What Does It Take to Change a Life?

Dear Friends and Faithful Partners,

 

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” — Romans 15:1–2 (ESV)

I've been back in the United States for a week now, and the joy of an incredible mission trip has been tempered by the troubling realities of a world filled with poverty, conflict, persecution, and human suffering.

Yet amid these challenges, I witnessed something far more powerful: God at work through ordinary people who have chosen to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others.

On the first day of our journey, I shared a devotion with a group of pastors from Romans 15:1–2. Little did I realize how those words would come to define our experiences as we traveled through Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, and India. Beyond the miles traveled and ministries visited, God was reminding us that true ministry is about more than meeting immediate needs. It's about building relationships, restoring dignity, and helping people discover a future beyond their circumstances.

Hope in the Midst of Hardship

Our journey began in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where rapid economic development exists alongside significant spiritual and humanitarian challenges. Despite persecution and unrest in parts of the country, we encountered faithful believers serving their communities through churches, schools, and orphanages. Our time with the Presbyterian Church of Ethiopia opened the door to a promising new partnership and reminded us that God continues to work even in the most difficult circumstances.

From Ethiopia, we traveled to Malawi, one of the world's poorest nations. Fuel shortages, prolonged power outages, and limited economic opportunities make daily life a struggle for countless families. For some women, desperation leaves them vulnerable to sexual exploitation simply to provide food for themselves and their children.

This is the heartbreaking reality behind HIM's mission. Poverty creates vulnerability, and vulnerability too often leads to exploitation.

Yet even here, we witnessed believers faithfully serving their neighbors, sharing the Gospel, and working to create opportunities for a better future. Their commitment reminded us that compassion must move beyond recognizing suffering to taking action that brings lasting change.

Relationships That Change Generations

Our brief visit to Lusaka, Zambia, brought us back to relationships that have been growing for decades. We spent meaningful time with the Mountain of Fire church community, shared a teaching on "Making Room for Miracles," and visited our orphanage partners in Chongwe.

There were hugs, laughter, singing, and the joy of delivering groceries to 15 young girls who depend on the love and care of those around them.

These moments may seem small, but they represent something much greater. A child who knows she is loved, protected, and valued begins to see a future filled with possibility.

This is why we believe lasting global impact begins with relationships, not simply projects. Our longtime partners in Zambia demonstrate what can happen when people faithfully invest in the lives of others, year after year.

Creating Opportunity, Restoring Dignity

After missing India last year, we returned with a full schedule of ministry visits, pastors' conferences, and opportunities to reconnect with our partners. Yet what stood out most wasn't the places we visited, but the people we encountered and the extraordinary ways God is working through them.

In Lucknow, we met a new orphanage partner whose story is a beautiful example of God bringing purpose out of tragedy. Two years ago, he lost his wife, who had grown up as an orphan. Through his grief, he felt called to provide a loving home for children facing similar circumstances. Today, 24 children are receiving the love, care, and encouragement they deserve. As we played games, sang songs, and shared stories of Jesus, I was reminded how one person's willingness to serve can change the future for so many others.

That same spirit of compassion was evident in Hyderabad, where we shared meals with widows and celebrated 10 women who completed vocational training and received sewing machines. For these women, a sewing machine represents more than a new skill or source of income. It represents dignity, independence, and the opportunity to build a future beyond poverty and exploitation.

We also gathered with approximately 50 pastors for teaching and encouragement. Their testimonies and commitment to sharing the Gospel, despite the threat of persecution, reminded us that lasting transformation involves meeting both physical and spiritual needs.

A Life Transformed

And yet, of all the moments we experienced during this journey, one Sunday afternoon in Bangalore brought the words of Romans 15 into focus in a way I will never forget.

At one of our longtime orphanage partners, I was invited to participate in the baptisms of six young women, ages 14 to 16. It was an extraordinary privilege, filled with tears, joy, and powerful testimonies of lives transformed by the love of Christ.

One young woman, Neela, especially touched my heart.

At just six years old, Neela came to the orphanage after experiencing abuse. Her future could easily have been defined by the pain of her early childhood. But someone chose to care. Someone provided a safe home, invested in her life, and introduced her to the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Nine years later, just one day after her 15th birthday, Neela publicly declared her faith in Christ through baptism.

A little girl who once needed protection and hope was now a young woman standing before us with faith, dignity, and a future filled with possibility.

That is what Romans 15 looks like when we put it into action. That is what it means to build up our neighbors.

Our Part in God's Greater Story

As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded that while the challenges facing our world are enormous, meaningful change is possible. I've seen it in children who have found a safe home, women equipped to provide for their families, pastors faithfully serving their communities, and a young woman named Neela whose life tells a story of hope and redemption.

At HIM, we believe lasting change begins when we move beyond simply meeting immediate needs and begin creating opportunities that break the cycle of poverty and exploitation. But this vision is bigger than any one organization or mission trip. It's an invitation for each of us to recognize that what we choose to do today can change someone else's tomorrow.

As we approach the end of the year, I invite you to prayerfully consider your part in this work. We may not be able to change the entire world, but together, we can change someone's world. And sometimes, changing one life is where the transformation of an entire generation begins.

One act of kindness. A lifetime of impact.

 

To God be the Glory

Byron Whetstone

Executive Director, HIM