News and Events
Do You Copy That?
This is not a photo of our actual copy machine, but we thought that it accurately illustrated its poor state of health.
Update:
Thanks to our amazing supporters, all of the money has been raised to purchase the new copier. It’s so helpful to be able to count on friends who respond to the work we do. Each year Bangla Hope continues to advance its mission of feeding, educating and bringing Jesus to these children. Thank you again for your generosity!
Occasionally emergency needs arise in which we need an immediate answer. This is one of those times. Our copy machine in the administrative office in Bangladesh is quickly dying. It is the only copy machine we have for major needs. It is used for office, school materials, and copying Bible coloring pictures for our weekly branch Sabbath Schools, as well as an endless array of other tasks.
It has been in intensive care for at least the last year, but it is getting weary. Asking a VW to do the work of a ¾ ton pickup truck leaves a lasting mark.
If the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart would you consider helping us in this hour of emergency? Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our children and the people of Bangladesh.
God Bless!
Robyn Griffin
Executive Director, Bangla Hope America
E: rob@banglahope.org
T: 541-735-4497
A Golden Opportunity
“Would you like to purchase my land?”
This question is asked on various occasions particularly from people who are hoping to receive a price higher than the value of the land. Normally the question comes to us for parcels of land that are less than an acre. This question, however, was from a police officer who owned ten bighas (about 3 acres) of land just outside our wall. Our campus and the land for sale is currently separated by a narrow piece of property owned by a local farmer. Obtaining the property would mean doubling the size of our existing campus. The asking price for the three acres is $72,000, which would include the cost of the land ($60,000) plus taxes and fees ($12,000). The asking price is a little higher than normal due to the fact that it is a large piece of property.
The police officer and his wife arrived to negotiate with Bangla Hope’s leadership to see if something could be worked out. Naturally, we don’t have $60,000 laying around with which we can purchase property. That’s God’s business! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and if His purpose is for us to use this property He will provide. After an entire day of negotiations, land measurements, discussions, prayer, re-negotiations, land investigations, etc. the final conclusion was, in reality, a blessing. The current owner has been leasing out his land for Tk 100,000 (about $1200) per year to another farmer. If he was going to sell his land he would have to return the leasing funds. So, with all of that said, here is what God has blessed us with.
Bangla Hope is now leasing the ten bighas for the next four years with the option to buy. The asking price will remain frozen for the next two years to see if we can raise the money. If we do not raise the funds after two years he will be free to sell it to someone else. Monies given for leasing the property will go against the purchase of the land.
Opportunities of this nature do not come along often in Bangladesh where property is at a premium. I personally believe that this is an opportunity given to us by God. Already rice is being planted on the new property which will be a great asset. Above everything else we desire to do God’s will. If you feel that this is something that we should pursue consider helping us raise the funds to make this land purchase as quickly as possible. With our students getting older, having land to cultivate will be an added blessing.
May God lead you as you consider partnering with us in this pursuit.
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- Property before planting rice
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- property before planting rice
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- Fields being planted wth rice
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- Planted rice field on new property
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- Planted rice field on new property
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- Children helping with the harvest
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- Harvest Time
Village School receives a new “School Boat”
In the south of Bangladesh we sponsor a village school called Bangla Hope Talpukuria Village School. This whole area is almost always underwater, so boat travel is the only reliable mode of transportation. Last year we discovered that the boat they used to transport the children to and from school daily was old and in disrepair. Despite its poor condition, it continued to be used six times per day by 22 children.
Our Executive Director Robyn Griffin wrote the following:
“So…Nishikanto is saying they’re in desperate need of a boat immediately at Talpukuria Bangla Hope Village School. What am I supposed to do? We don’t have funds in the budget to cover these extra expenses!” Litton Mowalie, Bangla Hope’s CFO in Bangladesh, was meeting with Nisikanto Baroi, the superintendent of all of our village schools, as they were discussing needs of the schools for the new school year. Litton was well aware of the huge needs of the Village Schools, but at a loss to know where to get the funds. He dialed my number requesting that, if possible, I could come to his office immediately. As I sat in his office listening to the needs, I realized that the request was on my shoulders…without the boat it would be nearly impossible to operate a school there. The boat is their “school bus”! God loves that word impossible! “What should we do? It will cost $500 to purchase a new boat. Do you want me to pay it even though it is not in our budget? And from where shall I take the funds?” Litton asked. I was still listening, but my heart was praying, “Dear Lord…what do we do here? This is Your program… please direct our hearts!” After a few more minutes of discussion, the answer came…not in an audible voice, but in the sweet calm of a gentle peace…go forward! “Let’s order the boat!” I heard my voice say. “We will find the funds! God will help us find the funds!” Litton beamed, “That will be a huge blessing to the students and the school! If you say so…I will release the funds!” Our CFO, Litton Mowalie, is a man of principle with a huge desire to do his best in everything. He feels the need to assure that everything is done as to the King… because, in fact, it all belongs to God. Having decided to release the funds, we gathered in a tight band, lifting our hearts to God in prayer and giving the problem of where to find the funds into His care and keeping. After all…He is the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills…and the boats in a thousand rivers! Early the following morning was my weekly phone call to Hazel at the head office in Kennewick, WA. In the midst of our discussion Hazel asked, “Oh, by the way… a woman donated $500 for something that is NOT in the budget! Do you have anything in mind that we could put this towards??” Less than twenty-four hours and our prayers had been answered…in fact, the money had been donated at least a week before our discussion! Isaiah 65:24 flooded my mind with full force, “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” It is true…we really have nothing to fear for the future except that we forget the way the Lord has led us in the past!! God…makes us like that!
Below are pictures of the old boat, and the new boat where the children can now safely and reliably continue their education.
Story of Rony Sircar
Rony Sircar and our own Sponsorship Director Mr. Panuel Baroi sat down and wrote this piece for us. It’s a great blessing to see how much we can change lives, and just shows the small things that we do today, can affect someone for a lifetime.
The Story of Rony Sircar
Bangla Hope gives hope to an Orphan’s life:
“I was brought to the KMMS Orphanage school in 1996 in grade three from a very poor and broken family of Bangladesh in order to gain a better life with regular food to eat and an education. My world was turned upside down in the best way when I became one of the hundreds of children sponsored by BHCS (Bangla Hope). I had been living with my Uncle. We didn’t have proper meals, not even the most basic amenities. We were very poor. There were five children including me and it became very difficult for my Uncle to send me to school and nurture us. Then Bangla Hope came into my life. I started going to school in Bangladesh because of Bangla Hope. I could learn new things, see the world and meet new people in a new environment at KMMS orphanage. I never experienced the love and affection of a family until I was at Bangla Hope. Looking back, I could not see any hope in my life before Bangla Hope. Now I understood its happened and only possible by the help of God through Bangla Hope Organization. I had a terrible eye accident in my childhood and I am blind in one eye, but I give thanks to God for being with me. I have finished my High school and college from BBA Department of BASC and have also achieved government degree. This is only possible with my sponsors help. I am thankful to the Bangla Hope organization and my Sponsor who constantly extend their helping hand toward me. Now I am serving Union Mission of SDA Church since 2015. Now I can see uncountable blessings and grace as my life blooms.
Composed and Modified by Mr. Panuel Baroi
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