Give HOPE through the Jemo Nutritional Fund

By Troy Reno

In March of this year, a small team from BCC traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with Children’s HopeChest. Our mission was to find a community, anchored by the Christian church that would become our partner in serving the “least of these” in God’s kingdom. Our vision was to establish a partnership that was truly a two way street, one in which a community in Africa and a community in the U.S. would mutually help one another progress towards something bigger and better while growing spiritually in Christ. We found exactly what we were looking for in Jemo.

Jemo has over 200 destitute children in their community, most of which are malnourished due to lack of resources. 150 of the neediest children have been profiled to date.  Since our official partnership launch in September, our congregation and others have sponsored 124 of these beautiful children at a cost of $34 per month.  This is amazing progress!  By HopeChest’s standards we are doing quite well! However, sponsorship dollars only provide for some of the basic nutrition needs of the children. This is why the Jemo Nutritional Fund is so important.

Research has shown that children that do not receive proper nutrition have difficulty learning and progressing physically. Can you imagine trying to concentrate in school, when all you can think about is hunger pains? Can you imagine trying to participate in sports and other physical activities only having to stop due to weakness or sickness?Too many of the children at Jemo are faced with this reality!

The Jemo Nutritional Fund will enhance the overall nutrition program at the Jemo CarePoint. It will be used to increase the number of meals provided to the children each week. It will be used to send supplemental food home with the children in greatest need. It could even be used to build a shelter over the cooking area to make it easier and more sanitary to prepare the food, especially during the rainy season. Best of all, these enhancements will create an environment in which all the children can flourish!

Our goal is to raise $5,000 dollars for the Jemo Nutritional Fund by Christmas.  “Give Hope for Christmas” is our Advent season theme at BCC for this year. A great way to “give hope” is to provide nutrition to our Jemo children.  You can do this through the “Change Their Story” campaign by donating online at: http://donate.hopechest.org/site/TR/Events/CommunityPages?pg=team&fr_id=1142&team_id=1200

You can also make online purchases at The Story Company.  The Story Company markets beautiful handmade items crafted mostly by women entrepreneurs in third world countries.  Purchases help these women provide for their families and a portion of the sales will go to our Jemo Nutritional Fund.  Just use the coupon code word “Jemo” upon checkout.  The Story Company website is www.storycompany.com

Finally, we will be having a community meal right here at BCC on Sunday, December 16 following the service.  We encourage you all to join us!  All donations given at this meal will be contributed to the Jemo Nutritional Fund.

In May of 2013, we will be making our first mission trip to Jemo to serve the children. I am sure we will be able to report back to the congregation the amazing smiles, improvement in health, and pure joy of the children, especially if we are successful in providing increased nutrition to them.  So, prayerfully consider “Giving Hope for Christmas” this year and by doing so, “Changing Their Story” at Jemo forever.

I see God at work through this congregation.  In Matthew 31-33 it says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”.  The Church at Jemo is not anxious. They are seeking the kingdom of God with all their hearts, minds and souls.  God is providing them with food, clean water and clothing, through us.  God is definitely at work!

Don’t hesitate to approach me with any general or specific questions regarding our Jemo partnership.  You can reach me by phone at 701-595-3883 or email trenoj2911@gmail.com.  It is a privilege to be serving in this capacity.