In addition to 1,000 articles of J. Crew clothing, we’re sending crucial medical equipment, such as examination chairs, hospital beds, stretchers, rehabilitation machines, and patient lifts to be specifically used in the Special-Needs Home,which is currently under construction and will care for children.

In developing countries, there is limited access to necessary resources for children with special needs. This equipment will be instrumental in developing the lives of children with extreme health issues, and both physical and mental handicaps.

The container also includes baby incubators for Operation Baby Rescue’s main treatment center where the health of thousands of children has been restored. Because severe malnutrition threatens 80 percent of children in rural Guatemala, Operation Baby Rescue works tirelessly to intervene in their lives and restore hope to their families.

The container is one of many World Help shipments that are saving lives around the world. We’re thankful for the opportunity to distribute these kinds of humanitarian aid supplies . . . providing hope to thousands of Guatemalan families!

The word “comfortable” is defined as “the absence of sources of pain or distress.” Doesn’t that sound nice, and doesn’t that sound like something we all would like to have in our lives . . . the absence of pain and distress?

There is nothing wrong with desiring that feeling. But the problem is that it is simply not possible. There is no such thing as a life without pain or distress. And for millions around the world, pain and distress are daily occurrences.

In this chapter, I discuss what it looks like to live a numb life—a life unaffected by the needs of the world. The truth is, we have been lulled into a deep sleep, and we need to wake up.

I have decided that I know what bothers me and what wrecks me. I know what I can’t stand and what seriously disturbs me in our world. I know what I want to change. If you are honest, there is something that gets to you too.

I don’t want to be numb to these things anymore. It is just too hard. I want to see the needs, feel the needs, and touch the needs—I want to make a difference.

Chapter 2 – Comfortably Numb on Vimeo

The people of Rwanda have endured centuries of colonial mistreatment, economic turmoil, and tragedy on a scale nearly impossible to comprehend. Despite their heartbreaking circumstances, Rwandans are extremely optimistic about their future.

Nearly every person I met in Rwanda asked me, “What do you think of Rwanda? Do you like it?” I could honestly reply,

Through faith, cooperation, and ambition, Rwandans have united to begin building a prosperous, safe, and healthy community. They are so determined to overcome the pain and devastation of the 1994 genocide . . .  and it shows. All over the clean and orderly capital city of Kigali, I saw countless construction projects in full swing—paving of new roads and sidewalks, establishing schools and colleges, and installing the infrastructure needed for modern business. Rwanda is building toward health, and I am excited that World Help can be involved.

World Help’s national partner, the Anglican Church of Rwanda, has seized the opportunity to play its role in developing the next generation of leaders. Reverend Maurice explained,

The church has met the challenge of developing leaders head-on through an educational outreach initiative in the rural suburbs of Kigali. In many rural communities, children drop out of school because their families simply cannot afford the cost of school fees, uniforms, and supplies. Through their outreach program, children from low-income families receive assistance to overcome these barriers, and their involvement in mentorship and the church youth group helps them excel socially, academically, and spiritually.

I had the privilege of meeting two young men involved in the outreach program whose stories embody the spirit of the Rwandan people today.

Karemera and Ndegeya are both near the top of their class and are working hard to qualify for university scholarships. Karemara, a sophomore, hopes to study electrical engineering, while Ndegeya, a senior, aims to study business management. Karemara thanked his sponsors: “If you were not there, we could not study. If we finish our university [education], we want to help you again as you help other children.”

While some critics remain skeptical of the Rwandan success story, it’s the people like these young men, ambitious and dedicated to serving others, who give me reason to believe that Rwanda’s brightest days lay ahead.

As a pastor of one of the Anglican churches in Rwanda, Pastor Stephen told me that had it not been for the Word of God, bitterness would have destroyed him. He lost many family members and witnessed personally the atrocities perpetrated on his family by the killers.

I recently read Pastor Stephen’s book about his life during the genocide. I was particularly stunned by the fact that nearly 333 people were killed every hour of the genocide in Rwanda. The district of Bugesera experienced a huge number of people killed because of the large concentration of the Tutsi people in this area.

In his book, he shares that

Pastor Stephen has forgiven the person that killed one of his family members, and they are now friends that see each other on a regular basis. He is involved in teaching others how to reconcile and has been instrumental in getting many children to attend school.

I have had the privilege of traveling to Rwanda 23 times in the past four years. It’s still hard for me to imagine the approximate 1.1 million people that were killed throughout Rwanda during the genocide.

