October 2011 1

When we hear the word “disaster” our minds typically turn to events like an earthquake, tsunami or tornado that claims the lives of several thousand people in just a few moments time. Unfortunately, disasters are not limited to one-time events like these. It is estimated that more than 300,000 precious souls are on the brink of starvation right now in the Horn of Africa. They are living in a daily disaster and Healing Hands needs your help to alleviate their suffering. This famine is being called the Children’s Famine because more than 30,000 children have died in the last 90 days. Let’s bring that statistic home: in a congregation of 500 members, every child would be dead within 24 hours. The good news is that Healing Hands began planning for this event two years ago. In 2009, HHI partnered with the Nairobi Great Commission School (NGCS) and Caring for Kenya to conduct food sustainability workshops. Since that time, we have conducted a total of six workshops training hundreds of Kenyan preachers from each of the eighteen NGCS extension schools all across that country. Because of this foresight, we now have a network of Christian farmers established along the border to begin distributing food that is purchased with your

help. In partnership with the Nairobi Great Commission School and Christian Relief Fund, we have been able to deliver meals to thousands of refugees. But wait, there’s more good news. The NGCS has seen the vision and an on-going partnership is being formed. As you are reading this newsletter, six more workshops are being conducted at various NGCS extension schools. Every preacher trained in these workshops will be supplied with the resources needed to

return to his community and begin training others. Using this strategy of training trainers, our goal is to eliminate famine in Africa for future generations. The impact is exponential!

Mothers on the border of Kenya and Somalia line up to receive food supplies.

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In this issue:New Website Packs a Punch! pg. 3

“Snipping, Sewing and Sharing...” pg. 4

“Tots” Help With “Tater” Harvest pg. 5

Healing Hands International News“God’s Healing. Your Hands.”

Issue 2011-3www.hhi.org

Fighting To Finish Famine Forever

...story continued on page 8

W O R L D R E L I E F N E W S

2!

For many years, the Jefferson Avenue church of Christ in Cookeville, TN has come to the HHI Nashville offices once a month to volunteer. The group has changed over time and two newer members have emerged as MVP’s of service. Julie Doyle and her husband, Stan, first began coming with the group about two years ago. When Julie learned about the Magi project and saw the faces of the children receiving their gifts, her heart was immediately touched and she began traveling from store to store buying flip-flops for Magi boxes. Stan says their home looks like a toy store in September. Julie also worked behind the scenes to make the Dorcas workshop a success. Debbie Work is another member of the Cookeville team who has a heart for the Magi Project. Debbie has wonderful organizational skills and offered her assistance in preparing the room for Magi season. After two days of tireless effort, these two ladies had transformed our volunteer room into a streamlined “Santa’s Workshop.” When the first volunteer group of the season came in, they were amazed at how organized the room was. This will allow us to pack and prepare the boxes more quickly to be sure they arrive in Honduras in time for the Christmas season.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at HHI, contact Cindy Herring at (615) 832-2000 or cherring@hhi.org.

Volunteer Spotlight: Debbie Work and Julie Doyle

Julie and Debbie show off their hard work to prepare the volunteer workroom for Magi season

A “Hope”-Filled Birthday Celebration! What’s in a name? Apparently a lot when it comes to Hope Beard, 12, of Lebanon, TN.! Hope’s home congregation, sponsors a village in Honduras. In partnership with Healing Hands, they drilled a well in that village several years ago. Since then, the well became damaged by an earthquake and the water was no longer safe to drink. ! Earlier this year, Hope had the opportunity to visit that village on a mission trip with her church. When she saw the people there being treated for water-borne diseases she decided to do something. Her birthday was coming up, so she asked all of her friends to make donations to HHI instead of buying birthday gifts. A local bakery was so inspired by what she was doing that they donated this cake in the shape of Honduras to help Hope celebrate.! Hope was able to raise 1/3 of the cost needed to repair the

well! Because of her efforts, the well is now repaired and the people of Los Colorados are drinking safe, clean water. ! What can you do to bring clean water to those who thirst?Hope Beard, 12, of Lebanon, TN gave up her birthday

to give clean water to her friends in Honduras.

