Blog Post

HYC New Delhi: Jillian Taylor

Hope Worldwide • Mar 29, 2015

I learned a great number of things during my first (and hopefully not last) Hope Youth Corps in Delhi, India over Christmas 2014. I was not a disciple yet, during this HYC, but I was studying the Bible, and so heading into this adventure, I just tried to keep an open mind. I knew the conditions of the slums would be unimaginable and the wounds of the lepers something my selfish, very sheltered brain couldn’t envision. I knew that Hope Youth Corps would be impacting, I’d been told so by all of my friends who had had the privilege of going on one, but I really didn’t know how impacting HYC really would be, or how much God would work on my heart through the people of Delhi.

As a typical “Kingdom Kid” my studies had been going well before this HYC, but I was struggling with having a sense of urgency. I had worked through some challenges, but then I was just kind of stuck; stuck in a rut. HYC was just what I needed though, and God knew that. He had this in His plan all along.

Between being out all day serving, listening to lessons and having quiet times, there was a lot of time for growing and learning. There was one particular lesson that I remember that was about the 10 Advantages of Being Poor. #1 was: “The poor know they are in urgent need of redemption.” And #10 was: “The poor can respond to the call of the gospel with a certain abandonment and uncomplicated totality because they have so little to lose and are ready for anything.” This lesson left me asking myself some pretty tough questions. Where was my urgency? What was I waiting for? What was holding me back from the water? And even tougher questions about my soul and where I was going to spend eternity, which I just couldn’t ignore any longer. As Haggai 1:5-6 says, “Now this is what the Lord Almighty says; ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in your pocket with holes in it.” I stumbled upon this scripture during the early hours of a sunrise in Delhi, giving me even more to reflect upon.

The next day, we visited the Village of Hope, and bandaged lepers, literally just like Jesus would have. The scriptures came alive to me. For the word of God IS living and active, working like a double-edged sword on my heart during HYC and continuing to do so today.

HYC softened my heart.

I made lifelong friends; a group of disciples that inspire and encourage me to no end. It is a very dear wish of mine that everyone would get the chance to go on a HYC sometime during their life. Sending in my application was one of the best decisions I made. But the very best decision I’ve ever made and ever will make was that I made Jesus Lord of my life on March 1st, 2015, just two months after I returned home from India.

Hope Youth Corps was a major factor in which lead me to getting baptized. It was that push I needed. It’s a cliché to say, but going to Delhi, India was life-changing. God is greater, and I’m just so grateful that I was given this experience.

World Water Day Campaign

22 Mar, 2024
HOPE worldwide supplies clean drinking water as a first response during disasters, as well as by distributing water filters to many vulnerable people around the world including communities in the Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Zambia.

2 Years of Relief Efforts in Ukraine with HOPE worldwide

23 Feb, 2024
For the past two years, HOPE worldwide has been actively involved in providing aid and support to the people of Ukraine amidst the ongoing humanitarian disaster where thousands of our brothers and sisters faced an unprecedented crisis. The situation has demanded urgent action, and with the help of generous donors and dedicated volunteers, many lives have been saved and significant milestones have been achieved. Let's take a look back at the journey:

MLK Day Sunday Suppers Hosted Around the Country

01 Feb, 2024
Inspiring Sunday Suppers hosted by our family of volunteers:

Celebrating a Legacy of Service: Nadine Templer's Impactful Journey of Hope

18 Dec, 2023
As the year draws to a close, HOPE worldwide would like to honor and acknowledge many years of leadership provided by Nadine Templer, Senior Director of International Volunteer Programs.

Marc Aguirre Featured in The Citizen Newspaper

29 Nov, 2023
A Higher Calling: Dr. Marc Aguirre's Mission to Serve the Marginalized and Vulnerable

Samantha Power Visits HOPEww Papua New Guinea

08 Nov, 2023
USAID Administrator Samantha Power Visits HOPE worldwide's Clinic in Papua New Guinea During Her First Official Visit

Report From Maui Fires Relief

12 Sep, 2023
Maui Fires Disaster Response Update: September 12, 2023

Ben's Letter to the Community

31 Jul, 2023
Dear HOPE worldwide Community, First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome you have extended to me as the new CEO of HOPE worldwide . It is both an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with this leadership role, and I am excited to embark on this journey with each and every one of you. As I reflect on my life's journey, I am reminded of a pivotal moment that shaped the very essence of who I am today. Losing my mother tragically at the tender age of four taught me the harsh reality of impermanence, of how someone could be there one moment and gone the next. At such a young age, I did not fully understand the concept of death, but what I did understand was the importance of living. James 4:13-15 holds a profound truth that resonates deeply within me: “ Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’” Our time on this earth is fleeting, and the realization of this truth was the spark that awakened a desire in me to truly live and embrace every moment with purpose and passion. I have found my purpose, my calling, in the mission of HOPE worldwide. The work we do here, touching lives and making an impact by loving our neighbors, allows me to live my passion.

Dr. Ben Barnett Named New CEO of HOPE worldwide

24 Jul, 2023
The HOPE worldwide Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Ben Barnett to the role of CEO and President of HOPE worldwide

U.S. Secretary of State recognizes HOPE worldwide Clinic in Papua New Guinea

27 Jun, 2023
PRESS RELEASE June 27, 2023 HOPE worldwide , a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable, high-impact, community-based services, including critical healthcare services, disaster relief, and education, to underserved communities globally, is proud to announce the recognition received by the Lawes Road Clinic in Papua New Guinea during a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken . This visit highlighted the impactful work carried out by HOPE worldwide global network member, HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea (PNG), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. government’s largest effort to combat HIV. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, Secretary Blinken had the opportunity to tour HOPE worldwide PNG’s Lawes Road Clinic, which is led by HOPE worldwide PNG Country Director Priscilla Sine Mal, and witness firsthand the incredible efforts undertaken by the dedicated team. The clinic's commitment to improving the lives of the local community in various areas, including HIV prevention and treatment, and treatment for victims of violence against women deeply impressed Secretary Blinken. In his remarks, Secretary Blinken expressed his admiration for the clinic's work, stating, "This was a real privilege to be here at the Lawes Road clinic where quite literally our partners are saving lives, changing lives, every single day." The visit showcased the significant impact of HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea’s clinic on the region, highlighting its vital role in providing essential healthcare services to those most in need and who often have the most difficult time getting treatment, in part due to the social stigma often associated with their conditions. The Lawes Road Clinic operates under the auspices of the Presidential Emergency Plan For HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), funded through USAID and implemented in collaboration with FHI 360 and HOPE worldwide . The clinic has been instrumental in providing critical care, support, and testing for HIV/AIDS patients in Papua New Guinea, contributing to the nationwide efforts to combat the disease. This year, PEPFAR celebrates its 20th anniversary, and its 17th year of implementation in Papua New Guinea. HOPE worldwide is honored by the recognition bestowed upon HOPE worldwide Papua New Guinea and the Lawes Road Clinic by Secretary Blinken and remains committed to its mission of transforming communities and improving lives through local, volunteer-based initiatives. With the continuous support of partners like USAID and the unwavering dedication of its teams on the ground, HOPE worldwide and its global network of members like HOPE worldwide PNG strive to create a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Show More
Share by: