FUMC Belmont is embarking on a new journey! We are expanding our impact with ZOE and becoming a Hope Companion with the organization. ZOE is a distinctive three-year program, developed in Africa that empowers orphans and vulnerable children around the world to overcome extreme poverty, become fully self-reliant, and learn of God’s love for them. Active in Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Liberia, Guatemala and India, ZOE has approximately 28,000 children currently enrolled.
ZOE is invited into communities where orphans are already living and brings them together in supportive working groups of 60-100 children. ZOE’s indigenous staff members help these children articulate their own dreams for their lives. ZOE then provides the small inputs and training they need to work together to transform their lives in just three years. These children who often feel beyond God’s love are able to both see and hear the gospel in ways that are compelling but not coercive.
This is a 3-year commitment for our church, and we will be raising $24,000 (average of $8,000/year) from Jan 2017 – Dec 2019. How can you help? Learn. Give. Volunteer. Pray.
Learn more by visiting the ZOE website – www.zoehelps.org. Give by donating to ZOE and indicate that you are giving to the FUMC Belmont Working Group. Volunteer by becoming a member of the ZOE committee or helping during one of our fundraisers. Please contact Kari Langley at langleykh@gmail.com if interested. Pray for our efforts in achieving our commitment goals. Pray for the ZOE staff members who will be training, teaching and working with that group of children. Pray for the children who will be working to escape poverty and learn of God’s love.
Our first fundraiser will be our Alternative Giving mission during the Advent season. This will be an opportunity to give a gift of food, livestock or supplies to deserving children in honor of family, friends, teachers, etc. We will have pamphlets in the narthex starting at the beginning of Advent or you may go online to www.zoehelps.org/donate/gifts-that-help.
Thank you for making this a success for our church and for the orphaned children in Rwanda!