An Important Update From USA Board of Directors

DATE: Friday, July 14, 2022
​TO: Hope Matters International Donors and Partners
FROM: USA Board of Directors

We want to express our sincere gratitude for the honesty, grace, concern, encouragement and support you have poured out over the entire Hope Matters International family. One of the aspects which has made the organization of HMI shine so beautifully over the past nine years has been you, our faithful supporters and partners. We have always held the highest regard and respect for each individual and family who have made it possible to bring the mission of our ministry to life. To our heart’s satisfaction, this season and the process of bringing you into the fold of our current circumstances has only reinforced our appreciation for you. Thank you for blessing us so deeply with your support.
A week has already come and gone since our last piece of communication to you; with much happening each day we are writing today to provide you with an update of the latest information and actions being taken by the USA Board of Directors.
​
As you can imagine, the process of addressing reports of sexual harassment, moral failure and abuse of power against one leader in the highest level of our organizational leadership is not a simple task. There are numerous complexities and considerations we must consider; within this path forward we must not only pursue the truth to its fullest but do so without causing further or undue harm to all of our missionaries and their children, our Kenyan staff, the legal infrastructure of the organization both in the USA and Kenya, and the operational leadership of our hospital and clinic. As we move forward it is more than evident each of these considerations is crucial and essential to preserving our ministry.

Regardless of the intricate and complex details we are considering, we emphatically reemphasize we are doing everything within our rightful powers as the USA Board of Directors to seek the truth in this circumstance and to bring everything into the light as soon as possible through a thorough investigation.
We are unceasingly grateful for the conversations we have had with so many of you over the past seven days; your words, questions and insights have been invaluable. Through our conversations with you, we have learned about shortcomings in the communication we initially shared, common questions, sources of misinformation, and areas of confusion held within our base of supporters.  

In an effort to address all of the latter, below you will find a collection of common FAQs and concerns we have fielded over this past week. In the spirit of expediency and transparency, we felt it important to share them with each of you. Additionally, you will find a brief summary of recent actions and next steps. 

RESPONSE TO FAQS & CONCERNS

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS

Next Steps
Not only do we need to focus on seeking the truth in this circumstance and to bring everything into the light as soon as possible, we must duly focus on the complete and thoughtful transition of William and Michelle.
The Kiprops are woven into the very fabric and soul of the ministry, down to the smallest details. Transitioning all of their responsibilities as the founders of an international non-profit, directors of a hospital and clinic, the primary point of contact for coordinating missionary needs including visas, administration for the USA office, members of two boards of directors and primary fundraisers is going to be a long process. While this is true, we are incredibly grateful for Michelle’s wonderful help to make the transition of leadership as painless as possible.
Our next immediate areas of priority are:

• Formal Investigation - we are working to select a third party to conduct our open investigation on the ground. We believe this is an essential effort to maintain the highest level of integrity and soundness in our findings.
• Transition of Leadership - Michelle and Dr. Curt Bouma are working together daily and with our Kenyan staff to transition the day to day operations of our medical facilities. Michelle is working on an expansive written handbook for Dr. Bouma to reference and follow in the months ahead. Dr. Bouma is doing a wonderful job and has a truly incredible rapport with our HMI Kenya staff.
• Complete evaluation of HMI Kenya Operations - As Dr. Bouma is stepping into his new role, he is doing so with eyes wide open and is initiating an audit of our operations. He is working to clean up legal issues, shore up bills, fill leadership gaps, address fairness in salaries, obtain liability insurance, start the annual review process with employees, and continue to pursue National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) accreditation.  He and his wife, Jody, are also diagnosing the needs and leading the effort of spiritual discipleship with the staff and team.
• Pausing Expansion - At this time the active efforts to launch a new NICU, OR and Mortuary on the HMI Village of Hope Hospital Campus are being placed on pause. We are first working on strengthening the foundation of the ministry before we can build on it.
• Elections - We are working to shore up procedures and operational functions in preparation for a potentially disruptive local election on August 9th. Our missionaries will all be leaving the local area of Kipkaren. While the entire missionary team is away, we are working to put plans in place for the HMI Kenya staff to continue operations safely.
  
  

Closing
The USA Board of Directors is available to you as you continue to process this information or if you are reevaluating your support of Hope Matters International. Ongoing and open dialogue has been and will continue to be essential to enduring the storm. 

​As questions, concerns and the like arise, please contact us at notify@hopemattersintl.org. All emails sent to this address are automatically distributed to Ed Ezaki, Steve Medley, Nicole Harvey, Suanna Wilson and Eric Drewry.
Finally, next week we intend to share personal updates on current events from Dr. Curt Bouma and USA BOD Treasurer, Pastor Ed Ezaki via email and social media. 

We do not have all of the answers; we do not have a perfect plan with ’t’s’ crossed and ‘i’s’ dotted. But we have something greater: an immovable HOPE in the Lord, Jesus Christ. In our weakness, He certainly is strong. We are so grateful to belong to a Heavenly Father who is not surprised by sin, wounded by failure, or intimidated by the unknown. He does not fear tomorrow. Please pray for wisdom, discernment and deepening faith.

With Gratitude,
​USA Board of Directors
Hope Matters International
2 Corinthians 12:10 | Ephesians 6:12