November 2015 Newsletter

Big Dreams and Big Plans

Twice each year we invite you to join together with us financially in accomplishing God’s plan for Surprised by Hope and the people of East Africa. We are in awe of all that God has inspired us to do and, as a result, we have some big projects that need your support.

Sensible Shoes in November. Walking in the way of love is a reminder we all need from time to time; but there are places in Uganda where just one generation ago war and strife overwhelmed the people. Surprised by Hope wants to inspire hearts of love in the children while they are young with the prayer that as they grow they are less likely to revisit the tension and conflict of their forefathers. Stand with us as we serve the children of Zombo, Uganda (bordering Congo) by washing their life-worn feet, fitting them with a pair of Sensible Shoes, and ministering to their spirits and minds about walking in the way of love (Ephesians 5:1). As a daily reminder of that love, we would like to provide 100 pair of Sensible Shoes to 100 children there. Just $10 per pair before November 15 will allow us to walk in the way of love together.

     

100 Christmas Dollies in December. Each year we make 100 beautiful dollies to give to children in East Africa as a free gift for Christmas, just like being saved by faith is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8). Your sponsorship of these beauties is designed to make a lasting impact on the church. This year we’ve selected Victory Christian Center and Pr Patrick Opio as the gift recipient. Pr Opio’s church was eaten by termites and his members are working hard to build a more permanent structure. You can join together with Pr Opio and Surprised by Hope before December 20 by sponsoring a dolly for a child thereby adding to what church members have already started.

     

Entrepreneurship Conference in April. Last year you helped us host a Financial Management conference for pastors and church leaders in Watamu, Kenya. We’ve been invited to return and host our second annual conference as we launch our revised Entrepreneurship Series curriculum. The four-day conference will be held in April and, like last year, focus on strengthening pastors and church leaders in that coastal area. If you understand, like we do, that enriching the biblically based business knowledge of pastors will have the greatest impact on the community then please join us. Please consider giving toward our $3,000 budget to be sure the conference is available to as many pastors as possible.

     

Congo Mission in July. Two years ago Surprised by Hope made its first venture into eastern Congo at the invitation of long-time friend, Pr Kizombo Kalambula. The conference included several speakers and teachers, and was a great success. Unable to return last year, this year we’ve been invited once again specifically to serve the pastors enrolled in bi-vocational training with the Entrepreneurship Series. You’ve heard us speak of long journeys and deep villages before, but this journey is the master of all (review this post as a reminder) and that means the costs are extraordinary too. Please consider giving toward our $3,000 mission trip to see that pastors in Kitindi receive balanced training both as pastors, as business people, and as skilled laborers.

     

Short Term Team in August. A beautiful group of individual women from random parts of my life have joined together in planning for a short term trip to coastal Kenya. Women of the World, as we are calling ourselves, want to invite you to join us. Let us know if you are interested and we will add you to the Facebook Group we started to help us in communicating and planning for that trip. We need to solidify our plans soon and want to be sure all of the women to whom God has spoken are invited…that means you!

Surprised by Hope Giving. We need your help in preparing to see God’s plans for Surprised by Hope and the people of East Africa become a reality. We know that everyone has different passions for the way they invest in global ministry and so we’ve presented a few opportunities. 

• Sensible Shoes due November 15.
• 100 Christmas Dollies due December 20.
• Entrepreneurship Conference due March 15, 2016.
• Congo Mission due June 1, 2016.

Please pray for us as we undertake these many ministry opportunities. Pray that we would continue hearing the voice of the Lord as he speaks through many wise counselors. Pray that our faith would be strengthened as we step into his plans for us. Pray about how he would have you join with us.

Please consider sponsoring Sensible Shoes or a Christmas Dolly right now. And as you pray about the Entrepreneurship Conference and Congo Mission, consider making a regular monthly gift for the next few months so that as the deadline approaches we have all the resources needed. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord and for joining together with us to see that so many East Africans are developed spiritually and economically.

Your tax deductible gift can be given using PayPal, though you do not need a PayPal account to give. You can also mail your gift to:

Surprised by Hope
464 Adaway SE
Ada, MI 49301 

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September 2015 Newsletter

Strengthening Our Foundation in Kenya

About a year and a half ago we shared with you a confirmation from the Lord that Surprised by Hope will transition from a Uganda home base to a coastal Kenya home base in about three years time. Since then we’ve been pressing into his vision for the future of this ministry by following his lead as we serve the people in East Africa.

