Looking back on 2025, we’re amazed at all God has done. From opening doors for a new partnership in Kenya to inspiring entrepreneurs to share His love in Ukraine amid war, God’s faithfulness has been evident throughout the HOPE network.
Of all the stories we shared, these five were your favorites. We hope they continue encouraging you today and inspire you to give thanks for God’s goodness. Continue Reading…
By Bethany Hammond, HOPE International staff member
“Something you want. Something you need. Something to wear. Something to read.”
It’s begun—the endless chorus of “Mom, can you put this on my Christmas list?” And here I am, caught between two worlds.
In one world, I want my kids to experience the wonder of Christmas: the miracle of Christ’s birth, the glow of lights, the smell of cookies baking, and the magic of traditions that make the season sparkle.
But in the other world, I feel the weight of frustration. Every message aimed at my kids (and let’s be honest, at me too) insists: “You need more. You deserve more. You’re entitled to more.”
Lina Feria never imagined that her small business selling homemade snacks could grow into a flourishing general store. Yet her story testifies that God can use small loans and persistence to transform a business and a whole family.
Building a business brick by brick
When Lina first decided to become a member of The Center for Community Transformation (CCT), HOPE International’s partner in the Philippines, she was selling traditional rice cake snacks (called kakanin) that she made at home.
Although she was not a Christian then, Lina joined CCT because she was curious about their Bible studies. As she got to know staff members and read the Word, she slowly began to learn more about God and eventually gave her life to Him. Continue Reading…
Jean Claude Kubwayo knew that goats would be a wise investment.
In rural Burundian communities like Jean Claude’s, goats and other livestock can provide a regular supply of meat, milk, and manure for crops. Animal products add nutritional and caloric value to a family’s diet, so simply owning livestock can improve a family’s overall health. Continue Reading…
Dr. Lucie Pentz grew up in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) surrounded by rich reminders of her country’s faith heritage—from towering cathedrals to sacred compositions. As the ruling Communist Party aimed to diminish the influence of religion, holidays like Easter and Christmas were reinvented as cultural celebrations rather than Christian remembrances. Still, each Christmas Eve, children eagerly anticipated the arrival of Ježíšek (“little Jesus”), who would come bearing gifts. Continue Reading...
Around the world, we see creative, industrious men and women committed to providing for their families and serving their communities through meaningful work. In this year’s gift catalog, we’ve included some of the tools HOPE International-network clients use in some of the most common jobs in the developing world: animal rearing, farming, tailoring, and store ownership. In this series, we’ll dive into some of the challenges faced by those in that profession.
In the Dominican Republic, they’re called colmados. In the Philippines, they’re called sari sari stores. In Paraguay, they’re called dispensas. In Rwanda, they’re called boutiques. No matter the name, the corner store is a staple of life in developing countries.
Ubiquitous on many a corner in many a community, small convenience stores sell household essentials like flour, soap, cooking oil, and more. For families living in more rural areas, a corner store allows them to access the items that their households need without spending excess time traveling to larger cities. And since many families in developing countries don’t own a car, their local colmado or sari sari store saves them the expense of taking public transit.
