Summit VIII Reflection from Rebecca...

Rebecca Maas, adoptive mother and orphan advocate, is part of our Lifesong Blogger Network.  We were excited to see her win our Lifesong Blogger Network contest and win a trip to the Summit this year.  Couldn't help but share her kind words and wisdom that she took from Summit this year.

I just wanted to thank you and Lifesong again for the wonderful opportunity to attend Summit VIII. What a great time of refreshment and encouragement for me. 

It was also a time God used to open my eyes to the realities adoptive and foster families are facing after placement.  I know that God had been slowly opening my eyes to families in my area who are struggling after bringing their child home. There is no support network set up for them.  The church is really failing in this area.  They are cheering for and encouraging families to adopt/foster children but are not educating and following through with the families once the child is in the home.  I truly think it is ignorance.  I don't think they realize that the hard work STARTS when the child comes home.  After five seperate adoptions I can honestly say adoption is not for the faint at heart.  It is a lot of work and takes a huge amount of faith.  Adoption is probably the hardest thing I have ever done and the most rewarding.  

Thanks again for the opportunity!

To learn more about Rebecca, follow her blog at www.thissideofeternityblog.blogspot.com.

What could YOU do in ONE day?

 

Would your church youth group or college campus ministry be willing to spend ONE day to live out James 1:27...literally? 

Knowing that God is already at work in your church or campus ministry, Both Hands Foundation & Lifesong for Orphans invite you to roll up your sleeves (and maybe get your hands dirty!) by creatively serving the widow and the orphan at the same time!

Colorado Big Build--volunteers form Ellerslie Bible College 

Students + Widows = Orphan Care   

To find out how your youth group or college campus ministry can get involved, please contact Keith McAfee (keith@lifesongfororphans.org or 423.402.0248) or Rich Metcalfe (rich@lifesongfororphans.org or 309.747.4528).

New Strawberry Business - Lifesong Ukraine

Lifesong Ukraine has recently started up a new strawberry project that is taking place in the developing nursery.  These strawberry plants will be used to start a 'nursery business' for growers in Eastern Europe. Listen in as Denis Poshelok shares an update from from Lifesong Ukraine,

"Greetings! We appreciate your prayerful support as we enter a busy season this year with our strawberry nursery trial. We received the plants, the weather was good and the crew is excellent. The crew is a combination of our Kharkov graduates and Izume church members. Also, we have three older ladies coming from the local church to help plant!"

Andrei unloading strawberries from Plant Sciences, Inc.

Let the planting begin!

Please join us in prayer for this new endeavor for Lifesong Ukraine! Pray that God can use this for His glory!

Thank you from Both Hands Widow...

Please enjoy this "Thank You" message from Sharon, the widow who was served last month through a Big Build Both Hands project in memory of Ty Osman II.  

Wow...oh....wow!

That is all I can say at the moment, but I must forge through. I am very overwhelmed. I want everyone to know what is in my heart. Thank you so very much for the love and support you showed me in my time of need.

My dear husband died on August 28, 2011 and it was a great loss. Every day I miss him, in small ways as well as major ways. The work you have carried out I can never repay. I really didn't think it was going to be as extensive as it was. I thought to myself that some people would be sitting around picking at their folded hands until it was time to leave. Man! Was I wrong!  I am by myself a lot but I try to do the best I can. I am sure people keep me in their thoughts and are just busy.... but what you've showed was, all were strangers to me, that are now true friends to me, they love the Lord deeply, love people, therefore they love, whether it is through donations, volunteering, or any help. All work... to the glory of the Lord. All the people, the food, the fellowship, the work, photography, the gas that was used, the extra items that were purchased, the hugs, the encouraging words, the moments of concern shown to me on my behalf, the prayers, the news on television, the web site, the newspapers, as well as the children that all of this will help, certainly give the up most glory to the Sovereign Lord God Almighty.

Thanks...for choosing me for your project. Thank you for going the extra miles when you didn't have to. Thank you for helping the widows and children. Thank you for the overwhelming love, encouragement, heartfelt prayers and support that I feel from you, and your organization. Even thanks to the ministries that work with you, that do extra services. You have given me a new lease on life, a new hope, and strength to walk on.....forward.

May Our Father receive the glory in our daily walks with him. To God be the glory.

Sharon P.  

To learn more about Both Hands Foundation, please visit their website.

Summit VIII Reflection

Listen in to Summit VIII reflection from Christian Alliance for Orphans' President Jedd Medefind:

Summit VIII was nothing short of amazing.  Even for those of us who spent a lot of time scurrying behind the scenes, the passion and wisdom and experiences brought not only by formal presenters, but by virtually every attendee, left us full-to-the-brim.  Many of the workshop and plenary sessions will be available for download online in the weeks ahead, and we’ll share more stories and reflections as well.  But here’s one window from an article in the Christian Post that accurately captured the theme that pulsed in every aspect of Summit: Justice and Mercy Flow from the Gospel. 

Here's a glimpse into the Lifesong booth displaying the 2300 handprints (2nd picture) representing the number of children Lifesong has help bring into Christian adoptive families. We were so excited to MEET some of these families who have partnered with Lifesong like Dustin & Katie (3rd picture)

We'd love to hear from YOU! Whether you were able to attend Summit in person or through the LIVE Webstream, what was your favorite part or how did God speak to you through this event? We'd love to hear from you!

Also: Register today for Summit IX in May 2013 in Nashville, TN!