Winter 2017

A New Tragedy

By Robyn Griffin

Early October 23, Suchitra Soren, our Administrator, received word of a tragic situation. A woman giving birth to twins at home began experiencing complications. The mother died on the way to the hospital, but the twins, a boy and a girl, were admitted. Shortly afterward, the little boy passed away. The father, who has relatives living in the village outside our gates, contacted us seeking a place for his surviving infant daughter. Panuel, our Sponsorship Director, traveled south to investigate the situation and to begin the necessary paperwork so the baby could come to us.

On October 30, the new baby arrived accompanied by her father and eleven members from his village. The infant named Julia is now a member of our Bangla Hope family. Our hearts go out to the father for his tragic loss. We pray that Julia and he will eventually be reunited after she grows into a princess of the King!

BLESSINGS FROM HEAVEN

Robyn Griffin

New Babies At Our Children’s Home

Shikha’s Story

The birth of a newborn baby should be a happy time. Unfortunately it does not always happen that way. Shamol and Tudu were very happy together. They were thrilled about the new baby coming soon. Shortly after Shikha was born, Tudu started having health issues. She was weak, nauseous and retaining fluid. Then her skin and eyes started to turn yellow. She was suffering from jaundice and other health issues. Shamol did not earn very much money, so he could not take Tudu to Dhaka for treatment. She died from liver disease and he was left alone to raise Shikha. He tried to care for the baby, but it was too much for him. Someone told him about the Children’s Home at Bangla Hope Orphanage, so he brought her to us. Shikha is adjusting well to her surroundings and the other children.

Patty’s Story

Prodip and Nioti have 3 children and struggle to feed them. On October 11, 2017 the father (Prodip) became paralyzed from an illness he had contracted. His employment was the only source of income for his family. With the infant to care for and Nioti could not go to work. Each day this family’s situation became more desperate. They had no income and Prodip’s condition was worsening. Nioti went from house to house in the village begging for food for her family. She heard about Bangla Hope—a place that would take her baby and give her a chance for a better life. Nioto contacted our office and brought Protima to Bangla Hope to be raised. Nioti will now be able to work and feed the rest of her family. We named the little girl Patty and she is thriving.

Abel’s Story

Abel came to us in August 2017 from the village of Sonapur near our campus. He was brought by his grandmother. His father, is a drug addict and deserted his family. Abel’s Mother worked in the field to earn money for food, but was so overwhelmed by their poverty that she left her children to be cared for by the grandmother. Their Grandmother also needed to work in the fields to support herself. She heard about Bangla Hope and came to visit our campus. This grandmother felt that she had no other choice than to legally transfer custody of this child to Bangla Hope. This was her way of ensuring her grandchild would receive the best care possible. Abel has adjusted well to his new home and to the other children.

THE COST OF RAISING PRICELESS CHILDREN

By Debi Axford

How can you place a price on a child’s smile or their amazing bear hugs? What price could possibly be put on our precious kids falling in love with Jesus? The reality is that raising priceless children requires funds. As our children get older, their needs change and the costs of their care and education increase.

After thirteen years of consistent sponsorship rates, due to rising costs it is now necessary for us to increase the rates for the Receiving Center children and for our Village School students. The rate of full sponsorship of a Receiving Center child will increase from $100 to $140 monthly. We will offer our co-sponsors the option of continuing at $35 monthly if they wish, but add an additional co-sponsor to make up the difference. Sponsorship of a Village School student will increase from $13 to $20 monthly. These increases will begin January 1, 2018.

Thank you so much for partnering with us to raise God’s priceless children!

“UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE”

by Robyn Griffin

Since August 2017, more than 600,000 Rohingyas have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh searching for refuge from those seeking their lives. Bangladesh can ill afford to support such an influx of people without seriously affecting the poor who are already struggling. Food is hard to come by and shelter and warm clothing will be essential for the cold weather months.