One of the ways we’ve allowed God to prepare us for this transition is to work with him to strengthen our foundation in Kenya. This past three months we served God’s people in a variety of areas throughout that country, some of those were in the area where we will settle but many of those places were very new to us. We believe this time of serving not only strengthened God’s people, but also strengthened facilitators-in-training, revealed additional facilitator candidates, and provided keen insights to incorporate into curriculum revisions. His plans are unfolding as we exercise our faith by moving with him step by step.











Following are just a few of the opportunities we had to serve his people these past three months with biblically based business education, preaching, and conference speaking. Some of these ministries are new to us and some are dear friends with whom we continue to deepen ministry relationships.

• Mountain of Glory Church in Ganda
• Jesus Gathering Centre in Malindi
• Watamu Pastors’ Fellowship in Watamu
• Thika Pastors’ Fellowship in Thika
• Marikebuni Pastors’ Fellowship in Marikebuni
• Malindi Pastors’ Fellowship in Malindi
• Partners Worldwide Kenya Trainers in Kiambu
• Kenana Knitters in Nakuru
• Tala Deliverance Church in Tala
• Redeemed Gospel Church in Kiwanza
• Musufiri Calvary Church in Kilifi
• Grace Abundance Ministries in Watamu  

Strengthening Our Foundation in Uganda

As we wait for the Lord’s perfect timing, we continue preparing for the Uganda-to-Kenya transition by identifying and investing in Ugandan facilitators who will assume teaching ministry responsibilities in Uganda. A few facilitators have said goodbye and we pray God’s blessing over their lives, and a few more have expressed interest in joining together as we serve the many pastors and ministries who serve them all around this country. At the same time, we’ll continue watering all that has been planted in Kenya.

Please join me in thanking the Lord for this wonderful plan in which he has allowed us all to play an important part. And thank you for your faithful giving, prayers, and notes of encouragement. We couldn’t do this without you! 

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July 2015 Newsletter

Facilitators in Training
 
We recently invited you to invest in training Surprised by Hope facilitators so that we can expand our reach in both Uganda and Kenya…and you responded. Not only were we able to invest significantly, we identified a few new facilitator candidates as well. Here are the results of what those facilitators were doing because of your gifts.

Pastor Fred delivers sections of the Entrepreneurship Series at Nebbi Baptist Church in Nebbi, Uganda (below).

Pastor Fred delivers sections of the Entrepreneurship Series at Amari Community Development Organization in Bulisa, Uganda (below).

 

Pastor Ephantus studies both with the Watamu Pastors' Fellowship and with Mountain of Glory Ganda both in Kenya (below).

(Pr Ephantus is on the far left)

Pastor Ephantus delivers sections of the Entrepreneurship Series to the Thika Pastors' Fellowship in Thika, Kenya (below).

Before heading to Thika, Pastor Ephantus translated for me at Kanana Knitters in Njoro, Kenya where we answered an emergent need to provide financial literacy for the ladies who over extended themselves with loans (no photos, sorry). Then, Pastor Ephantus delivered sections of the Entrepreneurship Series at Deliverance Church in Tala, Kenya (below #1). He is a very gifted and powerful preacher as well and had the opportunity to share the Word at a sister church there (below #2).

Pastor Ephantus is a very gifted worship leader too, which is how we always open our sessions. He really prepares our hearts and minds to receive from the Lord. He also delivers additional portions of the Entrepreneurship Series in Kiwanza, Kenya. Because we were able to spend a concentration of time together, he really shined! 

We thank God for these men who share their talents with us as we serve the Lord together. Please pray for them and for Pastor George who is currently in Singapore attending leadership training with the Assemblies of God churches and for Pastor Augustine who will soon begin training. Please also pray that the Lord would continue bringing people to us who are serious about serving him through Surprised by Hope.

We Need Your Time and Talents
 
Are you a gifted craft maker? The 100 Christmas Dollies campaign has been running for several years now, but the Dolly Maker needs your help. On Christmas Day we’ll give 100 dollies to 100 children and use the money raised to invest in the local church where we see evidence of self-motivation and teaching application. Would you be willing to commit to making a few dollies before November 1? Click here if you’d like to share your talents as a craft maker.

Are you a gifted videographer? Our facilitators-in-training suggested that a video recording of the teaching would be extremely useful in bettering the participant experience as they facilitate the various practical exercises. Participants affirm this need by requesting a leave-behind recording of the teaching as well. Would you be willing to come on a short term mission trip to create a video of the teaching that creatively incorporates the biblically based business lessons with the story of these many tribes and nations? Click here if you’d like to share your talents as a videographer.


Thank you!

Thank you for investing in Surprised by Hope, our vision and mission, and our team. You are making a difference! If you haven't invested yet, and would like to, please click here to find out how you can join together with us.

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2014 Annual Report

The Surprised by Hope 2014 Annual Report is ready for your review. We've covered the facts and figures well, but you'll also find lots of beautiful photos, testimonies, and a sneak peek into our plans for 2015. 

