Other Initiatives
Hopefilled & Helped Initiative
Our desire is to affect change, spiritually, emotionally and physically in ways that reveal how much Jesus is concerned about the little, everyday details of our lives. Jesus said He came to give us life and life in abundance. He wants us to prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers (3 John 1:2) and He busies Himself with our every step (Ps 37:23).
Through random acts of kindness and connection this initiative enables children and young people to experience practically for themselves the love of God. If food and clothing are the immediate need then we are going to meet that. We also seek to free up the emotional capacity of children and young people, so they have room in their souls to let hope grow.
God has a plan to give them hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Being filled with God’s kind of hope will always lead a person to be helped and their circumstances changed, as this kind of hope becomes a firm anchor to the soul, no matter the kind of storms life may bring along.
We gave our daughter a necklace for her 18th birthday while she was in Kenya, and she chose to give it to a friend of hers there who had never owned such a piece of jewellery before. This gift brought great joy but also communicated uniqueness, identity and worth – something this young lady hadn’t yet had much opportunity to experience.
God has created each one of us wonderfully unique, with talents and tastes as individual as we are. It is our desire to foster, communicate and reinforce this unique individuality through creating many unique opportunities for practical giving, not only of the necessities of life but also gifts which enrich the soul and put a smile on the face.
Jewellery when someone turns 18, a soft toy to a baby when it is born as well as a gift of toiletries for the new mum, a book to be read at bedtime, or an opportunity to play sports in a team regularly. We want to make the most of every opportunity we have to sow hope.
“There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” – Bernard Williams
Cultural Exchange Initiative
Through an exchange of faith-filled cultural experiences we want to help young people grow in their understanding of Jesus and His unique plan for each of their lives.
Many years ago God birthed a desire in us to facilitate what we describe as ‘residential discipleship’. This is basically believers, opening up their homes for weeks/months at a time so young people can be exposed to what faith looks like in everyday life. Acts 2:42-47 is the blueprint for the life of a believer. In our own lives we have experienced the power of heartfelt, transparent fellowship with Jesus and one another over a meal or a cup of tea or coffee. So often we have gained clarity and the necessary specific wisdom in those moments as we simply created a space for divinely orchestrated conversation.
I imagine this kind of fellowship to have been the daily experience of the early church. He is building His kingdom here on earth and through an exchange of these strengths, based on a firm foundation of discipleship in the bible and in faith, we are able to build up and inspire each other to love and good deeds. To help one another become strong in the things that please Him. This kind of spiritual cross-pollination is part of the way God’s kingdom is released into the hearts of His children, transforming them so that they in turn can affect and transform the culture around them. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). A vital connection with Jesus and His word, nurtured through heartfelt, vital connection with fellow believers around the world, has the power to pull His kingdom down to earth.
“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.” — Mother Teresa