The hands and feet of Jesus
Service Projects
FEARFULLY & WONDERFULLY MADE PROJECT
An excerpt from Adrian and Carolyn’s story:
“One of the most important things we have learned in life is the importance of community. We could not have gotten through this without the overwhelming support and kindness of our family, friends, and church community.
I believe every life is precious and needs to be honored. Willem brought us so much joy and we wanted to bring that joy to others. As part of my healing, on what would have been Willem’s 1st birthday on January 10, we put together and delivered 20 bags to the maternity ward at the Lois Hole Hospital.”
“Since Willem’s 1st birthday we have continued to curate bags and have delivered to more than 100 families. These bags are full of carefully chosen items that we believe are both beautiful and practical. This project has pushed me out of my comfort and also inspired and encouraged me in ways I never could have imagined. My hope for this project is that we can work together to create community and bring joy to each other in memory of Willem Kees Huig Aarnoutse.”
Read their story and support the project by checking out the shop or making a donation at www.wonderfullymadeproject.com
ECUADOR MEDICAL/DENTAL MISSION
Operation Esperanza is a team of medical professionals and other volunteers who have travelled annually to Cuenca, Ecuador, for the past 29 years (except during the pandemic) to provide free orthopaedic surgery to poor and disadvantaged Ecuadoreans who don’t have the financial means to access such surgery. While in previous years the team also consisted of a dental team and a paediatric surgery team, now the team offers only hip replacement surgery. A new hip or, as is occasionally the case, two new hips, relieves the patients of pain and suffering and provides them with the ability to work again and provide for and care for their families again.
In all that they do, team members strive to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.
It is important to know that along with carrying out the surgeries, team members also educate the medical community and the public about best practices for both the treatment and prevention of many orthopaedic conditions. For example, local surgeons are welcome to assist or watch the surgeries and our physicians give lectures to medical students and local doctors.
This year, February 1-10, 2026, the team was able to perform 46 total hip replacements, 103 joint injections, and approximately 150 physiotherapy treatments. The next mission is planned for January 16-25, 2027.
HONDURAS MISSION
Teams of up to twelve members and friends of the West End congregation have travelled to Honduras for a roughly 12-day period most years since 2006, living and working in rural communities to build pilas (cisterns), latrines, and concrete floors in homes and church buildings. The West End community has also donated funds for Eco stoves and several water well projects.
The work is organized through World Renew (formerly Christian Reformed World Relief Committee) in cooperation with Diaconia Nacional de Honduras, the local partner agency.