Click on this link to view the 2M pdf document as it was intended to be displayed on your screen. Click on this link to download that document for print.

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Surprised by Hope Holiday Giving

As Christmas approaches, people are looking for ways to be involved in meaningful gift-giving. Surprised by Hope believes that there’s much more to Christmas than shallow commercialism. As I reflect on my Christmas gift-giving over the years, I recall two specific Christmas' that highlight the long-held depth of my belief.

Way back before any of my siblings married, my sister and I argued about Christmas gift giving. To illustrate my point – probably with a less gracious spirit than it might seem – I gave my sister a news article about a lady whose house burned down and whose child died. I shared with my sister that I'd brought this lady some household goods to help her get started again…all in the name of my sister. Today, that sister is one of the most generous people I know.

Later, when my own children were young, I wanted them to value the generosity of Christmas rather than covet the giant pile of gifts I did as a child. Throughout the year we did service projects. One year we cleaned up a Grand Rapids park after a particularly severe windstorm. I'd bet what they remember is not getting many gifts that year, they were children after all, but I can see their generous spirits twinkling at me occasionally.

Surprised by Hope believes that Christmas is a celebration of generosity, love, and risk-taking obedience. This year's Christmas newsletter is a multi-faceted campaign that provides you with a variety of opportunities to be involved in God’s mission during the Christmas season. It’s sort of like our Christmas list. We want to provide you with opportunities that re-connect you with the true message of Christmas about a God of love who sent his Son into the world to save us from our sin.

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There are six great ways you can fill our Christmas stocking this year and we hope you find one that tickles your gift giving spirit.

100 Christmas Dollies 2014

Thirty little brown dollies donning their winks and smirks are crossing the ocean on their way to sights unseen (the inside of Posta Uganda). Added to what we already have, we'll joyfully launch our 100 Christmas Dollies campaign. Click here to peruse the dollies and listen for the one who whispers your name. Then send $25 for each dolly you love and we'll be sure that your dolly gets into the hands of a new little mommy (or daddy) on Christmas day.

Click here to choose your favorite dollies to sponsor.

Click here to find out which church will receive this Christmas gift using the funds donated from your dolly sponsorships.

Count Your Blessings

This is a savings box without a piggy tummy plug.

Last year Surprised by Hope received a gift because one family "counted their blessings." We received a blessing because they added one cent for every pair of  shoes and boots they had in their house. We received a blessing because they added 25 cents for every item of clothing they wore that belonged to them and only them. We received a blessing because for the month of December and the days leading to Epiphany, this family counted their blessings. Many American's fully realize how blessed they are, but the Count Your Blessings giving activity is a great daily reminder for families to give thanks and to give blessings.

If you Count your Blessings as a family this holiday season, Surprised by Hope will deliver your blessings to an East African family in need. Click here to start counting your blessings on December 1.

Shop AmazonSmile on Cyber Monday and Beyond

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Surprised by Hope every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Surprised by Hope.

Click here to set Surprised by Hope as your favorite charity and start your Christmas shopping early.

Jacaranda Creations Make the Perfect Gift

These beautiful Jacaranda products are handcrafted with quality by women in the Nairobi slums. Each product you purchase provides an income for local women who use that income to feed, clothe, and educate their children. Surprised by Hope works alongside Jacaranda in a variety of ways and we strongly believe in their mission, that's why we continue making their products available to you.

This holiday season, consider purchasing Jacaranda Creations products as gifts for the people you love. The gift goes beyond the product itself, but also toward helping a lady out of poverty. There are several ways you can support Surprised by Hope and Jacaranda Creations at the same time:

• Visit the showroom (okay, the living room of the lady who manages product events).
• Offer the products for purchase at your company Christmas party or at your family gathering. This one is so easy, all you have to do is ask!
• Gather friends for ladies night and offer some early Christmas shopping along with a cup of cocoa.

The products sell themselves, they're gorgeous, trendy, and crafted with care. Click here to arrange your most convenient way to shop.

eBay Giving Works

When sellers list their items for charity, they choose how much of the final selling price they would like to donate and which organization to benefit…and they receive a credit on their seller fees. Sellers listing items through eBay Giving Works benefit because their items are easier to find and get extra exposure by being listed on eBay, the eBay Giving Works site, and on the MissionFish site.. MissionFish also provides a simple process to remit funds to the appropriate charity and a receipt for tax purposes. 

Buyers can more easily find items supporting a cause, be assured the donation will reach the intended and pre-verified organization, and be satisfied in knowing they have made a difference. Click here to begin selling for Surprised by Hope.

