AFRICA – At present, children/adults in both Mozambique and South Africa are extremely vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has affected so many in the African population. The children left orphaned from this disease are many times isolated, often lacking access to food and to vital health and educational services. Limited food supplies from famines and flooding have also left these same people vulnerable. In addition, many of the people in these remote areas have never heard a proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

GMFfellowship, through its ministry partners in Southern Africa hopes to benefit children/adults in South Africa and Mozambique through access to:

Educational Improvements – Just over 50% of school age children in this region of the world are enrolled in school, with girls representing a small portion of that enrollment. Further barriers to education, particularly in Mozambique, include the high cost of school fees, textbooks, uniforms, and supplies. While the local government provides some relief for orphaned students to attend school, many are not encouraged by anyone in the villages to actually go to class. Additionally, many of the teachers lack the formal training and resources necessary to provide adequate educational services. Girls are especially vulnerable because they are at a higher-risk for HIV/AIDS, and are often responsible for domestic chores such as raising younger siblings.

Through short term mission projects and individual/village adoptions by U.S. based individuals and churches it is the hope of GMF to better equip educators with the resources they will need to teach themselves and their children.

Family Development – Because of the overall condition of the villages in both Mozambique and South Africa, too many of the children are dying at early ages. Many of these children are born without prenatal and post-natal care and have limited access to immunizations. Hunger and malnutrition are also taking their toll on these communities.

Through Child and Village sponsorships by churches in the U.S., GMFfellowship hopes to work through its ministry partners to strengthen community responsibility and family adoptions which will promote community well-being and development.

Food – While many of the individuals in our selected villages obtain some food from their respective local governments…supplies aren’t nearly enough. Present and future GMFfellowship programs will focus on alleviating hunger for individuals in these villages by providing food and access to safe water. We also hope to teach better farming practices to willing participants in each of the villages. As our sponsorship programs in South Africa and Mozambique continue to grow, further service and long-term community building initiatives will be implemented.

Evangelism/Discipleship – Because of the high percentage of Africans who have yet to encounter saving faith in Jesus Christ, GMFfellowship has partnered with Samaria Missions, located in South Africa, whose ministry is involved in planting churches in Mozambique and the southern regions of this great land. Alongside each of their crusades a church building is erected and a pastor is put in to place to disciple the new believers from the week long tent meetings. Samaria Missions personnel work through the national leadership to build a Great Commission fellowship in each of the specified villages.

LATIN AMERICA

Brazil - During the last decade, Latin American countries have faced severe economic hardship and crisis. In places like Brazil, those who have suffered the most are children. It is estimated that over 50 million children living on the streets of Latin America are facing a daily struggle for food, shelter, health and love.

As a result of these conditions, “GMFchildren” (a division of GMFfellowship) supports two children’s homes in Recife, Brazil. These homes are designed to have a significant impact on entire communities by involving parents and children in family restoration and relief efforts. These efforts are designed to provide a support system for children and their parents to re-unite through family visits, counseling, regular family seminars, quality education, transportation to school & church, vocational training, youth camps, and unconditional love.

In addition, nearly 150 teenagers from local communities in the Recife, area are also taking part in our Vocational Training Center. Courses provided through the School are:

• Computer Repair
• Computer Programming
• Sewing & Design
• Catering & English
• Dental Hygiene

Guatemala - In addition to the work in Recife, Brazil, GMFchildren also supports the Agua Viva Children’s home in Chimaltenango, Central America.  The purpose of this home is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hundreds of impoverished children in Guatemala by rearing and educating them in a loving Christian environment. Their goal for these children is to raise them to be successful, Christian adults with the desire and ability to help their own people.

El Salvador/Caribbean – GMF also supports the evangelistic efforts of Islego Ministries in the Caribbean and Feeding the Faith Ministry in El Salvador.  These ministries are designed to reach thousands of Latin Americans with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

MORE INFO COMING SOON.......