A Home In Japan Since March of this year, there have been hundreds of Christians from all over the world traveling to Japan to help the Huddleston team in their efforts to show the love of Christ to those who are re-building their lives. It has been a tremendous blessing to see this outpouring of love and support, but the team had to have a place to house all of these relief workers. Healing Hands, with your generous support, was able to help fund the purchase of a house to serve as a headquarters for the relief workers and supplies. In just a few short months it has been a home for groups from Ibaraki Christian University, Mito church of Christ, CRASH, and many more. The Chancellor of Ibaraki Christian University, Jim Batten, had this to say after his trip there:

“It was a heart-rending experience, but also heart-warming. We were able to see, firsthand, the patient, appreciative spirit of those who have suffered more loss since 3.11 than most suffer in a lifetime...We helped clean out three houses that were badly damaged by the tsunami. The owners could not get assistance until now because there was so

much refuse and wreckage around their homes that first had to be cleared away. Our students learned, by participation, what it means to LIVE the love exemplified by Jesus in the Bible. By helping others they also helped themselves to heal and hopefully to grow in faith and hope.”

The newly purchased headquarters for the Huddleston team in Japan

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October 2011 3

MEMORIAL GIFTSGifts were given in memory of the following from June 1 - August 31, 2011.!

Donors are in light-faced type.!

Avriett, Harold Frances BumbaloughBaker, Mrs. Mac Barbara EngelbergBalduf, Kevin David and Nancy Heffington Cecil and Dorcas ShulerBarcroft, Eleanor George and Polly JonesBell, Peggy Peter and Teresa Butler Mike and Denise Cotton Susan Fetcho John Freeman Gary and Maxine Gasser Hettie Gasser Miquel and Helen Mendez Jenny Goldkamp Horn Springs Womens Club Robert and Mrs. Hughes James and Jane Hundley Frank and June Parker James and Patricia Proctor Robbie Purcell Hugo Sandoval Mark and Delores Simons Leslie Templeton Charles and Jacquelyn WolfeBlackwell, Bonnie Becky MulveyBrackney, George Jerry and Rita BrackneyBrooks, Bill Marna Abbott Timothy and Mary Ann Breen Anna Brooks Barbara Brooks Bob and Tracy Brooks Marlene and Charlie Byers Robert and Carol Cox Tim and Vanessa Danilowicz Gina DiCarlo Robert and Debbie England Claudine Ford

Billy and Wilma Foster John and MaryAnn Fuehrer Dorma Haines Tammy Hermann Josiah and Ellen Hoffman Charles and Christine Hooper Gene and Mrs. Hooper Michael & Celestine Manganaro Gail Merz Anthony & Rose Mary Oliveri Justin Pride and Family Kermit Prill Edna Reaves Von Sargent Mike & Georgia Savokinas Kelly Schimmoeller Clarence Sebold Rena Sebold Michelle Terkildsen Ron and Donna WhiteBusby, Frank Wayne KregerCompton, Allen Gates Brannon-Jones Consulting Inc.Cooper, Sammy Frances BumbaloughCraig, Mack Wayne Sam and Ola JonesDear, Grover Margaret Lynn VawterDickey, Charles Larry and Irene Atkins Karen Freeman Roy and Daisy King Melanie Michael Meagan Minor James & Marcia Murphy Jennifer Smith Emily Sutton Rebecca TaylorErvin, Roy Diana WebbEzell, Bill Sam and Ola JonesFarmer, Mary Ann Mary Alice DuncanFitzpatrick, Bernice Frances Bumbalough

Franklin, Jack Bill and Virginia HeizerGildrich, Wilma Ellen PowersGiles, Ivey Don and Harriet YeltonHouse, Brent Claudia PettyJames, Herbert & Dorothy Joanne HandJones, Waltzie Jim and Anne BryantKeener, Dr. Norman James and Linda Arnett John and Mary Barton Leon & Kathrine Burton Cloverland Hall Homeowners Association James and Helen Costello Ronnie & Barbara Hunter Oak Hills ChurchKoontz, Jerry Lee Oscar Lee & Sara KoontzLangford, Francis Rocky ThurmanMcCoy, Wayne & Hazel Rick and Patty Kaczmarek, Jr.Miller, Mike Edwin & Edna McKnightMorgan, JoAnn Wayne KregerNeal, Frank A., Jr. Gale and Marge Hearn Mary Hightower James & Jane Hundley Marilyn Kugel James & Joanne ShipperReasonover, Ruby James & Helen CostelloStewart, Mary Elizabeth Phillip & Denise Hobbs R. Higgins DesignsThroneberry, Johnny Jerry and Julie LinkWalker, Leonard Robert & Beverly Moseley

Whitaker, James C. James & Helen CostelloWilliams, Ellen Annette JohnsonWilson, Felix Beverly Jean ThompsonWood, Elizabeth James & Helen Costello!

