For Joe Don and Susan Cunningham, it was almost more than they could bear. Standing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, they looked at the remains of their family home, now covered in mud and contaminated from flood waters. At that moment they knew things would never go back to the way they were...their home would never be the same again.

And they were no strangers to hard times. Years prior, when they found out that they couldn't have children on their own, their big hearts were drawn to children who need a chance at life. And through a series of miraculous events, they eventually adopted a total of six children, including one with Down syndrome and one with cerebral palsy.

Through their years together, they have faced many challenges, but none as big as this. In the weeks following the hurricane, while living out of a small FEMA trailer, they continued to pray and trust God that somehow they would once again have a place to call home. Just a few blocks away stood a gutted house the Cunninghams had dreamed of purchasing. But renovation alone would be a monumental task, and getting a loan for a house in this condition would be next to impossible on a detective's salary.

Susan held fast to God's promises, but the truth was, everything around them seemed hopeless. With six children and so many needs to be met, they simply did not know what to do...until the day they received an unexpected visit—the day that everything would change for the Cunninghams forever.

Friends and partners, in the wake of one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, you are directly responsible for bringing hope to thousands in the Gulf region. This past year, in partnership with Service International, we have repaired and rebuilt hundreds of homes all across Mississippi and Louisiana.

Pastor Ed Fasnacht and Project Manager Dave Degeare of Service International have been coordinating this massive effort. They have supervised more than 3,000 volunteers who have come from over forty states to lend a hand. To date, they have already significantly impacted more than 450 homes, and they're not slowing down.

"It's been amazing," says Pastor Ed. "People can't believe it when I tell them, 'Joyce Meyer Ministries gave us a grant that's dedicated strictly for materials because God's people care about you...it's all to go to you.' People are floored...they can't imagine it."

Friends and partners, your generous support for our hurricane relief efforts—which has now topped $3 million—has had a greater effect on these people's lives than any of us ever imagined. God took your heartfelt donations—your money—and He used it to make a miracle.

And this is just one area where you are making a difference. In January, Dave and Joyce dedicated Nireekshana Nagar, one of three new villages in India and Sri Lanka that we have rebuilt since the tsunami. In all, we have constructed 500 new homes and provided each community with new roads, water tanks, streetlights and other necessities. These precious men and women who lost everything in the tsunami now have homes and live in villages that are bigger and better than they ever were before the disaster!

Since that infamous day when the storm hit, you have helped us reach over 6,000 families with food and vital resources, build a residential school that houses up to 600 children...and in twenty-six villages in India and Sri Lanka, we continue to provide food, shelter, water, Joyce's books and various items to meet educational needs.

From the tsunami in Southeast Asia...to the most current situations affecting our world today, we are dedicated to bringing lifesaving assistance to those who need it the most. Because of your generous support, to date we have been able to donate well over $7 million to disaster relief efforts worldwide.

And the Cunninghams? When Joyce Meyer Ministries learned of this humble family with such great need, we knew God wanted to do something big in their lives. It was truly an amazing day in the spring of 2006 when we asked them to meet us on the front porch of their dream home just a few blocks away. As they pulled up, they were met by our camera crew and Joyce Meyer herself.

You can imagine their shock when Joyce said, "Through the partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries, we are purchasing this house for you, and Service International is going to completely restore it and make it handicap accessible."

Through tears Joe Don thanked Joyce and the crew, saying, "God has just proven to me that He has it all under control...I am completely humbled by this."

The big day came on December 19, when we unveiled their new home—just in time for Christmas. Designed specifically with their needs in mind, it contains handicap accessible bathrooms, wide hallways, entry ramps, six large bedrooms and ample storage for the medical supplies they use on a daily basis. It was a true home makeover. In addition, just months prior, we also surprised them with the keys to a brand-new handicap accessible van. And it all couldn't have been received with more gratitude and emotion than the Cunninghams expressed on that glorious day. In fact, they felt so blessed that they are in the process of adopting three more children with special needs.

"We have been blessed beyond belief," says Joe Don. "So we want to give back by taking in children that need a chance at life."

Friends and partners, thanks to you, these people's lives will never be the same. And every day, all across the world, your support is restoring hope and offering new beginnings to thousands who need it the most.

So, for all who have waited...for all who have prayed...for all who have held out hope for a better tomorrow...we say thank you. Your support has never meant so much as on the day they received their miracle.

Click here to learn more about our disaster relief efforts.