Hope is sustained by encouragement. When I handed a toll worker the envelope, she lit up and thanked me without opening it. How encouraging to know that someone instantly hoped that there was something good inside.

I knew that there would be a time when it just felt right to give the envelope. I held onto it for a week carrying it around in my purse. When I went down to a shopping plaza, I went inside while my friend waited outside. When I came out I saw him talking to a tall man who said he was stranded and needed a few bucks to get home. The stranger was well dressed, and seemed really sincere about his needs. I immediately pulled out my envelope and handed it to him, stating "I hope this helps you out." He looked at it in confusion, and my friend said, "Yeah, make sure to open it!" as we walked away. Seconds later we see the man walking away and he turns and starts to wave us thanks! I hope this inspired him to pass the hope along for someone who might be in need one day.

I received an envelope with $5, I think it was from my neighbor whom I need to get to know better. I dont need the money, but it was sure nice to know that there are good people in this word. I am waiting on my hope envelope to arrive so I can pass on a little Hope of my own. Thank you

I annonymously mailed my Hope Epidemic envelope to a friend of mine who I felt needed some "hope". I pray this epidemic reaches many as it has truly inspired my husband and I.

Saw a lady walking down the street pushing a stroller and the baby dropped the pacifier and the lady didn't notice. I picked up the pacifier and handed it to her along with a Hope envelope. She didn't look inside while I was there but she said thanks!

I was at work one day last week (Toll Booth), When a man and two woman came through my booth, we exchanged small talk and he handed me this envelope, and said "My daughter wanted me to give this to you" I said "oh ok thankyou very much" And as they pulled away the lady in the backseat said "open it". So I ofcourse then opened it and there was a 5 dollar bill in it. I thought wow that was really neat and thoughtful. I have kept my envelope and plan on filling it, and passing the word and "Hope" on. This is a really neat thing going on. And I'm proud to be a part of it.

I had passed on a little hope to the man selling newspapers at a red light. I rolled down my window and he eagerly approached my car. I handed him the envelope and told him it was for him & to have a great day. He was perplexed that I didn't want a paper, read the message on the front out loud (in a obligatory tone), and said an exhusted "thanks". I encouraged him to open it. As he walked away down the lane, I watched him in my side mirror reading the message again & then opening it. He turned around with a big jump and YELLED and waved a big thanks. I still believe in HOPE!

I was recently introduced to Dylan, who is a 5 year old child in foster care. He has been placed with a young Christian family for the present time. The Foster Parents have taken Dylan to church, and this young man has decided to believe in Jesus. Understanding his turbulent past, even at such a young age.... He now has HOPE. A beautiful thing for a child that was crying himself to sleep. Well, I decided to give my envelope to Dylan. He asked me if he could buy a toy with it. I\'m glad that I was given an opportunity to provide just a little extra bit of hope and happiness into his life. Also, it gave me hope at the same time. Watching him overcome the sad situations in his life and deciding that Jesus was his answer - It reminded me that He should always be my answer

I gave the envelope to a co-worker today and he didn't open it for about an hour. I joke with him a lot, and thought this was another joke. He came into my office to thank me, said that he really needed some hope. I could tell he was taken back by the gesture, and now I have an open door to talk with him about God.

My husband found this envelope in our mailbox this morning we thought it was probably just some sort of propaganda...Then he opened it and turned around and showed it to me...What a cool thing I do not know who put the envelope in our mailbox..but believe me we have 4 kids and sometimes just to make it to pay day is a stretch.. five bucks can buy a loaf of bread a jar of peanut butter a little Hope. I have printed my own envelope and plan on passing it on!!!

