For over 20 years, a group of friends and family members have worked together as volunteers in a wide variety of outreach and community development efforts that have been designed to bring hope to people in challenging circumstances. Many of our early efforts were grounded in short term mission trips to American Appalachia, New York, Mexico, Europe, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda, and Togo. Each of these ex
periences has brought a greater appreciation of the broad diversity of life opportunities faced in different contexts. We have seen how a person’s life chances are enhanced and challenged by the social and ecological environments in which they live. In the fall of 2014, we incorporated Waterbrook Hills to provide a more formal structure for supporting charitable efforts designed to facilitate life opportunities of persons in difficult circumstances. Specifically, we work to enhance availability of clean drinking water, to reduce the challenging effects of poverty, and to increase social justice, education, health, and positive emotional climates of individuals in challenging circumstances. In January of 2015 we fully sponsored our first official project, Jameelah’s Tailor Shop in Kwale, Kenya. We are committed to bringing positive life opportunities to others through partnering with excellent programs and field partners we have personally visited and gotten to know. We look forward to continued partnership with you in bringing opportunity, hope and faith to persons in challenging circumstances. What’s in a name? Why “Waterbrook Hills”? Each of our board members has ties to the hills of southeastern Pennsylvania, where many streams flow, and we enjoy walking among them. Beyond that, each of the words also have spiritual significance. The “waterbrook” was inspired by Psalm 42:1, “As the deer pants for the waterbrook, so my soul pants for you, O God.” It is our desire that the community development and humanitarian aid that flows from the work of Waterbrook Hills will strengthen its recipients in their experience of the “rivers of living water” of John 7:38. The “hills” remind us of the uphill effort that is needed to extend social justice to people in challenging circumstances. In our efforts to improve life opportunities, we recognize our dependence on the provision and wisdom of the Lord. Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
