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"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 We understand the necessity of having a page "about us", but we write this with some degree of reluctance. We do not seek any praise or recognition for what we are doing and we are uncomfortable when we receive it. This ministry is not "about us". We are nothing special - only His jars of clay who are willing, available, and are trying to be obedient to God and walk in the good works He has prepared for us beforehand. "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart....But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:1,7
His Hands Support Ministries is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine as a 501c3, non-profit, charitable organization. His Hands for India is an all-volunteer ministry program being run by His Hands Support Ministries. These are some of our core principals:We strive to promote unity within the body of Christ - HHSM recognizes the need for unity in the body of believers who all share the common bond of faith in Jesus Christ and have experienced His saving grace. Our fellowship is made up of believers from many different denominations including Baptist, Evangelical Free, Assembly of God, etc. and we have joined together with our brothers and sisters in India to try to make a difference in the lives of the people there who are living in poverty. Our purpose is not to start an American work in India, but to come alongside our Indian brothers and sisters to support and encourage them in the work they are already doing. "Joshua led the attack as Moses had commanded, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on the hilltop. The Israelites out-fought the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms, but they started losing whenever he had to lower them. Finally, Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset. That's how Joshua defeated the Amalekites." Exodus 17:10-15 We are a faith-based ministry – We do not and will not actively solicit support for the operational needs of the ministry, only for the children or other special projects. 100% of the sponsorship fee we collect will ALWAYS go to the children, not to the running of the ministry itself. When the ministry has a need for funding, we go to God with that need, and not to man, for we know that God is the one who provides for all of our needs. Our Board of Directors -  left - Philip Charles his young Indian friend, Magesh.Philip Charles, president, and Jamie Charles, secretary, met while attending Barrington College, where Jamie received a B.S. in Youth Ministries in 1980, the same year in which they were married. Philip is a PK (pastor's kid) as well as an MK (missionary's kid), having spent 3 years as a child in the city of Lima, Peru. Philip is also a self-employed carpenter in the western mountains of Maine where the Charles family currently resides.  God has blessed them with 6 children and 2 sons-in-law, as well as 3 grandsons. They have experienced the tremendous blessing of being able to take all of their children and both of their sons-in-law to Haiti, Africa and/or Guatemala with them at different times, some of them more than once. They have been working with Pastor Michael in India since June of 2010. Philip and Jamie attend First Baptist Church of Kingfield, Maine. right - Jamie Charles with her young Indian friend, Johnsi Rani.  left - Matt Lenfestey and his wife, Carlyn, with one of their Haitian sponsored children, Dimy. Matt Lenfestey, vice president, has been going to Haiti since June/July of 2006. His wife, Carlyn, also visited Haiti in March of 2007. Matt and Carlyn met in college where they received their Masters degrees in Physical Therapy and were married in August of 2002. They recently adopted three children - Reggie, Richard and Sasia - from Haiti. They sponsor several children through HH4H. Matt and Carlyn are members of Fayette Baptist Church in Fayette, Maine.  right - Lorraine Mitchell with one of her Haitian sponsored children, Emmanuel. Lorraine Mitchell, treasurer, has been married to her husband, Brud, since 1958. They have 4 grown children, Nadine, Doreen, Stephanie & Stephen, and 11 grandchildren. Lorraine has gained experience being treasurer for her church, Living Waters Assembly of God in Strong, Maine, as well as two other Christian organizations. She has made several trips to Haiti, her first trip being in 2004, and has formed strong relationships with many of her sponsored children as well as with many of her Christian brothers and sisters in Haiti. Lorraine currently works giving in-home care to the elderly.  left - Kathy Farmer with one of her Haitian sponsored children, Ketsy. Kathy Farmer, director, is a wife and mother of three children and a grandmother of four. She is a trained Medical Assistant but is currently working as an Operations Specialist. Her first trip to Haiti was in 2000. She fell in love with the country and the people and knew that God had been working on her for the mission field and this was the place. She has been to Haiti a total of ten times as of March 2010 and, God willing, will go many more times. Kathy and her family attend Faith Evangelical Free Church in Waterville, Maine.  right - Bea Otte with one of her Haitian sponsored children, Patricia. Bea Otte, director, is a mother of 3 adult children (Phyllis, John & Joshua) and recently adopted Matthew from overseas. She works as a CRMA/CNA and is also known as “the Christian Herb Lady”. God has blessed Bea with visits to China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, the Philippines, and 2 trips to Haiti in 2005, where she visited with Christian brothers and sisters. Romans 12:15 was heartfelt in these countries. Bea attends Mt. View Bible Church in New Vineyard, Maine and Fayette Baptist Church in Fayette, Maine. She finds it an honor to be a part of His Hands Support Ministries and watch God at work.  left - Dean Stanley with his youngest son. Dean Stanley, director, was born and raised in the Western Mountains of Maine, and still makes his home there, along with his wife, whom he married in 1989, and their five children. Dean has been actively walking in faith in Christ for about 30 years. His walk of faith in Christ has led him to serve in the past in the following capacities: Elder/Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and occasionally preaching at a few churches in the area. The Lord provides for Dean and his family through his work as a manager in government public service. Dean and his family attend Western Mountains Baptist Church in Kingfield, Maine. Dean spends his recreation time with his family and offers his unique perspective to this board as someone who has not yet had the blessing of visiting his Christian brethren overseas.  His Hands for India works in close cooperation with United With Hope - "A group of worldwide volunteers who have joined together to assist in supporting the charity work of a few small amazing non-profit organizations in India and Malawi." To learn more, visit the United With Hope website.To view our 2010 Year in Review video on YouTube, please click here! "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1 |
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