You may have heard the big news, and it really is BIG!  After 7 years of watching God do amazing things in Ghana, He is providing a place for us – a real Arm of Hope place for us.  It’s been part of our dreams and vision for Arm of Hope since day 1!

You may be wondering how exactly this building project is going to work, so I’m here to answer some of your questions!

#1.  Where is Arm of Hope building?

God has miraculously provided a partnership with a private school in the slum community.  The headmistress and owner of the school has agreed to partner with us to build a second story over her school.

#2.  Why is Arm of Hope building over a school?  Wouldn’t it be better to have our own location?

From the beginning, Brother Philip’s vision has been to build right in the community in which we are working.  This seems impossible, as it is a community with over 50,000 residents on just a few acres of land – and that is not a typo!  There is no land available at all.  The people are already living in very tight quarters.  Building in another area of the city would be a huge expense for land and would not be readily accessible to our students.  Building right where they live makes sense!

#3.  How will the partnership with the school work?

Madam Paulina is a Christian who is passionate about serving the children in the slum community.  She often provides education without pay.  Her vision for the children in the slum community reflects that of Arm of Hope. The partnership with Madam Paulina’s school is not new.  Arm of Hope has been using her facility to hold Bible Club for several years now.  The room used for Bible Club is a simple tin roof balanced on wooden poles.  There are no walls at this point.  Madam Paulina has offered that if we give her school some walls, we can also build UP and add a second story on the school for an Arm of Hope headquarters.  We will be helping her, and she will be helping us.  We will also be helping to provide a better learning environment for meany of our Arm of Hope sponsored children who attend this school.

#4.  Isn’t this a risky idea?

Well yes, in some ways it is.  We are working in an unplanned neighborhood.  Though people pay rent and “own” properties, they don’t really “own” them.  It’s a challenging and complicated situation that is far from ideal.  But then, that is why we are working there.  If everything was ideal and safe, we wouldn’t be needed.  There is definitely some risk involved, but as leaders of Arm of Hope, we feel that these children are worth the risk!  Brother Philip Darko is doing everything he can to write up an agreement that will make our partnership with the school binding and legal.

#5.  So what will this second story building be used for?

Currently Brother Philip has to store all of the Arm of Hope supplies in his apartment.  This building will be a great storage area for Arm of Hope.  It will also be a great place for students to come for counseling with Brother Philip and his assistant Marigold.  In the future, we also see it as a library and computer space for the children of Arm of Hope.  These children have never had access to a library.  Just imagine the possibilities for learning in an environment like this!

#6.  How much is this going to cost?

Arm of Hope has been saving our pennies for years now.  We have a Development Fund where any extra funds from fundraisers or giving go.  It is completely separate from the sponsorship fund.  Arm of Hope had enough money in our account to begin the building project.  The reminder of the building will cost around $20,000 plus extra funds for furnishings.

#7.  What part of the building has Arm of Hope begun?

Arm of Hope has invested $14,000 from our Development Fund to put up the second story concrete floor and pour the footers.  We did this in August, because we wanted it to be in place before the new school year began.  This part of the project is already complete.

#8.  Who is doing the building?

Brother Philip Darko has hired a local contractor in Ghana to do the job.  The contractor has even provided day labor for people in the community, including some of our older boys. Arm of Hope is very much in favor of supporting the local Ghanaian economy and providing work for the local people.

#9.  How do you see this building being used in the future?

This building is going to be TALL in the midst of many makeshift homes.  It is going to STAND OUT in the community.  Arm of Hope sees this building as being a “city on a hill” in the midst of many dark and difficult circumstances.  Poverty, unemployment, abuse, and illness are rampant in this neighborhood.  We see this building as a LIGHT shining Jesus to all who visit it. Arm of Hope desires for this building to point people to Christ by meeting their physical needs with even more opportunities provided for meeting spiritual needs.  We see this building as a place to provide future job opportunities for some of our students through night watchman and librarian opportunities.  We see it as a place where Jesus is evident, and people come to know Him deeply.

#10.  How can I be a part of this amazing opportunity?

You can come to our banquet on October 20 and hear more details about the amazing things in Ghana.  You can pray and ask God how He may want you to sacrifice to be a part of this amazing opportunity to fulfill the vision of Arm of Hope.  Even if you can’t attend the banquet, you can still have the privilege of being a part of this building by writing a check to Hope Community Church, 1806 Harrisburg Avenue, Mount Joy, PA or giving online at hopechurchonline.org and choosing Arm of Hope-Special Projects form the drop down menu.  Together I picture all of us who love the children of Arm of Hope so deeply, sacrificing to buy boards, and concrete blocks, and nails and all of those supplies adding up to equal a place where Jesus is known and made known.

Thank you so much for praying about this opportunity to shine Jesus in Ghana and for asking God how you can sacrifice to play a part in all that God is doing!

Cheryl Zimmerman