Family Friday: David & Erica

(Photo by: Nina Mullins Photography)

I don't know about you, but this picture speaks a thousand words to me. Words like love. Ransom. Family. Joy. Excitement. Hope. Belonging.

I still remember receiving this picture last May from Erica and how it spoke to me. In that moment, God spoke deeply into my heart and urged me to stop and in stillness reflect on this picture, causing me to realize His deep love and how He choose to adopt ME into His family...

Listen in as David & Erica, who were blessed with a matching grant from the James Fund in partnership with Lifesong for Orphans, share some of the thousand words that come out of this special picture:

God used the ministry of The James Fund to bless our family and help bring Zahra Reign home forever.  When God called us to adopt again we knew it wouldn't be an easy task financially, although this was our second adoption we were once again in a new kind of uncharted territory.  Fundraising. 

God used our fundraising journey to show us more of himself, His love for us and for His children.  It allowed us to see the body of Christ at work in a tangible way on behalf of us and our precious daughter.  Over and over again God moved in HUGE ways to confirm to us that we were to stay the course and trust Him to provide.  When we saw our daughter on a waiting child list and knew she was meant to be ours--it was a bit overwhelming knowing what would be ahead of us financially.  God again confirmed His provision for us and for Zahra.  We moved forward in faith requesting her file and saying YES to this precious four year old little one.  The money needed each step of the way was never late, rarely early, always right on time.  Through our James Fund Grant and the amazing support of our Lifesong Family we were given the opportunity to not only have a tax deductible option for donors but a match for the money donated.  This was a HUGE provision for us, making it possible to complete our adoption. 

Here we are months later: Zahra is thriving, we are so blessed to parent this precious little girl, celebrating her life, and watching the redemption process as she learns about the love of a family.  She is speaking more and more English, adapting to her new surroundings, loving her siblings, and soaking in every moment.  We cannot thank everyone enough for what God is doing in and through the James Fund & Lifesong for Orphans ministry.  We are truly humbled and blessed.

-David & Erica

Thank you so much David & Erica for letting us share in this exciting journey and be reminded of the great Father who adopted us!

James 1:27...literally

 

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27

It is our joy to partner with Both Hands Foundation to create an avenue for adoptive families, churches, and youth groups to live out James 1:27 in a very literal way.  By working on a widow's home, these individuals raise funds through Lifesong to bring an adopted child home or to partner in one our orphan care country initiatives.

Excited to share with you another example of what James 1:27 can look like through Josh & Kathryn's project they headed up to raise funds to bring their two children home from Ethiopia.  

(filmed & produced by Matt Wilson)

Want to know more? Visit the Both Hands Foundation website to see how YOU can live out James 1:27!

Family Friday: Matt & Jenni

 Lifesong is rejoicing with Matt & Jenni as they welcomed home their daughter from Ethiopia in August.  Lifesong had the honor of helping Matt & Jenni fundraise as they walked the journey of adoption.

Listen in to this special letter, written by Matt & Jenni, to their new daughter, Rachel Rose:

...now as we hold you in our arms, we are so thankful for each and every single delay that happened. Because of those delays - we were the family who got to be assigned to receive YOU. YOU were the exact child God had picked out for our family. Since before time began, it was in His plan that YOU, Rachel Rose, would be born in Ethiopia and then adopted into our family. How did we get to be so blessed? The word “thankful” hardly begins to describe the depth of our gratitude to have YOU as our daughter. -Matt & Jenni

To learn more about adoption funding, visit Lifesong for Orphans.

2011 Highlights & Year-End Giving

Lifesong projects impact 3,000+ orphaned & vulnerable children each year.  

The Lord has continued to lead Lifesong this year in ways that we could not have imagined!  

Here is a glimpse:

·       Created 45 jobs for orphan’s caregivers through micro-lending & sustainable Strawberry Farm in Zambia

·       Installed 59 computer systems in Honduras, giving skills to break cycle of unemployment thank you RetailROI!

·       84 children now have their FIRST school in 14 years (due to civil war) in Marshall, Liberia

·       Completed 100^th repair of a widow’s home & hit $1,000,000 mark in adoption funding through Both Hands partner

·       Helped 638 children become adopted into US Christian families, removing financial barriers through Adoption Grants & Loans (disbursed over $3,500,000 in adoption funding)

·       Our joy to partner with 167 churches through Adoption Funds & Orphan Care initiatives in 32 states

·       Launched Adoption without Borders (indigenous adoption) in Ukraine and have helped 120+ Ukrainian orphans become adopted by Ukrainian Christian parents

·       Helped Sergey, Andrei and several other Ukrainian orphans launch a landscaping business w/ over 1,000 plants (job skills & sustainability)

·       Sveta and 835 other children have been mentored through Constant Christian Presence

·       Now helping 550 orphans & vulnerable children through education & feeding programs in Ethiopia

·       Renovated 15 foster agency waiting rooms to help foster kids feel loved through“Project Sunshine”

Thank you for prayers, giving & your heart for orphaned and vulnerable children around the world.

You can DONATE NOW! (tax-deductible), a year-end gift before 11:59pm on December 31st! 

100% of your donation goes directly to orphan needs – absolutely ZERO administrative costs are deducted (paid for by TMG Foundation). 

2011 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Both Hands in the News!

 Both Hands Reaches Great Milestones!

149 orphans served!

137 widows served! 

Over 3000 volunteers!
 

106 families served!

 ....in only 3 years!!

Message from the Founder:

What would it feel like if your favorite professional football team, basketball team, and baseball team, as well as your college team….all won their respective championships…on the same day!!  Take a minute, close your eyes, and imagine that.
 
That’s how I feel with Both Hands hitting all these milestones in one month. If you’re reading this, you were one of the many who helped make it happen and I’m so grateful for your obedience.  Too many to name…over 3,000!...just stand with me in awe of the King!

-JT Olson

Both Hands 100th Project
in Smyrna, TN! 

Jason and Kelly Stewart's project was featured in two local newspapers. Their story and video is powerful! Grab a box of tissues and click here to see their video.  

Featured Project: The Zuzunaga Family   

“It really was a great experience as we were able to share God's love for this really needy woman.  I am so amazed at all that God has done during our adoption process, including the Both Hands project....  

              ...Because we chose to answer God's call to adopt, He has also given us the opportunity to minister to other people, including Louise, who we might otherwise, not have met.  We serve a really BIG God and I'm so glad He can see the BIG picture because mine is definitely too narrow."

-Luis & Gentry Zuzunaga

Santa Barbara, California

Both Hands Hires First Full-Time Employee!

Aimee Hawtrey joined the Both Hands team as the Operations Manager at the beginning of August.  

"I am so excited to be part of the Both Hands team working together with Lifesong! What an amazing opportunity to practice pure religion- assisting the orphans and widows- on a daily basis. God is so good to have opened the doors for me to join this mission."

-Aimee Hawtrey 

Click HERE to GIVE to Both Hands Foundation!