Financial Management for Pastors and Church Leaders

Surprised by Hope is preparing a Financial Management conference for pastors and church leaders on coastal Kenya. During the second week of December, we'll welcome pastors from near and far to learn how and why to:

• Prioritize tithing, saving, and giving
• Track income and expenses (accountability)
• Analyze financial statements to make business decisions
• Budget for church growth and church events

Please take a look at the blog post for more details and prayerfully consider giving so that pastors have the materials they need to fully engage in the training, so that their stomachs are full as they process things like…math…, and so that traveling pastors have a place to lay their heads at night. Will you join us?

Want to Give?

Click here to give using your credit card or PayPal.

Or, send your check to:

            Surprised by Hope

            464 Adaway SE

            Ada, MI 49301

Thank you!

We know this is a long Christmas list, and we're excited to see what the Lord will do as we work together to accomplish all that he's put before us. But please know that we don't take your generosity lightly. We are serious about loving Jesus and we know you are too.

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Leslie's 2014 Summer Whirlwind

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13)

I feel a bit like Paul may have when he finally returned to the Philippians. For whatever reason, he was delayed in returning and that delay caused a bit of cooling in some relationships. That's natural, right? Out of sight, out of mind. But the rejoicing truly begins when we realize we were not forgotten, we were missed, and we are still loved.

I can't begin to describe the sense of deep joy and true relief I felt at seeing so many of you (and a bit of sorrow for those around whom I didn't get to wrap my arms). I am something far greater than content with my life in East Africa, but at least part of that contentment is drawn from a place deep within where I know I'm still important to you. Greater still is the joy at knowing that what the Lord is doing through Surprised by Hope is still important to you. What an honor to serve a God who takes us just as we are (in my case, a little rough and bruised) and uses us for his glory.

My very short six weeks at home (U.S.) allowed me to visit all three of my children, lots of friends and family, and several pastors whom I so dearly missed. But what I didn't expect was all the beautiful new pastors and friends I would meet. God multiplied my blessing through you and well…I love those kinds of surprises. More importantly, I was able to share with you what God has been doing through Surprised by Hope and to reveal a bit of his vision for our future …a future of growth and expansion by way of countries and teams as well as a more in-depth focus on community development for pastors.

My first week home (Uganda) was a time of rest and reflection, a time of pressing into the Lord to hear what he would share about my little whirlwind in the States. And well…he affirmed a number of hopes that have tossing around in my heart for a while. I look forward to sharing them all with you in the very near future. For now, know that I am so incredibly thankful for you, for your warm welcome, hugs, and for the many gifts that will enable Surprised by Hope to do what God has created us to do.

Big hugs,

Leslie

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Leslie's Home Assignment

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June 2014 Newsletter

This past year I’ve shared many of the important Surprised by Hope initiatives designed to help underprivileged East African people reach their full potential and become positive influencers in their community, in their country, and in the body of Christ. You’ve stood alongside me with your prayers and support, and I want you to see the fruit of your labors. Because of you:

Team Development. Five Ugandan nationals are continuously being equipped to deliver biblically-based entrepreneurship teaching all around the country. Their demonstrated success in applying what they’ve learned makes these leaders the perfect candidates to testify to God’s faithfulness and to share the surprise of hope.

Back: Pr Fred, Leslie, Alex
Front: Pr George, Alone, Vickie

Expansion Initiative. An excellent team of national facilitators in Uganda frees us to expand our presence in Kenya. I divide my time equally between countries and focus on identifying and equipping a team of Kenyan facilitators while delivering the business teaching and organizational development mentoring primarily in the Nairobi and Coastal areas.

Pastor Focus. The fervency with which pastors have embraced our biblically-based business teaching is not surprising. Learn a bit about the difficult life of a pastor and why economic development is so important for them and for their communities. Download this 5-minute PowerPoint Show and see the difference your support has made.

Pull the Net in Buwenge, Uganda

Administrative Expenses. You joined together with others in meeting the administrative costs related to establishing Surprised by Hope in Kenya and to renewing our permit in Uganda. Thanks to the many who gave so generously to provide for these not-so-glamorous needs, we’ve reached 51% of our goal. If you’d like to help, click here.

Coming Home! I’m excited to finally share what God has been doing in East Africa through Surprised by Hope when we’re face to face. I’m also looking forward to catching up with friends and family, going to my own dentist, eating some BBQ ribs, and to just being in my own culture if only for a short time. I’ll arrive on July 4 and depart on August 18. These six short weeks will be filled with opportunities to get together and I really do hope to see you!

Thank you. Without you none of these praises would be possible. I’m so thankful for your faithfulness and for your willingness to serve the Lord through Surprised by Hope. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

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