I received this envelope with $5 in it from the church...The goal - to spread Hope throughout the world. At Christmas last year, as our gift, my sister gave all us siblings money and explained that it was "secret santa" money and that she wanted us to use the money to spread kindness to people who needed it and we could spend it anyway we would like in the year to come and at Christmas the next year we could share our stories. I have been saving the money for the perfect time to spread kindness and hope. Both ideas touched my heart. It reminds me of "Pay it Forward" and I love that people can share their stories. I am at the doctors regularly and have not had very good experiences with people in the way I was treated. It was hard to be positive. Until I met a nurse, Melissa. Every month I saw Melissa, she spoke to me like I was her friend and offered advice, alternative remedies, spend time with me and gave me the extra attention I needed. Melissa opened up and told me about herself too. She sympathized with me and gave me hope in my case and in people. She made me realize that people really can care about you outside of your family. When I told Melissa that I would be moving out of state and would not be seen at the doctors office anymore, she sat down and talked to me. Melissa had struggles of her own, yet always stayed strong and helped me out. She had such a big heart and was positive. I still felt shocked by her compassion, because she didn't know me, yet she seemed to really care about me getting better. She said her goodbye, wished me the best of luck and said I could call if I needed anything. I didn't think much of that statement, but minutes later, Melissa followed through with her statement and came back with a business card with this written on the back - "Good luck to you. Good luck to me. Always remember the world may see you as one person but one person may see you as the world. " It had her name and personal address on it. I was so touched. Someone cared. After a year of being let down by doctors and a string of medical bad news someone put their hand out for me to say they had hope for me. How amazing. She didn't have to do that, but she did. I always wanted to tell Melissa how much this meant to me. When I received the Hope envelope, I just knew this was the perfect opportunity. And I had her address, how cool! Not because of the $5, but because she made my day and all I wanted to do was to make her day. I picked up a thank you card and put the "secret santa" money in the Hope Epidemic envelope and added some of my own secret hope too. I hope that when Melissa receives this gift of Hope, she sees that providing that extra kindness and compassion to strangers makes a difference to people in this world and truly gives them Hope. I believe she will continue to spread her hope that lies within her. She has inspired me to find my way to spread hope. Hope can be spread in so many ways, I hope you will find your special way of spreading hope.

I've held on to the envelope for 2 weeks just waiting for the perfect opportunity to spread hope. Yesterday after a nice lunch in Ybor we were walking down 7th Avenue. There was a homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk. As we walked by she asked for our leftover food. Didn't ask for money, just simply wanted food. I felt like she was the one that I had been holding out for. I walked up to her and told her that I just wanted to give her a little hope today. She thanked me and then asked if I could spare some money for a slice of pizza. I told her to look inside of the envelope. The look on her face was of such sincere gratitude. It felt amazing!!

What's so great about the hope epidemic is that the Bible tells us that when we give to the poor, we lend to God. What an amazing thought, God "owing" us...He pays us back so much more than what we lend! *~jonny~*

i've really been enjoying bringing hope back into the world The first week, i gave the $5 to an unemployed neighbor going thru hard times. Since he was going to use the $5 for a little food, i took him grocery shopping and bought him $25 in groceries so he could use the $5 for bus money to go to a job interview. Yesterday [4-27-09, i saw a man in the wal-mart parking lot in mango with three kids in tow [one of whom has cancer. His wife left him and he was just kicked out of his hotel until he could pay more on his bill. I prayed for him and the kids and told him about the hope epidemic website. I also gave him $10 to help towards his hotel bill. Today my upstairs neighbor was struggling to carry a huge bag of trash [it weighed at least 50 pounds] down the stairs. i took it from her on the stairs and carried it to the dumpster for her. i hope everyone else is getting as much out of this as i am. HOPE is real and alive in Tampa! *~jonny~*

I had a few money give away envelopes left in my car from the first week of the Hope Epidemic. On my way to the YMCA every morning I pass the street corner where all the homeless are dumped when the shelters purge their nightly tenants. I normally never give any money away to pan handlers. I have sucker written on my face so I have heard just about every story. As a result I have a standard answer no and no. This day though I had this money that wasn't even mine and I had to get rid of it some how. It's not very often that God tells me to turn around but as I passed by the "homeless corner" I made a uturn. I pulled up to the first guy who quickly approached my car retrieved the envelope. The next guy reached his hand in for another envelope. A third person gets their envelope when the first guy announces "Hey it's five dollars". No kidding I had over 50 hands reaching in my car for what could have been their last breath of air. Many of them shouting their plight. Its just me and my wife, Just laid off, I need breakfast. As the frenzy met the end of my envelopes and people turned away, on man looked back caught my eye and said "thank you".

