Stories from the Field

A month ago, I had lunch with the evangelist Nicky Cruz, and we had the joy of leading our waitress to Jesus. In turn, she asked if we would pray for her coworker, a woman with pancreatic cancer. We gladly prayed for the sick woman, laying hands on her as Scripture instructs, and immediately she felt dizzy and had to sit down.

Why are you so passionate in helping the poor?

Their answers were all similar in nature.  “I knew what it was like growing up poor.” “I wasn’t as poor; however, I know the feeling and understand what it was like to go hungry.” ”Love for the children.” This was the standard reply I received from many of the volunteers. 

"There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery, they employ violence so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns and everyone who lives in it languishes" (Hosea 4:2-3a).

Hurricane Irma affected at least 1,200 Clay County Florida homes with at least 300 people marooned by the rising floodwaters. The Springs Church Jacksonville, along with support from World Challenge, reached out to its community to minister not only spiritually but practically as well. Two semi-trucks with supplies including diapers, water, food and cleaning supplies were given to those in need.

The incredible charity we are witnessing as people come together in the wake of hurricane Harvey’s devastation is praiseworthy. Citizen heroes are performing unbelievable feats of selflessness to save lives, and keep people safe.

Hurricane Harvey, the largest rainfall event in US history, has dumped nearly 25 trillion gallons of rain, 19 trillion on Texas. This is enough rain to cover the entire United States nearly 1/2 inch deep. To think of it another way, if the Mississippi River were emptying into Houston, it would take 18 days for it to equal the volume of rain left behind by Hurricane Harvey. It may take weeks to drain and years for the people there to rebuild.

Rescuing and Sheltering “Toss-aways” Worldwide

Imagine yourself a young boy with a severe physical disability. Your parents make it clear they don’t want you. Eventually, your mother sells you to passing gypsies for a pitiful price.

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:7)

Can you imagine losing everything you own in less than 10 minutes? That’s exactly what happened to many in East Texas on April 29 as a tornado ravaged much of the area near the World Challenge Texas offices. The tornado was on the ground for 51 minutes with eight smaller tornados touching down as well.

Heavy rains in Peru recently triggered deadly mudslides, destroying entire villages. Many villagers watched helplessly as their lives were completely washed away in mere minutes. The disaster could have meant total devastation and despair. But thanks to your gifts of support, World Challenge (WC) was able to bring hope to a landscape of despair.  Here’s a look behind the scenes at how your support worked to help those facing total disaster.