The people of Bugesera have made a conscientious decision to forgive so they can rebuild their community together. Today, they live side by side. When I visit and watch them dance and laugh together, the same questions come to mind: What is it about the Word of God that makes the people of Rwanda hold it in such high regard? Why do they have the reckless abandonment to the teachings of Jesus Christ about forgiveness?

I will forever be indebted to these people who unashamedly reach out to each other in the name of Jesus Christ. They are not afraid to say, “I should not have hated you. I am summoning the courage to say ‘no more.’ We have a country to rebuild.”

Rwanda is one of the few places on earth that has honestly changed me. Every time I go, I see amazing transformation in the infrastructure of this land, but also the determination of the people to do better than their predecessors in every aspect of life. I am grateful for the privilege to have met the amazing people of Rwanda who work hard to make their country a better place for future generations.

Today, I’m thankful for my mother—her care, support, and encouragement have influenced the person and mother I am today. I want to honor her by highlighting inspiring women across the world, particularly Maria. She’s the mother of Blanca Olivia, the face of our Operation Baby Rescue campaign.

I remember when I first met Maria and the look of desperation and anxiety in her eyes. The thought of losing her child terrified her. She was apprehensive about letting strangers take her daughter to a rescue center so far away, but I knew she was willing to do anything to see Blanca healthy again—and it took courage.

Maria’s Interview on Vimeo

I believe that a mother is a hero, whether recognized or not. And we can express our gratitude for these heroes by investing in their children . . . through Operation Baby Rescue.

I spoke with Maria again on a recent trip to Guatemala. Today, she’s smiling. Watch our conversation and see how having a healthy child has brought hope and joy back into her life!

World Help interacts with inspiring mothers every day; women who must find daily strength to comfort their children and provide for their families. I’ve spoken with these mothers as they hold their hungry children, not knowing where tomorrow’s meal will come from. Yet the spirit I see in their eyes is truly remarkable. Life has taught them to be brave, to fight for their families . . . And they deserve to be honored.

This Mother’s Day, I want to share a special opportunity for you to thank your mother and show your gratitude by investing in the life of a desperately sick child through Operation Baby Rescue in her honor. What better gift to give any mother than one that will make a life-changing difference in a suffering child’s life.

Please visit worldhelp.net/mothersday to not only thank your mother, but at the same time, provide help, hope, and happiness this Mother’s Day to these Guatemalan mothers.

Today is World Malaria Day, a day initiated by the World Health Organization to bring awareness to one of the most subtle killers in the developing world. And World Help is joining in the cause by shedding light on the disease that affects millions around the world—particularly children and pregnant women.

Our staff and community were recently impacted by this tragic disease when a child in our sponsorship program passed away from a severe and sudden onset of malarial fever. Even though he lived in a protected environment and received professional medical care, the disease still reached him.

This is the reality of malaria. But it is a reality that can be prevented. And World Help is working to bring preventative care to as many children as possible.

We invest in three key areas of malaria care: education, prevention, and aggressive treatment. In our children’s homes and schools, we provide education about the disease and ways to prevent it. We also provide mosquito nets to protect children while they sleep—when they’re most vulnerable to being bitten. And we fund malaria medication that saves lives each day.

Today, more than three billion people are at risk of contracting malaria. But the global initiative to stop this killer is growing. Together, we can work to end malaria and save lives. Will you join us in this World Malaria Day by making a difference and celebrating the individuals that will be restored through our efforts?

For $25, you can provide simple but reliable protection to an entire family through mosquito nets. You can also give a gift of any amount to the Medical Emergency Fund, which will help treat children with life-threatening cases of malaria.

Join us today by making a difference and celebrating the individuals who will be restored by our efforts.

PREVENTION

EDUCATION

TREATMENT

In the opening chapter of Awake you are introduced to a little boy and a little girl. And while their stories are separated by nearly 20 years, the message is the same—if you save one life, you really can change the world.

The Lucky One from World Help on Vimeo.

I wrote Awake because I began to wonder if we are really living our lives fully awake, or are we becoming numb to the needs of the world. Timothy Keller explains it this way:

Awake is a story about change—the change that can take place both in your life and the lives of people around the world once we are truly awake. I hope you will find at least part of your story in the lives of the poor and disenfranchised of our world.

You can order a signed copy of Noel’s new book Awake: Doing a World of Good One Person at a Time today for $10 with free shipping.Visit awakebook.org to learn more.

Recently, we asked you to join us in making 2012 a year of help and hope for thousands. We asked you to help us restore entire families and build toward the future of Guatemala.

