Blog Post

SUFFERING AND SERVICE

HOPE worldwide • May 30, 2018

HOW HEALTH CHALLENGES CHANGED THE HEART OF A YOUNG SERVANT

Amber Hawkes has had her fair share of health challenges. From as early as 4 weeks old, she was going to the hospital at least once a month for three solid years. Doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong and even told her parents to not expect her to live to see another day. Thankfully, her health eventually leveled out and was relatively stable until she was 9 years old. Then, it took a turn for the worse. Her body started breaking down. There were days she couldn’t walk, talk, or see. After years of this, Amber started to grow a hatred towards not only God, but herself. How could a loving, powerful God allow her to feel this type of pain, confusion, and fear? How could she continue living a life that she despised?

After more time and suffering had passed, she developed a personal relationship with God and was able to understand His heart and His plan for her life. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” She finally came to the realization that she has to suffer in order to prosper. She also learned that serving others allowed her to forget, in a way, her pain and discomfort for that moment.

As a member of the National Youth Advisory Council, Amber mobilizes youth in relational service to the needy in her community through activities, including two Signature Youth Service Days every term. This past spring, she decided to prepare and serve food at the Ronald McDonald House, a safe haven for her and her mom during some dark days in years past. She knew how it felt to have a warm, delicious, “home-cooked” meal after long, tough days and wanted to give back to a program that helped her family so much financially and emotionally. Amber, along with 12 other volunteers she recruited, made enough potatoes, chili, and dessert for 100 people and was able to connect with families that are in the situation that she was in not too long ago. Coming full circle, she now sees her struggles as a blessing, not a curse.


-- Olivia Hermosillo, Youth Programs Intern

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: