Winter Newsletter 2025

Winter 2024/25

Newsletter

TRUST & REFLECTION Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Forward to the Future

IN THIS ISSUE Winter 2024/25

02

NEW FACES

Announcing the addition of two new staff members

FEATURE:

Trust & Reflection p.03

Board of Directors President of Board.........................Kate Guess Vice President of Board...Tim Van Maanen Secretary of Board................. Jenny Sorheim Treasurer of Board................Jennifer Douma Director..............................Danny Householder Director...........................................Kendra Meyer Director.................................................Art Sathoff

“

“I knew it had to be somewhere I could continue to pour into people and be a blessing to them.”

05

-Carrie Veenstra

Education & Office Administration

THRIFT NEWS

Recent Christmas Open House success at thrift stores

07

HAITI NEWS

visit us at mh4h.org, mh4a.org, manyhandsthrift.com, & manyhandsimpact.com

Wedding Ceremonies, Christmas Celebrations, and 5th Love in Action Center

11

ABACO NEWS

New hydroponics shade house and welcoming the Veenstras to Abaco 01

Many Hands | 641.629.6633 P.O. Box 204 Pella, IA, 50219 COVER IMAGE: A view of the vibrant trees and plants at the Many Hands campus in Haiti

NEW FACES Many Hands is excited to announce the addition of two new staff members.

Kevin Stittsworth Development Manager

We’re thrilled to announce that Kevin Stittsworth has joined our team as the new Development Manager. With a background in communications, fundraising, and leadership, Kevin is wellequipped to help us continue our mission of transforming together to be love in action. He’s already made a name for himself in the community, serving on numerous boards and organizations. Previously, he served as the Director of Foundation and Public Relations at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, where he led a record-breaking capital campaign.

Kevin is deeply committed to his community and has a passion for giving back. He’s actively involved in the Knoxville community, serving on the 100+ Men Red Rock leadership team, Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation board, and the Knoxville Alumni Association board.

Kevin is excited to join Many Hands because of our faith-based mission and our commitment to making a difference. He believes that together, we can achieve great things.

Summer Brand Marketing Coordinator

Summer graduated in December 2024 from Central College with a Bachelor of Arts in English, where she honed her exceptional writing and communication skills. Summer previously interned with Many Hands and, her dedication and talent quickly impressed us. She seamlessly integrated into our team and consistently exceeded expectations.

In her role as Marketing Coordinator, Summer will play a vital role in enhancing Many Hands’ brand and reaching a wider audience. She will craft compelling website content, blog posts, and social media updates that tell the impactful stories of Many Hands. She will also oversee our social media presence across various platforms, assist with the planning and execution of key events, and support the Many Hands development team in identifying and applying for grant opportunities.

Summer’s passion for storytelling, combined with her strong work ethic and positive attitude, makes her an invaluable asset to our team. We are confident that she will make a significant contribution to Many Hands’ mission.

02

TRUST & REFLECTION Tim Brand Reflects on 2024 and Looks Forward to the Future Many Hands staff pray with community members while celebrating the opening of the newest Love-in-Action center in Haiti.

Many Hands Staff help pour a concrete floor at a home in Haiti.

Impact team participants install siding for a house in Abaco.

May the grace and peace of God our Father be with you all as I write this letter to you wrapped in love. Over the past three months, I’ve been privileged to connect with all areas of our ministry. It was inspiring to return to Haiti after 15 months, spend time with our dedicated team in Abaco, and witness the Christmas Open House event at our thrift stores. Each experience demonstrated our commitment to transforming together, to be love in action, in our broken world. Near and far.

The prophetic word spoken over the organization coming into 2024 was selah. We were to take a breath, a pause, for contemplation while we solidified the organization as a rock and strong fortress for the Lord in the years to come. We aren’t building something for just one year, but for eternity, as we point to something greater than ourselves. God’s word is always true, and this year proved to be one of the hardest years for our ministry since 2014. We said goodbye to some long-term staff, dealt with incredible volatility in Haiti, experienced a 500-year flood in Spencer, ending our thrift store operations in that community, and had multiple staff battle medical hardships. Yet, God had prepared us since we purposely were not pursuing a major initiative such as a new store, a new country, or new ministry opportunities this year. We were to strengthen what we had, regroup

03

Vi Bella artisans smile while making Christmas ornaments.

to reinforce the frontlines, and prepare for the next wave of ministry. It wasn’t passive but laid the groundwork for ministry in the coming years.

