Dear Friends and Supporters of Arm of Hope,

What a blessing and privilege it is to partner with you and serve the children of Arm of Hope.  I am reminiscing about our trip to Ghana two months ago and all the ways God came through for us. Through the ups and downs of life, I find that there is truly no great joy or fulfillment than to give, share, and sacrifice for something bigger than myself.  Thank you for continuing on this Arm of Hope journey with me!

School is finally underway in Ghana after many delays due to COVID.  Over the past year, school in Ghana has been sporadic, as students have not been meeting in person, but have instead been working online or doing assignments at home.  As hard as the year has been educationally here in the US, you can probably imagine it has been much harder in Ghana, especially for our children in the slum who have so little resources and support. Online classes for high school and college students require extra fees for internet use, and internet systems have not been able to hold up as there are so many zoom meetings and online classes taking place. Many of our younger students do not have the support of parents to continue with classes at home, and home situations are less than idea for students to find quiet spots to work on assignments.  

Over this time, our Arm of Hope library and computer center has been a bright spot among the difficulties.  Students have taken turns using these facilities and have continued their learning even throughout the shut down.  Currently, schools are cautiously opening their doors with classes taking turns meeting in person and working online to allow for smaller class sizes.  Our missionary partner, Philip Darko, and his assistant, Diana, are working hard to get our students back into school.  Many have travelled over the past year and are just now trickling back into the community.  One by one they are being added to the roster and are once again beginning their education.  Please continue to pray for our leaders and students in Ghana, as they navigate this difficult season.

Last month Brother Philip updated you on the incredible things God is doing in Ghana. Several of you have inquired as to how you can help with the land purchase for our future medical clinic. If you remember, Brother Philip told us about a piece of land close to our current office location in the slum that is for sale. Currently, there is no healthcare of any kind in the slum community in which Arm of Hope is working.  Many of our children and their families are living in poverty and struggling with health concerns on a regular basis.  The leadership of Arm of Hope feels that an Arm of Hope clinic fits well into the vision of the ministry, not only to care for our children and their neighbors, but also to provide employment for our college students who are currently studying in the health care field.  Our vision is to see a clinic open in the slum community in about two to three years, when our nurses are finished with college and ready to work.  

Since the land is for sale now and land is hard to come for in this community, we are planning ahead and inviting you join us in purchasing the land for our future use.   If God prompts you to help us buy this land, you can give online at armofhopeinghana.org by following the online giving instructions and choosing “Medical Clinic Building Project” from the giving fund options.  You can always write a check as well, if you prefer, and send it to 1708 Ridge Road, Elizabethtown, 17022. We are excited to see what God will do with this piece of land!  If God provides more than is needed, the remaining gifts will stay in that account and be saved for the building of the clinic in the future. Please pray with us about this exciting, future development for Arm of Hope!

Gratefully,

Cheryl Zimmerman 

US Director of Arm of Hope

Cheryl Zimmerman