San Francisco US Advocates Gathering - Marc Damour & Toby Kurth

A couple weeks ago we had one of our first physical gatherings in over a year at an outreach event in the San Francisco Bay area. Listen to Marc, a long term volunteer in Zambia, share about how Hands at Work responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in their communities, as well as in the hearts and minds of their volunteers. And listen to Toby, lead Pastor of Christ Church, share about his passion for what Hands at Work is doing in Africa, and how his church has strengthened its relationship with Hands throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Where our response really started to gain momentum was when we very purposely turned our attention back to Christ. Not looking at the crisis as the definitive thing. Christ is not shaken by the crisis that comes. We did this by growing and strengthening our spiritual rhythms. We began to pray 3 times a day as a Hands community and we made an effort to find moments of silence and solitude.” - Marc Damour 

“For us as a church, our ministry is so interwoven with Hands at Work, that I can't even imagine what it would be like to be a church without it.” - Toby Kurth

Hands on Deck Newsletter - Issue 79

Hands on Deck Newsletter Issue 79

This issue of Hands on Deck includes a reflection from Catherine Clarkson on her time in Malawi, feedback from Sylvia Chinyanta on the Maranatha Workshop in Katetaula, stories from Jess Thomas and Tyler Ralph on their time in Mozambique, a reflection from Jones Kabambanya and Blessings Sambo on their trip to the DRC, reflection from Kara McLaughlin on the Maranatha Workshop in Mafambisa and praise and prayer requests for Hands at Work.

North American Hands on Deck - February 2021

On our last Hands on Deck call we had a tutorial on how to use the new advocate tool, the Crisis & Response Presentation. This new tool enables you to tailor a message to your advocate group or church in a clear and concise manner that accurately portrays the model of Hands at Work. Below is the recording of the tutorial led by Kristal and Angelle. Download your own copy of the presentation here to edit for your advocacy efforts.

North American Hands on Deck - September 2020

Listen to Lynn Chotowetz, a long term volunteer with Hands at Work, talk about the long lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable communities in Africa. He shares about the response of Hands at Work to the pandemic, how we have responded in Africa, as well as the responsibility of our international partners to share the stories of the families who have been devastated by the pandemic. “Africa is not independent, they are interdependent. Interdependent with us outside of Africa, the other parts of the body.”

North American Hands on Deck - August 2020

Chantel Denie, an Advocate from C3 Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reflected on her time in South Africa and the importance of seeing what God is doing for ourselves as she spoke on COME. “Why do teams come? In my experience, there is a western mindset that we think we can ‘help Africa’ but going there actually exposes our need in such a deep way. A spiritual need that we lack. We are unaware of it because we are quick to fill it with a lot of things. Being in community, for me personally, that was exposed. I saw Jesus in a completely different way!”

Lyn Namur, an Advocate from First Baptist Church in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, spoke on ADVOCATE and the need to be intentional. “We need to come up with a plan; things don’t just happen out of the air. We have the kids and care workers pictures up around our home; our Kitabataba family is a very important part of our lives and anyone who comes into our house knows about how personal it is to us.”

Taylor Lee, an Advocate from Sunset Church in San Francisco, California, shared on PRAY. “I encourage you to pray. Whatever that might look like. Whether you are praying weekly, monthly, or daily.  Praying by yourself, with the whole church or with a team of people. Whether you are saying by name or praying in general. You are praying to a God who knows every child there and every person's needs there. We are the body of Christ and we need to walk with each other; the Bible doesn’t say anything about it not applying if you are living on a separate continent.”

Ann Wu and Suzy Yi, from Wellspring Church in San Ramon, California, shared their experience as Advocates. Suzy spoke on GIVE and how God can use us even when we feel inadequate. “We had a sharing time during the online church service, where I invited each family to support one child. After that I was feeling uneasy. I said to myself ‘I’m not doing justice to Hands at Work. I’m not coming off as an eloquent speaker.’ I was feeling bummed out. And that next day I found out that so many people started recurring support. Why didn’t I trust God 100% that he would take care of it?”

Amanda Baumann, an Advocate from Christ Church in San Francisco, CA, reflected on her trip to Malawi in 2018. She shared on REPLICATE and the confirmation she received on that trip that God was calling her family to foster care. “Our time in Malawi really confirmed that God was calling us to foster care and that it does make a difference to have temporary connection with a child. More than once I’ve wanted to give up. I’ve questioned God’s call. I’ve despaired. It’s made me appreciate all the amazing work God is doing in the world. It has emphasized the importance of prayer and coming alongside people in their calling.”

North American Advocates Webinar Series Recap

Session 1: The Heart of Our Father (with George Snyman) 

It all starts with our own hearts. We were poor and helpless, and Christ burst into our lives. Now that we have been made sons and daughters of the King, what do we do? We do likewise. Our Father’s business is now our business.

Session 2: Messengers of Hope (with Lynn Chotowetz)

What is the crisis in Africa, how is Hands at Work responding, and what is our role in it? Let’s be equipped and grow in confidence in the message we have to share about what we’ve heard and seen.

Session 3: Interdependence & Our Community

It matters to the child what we do and what we don’t do. God has stirred our hearts, entrusted to us a message, and placed us in a particular place at a particular time. How do we practically live this out?

US Hands on Deck - May 2020

We heard an update from Sara (Waldvogel) Makwakwa, long-term US volunteer living in South Africa. Sara shared the impact fear has had on our communities in South Africa and our response that shows our communities we will not run away when times get tough. She told us stories of how meal times and Holy Home Visits look different, but the children are continuing to receive care and God is glorified. "God is the same God as He was six months ago, and He hasn't changed through this. Through this we can worship Him when we go and we walk and we cook. These are the ways we can show that He is God." 

Ruth Knecht, an Advocate from Ridgewood Pentecostal Church in Woodhaven, NY, reflected on their trip to South Africa last year and how God provided all of their needs. She also shared how God is continuing to lead and use them to keep their church community encouraged as they spend time in fellowship through technology and how they are meeting the needs of their congregation while social distancing. "This (shelter in place) has given us a great opportunity to pause and to seek God. To make sure that we use our time wisely and in a way that helps us get to know God better."

North American Hands on Deck - April 2020

Lynn Chotowetz (Hands international office director) updated us on what’s happening across Africa in the midst of the spread of coronavirus. We were reminded about the importance of us continuing to advocate for the already-vulnerable children, their care givers and the Care Workers as their communities face the pandemic. If you weren’t present, we encourage you to listen to Lynn’s update:

Hands on Deck Newsletter - Issue 73

Hands on Deck Newsletter - Issue 73

This issue of Hands on Deck includes reflections from Pragcidence Mwenda on her time in Nigeria, a reflection from Sylvia Mwewa, Kay Chizu and Pinky Ngutshane on the African Leaders Training in Kabwe, the new Volunteer Intake reflects on their time in Eswatini, an update on the maize distribution in Baraka from Tommy Malster and Gideon Mbuzi, and praise and prayer requests for Hands at Work in Africa. 

US Hands on Deck - March 2020

George Snyman shares an update on his recent time in Zambia and Zimbabwe. He reflects on how difficult circumstances show us how far we have come and encourage us. He also shares about radical growth happening in Africa, and challenges us that we cannot inspire change in others until we have been changed ourselves.

Brooke Heubner speaks into the importance of processing the past and dreaming for the future as we each work on our Advocate Action Plans. She shares that it's important for us to reflect so we can see what worked and maybe what didn't, and to challenge ourselves to grow and stretch ourselves because that's when God builds our faith.