Reverse Hope Epidemic. I was at Starbucks this morning and as I killed time with the staff I realized I was holding up a man who started to form a line behind me. I told the Barista that I would pay for his coffee today. He smiled and said "great than I'll take one of everything". He ordered his small drink and then a slice of coffee cake. He pulled out his wallet and I said no really I've got it. I to him to just got to our HopeEpidemic website and that we were trying to start an epidemic of doing nice things for people. He thought it was a great idea and said he would check out the site. He then told the barista, I'm going to pay for this guys coffee". Before I knew it I got reversed on my Hope epidemic. I was the one getting the free coffee.

I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. So when I first got my Hope Epidemic envelope, my head was swirling with who the perfect person was to give it to. Every couple days I'd think about it, but it mainly sat in my truck. Tonight I finally prayed that God would show me who to give it to because I wanted to actually use it. Neat thing that prayer. 20 minutes later I arrived at Walmart and no more than opened my door when a deaf man walked up to me and handed me a key chain with the sign-language alphabet and explaining that he was "selling" them for donations of any amount. I knew it was like God was telling me, here's your guy. So I handed him the envelope, mouthed "God Bless" which he did his best to reply with as well and walked into Walmart for some bread and milk. Funny thing that prayer though... I asked God to show me one person, but on the way out, a man approached me and asked if I had any Fix-a-flat. I have no idea how he picked me, because I was trying to rush home to my sick wife and had to look hurried. I told him I didn't have fix-a-flat, and he asked if I had any part of $3.75 that he was willing to pay back and give me his cell phone number to get. I asked him to wait and went to my truck and gave him $4.50 to make sure he had enough for tax. I was blown away by how God had answered my prayer to be able to give and hope that both men walked away feeling a little extra touch of the hope of Jesus in their lives.

I just went into Subway for a late lunch. Some teenage skateboarders came in and went over to get water from the soda fountain. The manager told them it would be ten cents each. They were really hot and thirsty, but had NO money. They were very disappointed. I told the manager it was on me. The kids were really happy about that. They all thanked me and one even gave me a fist bump. When I went to pay, the manager wouldn't take my money. Cool. Looking forward to using my cards tomorrow.

Believe me when I suggest that this is a story of Hope, Faith, Forgiveness, Community and Love. We do not all experience the journey in the same form and fashion. For some it is a long and winding road that may be turbulent at times. It is exactly those challenges and moments of weakness that form who we are as a Christ-followers and necessitate a sense of hope, faith, community and ultimately lead to our salvation. I am ashamed and humbled by the fact that the majority of my life I have had a lack of faith and utterly no hope. I felt alone, hopeless, torn between two faiths with no guidance or desire to seek a better life. All that was good in life seemed beyond my grasp and the joy which I should have experienced was nowhere to be found. Unable to appreciate the importance of faith, a sense of self (due to low self esteem) and community I sought a way to make myself feel anything at all. Unfortunately, given my youth, naive nature, inability to make good decisions and lack of faith I sought a more destructive path which lead to alcohol and drug abuse at a rather young age. By the time I was sixteen my life had spiraled out of control and I was unable to effectively make decisions to help myself. A lack of guidance, an unwillingness to accept help from others and a complete lack of hope lead towards suicidal tendencies. At the age of sixteen I tried to kill myself and was involuntarily "Baker-Acted" by my family who intervened in an effort to save the life that I clearly could not appreciate. I turned 40 a few weeks ago. Many of you were able to experience this milestone with me. Many of you were able to share the joy of my first Baptism on March 28th, 2009 at Ft. Desoto as well. When I first attended Relevant Church Paul alluded to a sense of community and the value of truly authentic and faith-based relationships with the Father and each other. I can honestly say that where there was once fear, there is now confidence, where there was once a lack of desire, there is now service, where there was once loneliness and depression, there is now community, where there was once skepticism there is now faith and where there was once hopelessness there is now HOPE! I would like to thank you all for the role you have played in my spiritual and personal life...you will never understand the importance of the strength you have provided in the name of the Father to guide me in my journey. Paul, Please feel free to share my story with the Relevant Family as it is my sincerest Hope that my story may help my other Brother's and Sister's in need. God Bless