HONORARIUMSGifts were given in honor of the following from June 1 - August 31, 2011.!Donors are in light-face type.!

Beard, Hope Brad & Andrea Altman R. H. and Jo Beard, Jr. Richard and Tara Beard Pamela Bybee Bruce Alan & Tracy Hallums Ann SmithBurks, Dr. Willard Jerry and Mona DallasCurd, Tip and Joyce Mary Alice DuncanDieugrand, Jean Naomi & Herman RiebenDowney, Tyler & Mariah Don and Joyce HarrisonGamble, Charles & Rebel Hubert & Pauline LawingHagen, Madeline Sarah HughesHawkins, Dewey & Jane David & Nancy HeffingtonMathis, Betty Nola SmithNance, Betty Mary Alice DuncanPaich, Sharon Patricia PalikRhodes, C M Dr. Jim WoodruffStephens, Kayla James & Sujette OverstreetStephens, Madeline James & Sujette OverstreetTakamoto, Eric and Sue Gail Schlosser

Have you ever given to the water well ministry at Healing Hands and thought, “I would love to be able to see the community

where my money is being used?” Well, on November 1st, you can! The

new HHI website will have a Google Earth Map where you can view each of the

wells drilled by Healing Hands and also find information about each village. This is just one of the many exciting features the new website will o"er. You will also have the opportunity to make a

donation in honor of your mom for her birthday and choose an e-card image and message to send her. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? The Healing Hands website will be a great place for you to find the perfect gift for that person who has everything. You can purchase a polo shirt to put under the tree and the proceeds from your purchase will give life to a child in Kenya or a mother in Ghana. Mark your calendar and be sure to visit www.hhi.org on November 1st. Everyone who visits the site on the launch date and creates a profile will receive a 10% o" discount in the online store!

New Website Packs A Punch

W O R L D R E L I E F N E W S

4 October 2011

Snipping, Sharing and Sewing At Dorcas Workshops There is nothing more exciting than a group of women with talent and a passion to serve! In August, Healing Hands hosted our first ever Dorcas Workshops to bring together women who have a talent for sewing and a tremendous passion to serve others. It was a great success!

More than 90 ladies came from three states, representing 30 different congregations. Some of them had been sewing for more than 30 years while others were just getting started. But, at the end of each day when asked to raise their hand if they learned something, every single hand went up.

Every lady who attended received a packet with several patterns, a set of knitting needles and some even won door prizes. They also shared a wonderful lunch and had an opportunity to tour the HHI facilities and learn more about this ministry.

Because of the overwhelming interest in this event, we are already beginning to plan the next series of Dorcas workshops. The date is not set, but we are looking towards March of 2012. If you or anyone you know would be interested in attending the next workshop, please contact Lori Kovach at (615) 832-2000 or LKovach@hhi.org.

Volunteer instructor, Kay Davis of Lebanon, TN, shares with the ladies in her group how to best use the cloth diaper pattern.

Ladies from three states and 30 congregations were represented at this two day workshop.

Ukranians Complete Circle Of Love We have all heard of the concept of “paying it forward.” In other words, when someone helps you, use your blessings to help someone else in need. In this way, the circle of love continues. A great example of this is the gift recently given by the churches in Ukraine to help the people of Japan. Through the years, Healing Hands has had the opportunity to help the people of Ukraine with much needed medical supplies. Now, as they have the opportunity, they are helping the people of Japan. Rob Hindman, missionary to Ukraine, reports that 39 people from five different congregations participated in the special collection. Rob encouraged the group of givers with the story of Paul challenging the 1st century Christians to care for their brothers in Judea who were suffering (1 Cor. 16). How have you been blessed by the kindness of others? Have you “paid it forward?” Members from five di!erent congregations in Ukraine gathered for a special

collection to help the people of Japan.

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October 2011 5

“Finding Hope in Perfect Love”

Each year, the Healing Hands’ demonstration garden produces hundreds of potatoes which we are able to share with community organizations. One such organization is called Youth Encouragement Services (Y.E.S.), whose mission is to enrich the lives of inner city children in Nashville, TN. In June, a group of 20 five to seven year old kids from Y.E.S. came to help with the potato harvest and had a wonderful time learning where our food comes from and how it is grown. This group was coordinated by two of our volunteers, Laurie Bennie and Don Harrison. Laurie is a second-year medical student originally from Nashville. She decided to spend most of her summer break here at the HHI facility helping in the garden. Don is a retired college professor and long time farmer. He frequently travels on behalf of HHI training others in the skills of drip irrigation. He and his family worship with the North Boulevard church of Christ in Murfreesboro, TN. For more information about volunteer opportunities at HHI, contact Cindy Herring in Nashville at (615) 832-2000 or Brenda Jones in Ft. Worth at (817) 536-3383.

