The Courage to Podcast – Hope Story

This episode is a collide of this podcast (a side hobby of mine) with my professional life (working at Hope Story). Meet Tim Brown, the Execute Director of Hope Story. In this episode we talk about his journey to becoming the ED of Hope Story, but more specifically, his journey of being called to serve the poor in some capacity. We also discuss staff culture, how opportunities are at the edge of chaos, the importance of partnerships, and who Hope Story even is as an organization. Plus we do a rapid question series where Tim shares some great stories!

The Courage to Podcast – Global Partnerships

Brian Stiller. The man who has arguable accomplished a lot in his lifetime, yet remains so rooted in his relationship with God, friends and family, and pursues great depth in global partnerships. In this 2 hour episode, we explore two different parts – the first hour is all about Brian’s life, leadership, and faith, and the second hour we dive into global partnerships and his organizational experience. There’s a lot to chew on here!

Boosting Confidence Through Learning

It took vision and commitment this past year to launch the Zambia Learning Centres, each one operating on church property and geared towards the kids our Zambia church partners already serve through community outreach.   The work was worth it! Already, the Learning Centres are fairly bursting at the seams with children and teens. From an eagerness for National Exam prep help, to computer skills, to music instruction, to nutrition & health information, and Bible quiz competitions, it is the keen interest from the kids themselves that is driving the demand for the academic, personal, and spiritual support these centres offer!  …

Amani is Growing New Hope in a Drought

The Amani School lives out a powerful testimony of Christ in their own community. One example of this is the home visits by Amani teachers and staff. In a culture where community togetherness is important, home visits are welcomed as a way for the families to stay connected with their kids’ school. Amani is the only local school in the area where the staff take the time and effort to do this, helping to build trust among a community which is largely not Christian.  The newly formed agriculture vocational school is another trust-builder among the community. Building on the ‘teaching …

A Helping Hand From Churches

In February 2023, generous Hope Story supporters gifts stepped up to send emergency relief to Syrians in crisis – to families suddenly made homeless by the February 6th, 2023 earthquake.   Syrian churches responded quickly with reputable Syrian (in-country) suppliers who were unhindered by border crossing delays. Within days, food, blankets, jackets, and hygiene supplies started arriving at 13 churches in Aleppo for distribution, with more support continuing thanks to the organized efforts of churches across the Middle East.   For families in Syria (and Turkey) made homeless and bereaved by the earthquake, the healing and the rebuilding effort is ongoing. We continue …

Creating Hope

Recently we asked Ruth Kyatha, Director of children’s centre Creation of Hope, to tell us more about how her team helps the couple of hundred or so vulnerable children who live with family members in the community around Creation of Hope.  Largely orphaned – but not always – these boys and girls are considered vulnerable and often live with an elderly grandparent or single mom, someone who cares for the child but may struggle to provide the necessities of life.  It’s a wonderful idea – that a child who has lost his or her parents would have the chance to …

Stepping into the Gap at Tiempo de Paz

“It’s been a wonderful challenge,” says Liliana, Tiempo de Paz’s Director as she spoke to us recently about the adventure of opening a third Learning Centre in one of Colombia’s most notorious, drug-saturated neighbourhoods, where crime and neglect impact the children far too often.   So, what leads Liliana to call this a “wonderful” challenge?  She and her team – including the new Centre’s manager, a young woman who listened to the Lord’s call and left a thriving law career to step into this role – know that God has called them to step into the gap to help the children. …

Dream Big at New Hope Youth Centre!

Andrew likes to ‘DREAM BIG!” he tells us. When he took on the role of Director of the New Hope Youth Centre last year, he and his new team of part-time staff quickly moved from being open for just one night a week to 6 nights a week, with the addition of a weekly offsite Bible Study.  The Centre is seeing steady growth, and kids are coming back regularly. NHYC held a Christmas lunch this past December and had so many kids come out they had to hold a second (unscheduled!) sitting just to fit in everyone.   With chili suppers, …

Safe and Calm at Gampela

Many families in northern Burkina Faso have been forced from their homes, farms, and livelihoods in recent years, fleeing from ongoing militant violence. The Gampela Centre – located in southern Burkina Faso – has become a refuge for dozens of displaced northern families.  Pastor John tells us how important it is to help newly arrived people feel safe and calm. One way to do this is by listening to their stories. Every family has been through trauma and needs their story to be heard. The Gampela Centre regularly welcomes the new children into the Gampela School, where this caring Christian …

Hope Within a Dangerous Situation 

Taken in by an impoverished aunt after being abandoned by her parents who also left Trina’s siblings to various relatives, Trina* was a teenage girl living in a dangerous situation. If it were not for the watchful care of a classmate’s mom, she might still be living in an unhealthy and unsafe home environment.  Trina was exposed to the constant threat of abuse from a stream of older men who showed up where she lived every day to purchase (and drink) her aunt’s home-brewed beer.  Thankfully her classmate’s mom, Mary*, noticed and understood the danger Trina was in at her …

Standing Between Hunger and a Child

“If only the rains would come more often,” Elias* thinks, as he walks the long road to school – his stomach completely empty. His last meal was the middle of yesterday afternoon, and hunger makes the journey to High School feel so much longer. If only the rains would come regularly, then his father could farm their land again and everything would be better.   Elias has likely had this same thought almost every dry, dusty school day for the past five years, walking the 14 kilometres it takes him and his sister to travel to the Amani School in Tanzania. …

From Death-Defying Escape to A New Beginning

“I am 100% sure that God is here, and He listens to our prayers. I tell God that my kids’ lives are His.” These are a mother’s words, as she shares the challenges of taking care of her family in Lebanon ever since the family’s flight to safety out of Syria – over the mountains, on foot. Mariam* and her husband Fadi* are Syrian Christians who fled the bombings and neighbourhood attacks in Aleppo, Syria in 2014 to travel a treacherous path across the mountains with their three young children. They faced checkpoints along the way and travelled in constant fear of danger.  At one point this family …