Anticipation can be filled with joy and anxiety at the same time. Take for instance Handi*Camp this summer. We’re all looking so forward to seeing the various campers and guests and meeting the staff personally that God has sent us. We’re anticipating with joy what the Lord is going to do for all of us over that time.

On the other side is the preparation that goes into those weeks. Chapel and Bible presentations must be done, programming must be ready, the nurses have to have medical information, summer staff have to be sent information about expectations before they arrive, then there’s the finances… the list goes on and on it seems.

It’s so easy to get caught up with the responsibilities that have to be done and to put the over all reason for camp on the “back burner.”

However, the Lord Jesus must be predominant in EVERY aspect of the preparations. After all, He is the One we present at the Bible classes, devotions and Chapels. It is God  Who gives understanding as to what activities are best for each camper and guest. He grants wisdom and giftedness to the nursing staff to know how to best minister to physical needs. God is the One Who brings unity to proclaim His truth not only in words but actions as well. The financial need is met only because people respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading to answer the need. Knowing that Handi*Camp exists only because of and through our gracious God causes our anticipation to join hands with great expectation.

So, here at H*VMI, we take a deep breath, bow before a mighty God with thanksgiving and wait with that anticipation to see his amazing provision.

Click below to learn more about Handi*Camp.

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So much is going on in a relatively short period of time in H*VMI.

• As I write this, we’re preparing for two different seminars to be given tomorrow, Saturday April 14th.
• Easter camp for about 300 blind children in Ghana just ended with the opportunity to introduce Jesus to many who have never heard about Him. Some of them come from a Muslim background.
• At the end of this month we’re having an H*VMI Board meeting. There’s a great deal to cover in a relatively short period of time.
• Then there’s camp preparation in progress. It’s hard to believe that we only have 6 weeks before orientation.
• In the meantime, there are the Bible Clubs, support groups, encouragement through e-mail, telephone and one-on-one meetings.

Ordinarily one would want only to crawl back in bed and throw a cover over our head. Instead, there’s an air of excitement and anticipation because we all know Who is in charge and He has promised to provide all the strength, wisdom and grace to meet the need of the hour. What an honor to present the Lord, the Prince of Peace to a hurting, wondering world. Is it worth the hours spent on preparation? Well, when we consider Heaven, the love of Jesus, and the promise of eternity in His presence, we approach the responsibility with joy and thankfulness.

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Last month we shared about a need in our Ghana ministry for a roof replacement in the residential facility.  God’s people responded to this need.  We received the full amount ($12,600) that was required to replace the roof.

This is just one evidence of how God is in control and at work even in the midst of the evil and spiritual battles raging around us.

In sporting events, how the last couple of minutes in a game are played could mean the difference between a win or a loss. Players seem to have one last ounce of energy left to place into every effort. The offense strains to put points on the board while the defense senses the urgency of the situation and replies with strength reserved for any move coming toward them. The tension mounts and you feel that something huge is about to take place. If you’ve ever played or watched a sport, you understand what I mean.

So it is today in life. You sense the end is near, the Lord is coming. A great spiritual battle is coming. The evil forces are working harder than ever to thwart the advances of God’s army. Satan’s attacks on God’s people are getting stronger. You see and hear it on the news. You feel the tension even in the church which normally is the sanctuary for the Believer. Families are breaking apart. The results of pride and yielding to ungodly behavior is rampant. Satan knows the “end of the game” is drawing close and he’s committed to doing all he can to bring chaos and destruction to homes that were once claimed for the Savior.

Because we already know Who is going to be the final victor, Jesus Christ, the believer can and must take heart in vital facts:

• God is still on the throne. That is a biblical trust we can rely upon.
• He still accomplishes what He chooses.
• He still loves and cares for you, His child.
• He has promised to provide you with strength wisdom and grace for each day.
• This world is not all there is. Eternity is in sight.

Yes, the “end is in sight.”  Because we know Who holds the future as well as the present, go forward in confidence trusting in His unconditional love for you and control in that love.

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Recently, Paul Lehto, our now retired Director of Development, and I had the opportunity to visit H*VMI’s ministry in Ghana, West Africa. God is doing amazing things through that ministry even though they have so few resources.

The thing that stood out to both of us is the incredible dedication to the ministry among the H*VMI ministry team there. That dedication blessed our hearts.

For instance:  Joanna, the secretary for H*VMI Ghana, travels 3 hours in each direction from her home to the H*VMI office, Monday through Friday, to minister there.  She has been doing this for about 16 years – always with a smile on her face.

The H*VMI staff in Ghana grabs every opportunity and does an outstanding job bringing the Truth of God’s precious Word to people with disabilities on the streets of Accra, in the deaf and blind schools, at our own camps and even in a nearby refugee camp.

Our hearts were encouraged and at the same time burdened for those who are disabled and hurting in this needy country.

One of the properties H*VMI owns and operates in Ghana is a residence for children born to women with disabilities who live on the streets of Accra. There are approximately 30 children living there who are receiving the opportunity to get an education, learn a skill and get good Biblical training by people who love the Lord Jesus. These children also learn to recognize the value of their mothers by seeing them through God’s eyes and desire to minister to them.

The concern I brought home with me is for the residential facility itself. The roof leaks in so many places that it must be replaced. The water has affected the electrical system to the point that shocks have been felt through receptacles. The estimate we received from a trusted local worker is $12,600 in USA money to replace the roof. The problem is, the rainy season begins in April.

As you can imagine, I’m deeply concerned to the point that I’ve set up a special account here at the USA office for funds that could help cover the emergency need.

Would you please join me in praying that the Lord will answer, as only He can, to meet this need?

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