Messianic Hope International (MHI) is a non-profit organization that supports Kingdom building by partnering with local initiatives in Africa aimed at alleviating poverty, community building, serving orphans and widows, and other charitable works to inspire and offer hope.
Our History
M.H.I. was formally registered as a non-profit in 2021, but the work began long ago. One of our principal founders, Jane Reich Yoder, was born and raised in Kenya and had been involved in ministry through her father, Bishop Peter Kihara, since an early age. Jane grew up in a village where there was poverty and a lack of basic survival needs, including running water, and relied on what they could grow for sustenance. She and other young girls’ daily duties included miles of walking to fetch water and gather firewood. The lack of sufficient education/opportunities kept families in her village stuck in the same poverty cycle.
In 1998, Jane was married to her late husband Charles Reich, who shared her passion for ministry and service. Their desire to do more led to assisting Peter with his ministry work through monetary donations that empowered him to engage more with villagers in Kenya and other parts of Africa, preaching the Gospel, engaging in community service, and offering hope. In 2000, while Jane was at work, she perceived a voice within her saying they would build a worship center in Kenya. Despite experiencing this a few more times, she kept it to herself, fearing it would be too great a task. Astonishingly, Charles came home from work a few days later saying he heard a voice telling him they would build a worship center in Kenya. This experience was nothing short of supernatural that confirmed their calling for ministry work.
With arduous work and self-sacrifice, they were able to assist in constructing the first Messianic Assemblies of Yahweh (M.A.Y.) church in Nairobi, Kenya, officially opened in December 2003. Charles Passed away in Feb 2015 after a short illness. He was involved in many projects, large and small, that brought about life-changing results for many.
Joseph and Judy Yoder grew up in central Pennsylvania in Mennonite traditions. In 1999, Joe and Judy and their four children started their journey in their Hebraic faith walk during the scriptural feast of Tabernacles. Judy passed away from cancer in 2012. Jane and Joe found love again and got married in September 2016. Their trip to Kenya was a revelation to Joe, where he saw how little goes a long way. Joseph was not a stranger to missionary work. As a young adult, he took part in the youth ministry in Canada for two years.
The overwhelming desire to do more community outreach led them to register (M.H.I.), which is a 501 (C) (3) charitable organization. We seek to bring positive changes in Kenya and other parts of Africa with the partnership of Messianic Assemblies of Yahweh (M.A.Y.). Projects will include; the pursuit of clean water through drilling wells in arid areas, sponsorship of children’s homes, organizing pop-up clinics, and the construction of worship centers that function as community resource centers. We aim to collaborate with the villagers, providing them with jobs during various projects. We invite you to explore our website and become a partner in our work. We can lift one person, one family, or an entire village with your partnership. Please join us to make these initiatives possible.
Our Team
Joseph Yoder | CHAIRMAN
“I am privileged to work with my colleagues and my family at M.H.I. doing KINGDOM projects in Africa. Some day the world will be run by our Redeemer and King. Until then, there are many needy people. I hope to help relieve some pain of some of these disadvantaged.“
Jane Reich Yoder | TREASURER
“I was born and raised in a poverty-stricken village in Kenya. I have shared the hardships of many of these villagers and walked in their shoes. My desire is to change the endless cycle of poverty that causes the lack of basic survival needs.”
Dina Wilson | BOARD MEMBER
“I got involved with M.H.I. knowing of Peter Kihara’s family and the work they have been involved with, changing the lives of many people that I would not otherwise be able to help/reach.“
Beth Githinji | SECRETARY
Esther Woodcraft | BOARD MEMBER
Jimmy Mwaniki | ACCOUNTING
Daniel H. | DIGITAL MEDIA PROJECT MANAGER