At worship this week we shared this tragic situation with our children, and they rose to the occasion. Good used clothing is being collected, washed and made ready to be taken south in November when our Administrative Team leaves to visit our schools to distribute pocket money to our sponsored children. However, just sharing used clothes was not enough for our children. They have voted to eat a simple meal for supper for a week and forward the funds saved to purchase bags of rice for the needy refugees. This practice is also being followed by the Americans on our campus. Our staff members are also finding ways to sacrifice to bring relief where they can. If we can help just one, it will be an honor, but we hope to do more than that. Blankets will also be purchased to distribute before the cold weather comes.

We will attempt to keep you abreast of the situation. How horrible to be driven from the only place you know as home.

If you wish to be a part of relieving this suffering you can mark any donation as Rohingya Refugees. Some of our Emergency Fund will be used to help lift these burdens. Thank you for your help!

“I Answered the Call”

By Robyn Griffin

There are currently 195 nations in the world that are recognized by the United Nations. Forty-two of these nations, which includes Bangladesh, are currently under a “Travel Warning” issued by the US State Department. There are two warnings issued by the State Department, a “Travel Alert” and a “Travel Warning”; the latter being the highest warning given. While Adventists desire to take seriously our Savior’s command to “go to every nation, tribe, and people” the question arises…”Who will enter these countries with the gospel where even the employees of the US embassy are not required to stay?” Or do we just turn our backs on these people until it is a safer environment? Which leads to a further question…will there ever be “a safer environment” again?

This year three student missionaries have answered the call to invest their skills in touching the lives of our 155 children despite the current travel warning. Just because a travel warning exists does not mean that the children will cease having needs that must be met. We have only been here three weeks, but what a blessing these young women have already been. The emotional needs of any child are many in the best of circumstances. When one adds to the story the loss of parents, gender inequality and financial privation, those needs increase exponentially. The task of meeting these needs is made more manageable with the three extra sets of hands, eyes and ears. It is interesting to note that the brave in heart who have answered God’s call to help raise our children are all female. Even when a travel warning is still in place they were willing come half way around the world to bless children who were born under-privileged just because of where they were born.

Emily Parish is a sophomore nursing student from Walla Walla University who first heard of Bangla Hope her junior year at Milo Adventist Academy. Both she and Catherine (see below) sang in Milo’s traveling choir called One Voice, a group I directed. Our group became interested in the needs of the orphanage and used our worship concerts to raise funds for the children and to assist in finding sponsors. Emily is teaching KG English, 1st grade English, and 6th grade computer, as well as individual piano and guitar lessons. She loves to hangout with the kids particularly the babies and toddlers. Emily’s favorite subjects are bedtime stories and recess.

Catherine Harwood is a sophomore Social Work student at Walla Walla University who has always loved children. She is teaching 7th grade Bible, 4th grade English and Health, and 4th and 7th grade Computers. Catherine is also teaching individual ukulele lessons.

When asked what she enjoyed the most about Bangla Hope she responded: “the kids!”

We met Jessica Lucas at Michigan Camp Meeting this summer. She was actively looking for a mission in which she could serve. God opened the doors for her to join us. She is a dental hygienist student at Grand Rapids Community College. Jessica is teaching English to grades 2, 3, and 6 and computer to 3rd grade. She loves telling bedtimes stories and enjoys making the kids laugh.

Our student missionaries know first-hand the words to the old hymn, “Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go; anywhere He leads me in this world below...”

Lead on ladies! Thank you for answering the call and proving to the world that the only thing we need to fear is “forgetting the way the Lord has led us in the past.”

Thank you for your prayers for them and to those who have financially supported them to come and change our world!

Unto the Ends of the Earth

by Robyn Griffin

One by one we are focusing our attention on our eleven village schools in an attempt to make urgently needed repairs. Gradually we are seeing many improvements which will be a huge blessing to staff and students in each school. We are currently in the midst of our thirteenth year and our village schools are showing much wear. Some are just too small to house even the current student body not to mention the additional students who desire to attend, but cannot due to limited space.

Talpukaria is a world unto itself. In order to get there one must travel by wooden “school” boat which is powered by Manuel Biswas, the school Principal. Daily he makes his rounds to local communities to collect their 44 students. His wife Swapna is the lower grades Teacher while Manuel instructs the upper grades.

