Father Joseph Fowler and Wayne Fowler
Two brothers with a common goal, a common interest in doing what God has called them to do in this life; to serve others. Father Joseph Fowler and Wayne Fowler are on a mission from God, no really they are! Together they gave birth to Hand in Hand Ministries. Hand in Hand is an international organization that transforms lives by sharing life’s essentials with the poor. This organization sends normal, ordinary people to the poorest of the poor here in Kentucky, to Belize and Nicaragua to give hope, love and charity to God’s children.
As a child I always loved to write. I wrote my first poem in 3rd grade. In 6th grade our regular teacher was on maternity leave and Wayne Fowler was our substitute teacher. He was a freelance writer for the Courier Journal at the time. I remember keeping a journal for English class. He gave us the most intriguing topics to journal. It was those writings that made me want to be a writer. It was his influence and encouragement of my creative writing that helped me to realize a dream. Father Fowler was our pastor for many years. When I was preparing for our wedding I had to have him as the celebrant of our wedding. As an adult I heard rumors about Father Fowler; that he literally lived simply so that others may simply live, rumor has it that when he moved from parish to parish he only needed the backseat of his little car to move all of his belongings. Together the brothers have truly influenced my life in many ways.
So many times in this life we feel small and unproductive. Truly how much can one person change the world? For that matter can two people really make a difference? Well, if Wayne Fowler felt that way then Hand in Hand would not exist today. The year after he taught my class he took a trip that changed his life, his perspective and his purpose. He was touched by the hand of God through God’s children that suffered from extreme poverty and in that moment he vowed to do something. Eventually with hard work, determination, help of friends, family and the drive of the Holy Spirit he began Hand in Hand Ministries. His mission has changed the lives of so many children and adults over the years. The changes occur within the hearts of the people who are helped and by the volunteers serving their needs.
God reveals to us the needs of humanity. God gives us the opportunities to change this world one thought, one action, one word, one step at a time. We have to open our eyes to the needs. We have to open our hands to serve. We have to open our hearts to change. We have to open our minds and discover a way to change the world. Let God work through you as He has worked through the Fowler brothers. Today take a moment to visit http://www.hhministries.com/ and pray for the poor and consider taking a journey to find the needs of this world that you can help through Hand in Hand.
Can one person change the world? With the help of God and the Holy Spirit the possibilities are endless.
