Women's Empowerment | Purpose in the Heartbreak
| One of my favorite things to do is spend time with people in remote areas and in communities hearing their stories and developing relationships with them. Especially sitting with moms and women and encouraging them and praying for them. Having the opportunity to spend time in the Dominican Republic during such a chaotic time in Haiti has been difficult but life-giving for me! -we-1920w.jpg) In the middle of this community, on top of everything else I was trying to process, I walked into this yard… There is a large building with a row of rooms. One family per room with no running water or electricity. The day I visited there was a woman who looked beaten down with a 8-month-old baby asleep face down on her lap. Another baby, barely a year old, sitting in the dirt with a sopping wet diaper on his bottom, probably from the night before, all by himself maybe six feet away, screaming and crying. His nose had not been wiped, his eyes had not been dried, and it looked like he had been rolling around in the dirt. He looked like he just woke up from a nightmare, but no one had taken the time to console him. He was shaking with every breath. At first glance, it looks like an overwhelmed mother with two littles—but like in most cases, there is more to the story.Just hours before visiting this community, immigration descended and wreaked havoc for this family. At 5:00 am, before the sun came up, while they were all in bed, immigration officers barged into each home and took six people who lived there. My mind goes to so many places of what this must have felt like in that moment—shock, urgency, fear, and helplessness! And in the middle of it all was this 12-month-old child screaming in utter confusion as his mother was one of the six that they drug away! Where is she now? What is going through this little one's mind? When will they see each other again? Did she leave screaming for her baby, or did she act as if he was not hers so that he could remain in the DR and not have to return to Haiti?
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As we reflect on 2025, we are grateful for the ways God moved through faithful partners and local communities to bring nourishment, hope, and lasting transformation. Through Hope at the Table and other core initiatives, children and families facing hunger, poverty, and instability experienced tangible care and renewed hope. At a time when 5.7 million people are struggling daily to feed themselves and their loved ones, generosity made a measurable difference. With just 11 cents providing one meal, every dollar given helped deliver nine meals to families in need—filling empty plates with food and reminding communities they are not forgotten. Throughout the year, the impact extended far beyond meals. In 2025, 787 individuals professed their faith, 131 communities were served, and 278 pastors and leaders were trained to continue shepherding their people with wisdom and care. Discipleship programs equipped 2,645 women to grow in faith and leadership, while education programs served 11,000 students, investing in the next generation. Medical teams provided care to 7,945 individuals, and 24.6 million meals were distributed overall, including daily feeding programs that supported 101,356 children. Together, we have seen emptiness replaced with provision, despair met with joy, and hunger answered with hope. This work reflects the heart of Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” As we look ahead, we remain committed to serving alongside local churches and communities, trusting that generosity—rooted in love—will continue to change stories and lives in the year to come..
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When *María watched her three children put on their new school uniforms and shoes, she called it a blessing from God. For weeks, the weight of uncertainty had pressed on her heart, she longed to send her children to school, but the cost felt far beyond her reach. What María received was more than a one-time gift. It was a reminder that she was seen, known, and not alone. Through one of our community partnerships, a local church—rooted in her neighborhood and moved by compassion—recognized the need and responded with dignity, love, and care. Made possible by faithful church partners and God’s provision, hope met her family right where they were. Today, Mission of Hope partners with 13 local churches across the Dominican Republic, equipping them to meet urgent needs while sharing the hope of the gospel. Through these partnerships, churches provide food, medical care, children’s programming, and women’s discipleship—walking hand in hand with families long after the moment of need, and helping them step into a future filled with hope. In the most recent program update: 393+ Bibles were distributed 109+ individuals accepted Christ 500+ people were reached through local churches 12 Damas Juntas women’s groups continued meeting and growing together These partnerships also enable churches to care for the whole person, supporting families during medical emergencies, providing meals for children, and creating spaces for prayer, discipleship, and evangelism. María’s children are now attending school with confidence, and she is supported by her local church. Praise be to God! *name changed for privacy
