Depraved Indifference

Wow, if you have not seen this, take about 7 minutes to watch it! Powerful! Such an amazing video.

Apparently, his son's name is Hudson, as well. :)

My birthday wish...

Today is my birthday and I need a little favor. :) I’ve learned through studying “The Five Love Languages” that one of my love languages is “words of affirmation.” So thanks in advance for wishing me a happy birthday...haha.

As much as I love reading all the Happy Birthday wishes, what would warm my heart the most would be to hear that my friends are considering sponsoring an orphan or supporting my favorite organization.

Joel and I know the president personally and know the heart of this organization. 100% of the money given to the children, goes to the children. No money is taken out for administrative purposes!

If you decide to make a donation, could you send me a message so I can tally up the total? It would be so wonderful to hear from you before December 31…and you would get the end of year tax deduction. I will announce how much we have given and how many orphans are supported on January 1, 2011. The president recently told me that over 250 orphans need sponsors. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

This time last year, Alexis chose a special orphan, Navia to sponsor each month. Navia’s birthday is December 19. Alexis started a website and blog design business with a purpose of supporting orphans and her next mission trip. Sweet Navia lives in India and we know, through Global Partners, Navia has her needs met. She receives love, care, an education, clothes, shoes, food and water. Most importantly, she is taught about her Creator, Jesus and how much He loves her.

Give the Gift of HOPE. Partner with Global Partners in Peace & Development (GPPD) this holiday season to bring hope and help to people around the world. To view the projects in their catalog, go to http://gpartners.org/uploads/Christmas%20catalog.pdf

or visit their website:
http://gpartners.org/

You can make an eternal impact in the lives of others.

GPPD have 15 Children's Homes in India with over 600 children that are cared for and supported.

Everything that Global Partners does - feed and house orphans, educate children from the slums, care for widows, meet the needs of refugees, provide food and fresh water for the poor, provide Bible Schools for pastors and leaders, and much more - is done to show God’s love. The majority of us in the United States have been blessed in abundance. I believe that God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others, especially those who are in need.

Suggested donations…
$30 a month would sponsor a Child each month giving them food, clothes, education, shelter and love in India or Haiti.
$10 donation would buy one outfit for a child in Haiti.
$12 donation would buy a Bible for someone in Haiti.
$30 donation would supply an outfit, school supplies, toys, shoes and personal items to an orphan in India.
$100 would purchase a sheep or a goat for a family who is suffering from malnutrition or poverty.

And the list goes on and on. As you begin to look at the catalog, pray how God could use you this year to help orphans.

100% of your donation is tax-deductible. Global Partners is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Making a difference...

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."

I then asked, "Why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the ocean, past the breaking waves and said -

"It made a difference for that one."

Haiti...praying for Sherri and Julie who are missing.

Sherri is in this video sharing about the children and families of Haiti and their mission work there. Please pray for Sherri and her helper, Julie who are currently missing. If they are hurt, pray that God will bring help to them.

Some have estimated that the death toll could be 100,000 people. The reports are that the streets are being lined up with those who lost their lives. Please pray for God's grace for the precious people of Haiti. Pray for believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the many hurting Haitians.

He heals the broken heartened, binding up their wounds - Psalms 147:3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble - Psalm 46:1

angels...

Our wonderful pastor of music, requested our youth dance team to 'dance' (dramatize, entrepret, act as angels...LOL) in the Christmas Cantata. I have to say, it turned out way more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Dana, Alexis and I started working on choreography in August..non-stop, meeting two days a week. Honestly, in the beginning, I was on my knees asking God to help us create something for His glory. I felt totally out of control and really felt like we were not going to be ready.

I could share so many amazing stories how God has used these girls. They are not 'professionals' but their hearts are His and His light shines through them.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (New International Version)
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,...in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Right away, I know God wanted Dana and I to feel totally inadequate in ourself and totally dependent on Him. As the girls began running down three aisles of the church with 'wings' spread, I was blessed beyond measure. Tears. I didn't see 6 teenage girls. I saw 'angels.' Click on the pictures to enlarge them...and see all the detail. Words cannot express... Alexis is in the center.

Luke 2: 8-14

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

New addition to OUR family!

Here she is!! Meet Navya! She will be 7 years old on her birthday, December 19 and she is only 3 months older than Alaina. Her information says her parents have died. Sadly, the Children's Homes are not registered for adoption. If so, you know I would already be on my way to get her. She's just so cute!!

Our church partners with an organization that cares for orphans in India and they had a display yesterday of many of the children needing sponsored. Alexis and I, at the same time, noticed little Navya and said she is the one. Alexis will be supporting Navya on a monthly basis with the money she has raised through her blog/website design business!

Currently, the organization has 15 Children's Homes in India with over 550 children that are cared for and supported. Most of the homes are in the state of Andhra Pradesh and three of them are in the Maharashtra State (two are in the slums of Bombay). At the moment, 150 children are in need of sponsors!

