Marian Myers, a lifelong HopeCo champion, recently visited City Of Hope with her family - at the grand age of ninety-one!

Reflecting on her years of service with HopeCo, Marian said: “I have been able to go to City of Hope for ten years now, and I have taken my children and grandchildren with me. Through the years I have seen it develop from nothing, and it’s overwhelming to see all that it has become. Even with new buildings and programs, the atmosphere of peace, joy, and love has remained the same.”

It is more than 30 years since Marian got to know the Chacha family and was part of founding Teamwork Ministries, as HopeCo was called at that time. Since then, she has been a loyal advocate, fundraiser, prayer warrior, and great encourager for our ministry. And during her recent visit to Tanzania, we were delighted to celebrate Marian’s commitment and service by naming the new girls’ dormitory at our secondary school in her honor!

The dedication ceremony (pictured right) was a grand celebration with balloons, ribbons, singing, dancing, and speeches. But Marian’s favorite part was being with the children and holding their hands. “I feel at home there, and when you’ve been there enough they feel like family. You realize how simple life can be when you’re at City of Hope, and how your own life needs to be more simple,” reflects Marian.

One afternoon during her trip, Marian was sitting on a rock playing with a group of children. A young girl fell and scratched her forehead. Marian cleaned the scratch and then prayed over the young girl. Much to her surprise, the other children got in line and waited to be prayed over - and then they ran around the campus to bring all the other children.

Marian said this was one of her favorite moments of the visit, as it reminded her of Luke 18:16: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

At HopeCo we have children come to us from hard places – pain, poverty, abuse, and hopelessness. “We present each child with the love of Jesus, and when you’re at City of Hope you can feel the love and joy of Jesus all around you,” said Marian.

We are deeply grateful for Marian and her faithful service which has been a great blessing to all of our children and staff through many years!

Are YOU interested in visiting City of Hope and seeing all that God is doing there? Well, come see the joy for yourself!