“This is one of the most enriching and amazing experiences of my life!” enthused Sarah DeGraff on her blog recently. The 24 year-old Grand Rapids native wrote from her new home in Managua, Nicaragua, where she is volunteering through World Renew for one year with World Renew’s partner, the Nehemiah Center. DeGraff is assisting with a pilot project focused on preventing human trafficking. She is also providing support to other community development efforts.

“This is one of the most enriching and amazing experiences of my life!” Enthused Sarah DeGraff on her blog recently.

The 24 year-old Grand Rapids native wrote from her new home in Managua, Nicaragua, where she is volunteering through World Renew for one year with World Renew’s partner, the Nehemiah Center. DeGraff is assisting with a pilot project focused on preventing human trafficking. She is also providing support to other community development efforts.

Through her experiences, DeGraff’s appreciation for the people of Nicaragua is growing.

“I’ve never seen anyone work as hard or as long in order to survive,” DeGraff wrote after helping out on a farm in rural Nicaragua for one week. “These people are actively working to better their lives with the help of a local non-government organization and the strength of their own hands. They clearly have a sense of hope for their future.”

DeGraff is one of hundreds of volunteers who have been mobilized by World Renew this year to serve in countries all around the world. And that’s not atypical. Volunteers have always been the backbone of World Renew’s ministry. Since its formation in 1962, volunteers have been committed to World Renew’s mission of bringing God’s justice and mercy to people living in poverty.

In fact, in World Renew’s (then CRWRC) first years it was entirely run by volunteers. A committee of volunteers formed World Renew’s governing body and Dr. Ed Postma volunteered as the Director. While World Renew has added staff positions in the next five decades, volunteers have continued to be utilized in service roles of all kinds.

“Our acts of service often seem like tiny drops in an ocean of injustice in the developing world. But God can take the smallest actions and multiply them to meet many needs and make huge changes for His Kingdom."

– Natasha Moes

They have donated their time to assist with projects like running a clothing center in Chicago, assisting with health care and agriculture training programs overseas, and responding to disasters in North America and abroad.

“The World Renew Global Volunteer Program (GVP) mobilizes volunteers of all ages and interests,” said Mary Dykstra, GVP Program Senior Coordinator. “Through thoughtful orientation, well-crafted opportunities, and on-site mentoring, these volunteers are equipped for experiences that will change their lives. At the same time, World Renew is able to benefit from the time, skills, and experiences that these volunteers have to offer.”

Consider, for example, one of World Renew’s longest running volunteer arrangements. About ten years ago a group from the Hamilton area of Ontario went to El Salvador to help build homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. The called themselves, “Carpenteros,” which means carpenters in Spanish. The experience so inspired the group that they decided to go again. Eventually, they switched their focus to Honduras. They also mobilized their home community to raise awareness and financial support for ministry.

Each year for the past ten years, the Carpenteros have not only participated in work trips to Honduras, they have also organized “Spirit and Sports” dinners, Valentine’s Bistros, memorial funds, and a One Day Challenge to raise awareness and more than $720,000 for the ministry they do with World Renew and its partners in Honduras.

Similarly, in the United States, Elsie Kuipers has been a fixture in World Renew’s home office for more than 12 years. She volunteers every week and helps out with sending out mailings, and other clerical tasks that arise.

When asked why she chooses to spend her time in this way, Elsie replied, “I have a heart for the very poor around the world and I like the way that World Renew operates. They give a helping hand rather than a hand-out. It is a blessing to be able to be a part of it.”

“I could tell so many more stories about how incredibly valuable volunteers have been to World Renew in all aspects of expertise, time, movement-building, prayer and financial support,” said Mutoigo. “While there is an on-going debate in society as to whether volunteers or short-term mission participants are more of a cost or benefit, World Renew has experienced significant positive results from its volunteers. We have also seen God at work changing the lives of volunteers as they serve Him, deeply inspired by the faith and fellowship of Christians they serve with around the world.”

One of World Renew's largest volunteer efforts is its Disaster Response Services program (DRS). Currently, DRS has more than 3,000 short and long-term volunteers from the CRC, the Reformed Church of America, and other denominations who are trained and ready to respond when disasters strike. Last year through this program, DRS assessed the needs of 22,253 disaster survivors, mucked-out 108 homes, and repaired or rebuilt 103 homes. Through its Groups Program, DRS repaired another 441 homes during one- or two-week work trips.

In addition to these Disaster Response Services volunteers, World Renew matched 245 volunteers with opportunities to serve. Of these, 13 people were volunteers or interns in World Renew’s home offices, 196 people served on international work teams, 36 people completed international internships, and 6 people participated in learning trips.

In total, 278,838 volunteer hours were donated to World Renew’s ministry; roughly equivalent to 134 full-time employees for one year.

“Our acts of service often seem like tiny drops in an ocean of injustice in the developing world,” said student Natasha Moes, who volunteered with World Renew in Uganda in the fall of 2009. “However, God is so faithful! God can take the smallest actions and multiply them to meet many needs and make huge changes for His Kingdom. If you serve with a humble, obedient heart, many people will be blessed.”

More information about World Renew’s volunteer opportunities can be found at www.worldrenew.net/volunteer. 

 

Thank you, Sarah, Natasha, Elsie, and the Carpenteros Team 
for volunteering with World Renew!