WORK ABROAD

KENYA

PARTNERSHIP WITH KENYA'S COORDINATOR

During the year we developed a partnership with HfT-coordinator Norah Obongo of Nairobi. During the course of the year the need for finding additional workers for grassroots work with Mombassa's Hope for Tomorrow children and families became apparent. We opened talks with social worker Maureen Umbe concerning her calling to this work in Mombasa. During the past year the work of HfT was developed more through local congregations than ever before.

MOMBASA

The very first group of young people sponsored by HfT graduated from high school at the end of 2007. During the year 2008, these young people searched for appropriate options for continuing their education. Graduates were given both career and further academic counseling and were told that support for their education will continue until they take up a career. Also, Mombasa's student and mother support programs continued on as before.

MURANGA

The Muranga farm project continued through the support of 20 families during the year under the leadership of pastor Stephen and Catherine Kamau. Support was developed by organizing teaching concerning accounting and farming for local villagers. During the year two families were provided with a cow. Through communication from Finland and HfT coordinator work in Kenya, it was ensured that the spiritual growth of the families and students being supported would be continually nourished.

KISUMU

During the year we built our relationship with Redeemed Gospel Church of Kisumu through Hope for Tomorrow coordinator Norah Obongo, after the calming of tensions that took place in Kenya during the beginning of 2008. Support and aid was sent to the work concerning imprisoned mothers and children in conjunction with coordinator Norah Obongo's visit to Kisumu on her negotiating trip. Tied to this trip was also the planning of new partnership with the poorest orphans of the area and with the restarting of businesses owned by women that had been dismantled during the turmoil of the year. After the social unrest, we sent one-time support through Redeemed Gospel Church for those who had suffered most.

OTHER INTERNATIONAL WORK OBJECTIVES

During this year we continued to support the mission work of Kirsi Nyrhinen and Pia Lindt in Mombasa. We also continued our support of Miri Morian working among orphans in Israel.

We chose the mission work of Judith Löfsund and Ingeborg Setterby among local imprisoned Kenyans in an area of Mombasa as a new objective. Hope for Tomorrow decided to financially support a Full-time Kenyan prison worker on a monthly basis.

ACTIVITY AT HOME

During the year we continued our ministry-focused work with immigrants living in Finland. Particular focus and care was directed at a Chinese woman imprisoned in Finland, with whom we visited in prison at least every other week. We also supported her family living abroad spiritually and emotionally during their two visits to Finland that year.

We also organized 10 ministry events throughout Finland through Hope for Tomorrow, where director Outi Välimaa was responsible for speaking.

We added partnerships and deepened working relationships as well. This was especially true in the fall of 2008 with the merging of the Filippus ministry (focusing on work in Uganda and based in Orivesi) with Hope for Tomorrow. In conjunction with this merging, an additional annual meeting was held 12.11.2008 when Filippus' founding partner Jukka Kajava was chosen to become a board member of Hope for Tomorrow. Furthermore, Jarkko Juusela and Pekka Kajava were granted membership as vice-board members. Jukka Kajava was then named coordinator for Uganda work.

Partner in work in Uganda, Paul Kinataama, was greeted warmly during visits to schools in Orivesi, Eräjärvi, and Korkeakoski as part of his Finland visit.

We also organized various partnered worship and prayer nights through Hope for Tomorrow on Sunday afternoons at the Orivesi Church parish throughout the year.

We acquired a book table for Hope for tomorrow to be used during events for small scale book sales. This purchase was combined with the support-funded purchase of the book ”Why Jesus” (Miksi Jeesus), which were distributed in Orivesi throughout the year in mailboxes, at the marketplace, in front of shops, and in other places.

During the year Mikko Välimaa acted as coordinator for Hope for Tomorrow. Aino Ratalahti acted as an intern from March until July, with a work focus on homeland activities and tasks.

Hope for Tomorrow's director board met 8 times throughout the year. Additionally, an anniversary party was organized in conjunction with a board meeting on June 22, 2008 in Orivesi, where about 100 people participated.

Thankful to God for the last year
In Orivesi February 2, 2009
Outi Välimaa HfT Chairman
Anneli Lähteenmäki HfT Vice-chairman