April 2026 Ministry Update

Scripture Union

We have a new initiative from last year that has now cemented into our weekly rhythms this year— hands-on, student-centered weekly teaching on God’s word. This first term, the theme has been “The Cross Changes Everything”. We’ve seen skits, objects, songs, and more to show and involve children in the truth that their lives can truly change when they say “yes” to Jesus!

Literacy Initiatives

This year, we have made a big goal for ourselves to see EVERY CHILD READ! This may seem very simple, but it is the biggest challenge for those who experience poverty and school insecurity. So many children come to us thinking they are in an upper grade without being able to read. We are taking a data-driven approach built with student-centered strategies to see students become great readers!

We want to praise God and give HIM the GLORY! We have been given SO MANY books this year- our first brand new books ever!!! We thank Special Hope Network and the Jubilee Center for FILLING our book shelves and making them so heavy that now we need to pray for new shelves! Our children have a renewed interest because they are seeing new, relevant, and exciting books that are age-appropriate! We have a one-hour literacy hour for each class each day, and our students are meeting in tiered reading groups and given the opportunity to read independently. This is a gift and a treasure to them- it is an absolute treat to watch them hold these books, flip their pages, and engage with literature like this!

An Encouraging Moment: Friends practicing reading during their break and taking turns being able to read a book. This is how much they love the books and are determined to read well!

Graduation

We are so proud of our graduating students! Our Reception (equivalent to kindergarten) students graduated to early primary school. Our grade four students graduate to upper primary school. Our grade seven students graduate and are placed in new schools in the surrounding area for grade 8- it’s always sad to see them go, but we are thankful that God has used Hands of Hope in their stories and has set them up to know Him and to have a wonderful foundation!

Christmas Party

We had an AWESOME day celebrating Jesus’ birth with games, great food, special performances from learners, and cake!

Training Teachers

THANK YOU for those of you that prayed for our request for more partnerships with other organizations this year- God has really come through! This year has reflected a lot of new teacher trainings and utilizing other organizations’ partnerships! We have worked with Servant Support Initiatives for HR and admin-related training and support, Special Hope Network teaching our teachers about how to help our students with special needs, Family Legacy in some of their teacher trainings. We have also had trainings in-house for literacy, examinations, championing our children, differentiation, and more. And of course we have to have fun during these trainings, as seen in the video!

Rainy Season Flooding

Rainy season is a blessing and also unfortunately brings so many challenges. We see crops get the water they need, while also homes, buildings, and roadways are completely flooded. It shows the huge lack of infrastructure within our community, and presents huge dangers to our neighbors and children. We always take precautions with our students as they move through this season.

Fun Days at School

Valentine’s Day celebration along with “Fun outfit day”!

Construction Updates

The first three months of the year have been really exciting on the school side. We were able to build a brand new library, remodel three bathrooms, demolish an old house on the property where the future hall will go, and finally address the drainage issues that always come up during the rainy season.

It has been a season of steady progress, and it is encouraging to see the space continue to take shape. We are excited about what this will become and how it will serve both our students and the surrounding community.

Itezhi Tezhi Ministry Testimony

In early March, we took a team to Itezhi Tezhi, a town of about 30,000 people surrounded by small mountains and a massive lake. It really is a beautiful place. We have been there a few times now, partnering with local churches and spending time in the compounds and surrounding villages.

On this trip, we gathered 40 pastors and church leaders for a time focused on vision and unity. It was a meaningful time of encouragement and alignment, and we left genuinely excited about what God is doing in that town and how the local church is coming together.

We also visited a village about five miles outside the town, down a very rough road, where we partnered with a few of the churches to show the Jesus film at a local school. The community was incredibly open. There is only a Catholic church and an SDA church in the area, and we met people who have not been part of a church in over a decade.

About ten minutes into the film, a heavy rain came in and shut everything down. Before leaving, we shared the gospel, and 75 people responded and gave their lives to Jesus. It was one of those moments that reminds you God does not need perfect conditions to move.

We are planning to return soon to continue building relationships in the village and prayerfully take steps toward planting a church there.

It is always an honor to witness moments like this and to be a small part of what God is doing.

Family Update

Our family is has seen so much change and God stretching us more this year. The school feels stabilized and has intentional growth. The ministry is expanding and becoming about JESUS more and more. We are strengthening through Christ and understanding our ‘why’. Our family is growing up and with that, Savannah is able to focus more and more on the children and being there for them as ‘third-culture children’, especially in education and growing up knowing who God is. Luke is continuing presidential work and praying through future vision. Our family is so blessed with opportunities for friendship and community (answered prayers!)- weekly meetings, bible studies, meals, and times to worship and reflect. This place truly is home and we are so grateful.

We give all the glory and honor to God for this ministry and pray that God continues His blessings and protection over us! Please pray for all of Hands of Hope’s safety in this election year and for God’s guidance for our future.