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." - Romans 5:5

Love, sweet love...it's what the world needs now according to the Carpenters hit of 1965. It is also the word we use to describe our feelings for our favorite outfit, our husband and that delicious salad we had for lunch. But what does love really mean according to God and how can it bring hope to the world? How are we as Christian women demonstrating that perfect love to the people around us? Join us at the 4th annual “Women of Hope” conference as we explore God's perfect love for us and how we can use that love to bring hope to one another!

Where: Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, TN(about 30 miles SE of Nashville)

Why: To fellowship with other Christian women, be inspired from God’s word and find new ways to serve in

the Kingdom!

Speakers Include: Casandra Martin, Dr. Joneal Kirby, Roberta Edwards and many more!

Woman of Hope: Janice Bingham of Searcy, AR

To register: Go to www.hhi.org/womensConference and click on the “Register Now” button or

call Alisa at (615) 832-2000

“Tots” Help With “Tater” Harvest

HHI Volunteer, Laurie Bennie, explains to the kids from Y.E.S. how our food is grown.

HHI Volunteer, Don Harrison, tills up ground as the children eagerly look for potatoes.

"“Women of Hope” Conference Details

When: February 3-4, 2012

Has your ladies’ class ever considered a field trip? Why not come to Healing Hands for a Bible lesson, tour and delicious lunch?. It would be a great opportunity for a ladies’ day out and a chance to learn more about HHI and how to get involved. We also have ladies on staff available to come and speak at your ladies’ day, retreat, or Bible class. We will prepare lessons on any Biblical or spiritual topic you request and will also incorporate stories about the ministry at HHI. We recently were invited to speak at the Christian Women’s Retreat in Dickson, TN. It was a wonderful day! For more information, call Lori in Nashville at (615) 832-2000 or Brenda in Ft. Worth at (817) 536-3383.

Ladies’ Lunch and Lesson

Need A Speaker? We have a lot of great new stories about the way this ministry is changing lives and we would love to share them with your congregation! We have several men who are available to speak to your church, Bible class or missions committee about the work going on at Healing Hands. This would be a great opportunity for Sunday evening worship or to provide a speaker when your preacher is going to be out of town. Contact one of the following men to schedule a speaker:

Ron White in Nashville, TN: (615) 832-2000

David Heffington in Columbia, TN: (931) 381-9423

Art Lynch in Ft. Worth, TX: (817) 536-3383

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October 2011

More than 50,000...that is the number of people who now have access to clean drinking water because of Walk 4 Water 2011. And the best part is the year is not over! Starting in April with the Conejo Valley church of Christ in California and continuing across the country to Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia and Washington, Walk 4 Water participants have raised more than $60,000 so far this year for clean water projects. Some groups, like the ones in Ohio

and Washington, celebrated their third year of hosting successful walks. Others, like Georgia, raised more than $4,000 in their “rookie” year. In Nashville, we celebrated our 5th annual walk with a record-breaking $34,000 raised! But the year is not over and neither is the walking. The Lincoln Park church of Christ in Michigan will host their third annual walk later this month. This church has already sponsored two wells and have received photo reports about the people

they helped. Now they are pumped up to raise even more this year! There is also a 1st annual walk scheduled at our Ft. Worth, Texas office later this month and a campus group from Gainesville, FL is planning their first walk in November. What about you? We need walkers in your area! For more information on how to host a walk in your town, contact Lori Kovach at (615) 832-2000 or Lkovach@hhi.org.

Walking From Coast to Coast

Close to 400 people raised more than $30,000 this year at the Nashville, TN walk.

Teenagers in Conejo Valley, CA raised more than $10,000 for clean water and also collected gallons of juice for a local shelter.

Souls Harvested In Zimbabwe In every project that Healing Hands is involved, we seek to “sow seeds” of the love of Christ. Sometimes, we are blessed to see the “harvest” of those efforts. Such is the case in a recent food sustainability workshop conducted by Ebenezer Udofia and his wife, Regina, in the nation of Zimbabwe. About 80 men and women from 20 different congregations came to be trained in raised bed gardening, composting, food drying and much, much more. Each trainee who returns home and

builds his or her own raised bed garden will be given a drip irrigation kit by HHI. Perhaps the most exciting news received from this event was that three of the attendees made a commitment to Christ in baptism during the workshop.

