photo Credit ( Freepik )
We're sharing five uplifting tales of hope today that demonstrate the impact a donation to World Relief may have during this holiday season.We hope that these tales uplift and serve as a reminder that it takes a community to effect long-lasting change.
Boniface Sings and Inspires in Malawi
There was always a melody in Boniface’s heart as he confronted the outside world. He was born without sight due to an impairment, but the music that played in his head gave him comfort. For as long as he could remember, music had been his constant companion, a ray of light in the darkness that had enveloped him. However, Boniface’s path was not at all peaceful.
Like many others with disabilities, Boniface lived a life full of discrimination. In addition to being teased in school, he experienced vandalism on his property as an adult. Even in church life, he was consigned to the periphery despite being a superb vocalist who yearned to lead worship.
However, the village’s local churches helped World Relief execute disability-inclusive development, which altered the village’s perception of him and other disabled people. They were no longer marginalized. Rather, they were invited to take an active part in local events. Even more graciously, they were invited to lead church services in singing, preaching, and praying—roles that were particularly significant to Boniface.
As a leader in his community today, Boniface established a support group for people with impairments. His music, which was once a lonesome melody, has evolved into an uplifting chorus that encourages us to change our communities with God’s assistance.
Rosalina in California Discovers Hope
Rosalina, who was in her mid-twenties, immigrated to the United States as a result of economic troubles and the chance to work and support her mother in Mexico. Her story has been characterized since then by struggle and determination, many of which were caused by lawyers who took advantage of her.
The legal team of World Relief in Southern California was the first to successfully defend her rights and give her permission to work lawfully by submitting a particular visa application that others had disregarded.
Rosalina remarked, “When I got the call that my work permit had arrived, there was a glimmer of hope.” I was praising God and bouncing with happiness. God seemed to be saying to me, “I was always there.” I never abandoned you. Rosalina now has a base to build upon as she pursues permanent status in the United States, even if there is still a long way to go.
Jeremy and Epiphanie Plant a Garden in Rwanda
In Rwanda, Epiphanie and Jeremy are a farming couple. They had to deal with dwindling and tainted water supplies for years, which rendered conventional farming unfeasible. Aphrodis, their youngest child, was malnourished as a result.
They gained improved gardening and food skills through World Relief’s church-based agricultural program, which also taught them how to reuse and preserve the water they used for handwashing. Their garden thrived in a matter of months. They now grow enough vegetables to give their family the nutrition they need.
Their narrative exemplifies the difficulties that many farming families are facing as a result of climate change. People like you can provide hope and a fresh start for families like Epiphanie, Jeremy, and Aphrodis in the face of such a catastrophe.
Alele Gets a New Home in Kenya
Another area in Kenya where the lives of individuals like Alele, a mother of four little children, are at danger due to an ongoing drought is Turkana. Alele’s house sadly caught fire and burned down one day when she was away in the middle of the severe drought. Fortunately, nobody was harmed, but Alele was overcome with shock at the loss. There was nowhere for her and her kids to go.
Fortunately, a neighbor recognized her need and contacted a number of nearby churches that support World Relief. After conferring with the local chief, the church leaders combined their resources to build a new house for Alele and her kids. They also bought the family new cleaning materials.
Alele has a house constructed by the love and effort of nearby congregations in place of ashes. She can smile again with her kids for the time being.
Divine Care for Malian in South Carolina
In his native Burma, where millions have been displaced by ethnic and political turmoil, Malian experienced dread. For fifteen years, he raised his family in Malaysia’s black market because he was unable to obtain legal employment there.
They arrived in the United States as refugees after being approved for resettlement. They were welcomed by World Relief employees and partner churches in North Carolina, who also assisted Malian in locating employment as a barista, a field he is enthusiastic about. These days, he dreams of the future and education of his kids.
Malian remarked, “I have witnessed a lot of God’s favor.” I can now declare that World Relief and I were meant to meet. God sent them to us, and God sent us here.
These stories serve as a reminder that, united, we can effect lasting change in the face of injustice, displacement, food insecurity, and other issues. By collaborating with World Relief, you enable us to tell more uplifting tales of hope in local communities all around the world.
