also translate, produce, and air the Women of Hope broadcasts in Angola, Mozambique, West Africa, the Persian-Speaking world, and Canada.
Africa (Portuguese, Umbundu, Makhuwa, French, Bambara): Many African women suffer daily from the impacts of war, poverty, violence and discrimination, causing them to lose hope. God is using Project Hannah to transform lives as women learn practical life skills and find their hope in Jesus Christ through the Women of Hope broadcasts and active prayer groups.
Persian-Speaking World (Persian): The hopes and needs of the veiled Persian-speaking women are often hidden and ignored. The Persian Women of Hope broadcasts encourage,
educate, and empower women to seek God and instill His lasting hope in their hearts.
Canada (Low German): The needs of the Low German speaking audience are varied depending on the privileges they have had for education and spiritual training. Project Hannah’s Women of Hope broadcasts are reaching out to those who observe strict external rules to gain salvation and are helping them internalize the truth and grace found only in Jesus. “I am a regular listener of your program. What surprises me is that you seem to present an X-ray of the listeners’ lives. Whenever I am experiencing difficulties, you give me the words of comfort. This program [Women of Hope] has helped me grow spiritually, emotionally and physically.” (Angola)
Through Project Hannah, Sophia found hope and healing in Jesus Christ, yet there are many, many women who still need to hear this Good News. Please join us; on the back page, you can find ways to engage in this vital ministry.
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ophia* sought out both witch doctors and medical professionals, but nothing helped. She stayed sickly for over 25 years. It started soon after she married. Sophia suffered from epilepsy, but she also heard voices that tormented her. She became unable to walk and remained on a mattress in her home. In these conditions, she gave birth to five children. When she had to go to the hospital, her husband carried her in a wheelbarrow. “After a while, I believed that my husband had found another woman. This created hurt, sadness and resentment in my heart, because in my condition I could do nothing to change the situation. I felt neglected and discriminated against. As a woman, I became very jealous. So my physical, emotional and spiritual health declined. Making the situation even worse, my 14 year old son also suffered from the same disease since he was born and was unable to attend school. Emotionally, I became even weaker
Test imony
and I felt worthless. But for the past two years, I have been listening to the Women of Hope program. I was comforted when I heard it and I felt relieved by your teachings and prayers. This helped me a lot. “When I heard the marriage program, I felt troubled because after many years my marriage gave me only pain and sorrow. I called you and … two members of your team came to visit me at my house.” These Project Hannah team members prayed for her. During the visit, Sophia accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. And, she experienced God’s physical healing as well. When producers met with her again, they saw Sophia had started walking! *name changed for privacy (from Hannah’s Heartbeat, Volume 15, Number 1)
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Involved ld
WAYS TO GET
“R
ighteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.” Psalm 89:14 (NIV)
In His Word, God expresses His love for the widows, orphans and oppressed, and He calls us to Biblical justice and mercy on their behalf. We are to, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed,” Psalm 82:3 (NIV). Simply, we are to speak up and take action. Project Hannah is doing just that as we encourage, comfort and introduce women to Jesus through the issues and concerns that matter most to them. Please join us.
Pray Become an intercessor: contact us, and we will send you our monthly prayer calendar by email or postal mail delivered to your home or church. You can also download the monthly prayer calendars and newsletters directly from our website: www.twrcanada.org/ph
Give Project Hannah receives its funding from generous individuals, churches, and organizations who choose to invest in its life-changing work. We receive no government funding. You can give by calling us toll-free at 1-888-672-6510, by selecting “Give Now (Support TWR)” at www.twrcanada.org (designate your gift to Project Hannah), or mail a gift to the address below.
Participate Tell your friends about Project Hannah and get them involved. Include Project Hannah in your church’s missions prayer, ladies’ Bible study, or giving program.
TWR Canada • PO Box 25324 • London, ON N6C 6B1 1.888.672.6510 • hannah@twrcanada.org