Hope for the Hopeless Project
Make checks payable to Central United Methodist Church and mark it HOPE.

A WORD FROM A SPONSOR              We have learned yet again what it means to be able to experience another person's life first hand and the impact it can have on our souls. Our family has supported two girls for the last 7 years through the ministry of Hope for the Hopeless. We knew intellectually we were doing something good and right, but now we that we have been to Addis Ababa and met these girls and 105 othera what an incredible ministry Hope for the Hopeless truly is for the children they serve.             Eleven of us, mostly from Prescott United Methodist Church, went to Ethiopia this summer and we were touched deeply by the compassion and care of this ministry. We met the children they serve and heard some of their stories, and we could only cry and laugh with joy at the same time. It was harad to hear some of the stories, but what a joy to know there are people who care and that lives are being saved in many ways.             We went first to the Drop-ln Shelter where teens can come daily and receive a Meal - that is when they have food to feed them. The shelter also houses teens for up to three months who are willing to change their lives. A staff social worker, pastor and counselor works with them to teach to teach them social and relational skills. Surafel shared that his deepest concern for these youth is that they have few if any social and relational skills. They are survivors and will do what it lakes to get through another day on the streets. The staff works with the youth to help them develop the skills they need to interact with others, to be able to fit into the culture around them, and to develop skills that may help them secure employment. To stay in the home and program, the youth must show a desire and commitment to learn and grow. The staff spends a large amount of time introducing the youth to Christ and teaching them the fundamentals of the faith. They help the youth understand that it is because of Christ and their walk with him that this ministry exists. It is because of their relationship with Christ that they are there to care for them in their need. It is important they understand what a faith journey can do for the living of their lives.             We also visited the orphanage and met all 107 children in the program. Children are children everywhere. They were enthusiastic in their greetings and love the soda we shared together as we had a little party later. We were able to bring some toys and supplies that were distributed to the children. Again, the focus of the orphanage is to help children learn to socialize and be part of a family unit. Once they have developed the needed skills, they are placed in a foster home. The orphanage can house 20 children, so it is important they they develop these  relational skills as quickly as possible so they can place the child and bring in another from the streets.             We had the chance to visit three of the foster homes, and were again reminded  how well this program meets the deeper needs of the people. Hope for the Hopeless provides food and clothing foster homes. The homes we visited were all lead by women, several who were single and had no means of support. The ministry brings enough food not only for the child, but also for the rest of the family. So our pledges not only help the girls we support, but also the families they live with. We were amazed at what can be done for $20 a month and so grateful to know what a difference we were truly making,             We were impressed with the professionalism that this ministry employees. Each youth has a personal file that is kept in the office tracking them and documenting the time they spend in the ministry. They are meticulous in keeping records and documenting how they spend the gifts we send. The $20 is never spend on administration, but is fully used for the care of the children. Surafel seeks support from churches and other donors to underwrite the costs of rent and payroll. We also learned the staff earns very low salaries and hope that sometime that can be improved,             Our church sent several thousand dollars with us to be used to help the program. When we asked Surafel what his greatest need was, he said another home to house another 20 orphans. And he just happened to know where a good home could be found. We visited the house, agreed that it was perfect for the children: a large yard, three bedrooms, and a fence surrounding the property for protection, and so we provided a year's rent for the home. We could not believe that we had just provided the means to take 20 more children off of the streets and help them to receive the chance at a new life.             It has struck us as we returned that providing the home was only the first step to helping the children. We now have to provide the ongoing costs to help feed, clothe and educate them. We have told this story to our congregation and have already seen about 15 people begin to sponsor children. Five more and we have provided for the first 20 orphans on their new journey of life.             We were also able to go to the property that Hope for the Hopeless has purchased in the countryside outside Addis Ababa. Many of you may know that Surafel's dream is to build an orphanage that can house 1,000 children and be self-sustaining. He and his staff have put together a wonderful proposal and now only need the means to carry it out. Our first goal is to raise $25,k000 to purchase the land adjacnt to the present property. We also hope lo send a mission team hack lo Ethiopia next September, 2007, to build as many structures as we can afford. We hope this will be project other churches and organizations want to participate in.             Any of us who were a part of the mission team would be available, with PowerPoint to come and make a presentation to your group. We were blessed by our experience and reminded of the power of just one person with a dream and the conviction to make it come true.             Le! us close with one quick story. As we were leaving a restaurant to go to the airport, three young boys about I0-12 years old who had been begging on the street came running up to our car and began speaking to began speaking to Surafel. After a few minutes they ran off into tlie traffic. When we asked Surafel what they said, he replied, "They recognized me and came up to beg me for a place in the orphange. I had to tell them I did not have a place for them, but maybe soon." We could not help but wonder if it would be sooner because there were 20 new beds soon to be available. The more people who support this excellent ministry the more children, he'll be able to say come and find hope.             It is a wonderful feeling to know that we are able to be hope for the hopeless.              Rev. Nancy & George Cushman