Updates From Jo Anne Lyon

VILLAGES IN-WAITING

Our TV screens are full of presidential hopefuls. The pundits are giving continual analysis of who will do what. And, yes, I am intrigued, interested and certainly join in the discussion. But half way around the world on the west coast of Africa there is another election taking place. These candidates do not have the luxury of expensive TV advertisements, but their passion is just as great. These national elections will take place in Sierra Leone August 11. This is a critical juncture in the life of the people of Sierra Leone. Their prayer is for this to be a fair election. One without violence. The UN and other groups are sending observers to ensure the validity of the election.

One of the reasons for the fear in the hearts of the people of Sierra Leone stems from the elections of 1991. It was during this election that rebels began cutting off the hands of voters with a warning that they could no longer vote for the current government. From there the rebellion escalated into a full war with tens of thousands of deaths and over 2 million people displaced. All of this ended in 2002 and peace is being restored. Now people are moving back to their original communities and attempting to rebuild.

World Hope International (WHI) is working in the very villages ravaged by the rebels. I have walked with our WHI staff into these villages and met the people who have suffered beyond belief-their perseverance and faith is amazing. WHI has been working alongside these villages improving lives in many ways. The provision of clean water through a well has literally revolutionized the health of several communities. Enclosed latrines as well as pipes that trap flies prevent disease from spreading throughout the areas. In addition, new methods of agriculture have been taught which have increased the yield of crops and developed healthy pigs, chickens, and other animals. Schools are being built and the children are growing up in a new community as part of the spiritual renewal taking place.

I just received word from our Sierra Leone Country Director that we now have 10 more villages waiting for this "redemption." Truly, this is a new opportunity to take what evil has done - death and destruction - and allow abundant life to flourish.

Your participation is essential to our work in the neediest corners of the world, and I am inviting you to be a part of a positive revolution. $3,500 can cover the cost to drill a well and bring clean water to as many as 2,000 people in Sierra Leone. $300 can build an ecologically sound latrine to fight the spread of disease. A gift of $12,000 can finance the development of an orphan trust for one village. Gifts of any amount can make a real difference in our ability to spread hope around the globe-click here to join our efforts now.
   

Thank you for bringing redemption to thousands,
.

Jo Anne Lyon
Founder & CEO