Because of supporters like you, we’re off to an incredible start! So far, we’ve raised enough to rescue 54 children—innocent victims of poverty, malnutrition, and the despair of pain-filled lives. Lives like Diego’s.

Diego’s Story from World Help

The Hope of Life rescue team found Diego in the middle of a trash heap, lying in a box—defenseless to protect himself against the sun and insects. Barely a month old, this little boy was left to die.

When our rescue team found him, Diego was rushed immediately to a hospital where he was treated for malnutrition. When he was rescued, he weighed only seven pounds . . . but through a strategic and nutritious diet, he is now completely healthy.

Once hours away from death, Diego can now look forward to a full and bright future!

This is the difference we can make through Operation Baby Rescue. Like Diego, countless children can experience the joy of true health for the first time.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to watch the Operation Baby Rescue documentary, and learn more about this life-changing campaign. Together, we have the opportunity to fill the lives of countless children with hope.

Meeting this young boy changed my life. It taught me an important lesson—I may not be able to save all the hurting children in the world, but I could make a difference for one. And years later, I have never forgotten.

I have often wondered what his life would have been like had we not met—where would he be, would he have survived? But what I have wondered more, is what my life would have been like had we not met that day . . . maybe I was the lucky one.

I write about this and more in my new book Awake: Doing a World of Good One Person at a Time.

Awake from World Help

In the pages of Awake, you will see my personal story intertwined with those of others. But really, my story is nothing more than an account of those who have touched my life, broken my heart, and restored my hope in humanity, justice, and God’s love.

It is true that the needs of our world today can be overwhelming. And the easy thing to do is live with our heads in the sand. We turn the channel, look the other way, and fill our lives with so many distractions that we never really have to face reality. And when we do face these issues, even for a moment, all we seem to do is feel guilty. But that does not change reality, and it does not make the problems go away.

Timothy Keller says,

You see, I believe that if we will wake up to the needs of the world—if we will embrace the injustices that we see—that is when we can begin to restore hope. It is no longer about handouts. It’s not about guilt or charity. It’s about justice, it’s about compassion, and it’s about change.

May we all find ourselves awake and doing a world of good.

To learn more or to order your copy of Awake, visit awakebook.org.

I am hard pressed to create a narrative that sufficiently captures my experiences in Rwanda. To say they were life-changing is an understatement. Going to Rwanda was like being with God every day.

It was like having my eyes peeled open and the veil removed.

I could see clearly and I could understand the greater purpose that God intends for my life and for the lives of all of His children. While every moment in Rwanda was special, there are two particular events that really moved me.

One was when we visited the Village of Reconciliation. This village was highlighted in the documentary “As We Forgive.” The village is a special forgiveness project, in which Genocide survivors live there with repentant genocide perpetrators as their neighbors.

We listened to the testimony of Rosaria, who survived the genocide with only the daughter she was pregnant with, while her husband, children, sister, nieces, and nephews were slaughtered. We also heard the testimony of Rosaria’s neighbor, Suvari, along with the man responsible for killing Rosaria’s family. It was amazing to see God’s grace in action.

As the meeting progressed, the villagers sang for us. In Rwanda, when they sing to the Lord, it is a celebration. An older man and Suvari began to dance. As they continued to sing, approached me and grasped both my hands as an invitation to dance with him. There was a light in his eyes, and I could see the power of God’s forgiveness.

I was not dancing with a killer; I was dancing with a forgiven child of God.

The second important event occurred when we visited a Village of Hope. This is a village consisting of child-headed households. Many of our team members immediately gravitated toward the young children. Our professor reminded us that the young adults and teenagers nearby were the actual orphans of the genocide. We had the opportunity to go with these adult orphans and visit their homes.

In the village, I met a young girl named Clementine and her brothers and sisters. I was honored when she shared a little bit of her childhood experiences, but she had no memories of her parents at all. She was just three when they were murdered in the genocide. Midway through our conversation, her 27-year-old brother, Bosco, came home and shared with me that he had three older siblings, but they had all been murdered with their parents when he was just 10 years old, making him the head of the household. He had five younger brothers and sisters who survived. Bosco told me he does not remember very much prior to the genocide or the genocide itself. He focused on taking care of his younger siblings and tried to keep them safe from harm. I was amazed he had looked after his siblings for 17 years after witnessing the deaths of his older siblings and parents.

His gentle, quiet spirit took me aback.

I asked him about taking a wife and having children of his own. He explained to me that since he does not have an education from the university, he has nothing to offer a family. He shared that he will not seek a wife until he can properly provide for her, and he hopes to attend university in Kigali for a degree in computer science, an in-demand field in Rwanda. Since the university is expensive, he does not know how he will attend, but he knows God will provide.