The school is located on a small island which makes a school boat necessary. God richly blessed us with a new school boat two years ago when our old one literally sank. You can find that remarkable story in our newsletter archives located on our website in the spring of 2015. Now it is time for us to focus on renovating our school building, property, kitchen, and toilets.

The most pressing need is to raise the level of the land by filling the property with mud. This will assure that the school will not be flooded during monsoons, and give the students a much needed play area.

The toilets are little more than a very dilapidated outhouse which is barely standing. The kitchen needs repairs as well. One other item is the need for a small boat for Mr. and Mrs. Biswas to use for personal trips rather than using the enormous school boat which uses a lot of fuel. The above needs will require approximately $5000.

Three of our village schools, Sikpur, Dehergoti, and Bisharkandi need new benches to replace theirs, some of which have literally fallen apart. The students are currently sitting on the mud floor until we can get new ones built. New benches will cost $90 each. Sikpur needs four new school benches which will cost $360, Dehergoti desperately needs ten for a total of $900, and Bisharkandi needs eight which will cost $720.

If the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart concerning these matters please mark your donations “Village School Benches”. Thank you.

Special People Helping Children

Thank You

~Arlene Jewell for 20 sets of hand-knitted hats and scarves, and a lovely set of Sabbath School felts.

~Ruth Squier for children’s clothes, School supplies and a computer.

~Bev Holland for children’s clothes, and school supplies

In Honor Of

Jack Pester (former UCA classmate)
Marjorie Nowlin (former UCA classmate)
Ron Colcord (former UCA classmate)
Beulah Bigger (former UCA classmate)

By Al Wiggins

In Loving Memory of

Aaron Gullickson (By Kay Sorensen)

Beulah Wilks (By Mr. and Mrs. Jack Stark)

Leonard Squier (Husband)
George Chappell, Jr. (Brother)
Brenda Chappell (Niece)
Gary Holland (Brother-in-law)
George and Myrtle Chappell (Parents)

(By Ruth Squier)

Cecil Rentfro (By Bob Gilbert)

Gary Holland
George Chappell
Clifford Chappell
Leonard Squier

(By Bev Holland)

Financial Update

Through October 31, 2017, we have received funds for the following projects in the amounts shown:

Multipurpose Building (Church) $92,896.50 of $130,000
Ed. Complex/Girls’ Hostel $160,200 of $350,000
Security Wall $60,906.21 of $80,500
New Generator $5,622 of $25,000

BANGLA HOPE CONTACT INFORMATION

Office Hours: Mon.—Thurs. 9am—3pm (PT)

Phone: (509) 586-4259
Website: www.BanglaHope.org
Email address: children@BanglaHope.org

USA (Donations)
P.O. Box 6853
Kennewick, WA 99336

Student Correspondence Only
Bangla Hope
Student Name & Number
Village: Hazrapur
Post Office: Mazina (Uchai)
Upozila: Panchbibi, District: Joypurhat
Bangladesh

I would like to sponsor:

( ) Receiving Center Orphan __Boy __Girl..........
* $35 monthly co-sponsor or $420 yearly
* $140 monthly full sponsor or $1680 yearly

( ) Boarding School Student __Boy __Girl.........
* $25 monthly co-sponsorship or $300 yearly
* $40 monthly full sponsorship or $480 yearly

( ) Village School Student (No personal information)..............
* $20 monthly or $220 yearly

( ) Total Village School Sponsorship (with updates and photos of school and children)........
* ( ) 28 students . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,160 yearly
* ( ) 41 students . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9,020 yearly

I would like to donate and help:

Security Fencing $__________
Church Building $__________
Orphanage $__________
Feeding Fund $__________
Blankets $__________
Use as Needed $________
Office Expense $__________
Other ______________ $_________
Medical Fund $__________
Orphans $__________

My sponsored child’s tuition $_________ Pocket Money $__________

Tax Receipts will be mailed in January for donations
made in the prior year

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord.

And He will repay him for his good deed.”

Proverbs 19:17 (NASB)