Dear friends and family,

A dear friend sent us a short and powerful note in the mail that encouraged us so much to keep on keeping on, a reminder that He is powerful, mighty and it is God who is doing the work: “God is keeping His Word and all things are working together for good. God is still blessing and winning souls!”

Radiance Kids Club Summer Activities

Over the summer, Mr. Dan held summer school classes and Hope organized a two-week intensive discipleship program called The Greatest Journey Discipleship. 50 children participated in this exciting and challenging course and 27 of them graduated and received a certificate of completion. The intensive program created an opportunity to reach out to Muslims within and outside the school.

They came to know the Truth and the Truth had set them free. Out of the 27 kids who graduated, 11 were Muslims. They surrendered their lives to Jesus and were bold to share God’s story and Bible verses to their family and friends during the graduation ceremony. On graduation day, one of the teenagers from a Muslim background testified she knew previously that God was her creator, but she never knew she was created in God’s image. Until she went through the course and was able to memorize and understand Genesis 1:27, she didn’t understand God’s plan of salvation. Since then, her mindset about God’s love for her has changed her and increased her desire to know and grow in God’s Word.

Here is Hope’s prayer: “I want to thank God for giving me favor before the graduating families who allowed their children to participate in the program especially the Muslim parents. I am also grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in children’s ministry. To God be the glory for what He has done and for what He is going to do. By God’s grace I desire to print and send out daily devotionals for each of the graduates. These devotionals will contain daily Bible verses, daily workbooks, and a video clip that reinforces the Bible verse for the day. Follow-up will be done on weekly basis. Please pray the graduates will grow and be established in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Investing in Children, the Future of Gambia

Another exciting ministry Hope organized was a one-on-one counseling session, centered on morality, education and career. The program was a life changing experience for the 35 children who participated as it touched on all aspects of their lives.

The facilitator was Mrs. Oliver, a renowned counselor, psychologist, pastor, teacher, and co child development specialist, who is very passionate for children’s holistic wellbeing. Mrs. Oliver came with a team of 35 interning counselors whose skills she helped develop while they counseled the children. They spent one-on-one time with the students and Hope said she had not realized even young children have many internalized struggles and need help with issues they deal with at home.

Mentoring Students in Practical Ways

Mentoring young people takes time, effort, and being very intentional. Hope is investing her life in our children and our hearts couldn’t be HAPPIER! Some of the girls are now helping her with unpacking boxes, assessing applications, and deciding on what to distribute to the needy families. Hope said the girls are helpful in identifying the children in the school who have very difficult situations at home, but keep it a secret. Because the students know each other, they are able to select shoes and clothes in the correct size, and they are doing it joyfully to bless their friends in need.

We thank God for Hope and what He is doing in the lives of our children. Only eternity will tell how many lives have been impacted and changed because of your partnership and support so we can do what we do.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We pray for God’s abundant blessings on you and your families, may His love protect you and keep you in His Mighty Power!

Blessings and much love,

Sol and Manuela Bah