I felt especially moved by Bosco’s dilemma. He was so responsible under such horrible circumstances, and he cared for his siblings when he could have turned his back. Bosco remained close to God when many facing his situation would have blamed or abandoned Him.

I wanted to stand with him, and I knew I wanted to help him.

So upon returning home, I shared my experiences with my husband, and we decided that we would partner with these adult orphans. We pray for them and maintain regular contact with Clementine. We have begun living a simpler lifestyle and started saving to send Bosco to the university so that he may have a future, a career, a wife, and a family.

I pray that God will bless us, so we may provide for Bosco and his siblings as they work to improve their circumstances by going to college.

As a mother, I know that is what I would want for my child.

I would have never had this opportunity had I not been obedient to God’s call to “Go!” It seems to me that we have relegated missions’ trips to the youth or those special individuals that God has “called out.” However, we all have a command from Christ in the Great Commission to “go into all nations.”

In honor of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, World Help is focusing on meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people living without hope, in hunger, pain, and dying from preventable diseases. Our unique Gifts of Hope catalog is filled with a variety of needed gifts. They may seem simple, but their ability to transform lives is phenomenal.

In time for Easter, Gifts of Hope now offers rabbits to those living in impoverished communities. These animals are versatile resources for families struggling to feed and care for their children or send them to school. A pair of rabbits can produce dozens of offspring every year which can be sold for extra income. This can mean an education, medical attention, and other benefits for these families. Rabbits are also a source of necessary protein for those that suffer from inadequate nutrition.

Would you imagine that two rabbits could yield such incredible benefits to provide this kind of relief . . . or hope? That is just what Gifts of Hope can do.

I have seen children rescued, families healed, and communities transformed through receiving these gifts. From basic medicines to livestock, each one can change a life and make a profound difference that continues to impact future generations.

I pray you will take the opportunity during this Easter season to reflect on the gift that has been freely given to us . . . and how you can share that same gift with others—the gift that lasts for eternity.

Browse Gifts of Hope, and learn how you can make a physical and spiritual difference today.

The people of Rwanda continue to grapple with the effects of the 1994 genocide. After the 100-day massacre of nearly 1 million Tutsi and Hutu peoples, the country and society were left in ruins. In only 100 days, 20 percent of the country’s population was completely annihilated.

In the devastating aftermath, widows, children, and even the genocide perpetrators themselves all suffered as they coped with the memories of lost families, homes, and friends. The idea of healing seemed impossible for this devastated country.

But today, Rwanda is experiencing restoration.

World Help’s role in Rwanda is one of rebuilding. We seek to bring healing by meeting physical needs and investing in developmental projects that directly impact those who were tormented by the genocide.

One important way we build toward a healthy Rwanda is by investing in its children. Child sponsorship has been crucial in restoring these young lives who have been affected in some way. We partner with organizations that provide these children with access to basic necessities, medical care, and a quality education. Through sponsorship, they can look forward to futures filled with opportunity and hope.

We also believe in empowering women—the nation’s caretakers. After the genocide, many women were left with absolutely nothing. Their homes were completely destroyed, and their husbands were brutally murdered. Without anyone to support them, they were suddenly forced to provide for entire families alone, while also dealing with the anguish of the genocide.

Justine is just one of the women whose life has been restored.

After many years of struggling to provide for her family, Justine has now received skill-based training through a vocational school in Rwanda. She mastered the skill of plumbing and is even the instructor of plumbing at the school. She is also a contractor for several construction companies throughout Rwanda. Justine’s life has been transformed through the hope her new vocation provides.

World Help also invests in women through a widow’s village in Kaboga, Rwanda, where single mothers and their children have a place of stability to call home. Dedicated supporters of World Help have provided these families with a clean-water well, livestock, and other developmental projects. These projects are simple physical resources, but they help to rebuild lives and change futures.

Instead of simply sympathizing with Rwanda’s ongoing pain, World Help is dedicated to restoring those who have suffered for many years. By working urgently to support Rwanda through physical and spiritual aid, we are providing help for today . . . hope for tomorrow.

Over the coming weeks, we desire to highlight the nation of Rwanda, its people, and its development through our blog. In an effort to move past simply recalling the terror of the genocide, we aim to focus on the hope and restoration the country of Rwanda is receiving today.

Knowing there is no better lesson than life-experience, they decided that their 10-year-old son, Kase, should see firsthand the conditions that many people face around the world every day.

In February, Joshua and Kase boarded a plane to travel to Guatemala with World Help—they would return forever changed.