Even amid political unrest, floods, violence, and sickness, we rested in our vision to be called people, living with purpose, unleashing God-given talents and resources to bring Good News in a broken world. With faith and perseverance, God showed up to provide fresh wind for our sails and daily manna for our needs. Bless God! Moving into 2025, the one word God is washing over our organization for the coming year is trust. First, we will trust the story the Creator of Heaven and Earth has been telling us from the beginning of time. He makes all things new and transformation does not happen without hardship. We trust what He is doing in our lands, with our people, and within each of us. Second, we will trust in His provision and live in a way for Him to show up for us. This means creating space in our lives for Him to commune with us. It means moving forward in faith in tough situations, even when we only see the next step in front of us. It means being bold in conversations and speaking truth to each other to bring Heaven to Earth.

It means believing we don’t control outcomes, but if

2024 BY THE NUMBERS Opened our 5th Love-in-Action Center in Savane Tabac Administered 878 health checks on babies & mothers Treated 2,328 sicknesses Performed 1,166 nurse home visits Evangelized to 2,598 people 110 people gave their life to Christ or were restored Led 338 people through Bible Study or Lead Like Jesus Directly educated 613 students in Haiti & Abaco Kids smile and wave to the camera at Central Abaco Primary School (CAPS)

we stay obedient, He will provide in these new seasons and opportunities. He always has, and He always will.

We invite you into this season of trusting with us. Right now, the world is screaming at one another because of a lack of trust. Not so with us! It is because of our ability to trust that many new initiatives and missionaries will launch in 2025. Don’t lose heart. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial resources continue to be our daily bread to stay in the battle to overcome the evil around us. Trust is the fuel to move us forward together.

May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and bring you peace. May we trust our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as He has overcome evil and death. And through His power, we will too.

Be Blessed, Tim Brand Founder and CEO, Many Hands tbrand@mh4h.org

Provided ancillary services to 3,000 students Grew 14,592 lbs of produce Butchered 12,000 lbs of meat Planted 9,000 papaya and kasya trees Directly fed 700 people each day Distributed emergency food relief to 444 families Distributed 126 goats Built 7 homes Poured 49 cement floors Sent 200 people on Impact trips Hosted 485 camp guests in Abaco Sold 1,304,944 donated items Recycled 597,060 lbs of clothing Received 31,362 volunteer hours at our thrift stores Provided employment to 272 people

THRIFT NEWS

THRIFT CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE The Many Hands Thrift stores’ Christmas Open House, held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, was a resounding success. The event was a great opportunity to give back to the community and spread some holiday cheer.

Customers had loads of fun, and each of the four stores had record-breaking sales. The Grimes store had live music, and the Merle Hay store was decked out with Christmas decorations and offered the first 15 customers a $10 gift card.

Indianola and Clive stores were full of Christmas spirit.

We are grateful to all of our customers, volunteers, and staff who helped make the Christmas Open House a success. We look forward to doing it again this year!

Crystal Peace Store Manager, Clive

“Clive’s 2024 Christmas Open House was truly a joyous occasion, filled with holiday spirit and wonderful teamwork! It was a privilege to serve our community through this event.”

Melissa Tafta Store Manager, Merle Hay

“Our Christmas Open House was a joyous occasion filled with holiday cheer and community spirit. We were delighted to see so many smiling faces come together to support our thrift store and share in the festive atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who made the day so special!”

Carla Weed Store Manager, Indianola

“The Christmas Open House in Indianola was such a success.

We were so excited to be able to fill our store with amazing Christmas merchandise this year, drawing in new shoppers and thanking our regular guests with holiday treats and deals.”

05

EVENTS

THANK YOU FOR GIVING JOY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! On behalf of Many Hands, thank you for supporting the work of our organization through the Give Joy campaign in 2024. We are thrilled to announce that together, we raised an astounding total of $59,465!

We are truly humbled by the outpouring of support from donors like you. Your belief in our mission and dedication to give joy to the people we serve in Haiti and Abaco is inspiring as we seek life transformation.

$59,465 RAISED FOR GIVE JOY

06

HAITI NEWS

Brides and grooms gather and celebrate their wedding ceremonies at the Many Hands Campus in Haiti

A DAY OF JOY AND LOVE

Wedding Celebrations for 19 Couples in Haiti Weddings, a symbol of love and commitment, can be a distant dream for many in Haiti. With pressing needs like food, shelter, and education, formal ceremonies often take a backseat. Our dedicated pastors at Many Hands understand these challenges and have made it their mission to bring joy and hope to these deserving couples.

Each year, we host a heartwarming wedding celebration on our Sylvain Campus, inviting couples from the surrounding communities to make their love official before God and their loved ones. This year, we were honored to witness 19 couples exchange vows and embark on their lifelong journeys together.