I just had lunch in Ybor City. I asked the waitress to bring me someone else's check too, and to give them the card after I left. I had hoped to make an impression on whoever got the free lunch, but hadn't counted on such an impression from the waitress. She looked at the card and asked me what it was about. I told her it was something my church was doing and suggested she go to the website and check it out. She said, "That is so nice. I've got goosebumps." And she was serious. That was really cool. I hope the guys who got the free lunch will pass it on!

i ran into clayton the man with the three children i helped a week ago and prayed for. ...and the hope i gave him in prayer miraculously came about in the week since i saw him. he is getting the help and aid he needs, and will be moving into a place of his own soo. He is also going to provide foster care for the child with cancer [his ex wife's child, not his so i prayed for him again, gave him $5 and a this one is on me card...which he is exited about being able to use when i remarked, "praise god," at his good news,he said: ALL IT TAKES IS A LITTLE FAITH." thank you jesus for answered prayer and just as important, HOPE!

Even though I am a Christian and believe and know there is a better day coming doesn't mean I don't have days where I can use a little bit of encouragement and today I received lunch from Michael (co-worker) with a card saying Hope be a part of it - what a great way to show love and encouragement to someone -- thank you Michael

I passed out envelopes to the kids in my Upstreet small group today. OK y'all, let's spread this epidemic!

Hi,my name is DD. I have the opportunity to share and thank the man whom made it possible to be a part of the hope story. I am being hit with the economy,financially and spiritually,but so thankful for all I do have. I struggle every day as many do and fortunately I can hop in my motorized chair and take myself somewhere to ask for support. I am physically challanged yet capable of so much and would like to take this time to thank the man whom came to my aid as I placed myself under the underpass a ways from my home to find some help and hope. I must add I met alot of kind people, giving,loving, and sincere. I was able to purchase my meds, and pay some towards my rent, as this has kept a roof over my head. I was so desperete the days yu all might see me there, however the law reads no soliciting, as to that I was told to leave the area or go to jail. Since then I have not been back and still srtuggle for my needs however I am given the oppurtuity to thank every one for their support, and pass on the envelopes of hope as well. Some days I just think what can I do to get through it then I remember the times and means of prayer and asking. Thank you for your support Lady in motorized scootor under the bridge and should andy one have a job for me please write here to communicate. thanks

I was in Virginia last week and visited a Sonic near my hotel a couple times while there. The Lord laid it on my heart to pray for each of the two people (Jawn and Emily) who served me the two times I ate there. I felt called to return to the Sonic and give them some Hope by way of the $5 Hope envelopes. The day before I was leaving Virginia I wrote personal note to each of them on their envelopes and walked up to the entrance of the work area at their Sonic. Another young lady approached me and I asked her if Jawn and/or Emily were/was there. She said no so I gave her the envelopes and asked her to make sure that they got them. She smiled and agreed she would. As I turned around, a haggard looking man in his 30's or 40's carrying a bag and wearing a 2pac shirt approached me and asked me how to order. I was at first amazed that someone didn't know how to order at Sonic but quickly relinquished my premonitions and went on to explain to him that you simply push the red button and order through the speaker on the electronic menu device. Right after I said that I pulled a "This One Is On Me" out of my pocket and told him to order whatever he likes. I said that I have been very blessed and would like to bless him with some hope. He was very thankful but hesitant to order anything but a small drink that he originally intended to get. I told him that I would like to eat with him so to go ahead and order some food. He smiled and did just that. We sat and talked as we waited for our food and it turns out he had just got a job about 6 days previous and he had been trying for the past 3-4 months to find one. He explained that he has been struggling with little money and has no family in the area; therefore he has pretty much been living on the street and in a house where someone was letting him stay for free. He was very excited about his new job and he was explaining how he was planning on continuing to perform well at work and put away money each month. I praised him and gave encouragement and then asked him if he could use a ride to work. He said that would be great and after we got our food we headed toward his store. We kept talking about his life and about the Bible and a few other things. As we approached his place of work I reemphasized that I was very happy for him and was pleased to have met him and that there is Hope! He was smiling big and right as he got out of the car he said, "This is really cool man, this is great, in fact, I know a girl I am going to go give this to right now....yea...she's this girl in the store that I see everyday and she's never got a smile on her face and I think she could use some of this Hope, I'm going to go make her smile right now."