Scenes of people living in villages with little-to-no access to clean water, malnourishment plaguing their communities, and some families without even a place to call home made an impression on Joshua and Kase. 

Operation Baby Rescue

During the trip, they spent numerous hours at the Baby Rescue Center where they held, fed, and prayed for babies and young children whose lives are slowly being restored. While there, 12 babies arrived who were rescued from the deep mountains of Guatemala, children who were at the very brink of death because of severe malnutrition.

Both Joshua and Kase had the unique opportunity to carry the babies who had just been rescued . . . which proved to be a moving experience:

Not only were they able to participate in caring for the babies that were rescued, but they also had the special opportunity to wash numerous children’s feet and present them with TOMS shoes. Witnessing the excitement on the children’s faces and the joy in their parent’s eyes was an incredibly rewarding experience for them both.

Clean Water

They also visited a local school that sits on a river, flooded with contaminated water. The people living in the area have no option but to use the dirty water—filled with waste—to cook their food, bathe, wash clothes, and even drink. This river is their only source of water.

This sight would stay with Joshua and Kase.

After seeing the difference clean water can make in other communities, they became interested in providing it to more villages. The question they asked was, “How could we notdo anything after experiencing these types of conditions that countless were forced to live in?”

Their passion, led to commitment, which led to action.

Already the Andrews family has brought help to those in need by providing funds to build one deep-bore well in Guatemala. But they didn’t stop there. They have started raising funds for a second well to continue helping those in dire need. 

Instead of only having a polluted water source, which spreads sickness and disease, the village of El Cacao will now have clean, safe water that will completely transform lives. All it took was two people who were passionate and concerned about others. Joshua left Guatemala with a clear objective:

Tour of Hope was designed to help empower women to change the world. To face the issues in our world head on—issues like poverty, HIV/AIDS, hunger, lack of clean water, and human trafficking. We wanted to encourage women to see how they can get involved and make a difference.

Jo spoke to this when she said,

Jo has a new book that was just released called More Than Enchanting – Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World. Perhaps you are like me—a woman trying to navigate the rough waters of leadership in the home or in the marketplace. Perhaps you are trying to find your role or calling in life. Maybe you are dealing with self-doubt, but at the same time desire to use your gifts in a bold way.

If you can relate to these feelings or struggles, then this book will encourage and challenge you. Jo calls us to embrace the gifts we have been given and to use our influence with confidence.

I love how she closes her powerful new book:

I couldn’t agree more! Let’s take our visions, dreams, minds, skills, hospitality, hearts, lives, and love—and let’s go change the world!

Click here for more information, or to purchase More Than Enchanting.

But it is also a time we realize that hope is absent in the lives of so many people. Too hungry, sick, poor, and weary to grasp any form of joy—they are left to struggle through the pain of hopelessness.

This Easter, World Help is bringing restoration to these individuals by meeting their physical and spiritual needs through our unique Gifts of Hope program.

Just in time for the holiday, we’re excited to introduce rabbits to our Gifts of Hope catalog! We think of cute little bunnies and chicks as Easter symbols, but for impoverished communities around the world, they are also elements of physical and economic strength. Both of these animals are sources of important nutrients for poverty-stricken families, and they easily multiply to yield ongoing benefits, creating ample opportunity to build toward healthier incomes.

Rabbits, chicks, school supplies, medicine, clean water . . . they all make a difference that lasts! And when we work together to provide sustainable means to help meet physical needs, we have a better basis for meeting spiritual needs as well. Whether we heal a child, feed a family, or transform a community, we are able to reflect the very meaning of Easter—sacrifice and unconditional love.

Recently, our Director of African Projects, Cyrus Mad-Bondo, traveled to a World Help-supported widow’s village in Rwanda. These women and their families have been directly impacted by the Rwandan genocide and are now working to find healing through this government-built and protected village.

Before Cyrus left, he wanted to leave a meaningful gift that would continue to bless the widows and their families. At a local market, he purchased rabbits to distribute throughout the village. He knew these animals were a source of protein for many who go without vital nutrients. And because they are bred quickly, they are an easy source of income as well.

When he brought the rabbits back to the village, he was delighted to pass them out to dozens of appreciative recipients, including elderly women, single mothers, and their overjoyed children. Rabbits—like each item available through our Gifts of Hope program—are simple, but strategic gifts for underprivileged communities. For the widows and their families, it means better health and finances that can be used for medicine, education, and more.

This Easter, will you join World Help in bringing hope and restoration to those who desperately need it?

Visit goh.worldhelp.net to give a special Easter gift to someone in need.