How it all started – Hannah’s Toys of Hope

Our Vacation to Celebrate 35 Years of Marriage

Dave and Dawn were on tropical vacation last week celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary!

On March 5th of this year, Dawn and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. Last week, we went on a special trip to mark the occasion. The Lord truly blessed us with a wonderful vacation, and we enjoyed our time away. Often, while we were enjoying a delicious meal we couldn’t help but think of our familia on the Big Island and how challenging life is for them. It’s easy for us to take for granted all the blessings that we have while they struggle to just afford beans and rice so they can feed their families. We continue to pray for them and send them aid. We thank you for joining us in prayer, and for contributing to their tremendous needs.

While we were on vacation, I tried to publish this post last week. However, I encountered issues due to the lack of access to the internet while traveling. I decided to post it again to ensure it reaches you. We are thankful for this new arm of our ministry, Hannah’s Toys of Hope. Also, please make sure to watch the short video included below that highlights the ministry and the needs on the Big Island.

A Conversation With Yarelis and Rene

I was talking to Pastor Rene and Yarelis the other day and they shared more about Hannah’s Toys of Hope with me. Here’s a glimpse of our conversation:

“It is not simply about giving a toy, nor is it always done in the same way. Sometimes, I prepare an activity with the children where I sing to them, share a Bible story, and then give them the toy as a present while explaining the reason for the name of the ministry. On other occasions, I instruct the missionary (church planter) leading the ministry on how to reach out to the children, and they, in turn, invite the parents and their children.

Sometimes, the aid we receive is given to a needy family living in a poorly constructed house made of bare boards with dirt floors. We give toys to children who are up to 11 years old. This ministry is not conducted in the city but in mission churches outside the cities where there are few nearby facilities. We have many mission churches and missionaries that my husband attends to. The Lord guides us in different ways as we minister and we seek to be sensitive to the Spirit. We always conclude our time together sharing the plan of salvation with the children and their families. This ministry has opened doors through nurturing the children. It helps the church planters by creating a connection with the parents and being a great blessing to them.”

Hannah Toys of Hope: How It Started

Yarelis with some of the children who received toys – Hannah’s Toys of Hope

“The Ministry, Hannah’s Toys of Hope began when I picked up a donation of toys for the children in my community at the Church in Villa Clara. I read about how they wanted to bless the children in Cuba through their ministry. While I was there I witnessed a crying mother telling the people handing out the toys it was the first time her 3-year-old daughter had received a toy, as she could not afford to buy one. Through this testimony, God placed a desire in my heart to bless the children in other communities with a ministry like this. Together with my husband René Peñate and our friends David and Dawn, who support us, we started this ministry to bless many children and open doors to preach the gospel. We have already seen God use it for His glory in several places.

Initially, the name of the ministry was simply Hannah. However, Jonathan, David Diaso’s son, added the rest of the name, and that’s how it all began: Hannah’s Toys of Hope.”

Video: Hannah’s Toys of Hope

In this video, which my colleague Jim DeWitt helped create, we share how God is using toys to reach families. Jesus is working through our friends Pastor Rene and Yarelis!

Extend Your Hands to Help!

Join us in spreading the joy of Jesus and blessing these children with a gift.

Your financial contribution of only $10 or more, will make a significant impact by providing a toy for a child.
Your generosity truly makes a difference!

Dawn and I ask you to prayerfully consider extending your hands to help! Send a gift today to help a needy family, and extend the gospel on the Big Island. TOGETHER we can make a difference!

Bless a child with one toy for $10
OR Support one family for as little as $25 a month!
Click to donate today.

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

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