Before this organization found Navya's children's home/orphanage, the children were eating only one meal a day of rice alone. Now, because of sponsors' support, all the children are being fed three meals a day along with having their other basic needs met. They were originally living in a small house or sleeping in the nearby church. Through the gifts of donors, they have been able to enlarge their home to provide more space for additional children. Each child owns a small suitcase, which looks like a "tool box" and holds their school supplies and any personal items they may own. They keep their single plate and cup on top of their suitcase.

Each child is taught to love Jesus with all their heart. They are taught scripture memorization. Our little Navya says she wants to be an evangelist when she grows up. Many of the boys are already preaching on the streets of India. They believe these children are the next leaders of India.

I mentioned yesterday that God has truly blessed Alexis's blog and website business. She is super busy with a very patient waiting list and has raised a large portion of $ which goes directly into her savings account. If you are new to my blog, Alexis's sole purpose is to raise money to support orphans and her next mission trip. We have been waiting for God to lead us to a special mission trip and a child to sponsor.

I'm sure Alexis and I will be sharing more about little Navya. The best part of all about sponsoring through this organization, (besides 100% of the money going directly to the child) is that we will be able to write Navya and send her pictures and gifts as often as we like.

Not everybody is called to adopt. But, all of us ARE called and commanded to care for the orphans and widows. For less than a $1 a day, a child without a future, can have her basic needs met and most importantly, know the love of Jesus.

Here is more information taken off of their website. If you are interested in supporting a child of your own, leave me a message and I will give you direct contact information.

India Orphans

You can be assured that 100% of the monies that are donated will go directly to the work! We are one of the few organizations in the world that give 100% of the funds donated to the work, no money is taken out for administrative costs. All gifts are tax-deductible. We are a registered 501c3 organization.

Monthly Sponsorship:

Currently we need monthly sponsors for 150 children to make sure that they are fed each day, have a loving environment to live in, clothes to wear, medication for when they are sick, and school fees paid for along with school supplies. These needs can be taken care of for children at only $30 per month. This also helps to fund their caretakers.

You will receive a packet on your child that gives a lot of information about them. This will include pictures.

Building Projects:

Currently, 4 of the 15 Children’s Homes have permanent land and a permanent building for the children to live in. Many of the Children’s Homes are located in a rented house or in a local church. It is our desire that each of our homes will have a permanent place to care for the children. We are thankful that donors have recently purchased 2 plots of land for future homes to be built. A plot of land usually costs around $8000 and to build a new Children’s Home costs nearly $30,000. This would be a home large enough for 50-60 children.

Current Needs List:
$1,200/each - Needed to buy seven of our Orphan Caretakers a motorcycle for transportation (4 have already been provided!)

$30,000 – Cost to Build a New Children’s Home in Gonegandla (COMPLETED!!)

$30,000 – Cost to Build a New Children’s Home in Siddipet

$30,000 - Cost to Build a New Children's Home in Peddathumbali ((COMPLETED!!)

$3,000 - Cost to Build a Security Wall for the Palvancha Home (the money needed for this has been committed by a church in Michigan!)

$1,338 - Cost for Storage Metal Boxes for 2 Children Homes for Children to store their belongings

$150,000 – Training Center, School, Dormitories, Widows Housing, Conference Hall, Printing Press and Headquarters in Siddipet on New Land

I just bought fruit trees!

Yes, I did! I just bought fruit trees to plant in Africa that will continually feed starving people.

Heart For Africa has a gift catalog of ways you can donate.

Read Sharla's Christmas challenge to find out how we can get our families involved.

And...I cannot wait to share Alexis's news! God has really blessed her efforts in fundraising for orphans and her next mission trip. Her blog design business is keeping her super busy. She has made a decision of where she is using some of the money and I hope to share soon after I get permission to share.

Oh my. So much to share! Soon.

When you least expect it...

Webs finally changed my website...since I didn't pay to renew...and I have those not-so-wonderful ads at the top...boohoo. Alexis is sooooo busy now working on our new friends' blogs that she doesn't have time for her Mama's website. What to do...sigh.


I'm very,very proud of my girl. She creates up a storm in her free time. Thank you all so much for encouraging her with your thoughtful comments. She smiles when she reads them. She's happy. Happy helping others. We are still praying with her for direction about her next mission trip...or what special orphan she will support.


Our church youth group is going on a trip this summer in the U.S. Our youth pastor wants our ministry dance team to go! Pray with us...for direction.


After spending so much time with Steve this week, Alexis and I especially, are ready to pack our bags and head on to China with Steve and family.


There are so many orphans to sponsor. So many that need parents.


You know you are in the ministry you are suppose to be in if your heart is heavy...and excited at the same time.