To learn more about the ways Healing Hands is giving life both physically and spiritually around the world, visit www.hhi.org and subscribe for our email newsletter.

Assistant Agricultural Director, Ebenezer Udofia, demonstrates drip irrigation to Zimbabweans

Ebenezer’s wife, Regina, with the students and their new solar dryer

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October 2011 7

Everyone loves the encouragement that comes from receiving a greeting card in the mail. For Jon, a young Haitian orphan, it meant even more to receive a homemade greeting card from a girl in the U.S. Pat Abramson, a Master Gardener in Ft. Worth, Texas thought it would be a great idea to encourage her Jr. gardening students to make cards for children in Haiti who lost their families and/or homes in the earthquake. She contacted Brenda Jones in the HHI Ft. Worth office and asked if it would be possible

for someone to hand carry these cards to some very special children. When HHI’s Director of Haiti Operations, Harry Hames, returned from delivering the cards he had this to say about their impact, “You would have thought I was handing out $10 bills. These kids have never received anything like this before.”

One boy, Jon, was so moved by the card he received that he decided to make one to send back to his new friend, Serenity. Jon didn’t have any paper or stickers, so he used a paper plate and took the stickers from his own card to send back. What an amazing example of why Jesus told us to become like little children!

The Love Of A Child Comes Full Circle

This is a copy of the card that Jon made for Serenity.

Jon holds a picture of Serenity, his new American pen-pal

Harry Hames distributing greeting cards sent from children in Ft. Worth, TX to their friends in Port au Prince, Haiti

Health In Haiti “Where There Is No Doctor” One of the greatest expenses for a college student is textbooks. It is so tempting to complain about that expense, but can you imagine trying to go to school with no textbooks? Until this year, the students at the Delmas 28 nursing school in Port au Prince, Haiti had never had a textbook. Last month, HHI Director of Haiti Operations, Harry Hames, supplied every student at the school with the popular, “Where There Is No Doctor” textbook translated in Creole. Throughout the year, we have also provided the school with stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and a team of medical professionals is making plans to visit there later this month to provide additional instruction. This school collapsed in the earthquake killing all of its students. In just a short 18 months that tragedy has been

transformed into a blessing for these students and the patients they treat. Healing Hands believes in the power of education and that especially includes children. By educating children, we can change the culture of a nation for generations to come. That is why we were so excited to have the opportunity to partner with

the Estes church of Christ, Henderson, TN, to build a new school in Ganthier, Haiti. This is the location where HHI drilled its first well in Haiti and now we are able to follow up with a new school building for 200 students.

HHI President, Randy Steger, met some of the children at the new school in Ganthier

HEALING HANDS INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World Relief News Issue 3- October 2011

Healing Hands International455 McNally DriveNashville, TN 37211

Bill Merry, Jr.Greg HardemanDr. Sidney AllenLarry BrannanKeith CuthrellDr. Gary W. Jerkins

Bill LawlerBurt NowersDr. Margaret PerryDr. Randy Steger David SellersDon Yelton

Dr. Seth Carmody Chris Gingles David GoolsbyHarry Hames David He#ngton Cindy Herring, RNSean JudgeLori Kovach

Brandon Post Karen Post Jim PoundersScott Saunders Joseph SmithDr. Randy Steger Alisa Van Dyke Ron White

Sta! - Nashville

Board of Directors Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Nashville, TN 37211

Permit No. 3111

Sta! - Ft. Worth

We are meeting immediate needs for those who are starving, but we

are also working to change a culture of dependence. Will you join us? We are inviting churches, Bible classes, families and individuals to “Fast to Finish Famine Forever.” Through this initiative,

Christians across the U.S. will choose a day to fast and pray for the people in the Horn of Africa. They will then collect the money they would have spent on groceries or dining out that day and donate it to help Healing Hands finish famine in the Horn of Africa. For more information about how you can help “Finish Famine Forever” contact Alisa Van Dyke at (615) 832-2000.

Fighting To Finish Famine Forever (cont.)

Jenetta Allen Dr. Sidney AllenGeorge HesterMarilyn HollandBrenda JonesArt Lynch

Contact Info:

414 Blue Smoke Ct. West

Ft. Worth, Texas 76105

(817) 536-3383

HHI Assistant Agricultural Director, Ebenezer Udofia, distributes much needed food aid to starving children.

This Kenyan grandmother rejoices at the news of food relief for her family.

Continued from page 1