Larry came over for paintball and pizza yesterday and while waiting for me to load the truck for paintball he slipped off and replaced a torn screen in our screen enclosure before I even knew what he was doing. (he does screen enclosures) That was awesome! I had used my "this ones on me card" last week but didn't think it would be used on me as well....Thanks Larry!

I held on to the envelope for a few weeks not knowing where to give it. One day before leaving the office it hit me. I left the envelope for a co-worker (that works a different shift and has a new baby at home) with a note saying it was not "propaganda"..just "HOPE"! I received a note on my desk saying that it made their day. I smiled big and that made my day! I have used the "this ones on me" concept with a couple friends but I havent used it on a stranger yet...I'll let you know when that happens

I was in O'Hare airport this week eating at Chili's before a flight and decided to pick up the tab for two people across the way. I asked the waitress to bring me the tab and give them both a card. After a few minutes of debate one of them came over to my table to introduce and ask what the card was all about. I said it was not "propaganda" just "HOPE" and the website would explain it. They said t"you're not gonna tell me are you?" I said "no, just go to the site and pass it on"...they said they would definitely check it out....I HOPE they did:-)

Our church just started the Hope Epedemic today. My son is in Basic Combat Training at Ft Jackson South Carolina. One of the other soldiers in Basic Training with him is a local girl. I have been talking with her mother, who I didn't know before our kids left for Basic. She has a little boy,her husband doesn't work, she is the sole provider for her family. She is always happy and seems like a very giving person. I'm taking her to lunch for her birthday and am giving her a candle with a Hope Epidemic Card tied to it - she is a Christian so maybe she will take the card and start an epidemic at her church or on her own.

Our church just started the Hope Epedemic today. My son is in Basic Combat Training at Ft Jackson South Carolina. One of the other soldiers in Basic Training with him is a local girl. I have been talking with her mother, who I didn't know before our kids left for Basic. She has a little boy,her husband doesn't work, she is the sole provider for her family. She is always happy and seems like a very giving person. I'm taking her to lunch for her birthday and am giving her a candle with a Hope Epidemic Card tied to it - she is a Christian so maybe she will take the card and start an epidemic at her church or on her own.

I lead a group called Girlfriends Unlimited which seeks to support women to ulitmately show Jesus' love through friendships and opportunities for women to connect with one another. We decided to provide a Hope Epidemic gesture in a gift bag for women at a local event. As part of the gift bag we included $5 with a note about hope epidemic and how we hope a little can mean a lot. I have no idea how these women will respond to this gesture. Some will need the $5 more than others and we hope those that don't need it can pass it along to another who does. This was our 1st start with this and hope that it can be truly meaningful to those it reaches.

When our church started the Hope Epidemic, we had some business cards to give away with a gift of our choice. My mother-in-law had her purse stolen at a local laundromat this summer & for some reason I decided we should go to that laundromat and provide quarters for the machines. So we got in our jar of coins & filled a plastic tub with quarters. We wanted to do this anonomously, so we found an evening when there was no one in the laundromat & my teenage daughter & I went in and loaded as many of the machines with quarters until we ran out. I put a card on every other one. It was fun & we hope that whether someone used them for laundry or grabbed them & used them for some other reason that they took a moment to look at the cards & checck out this website. God Bless!!

I received the hope envelope from a co-worker. It means a lot to me because in May this year I found out my husband has lung cancer. He has taked radiation and chemo. Our lives have changed dramatically. I am sure our lives will never be the same.

I was serving a couple ladies at chili's as I do everyday. I cashed them out and said have a good day Happy ThanksGiving and walked away. When I went to go bus my table I noticed a little card that had the passage "Passing along a little hope. Be a part of it!" With this web site on it. Under it was a six dollar tip that I thought was much to high for their total bill I fliped over the card and there was a twenty dollar bill folded up in a paper clip! My first thought was it was mistaken and I started to look around for them. Earlier that day I was going over some bills and needed $27.00 by the next day to pay them, These ladies left me $26.00! If thats not hope them someone please explain what hope is. Thank you so much to those ladies!