The road to the altar was paved with meticulous planning and heartfelt preparations. Our chaplains and Christi Gabhart, our US Lead for Ministry & Benevolence, met with each couple to offer pre-marital counseling and guide them through the process. A special “Say YES! to a Dress” day was organized, where the brides-to-be were fitted for their dream dresses, and the grooms were styled in handsome suits. Every detail, from the perfect 07

pair of shoes to the wedding bands, was carefully considered.

As the big day approached, the excitement grew.

Dresses were altered, invitations were sent, music was selected, and delectable treats were prepared.

The campus was transformed into a magical venue, adorned with beautiful decorations.

The day of the weddings, the air was filled with love, laughter, and joyous tears as 19 couples supported by their families sealed their commitment.

Each ceremony was a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of family.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support these couples and contribute to their happiness. May their lives be filled with love, joy, and countless blessings.

Want to learn how you can support marriages in Haiti?

Scan to learn more!

Dinner guests listen to Tim Brand speak about food insecurity in Abaco.

Many Hands staff enjoy food and games during the Christmas celebration held at the Many Hands Campus in Haiti

FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS

Many Hands Staff Celebrate Christmas in Haiti All 140 of the Many Hands staff in Haiti came together on December 20th to celebrate Christmas. The air was alive with the sounds of music and singing, and the spirit of community was palpable as everyone enjoyed food, games, and each other’s company.

special moment of recognition and appreciation for each staff member. One by one, they were acknowledged by their department and name and received a personal blessing, highlighting their valuable contributions to the Many Hands organization.

A passage from Luke 2 was read, reminding everyone of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the true spirit of Christmas.

The day ended with a lighthearted and fun soccer match between the Agronomy and Spiritual Development departments, adding an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie to the Christmas festivities. Both teams were cheered on by the other departments. The match was a testament to the strong bonds between members of the Many Hands staff in Haiti.

As a small way for Many Hands to express gratitude for the dedication and work from our staff, each employee received a Christmas gift of 25 pounds of rice and a gallon of oil. The celebration also included a

08

HAITI NEWS

Many Hands celebrates the opening of the Love-in-Action center in Savane Tabac

5TH LOVE-IN-ACTION CENTER Programs expand to Savane Tabac What an encouragement to look back on the process of getting to the opening of Many Hands Love-In-Action Center #5 in the community of Savane Tabac (STB) and see that GOD IS GOOD! Finding the right location for this facility began 18 months ago with a community assessment of the identified area and a full evaluation of a variety of factors, from water source, to demographics, to logistics, etc. By July 2023, land options were being considered. Layout and construction of the center began near the end of 2023. A big factor

09

for the determined construction schedule was to avoid the challenges that the rainy season would bring in STB.

By February, we could see the kitchen taking shape. One specific challenge was overcome in March when the suspension bridge that our Many Hands staff would use daily to get to the center underwent a major repair project. We led the community to work with a local bridge committee to make the necessary repairs to the bridge

“

Now this new team is collaborating together to offer a welcoming environment to share meals, learn, and DO LIFE together.

HAITI SITUATION UPDATE

to make it passable. The day that project finished was the same day that Many Hands began hosting local community conversations in Savane Tabac, which meant our staff could cross the bridge to arrive safely at the new Love-In-Action center location.

The gazebo and the main entrance structure took shape in April. The center was already being put to use for each of the monthly community conversations where Many Hands and community members were getting to know each other.

The next phase came in August when people in the local area were offered the chance to apply for jobs that were being created with the opening of the First Thousand Days program. First a security guard, then two program assistants, followed by the position of Spiritual Mom, then two program cooks, plus a cleaning person. Official training of the new staff began in September. Painting, building of benches, and purchasing supplies was accomplished so that the center could be dedicated at the end of September as a place where God’s light would shine out into the surrounding area. A last step, which in reality acts as the first step towards the official opening of the program on October 21, 2024.

Now this new team is collaborating together to offer a welcoming environment to share meals, learn, and DO LIFE together.

While there has been unrest near the capital of Haiti, all our Many Hands programs and services continue to operate in our five Love-in-Action Centers. The FAA had closed all US flights into and out of Haiti, but has now reopened for Missionary Flights International (MFI) flights through the Cap Haitian Airport.

Amidst the disheartening narratives that often dominate the news, we find unwavering hope and inspiration in the enduring spirit of Haiti and its remarkable people. Our work is guided by our belief in the potential of Haiti’s next generation and, by uplifting these future leaders and their families, we have hope for a better Haiti. Trust being Many Hands’ word for 2025 resonates deeply with the core of our continued mission in Haiti. We must trust in God’s ways, God’s timing, and God’s direction. Our complete trust rests in the Many Hands staff working and living in Haiti. Additionally, we have full confidence in our donors and supporters— trust that God has opened your eyes, hearts, and minds to see the good in Haiti and the value of the work we continue to do there. Despite in-country unrest, Many Hands remains committed to serving Haiti and its people who long for God’s love and guidance.

