Reflecting on Thanksgiving: Thankful Hearts, Heavy Burdens
I enjoy the pause that Thanksgiving gives us, offering a chance to reflect on God’s many blessings. Since Dawn and I work with many families in Mexico and on the Big Island, who struggle to make a living, it reminds us of how much we have to be grateful for. At the same time, our hearts are heavy for our familia living in such great need.
In October, Cuba endured two hurricanes that left much of the Island without power for 72 hours. The lack of electricity has already been difficult for more than a year, but recently, it’s grown worse, with rolling blackouts for up to 20 hours a day. This makes life nearly unbearable. Without electricity families can’t refrigerate goods, leaving perishable items to spoil. They endure extreme heat and humidity without relief, making sleep almost impossible. To cook, many are forced to rely on dwindling supplies of firewood. Even access to water is limited as electric pumps fail without power.
A Pastor’s Story: Loss and Resilience Amid the Storm
One of the pastors that we are working with, Pastor Luis, lost the roof of his home during the hurricane. With your help, we are sending him aid so that he can repair it. Pastor Luis also shared that many families from his church lost their roofs as well. He explained that they managed to help 20 families with the aid they’ve received. They’ve had to divide the food carefully because of the overwhelming need and the rising cost of essentials. “There are brothers and sisters who don’t even have anything to eat or family to support them.”
We’re praying for Pastor Luis, his family, and the many families affected. We’re also sending additional funds to assist them during this time of crisis.
Faith Under Pressure
Another pastor we are partnering with, Pastor Dunesky, has asked me to pray for his wife and daughter, who have been sick. The constant challenges weigh heavily on the pastors and their families.
Despite these overwhelming circumstances, I’m always so impressed by the faith of the pastors like Luis and Dunesky. Their focus remains on sharing the love of Christ and taking the gospel to their communities, no matter how difficult it gets.
Hannah’s Toys of Hope: Bringing Smiles and Sharing Christ
The gospel continues to spread, and many families and children are being ministered to through Hannah’s Toys of Hope. As we enter into the Christmas season, we want to bless these families by sharing the good news of Jesus and bringing smiles to children’s faces with the simple gift of a toy. These gestures open hearts and create opportunities to share Christ’s love.
Our goal is to help families in need, like those supported by Pastor Luis and Pastor Dunesky. We also aim to bless at least 600 children with toys. So far, we’ve been able to distribute about 300 toys.
Extend Your Hands to Help
Please join us in prayer for these families impacted by the recent hurricanes, and for the children who are being reached through Hannah’s Toys of Hope. Pray that the Lord will care for them, and provide for their urgent needs.
Dawn and I invite you to prayerfully consider extending a helping hand. By sending a gift today, you can support a needy family and advance the gospel on the Big Island. TOGETHER, we can make a difference!
Thank you for your generosity and compassion in extending your hands to help.
Click to donate today.
Video: Hannah’s Toys of Hope
In this video, created with the help of my colleague Jim DeWitt, we show how God is using toys to reach families. Watch how Jesus is working through our dear friends, Pastor Rene and Yarelis!
Thank you for joining us in prayer, and for considering making a gift to help our precious familia.
In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja, and Beyond
