In the last few days we have seen tornados destroying and claiming a number of lives in the US. In Burma (Myanmar), it has been reported that as many as 38,491 lives have perished and 27,838 people are still missing due to the destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis. The United Nations has estimated that the toll could be more than 60,000. In China, the death toll has climbed to over 15,000 lives lost because of a powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale.  Every day, 548 people perish in Africa from AIDS, Malaria and other preventable diseases. As terrible as the tragedy of the tornados, cyclone and earthquakes are with thousands killed at the one time, we live in Africa with this kind of devastation and human suffering EVERY DAY.

These disasters all have miserable consequences such as children killed, parents and families destroyed, resulting in immeasurable suffering. In Myanmar, there is little or no support accepted by the government for the people affected by the disaster. In China, there has been a mass mobilization of their military to assist and I am certain that humanitarian support is pouring in. In the US, there was immediate assistance from the federal and state governments besides all the sponsored programs. However, in Africa the task is left to a handful of organizations to attempt to offer  some support. Global Ministries and Relief is making a small contribution in the midst of a lot of pain. We are not a large organization with grants and foundations sponsoring our efforts.

Our finances are raised predominately in 3 ways:

1. The honorariums from my meetings

2. Student fees

3. Partners and donors

As an Operation Hope partner, you are making a difference to these children in Malawi. 100% of your gift goes to the project. We do not siphon a percentage for our administration and operating costs. In fact, GMR also adds to the funding to make this a viable project. Most of our staff personally support at least 1 child. A few of our staff, including myself, support multiple children. The reason that I mention this is to show you that we believe in what we are doing. Even though it is a drop in the bucket compared to the enormous need, we are making a difference to those lives involved.  If we didn’t do it, who else would?

Your generosity is making a tangible difference to your sponsored child and their household. Not only that, but it also makes you a part of something that is important to the global community. On behalf of your child I want to thank you for your loyal and generous contribution. It does help to alleviate some of the suffering that they face.

For Operation Hope,

Dr. Leon VanRooyen