ABACO NEWS

The Convoy of Hope team works to construct the new hydroponic shade house in Abaco

GROWING POSSIBILITIES

New Hydroponics Shade House Built in Abaco ​​This past October, we collaborated with Abaco Strong, Driftwood Farm, and Convoy of Hope Field Team, in the erecting of our 6th shade house in Abaco at Patrick J. Bethel High School. This partnership brought together the resources and expertise needed to set up a fully functioning hydroponic system inside the shade house, giving students a chance to engage with sustainable farming practices in a controlled environment.

This shade house isn’t just about growing crops; it’s a hands-on environment where Professor Hector Sanchez and students learn about soil science, water conservation, crop rotation, and even business management as they plan and maintain their own mini farm. Pete Strydom, Abaco Strong President and Executive Director, shares, “The garden is flourishing, and it’s been amazing to see it turn into an outdoor classroom where the students are receiving hands-on agricultural training.”

Hydroponics is a game-changer for areas like Abaco, where land space may be limited or soil quality can 11

be challenging. With this system, students have the opportunity to grow a variety of crops efficiently and sustainably, all while learning valuable skills that can empower them to think critically about how they can use their knowledge to solve the challenges facing their communities.

The collaboration among these organizations and Patrick J. Bethel High School is a shining example of what’s possible when communities come together to invest in their youth. By providing young people with the tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience they need, we’re not just planting seeds in the ground— we’re planting the seeds for a brighter, more sustainable future.

From as little as $150, you can help us construct a shade house. Please consider a gift through our online catalog or donation form.

Want to learn how you can support Carrie and Doug in their calling? Scan the QR Code to learn more!

NEW MISSIONARIES

Welcoming the Veenstras to Abaco Many Hands is excited to announce the two newest missionaries serving in Abaco, Bahamas. Carrie and Doug Veenstra have joined the Many Hands team in Abaco.

Carrie is leaning into her love of children and education, walking alongside local school teachers to encourage best practices and support them as they educate and catch up students who fell behind due to Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 shut downs. She is excited to share her love of God’s word while encouraging teachers and students in their learning. She hopes to teach them new strategies and show practical tools they can implement immediately in their classrooms for learning growth.

“Christian education has been a passion of mine for many years, and when I felt God calling me to a job change,” says Carrie Veenstra, “I knew it had to be somewhere I could continue to pour into people and be a blessing to them.”

In Doug’s role, his primary responsibility is prioritizing and facilitating the numerous construction projects Many Hands will be helping with on the island. Ad-

ditionally, Doug is excited to provide general maintenance at Camp Abaco.

“We are excited to welcome Carrie and Doug Veenstra to the Many Hands for Abaco team!” says Laura Johnson. “Their breadth of knowledge and dedication to our work in Abaco will be invaluable, and we look forward to the positive impact they will make. We are thrilled to have them on board!”

Being able to live at Camp Abaco also allows both Doug and Carrie to build relationships with Impact Trip teams and take them into the community where they hope to love and empower others. Carrie will continue her administrative duties with Many Hands, including Child Sponsorship of students in the School of Light in Haiti.

“As we prepare to spend 2025 there, we covet your prayers and ask you to partner with us on this journey as we walk alongside the people of Abaco and bring Jesus to them. We are humbled by the opportunity,” Carrie and Doug stated.

12

Join our growing community of Impact trip participants on the last Thursday of every month to share, learn, and connect!

For as little as $50, you can feed a family for a month.

mh4h.org/stretch | Donate Now

Scan the QR Code to learn about future monthly connections.

13

IMPACT

Kamerman Team, Des Moines, IA November 7-14 | People: 14

Convoy of Hope, Stafford, VA November 16-23 | People: 13

Pella Christian Winterim Team, Pella, IA January 3-10 | People: 14

Crossroads Church, Norwalk, IA January 13-20 | People: 12

Many Hands Thrift Market, Des Moines, IA January 13-17 | People: 5

InOnTime, Zeeland, MI January 22-30 | People: 6

460 people signed up for Impact trips in 2025 Want to learn how you can be a part of Impact?

Scan the QR Code, visit our website at ManyHandsImpact.com or email Impact@mh4h.org to learn about upcoming trips.

14

Return Service Requested

709 Main St, Pella, IA, 50219 www.mh4h.org | 641.629.6633

With financial accreditation, including Candid Platinum accrediton, you can trust we steward your gift wisely for its intended purpose.

(Based on 990, compared to other nonprofits)

2023 Admin Cost %

9.57

We are Accountable