December 2021

“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish . . . “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a Light dawned.” Matt. 4:15-16

From Darkness to Light – From Gloom to Hope

In our January 2021 HOH newsetter I featured Leona T Yusufu from Runyararo Childrens Home. She had just graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting Science Honors degree from Women’s University in Africa. I wanted to encourage you with her own words of her encounter with a friend.

“Recently a friend who had lost her mother and was going through a hard time contacted me and said "you might not know it but it's in this hard time of my life that l look at your life and know that I still have hope after losing my mother. I look at you and see that there is hope for tomorrow and my current situation does not mean it's the end of life. Keep on achieving great things Leona a lot of people are motivated by just looking at how you have grown to be who you are. Your life is a living testimony that in the event of what seems to be the worst that could happen in life, the Lord lifted you out of the Ashes. I thought to myself, I would not have achieved anything without the Lord who sent people in my life, Pastor Peter, Tsitsi and Hands of Hope who has partnered with them since 2008 when I started staying at Runyararo.”

We are inspired when we receive emails like this and are thrilled that we can pass them along to encourage your heart as well. On behalf of every child who is part of our Hands of Hope family we want to thank you for your support and prayers. You are helping us shape the children that He has entrusted to us.

As we celebrate the mystery of the incarnation I am reminded of Isaiah’s prophecy from chapter 9:6-7, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.” May He and He alone satisfy you this Christmas with His lovingkness. Rest in Him as the government is in safe sovereign hands - His! Merry Christmas!