ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsMatters of Faith10-30-11 Living Hope

Matters of Faith10-30-11 Living Hope

Bringing hope and breaking despair.... that's the goal of the living hope ministry in south Africa.

It's a community where HIV and poverty... shorten the lives of children.

But this ministry is working hard to save lives....

Two women ... one from Alabama and one from Africa... have joined forces... to help the children.

Melanie Dill/Living Hope. "Living Hope in action."

Meagan: "There's a real need for divine intervention."

Capricorn is an impoverished community.... HIV and aids claims many lives here.

But those committed to Living Hope are determined to change that.

Meagan is from South Africa.

Meagan. "A lot of people think if you give em a handout of money that's gonna do something there are kids that walk around with no shoes ...smell like urine."

Alcohol and drug abuse... is a problem... and a big reason many children are not cared for properly.

That's why Living Hope is a key to changing the future of the children.

Melanie Dill is from Alabama... and worked at Shades Mountain Baptist ... until... she says she was called to South Africa.

Melanie Dill/Living Hope. "My heart just stayed there."

A short mission trip led her to stay there for two years... and she's planning to stay there for the long haul.

Melanie and Meagan work together to help educate and change the lives of children and teens.

Meagan. "Just bringing them to Sunday school there's been change in behavior discipline is better."

Melanie . " It's strategically investing in ministry in Living Hope HIV prevention but also in discipleship with local churches."

Melanie. " Building up leaders out of the community."

In the years invested in living....

These women have seen lives turned around and saved.

 Meagan. "When you are  in alignment with what God is doing then he will allow breakthroughs in ways we can't imagine or plan.