OUR MISSION

Our mission is to develop and nurture the orphan and neglected children of Ethiopia in their physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs. Our strategy to impact the lives of the orphan children in the long term, is Christ-centered and based on Biblical principles. We do this by enabling and working through Christian nationals in Ethiopia.
 
"He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors Him." 
Proverbs 14:3

GOD’S CALL

God's call on us is to be agents of change in the world which is clearly mandated in the Scriptures. He has set us apart to bring about justice to the oppressed, to be a voice for the voiceless and a defender and protector of those enslaved by the tyranny of injustice and poverty.

In the light of the multitudes suffering under the grinding burden on poverty where meeting the basic daily necessities of life becomes an intense struggle, God has not only called us to intervene on their behalf but has equipped and made provision for us to meet this challenge. 

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bond of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" Isaiah 58: 6-7


OUR RESPONSE

For several years Tom Mustico had been searching for full time service.  As Director of Foreign Missions for Hope Evangelical Free Church for 8 years Tom and his wife Rosemary hosted many missionaries, including Steven Strauss of SIM (Serving In Mission, www.sim.org). In 2000 Steven, stationed in Ethiopia as founder of the Evangelical Theological College (ETC) in Addis Ababa, asked Tom to shepherd Frew Tamrat, an Ethiopian ETC student furthering his studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Wenham, MA — Tom’s alma mater.

In early 2006 Frew, now Dean of ETC, asked Tom to come to Ethiopia for a 2 year term to teach at the college. Tom took a 10 day trip to Ethiopia in November 2006 where he taught Theology and an Old Testament class.  After completing his teaching assignment Tom had a few days to explore the city and visit a few local orphanages.  What he witnessed was shocking. The children’s standard of living was so far below anything he considered humane. The sub-human living conditions combined with the love-starved looks on the children's faces pressed heavily upon Tom's heart and enflamed his desire to reach out to these precious children. Hence, the seed was planted that gave birth and meaning to HOE Ministries.

 
WHERE WE’LL SERVE

Our efforts will focus on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. First, we’ll focus all of our program efforts on serving the needs of the orphans of Ethiopia. Secondly, we are determined to share and bring about an awareness throughout the USA of our vision as well as the responsibility and privilege that goes along with it, in the hope that others will join us in serving justice and bringing dignity to the precious orphaned boys and girls of Ethiopia.

The country of Ethiopia has a population of roughly 75 million people with almost 50% of the population under the age of 17.  Countless numbers of these children have been left homeless or orphaned as a result of the devastating pandemic, AIDS.

With an entire country in dire need, we have prayerfully concentrated our efforts in the capital city of Addis Ababa, where we’re partnering with Frew Tamrat’s home church: Mekinessa Kale Heywet Church (MKHC).  Our work will begin with orphans under the supervision of certified orphanages and hopefully extend to serving the many homeless children, helping them acquire their basic needs for survival.  We’ve initially begun by serving and supporting the many needs of Hanna Orphans Home located in Addis Ababa. 

WHO WE’LL SERVE

In Ethiopia:
We’re called to reach out to the impoverished orphaned children in Addis Ababa, coordinating all efforts with local Church based partners. Together we’ll engage in activities leading to lasting and beneficial advancement for the children. These activities are Christ centered and focus on biblically based principles addressing the needs of body, soul and spirit. Key areas we deem to be the most critical are education, housing, hygiene and sanitation, food, shelter and medical care.

In 2008 we’ll serve the identified needs of the +115 orphans served by Hanna Orphans Home.  As we gain local experience and come to understand the various challenges of ministering and performing works of service ministry in Ethiopia, and as God leads us we’ll expand our ministry to cover more programs and organizations serving orphans.
 
The MKHC has proposed the Mekinessa Kale-Heywet Child Development Project planned to address the needs of 500 orphan and vulnerable children living in Addis Ababa. Their goal is to meet the educational, physical, social & moral development of these 500 children.  This project is the type of partner program we feel led to undertake in the future and are in discussion with the MKHC as to how we can join together in this effort.

In the United States:
In 2007, we had the joy of being able to share with several groups and churches as well as individuals the incredible need of the orphan children in Ethiopia. The wonderful response and outpouring of many compassionate people has been instrumental in our desire in launching us further into the heart of America and bringing to life the opportunity we have before us in serving the poor and honoring God. 

Living in the most most prosperous country in the world has hindered us from seeing the realty of poverty and its devastating effects upon human life, especially vulnerable orphans; therefore, it is our mission to bring a keen sense of recognition of the need and of our ability to meet that need. We will make every effort to proclaim the message of hope for the needy and we all can participate in making a difference in their broken lives.


HOW WE’LL SERVE

We’re identifying specific needs and projects required to improve the lives of the orphans of Ethiopia, qualifying the amount of the need and then bringing those needs to “those who have” in the USA.  All the funds raised for these projects will be used to meet that need or project expense. Only funds designated for HOE Ministries overhead costs will be used to cover our operating expenses.

We’ve concluded a necessary activity of HOE Ministries is to sponsor and organize short-term trips to Ethiopia. Seeing firsthand the incredible need of these abused and impoverished children is essential in creating awareness here in the USA of not only the need, but also the opportunity to intervene on their behalf. Jesus was asked, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you drink? Jesus replied, "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it unto me." (Matthew 25:37-40)

All service and support of the orphans in Ethiopia will be coordinated through our local partners, The Kale Heywet Church and Hanna Orphans Home for the purpose of maximizing the impact of our efforts toward the physical and spiritual well-being of the children. We want to make certain these children receive the necessary education to allow them to achieve the goal of becoming self-sustaining, flourishing members of the community.

From the inception of HOE Ministries Tom has coordinated and performed all of the tasks necessary to launch the ministry while working full time. God willing, 2008 will mark a major milestone in the ministry as by June 2008 Tom hopes to transition from the secular workforce into full time ministry, a requirement for HOE to meet its objectives.