Where do you live?

Many people get their confidence from where they live and how much money they make. Especially in America, it's easy to get caught up in materialism and keeping up with the Jones, but no matter where you live, God can and wants to be your refuge and strength. 

2 Samuel 22:2-4

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender and my place of safety. The Lord saves me from those who want to harm me. I will call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I will be saved from my enemies.

As you are seeing these houses from around the world, please remember the Smile House. Here are a few photos and a video of this safe haven for orphaned teenagers in Ukraine. There is still construction that needs to be completed, however, the kids were able to move in just in time to decorate for the holidays and have a wonderful Christmas in their new home! MANNA wants to say thank you to everyone who is helping to make this house a reality.

If you are interested in going on a trip to visit or help with the construction of the Smile House [Click Here]
or if you would like to make a donation [Click Here] to go to the MANNA Freedom Page.

Special Guest Blogger Greg Howard!

I have been friends with Bruce and Pam for over 10 years now and their ministry has opened a whole world for me. The first trip I took was to the Philippines on an Oak Hill trip in 2001. Changed my life forever! I committed to take my children while on that trip. My trip to Guatemala this year was step one in taking my oldest son Thomas. He shortly thereafter surrender into full time ministry! One down- two to go!!! (I have 3 boys) I have also been to Russia and Romania with MANNA.

Q- How did you hear about the trip and make the decision to go?

A- My wife and I help with the youth department at Oak Hill Church (Somerset, Kentucky). We took 18 teenagers on the trip ... as previously stated, missions is in my blood and I wanted to take my son to experience it. My goal on the trip was to see each of the kids on the trip to "get it". They did!

Q- What were the main differences that you noticed between Guatemala and the US?

A- 3 or 4 of the kids said it best, they looked at me and said, "I'm spoiled"; I replied, "Yes we are".

Q- What did you do on the trip?

A- We were able to visit several different feeding centers and orphanages. We also did some construction work at the Manna house in Guatemala City. We traveled with the Kinmans (love that family!) ... Andrew Even was absolutely awesome! He is the man when it comes to sharing the culture! Antigua is awesome!!!

Q- What was your favorite memory?

A- My favorite memory is a bit selfish, but I remember the moment God truly got into my sons heart. I saw it in his eyes when we were playing soccer in the streets with the kids. He had accepted Christ several years earlier ... but that was the first time I got to see my son see Him without the distractions of life.

Q- What would you say to someone who is considering going on a missions trip with MANNA?

A- I have made it my mission around church to convince folks to experience missions ... I always tell them, "missions is about people and getting to understand other cultures and how the Lord works regardless where in the world you are is absolutely awesome"... I finish with, "Give Him a week. Give Him a full week without the distractions of life, open your heart totally and I will promise more blessings you have ever experienced. He will overwhelm you! You will never be the same...The Lord gave his life, give Him a week."

Q- What is the food and culture like?

A- I am addicted to watching people and different cultures. It's an absolute joy to see how they interact with each other and with us. We had a good selection of different foods from home cooked meals to McDonalds. The people were very kind, but as any culture everybody has different personalities. In many ways, we were at home with a low socioeconomic and Spanish speaking group of people. The culture was beautiful. They have not been tainted by the every day conveniences such as TV and even cars ... like going back in time. Beautiful.

Q- Is there anything else that you would like to say? 

A- Below is a link to a youtube video you should watch. Josh Stoneman put it together for the group. I cannot watch it without crying, even today.

http://youtu.be/MtmMUkS77cQ

Missions is simply what we are called to do ... I absolutely love it! 

In Christ, Greg

Visit Guatemala with MANNA Worldwide

Guatemala is a beautiful country filled with dense jungles, forest, volcanoes and wildlife. It has a rich cultural background from Mayan and Spanish origins. From 1960-1996 the country struggled in a 36 year civil war. Following the war, Guatemala has witnessed both economic growth, and successive successful democratic elections, the most recent being in 2011.

Through partnering with local missionaries, MANNA has been making a difference in impoverished areas of Guatemala by building and sponsoring nutrition centers. We are taking several teams to Guatemala in 2012 to visit these centers and host medical and dental clinics. Please let us know if you are interested in going on a trip. Click HERE for more info.

Changing Lives

America has been blessed... I didn't realize how much until I had the opportunity to travel. My first missions trip was to Kenya,  Africa and I was amazed at the conditions the people were living in. I had always seen the commercials on TV and felt sorry for "those poor children," but to see, hold and hear the actual stories made a greater impact on my life than I even knew at the time.

I can't imagine growing up in a society where the parents do not name their child until they are about a year old, because they want to make sure it survives first. I can't imagine having so little food that I would have to choose which of my children would eat that day. I can't imagine making less than a dollar a day in a place where a soda cost $1, a bag of beans cost $3 and wheat meal $4... a place where in order to feed my family, I would have nothing left over. I can't imagine not having shoes or clean water, but this it a reality. There is so much global need.

Food, water, shelter and clothing are things that we American's claim as the basic rights of humanity, but most people around the world do not receive. For most of my life, I have taken these things for granted. Visiting another country has made me appreciate what I do have and realize that I have so much to be thankful for. I can literally change someones life by giving up a few little things like a $5 coffee or a new pair of jeans.

MANNA Worldwide is a Christian based organization involved in feeding, educating and providing spiritual growth to less fortunate children both here in the United States and in developing nations around the world.


Over 90% of all donations go directly to fund our projects.  We have maintained a policy of never incurring more than 10% in operating expenditures.

We encourage individuals to partner with us by traveling to our projects, sponsoring a child and becoming a financial supporter of our work.


MANNA Worldwide is dependent upon donors to fund our projects.  We are effectively changing the lives of the children who so desperately need our help. Would you consider partnering with us to help reach even more of these less fortunate children?

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.
Kim Hayes

MANNA Manger Offerings!

Every year at Christmas, MANNA Worldwide provides a gift for each of the thousands of children enrolled in our projects. For many of these children, Christmas has been just another day in their struggle to survive. For the majority of these children, to receive a Christmas gift is a whole new experience. Please consider giving a very important gift this year through our annual MANNA Manger offering... Visit this link to see how you can be involved: http://www.mannaworldwide.com/index.cfm?page_ID=62