Dear Mission Of Hope Friends;

Yesterday was an incredible day of storm devastation in our country. For many it brought tragedy as well. And yet I know that there were many prayers lifted up for those in the path of those storms. God was there in every single moment…And he will be there every single day as life moves forward.

I have just this evening, sent out urgent storm disaster update requests to several different groups that we are associated with:  3 Mountain Ministry Center Directors, 2 Lexington Media Friends, 1 Lexington Church Pastor, and the President and Vice President of Alice Lloyd College.  I have asked them to give us an update as to whether their communities or any near by them have been affected and to what degree is their devastation and what the needs may be in these areas.

We want to be able to respond to emergency\’s such as these which have taken place this week; when they happen in the communities we serve.  Since our beginning in 1995 we have used the Appalachian Regional Commission\’s Distressed Counties List as the determining criteria for why we go where we go.  They have been tracking poverty in rural Appalachia since the early 1960\’s.  And we have found that this is the most dependable and accountable way that we can select the many areas which we try to go and serve in.

As Executive Director of this wonderful Ministry; I have experienced first hand over and over again what it feels like when others step up to help \”Fulfill Hope\” for our various needs…And its an incredible and grateful and humbling feeling.  I want us to be able to do that for others and help uplift them with renewed Hope.

I will keep you updated as to what and how we may be able to respond to help in these devastated areas.  Could I humbly appeal to you as well to uplift all of those impacted in fervent Prayer.  We can do that without having to leave our homes…And it will make a difference.

Thank you for your friendship and support and for all you do to help us extend The Hope.

Sincerest Regards;
Emmette Thompson, Executive Director – Mission Of Hope