Orphan Sunday 2011

Orphan Sunday is JUST around the corner! As we talk with families and churches across the US we are thrilled to hear how God is orchestrating all kinds of events to raise awareness and advocate for the fatherless around the world!

How can YOU be a part of this growing movement and give voice to the voiceless? Kim Smith at Calvary Church shares how they were involved last year,

We did a prayer vigil the Friday night before Orphan Sunday followed with deserts & coffee where we had tables displayed with ways to take care of orphans & foster children . At the prayer vigil we had guest speakers for each segment: foster care, orphan care, and adoption, followed with a special prayer. We also had a special musician from our church who played adoption & orphan songs. 

One of our special speakers was from Malawi, Africa who shared about his work with orphans. It was a great night!

Need more ideas?

Host a prayer group. Teach a Sunday school lesson. Encourage your pastor to preach about orphans. Host a gathering or lecture at your college campus. Take part in a Both Hands project. Serve Gobena Coffee at your church. Launch an adoption fund or Adopt an Orphanage program at your church.  Orphan Sunday Partnership Packages are provided online for more ideas and help on how to utilize resources provided by orphan care ministries throughout the country.

We can't wait to hear how hearts are moved to action in your community!

School Dedication - Lifesong Liberia

Please enjoy this update from Lifesong Liberia:

(Written by Keith Knapp, Liberia Liaison to Greg Buzek, Retail ROI)

"I just wanted to send a note to say how well the school is going at Marshall, Liberia.  Retail ROI's generous gift will change the lives of many children in Marshall. This is a community that did not have a school. Currently about 60 children are attending but many more would like to come. Kay and I were greatly blessed by the school dedication!

Since this is the rainy season, we were concerned if anyone would come to the dedication but the Lord granted us the most beautiful day that I have ever experienced in Liberia. There was a cool breeze and bright sunshine, which made the day really pleasant with about 60 children and 40 adults in attendance. As I spoke to the community leaders, I encouraged them to take pride in their community and help change Liberia.

This would not have happened if it were not for you!"

In His Name,

Keith Knapp

Brush to Berries-Zambia & GIVEAWAY!!

Brush to Berries from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

"Simply giving this person money is treating the symptoms rather than the underlying disease and will enable him to continue with his lack of self-discipline... a better solution would be to develop a relationship that says, we are here to walk with you and to help you use your gifts and abilities to avoid being in this situation in the future'" (An excerpt from the book, When Helping Hurts)

Lifesong is serving the people of Zambia... the orphaned, the at-risk, and the poor... by utilizing the land that is, like the people, so full of potential. Lifesong farms-Zambia reaped its first strawberry harvest in June, and local grocers have been purchasing the berries. With additional acres to farm, we are hoping to process some of the berries and begin marketing Lifesong Farms Strawberry Jam.

By harvesting fruit, we are able to serve more orphans by providing the gift of a job at Lifesong's gardens and self worth to an orphan's caregiver. We are also able to provide future employment for our kids as they transition into adult living, develop a system to raise funds to help cover operational costs, and develop expertise that can be replicated in multiple countries where Lifesong serves. Most of all, we are seeking to glorify Jesus as we teach others how He walked.  

**GIVEAWAY:

1st PRIZE: We are giving away a 1-night hotel stay for the LIVE ORPHAN SUNDAY event in Kansas City!!! Let me just tell you, this event will be FABULOUS!!!

2nd PRIZE: We are giving away FREE Gobena Coffee for 1 year - 2 lbs per month shipped straight to your home.

 

HOW do you enter? Well, I'm glad you asked! There are several ways to enter. PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT ON THIS POSTING FOR EACH ENTRY, including your email address so we are able to contact you!!!

1. Share how the Lord is working in and through your adoption/orphan care ministry (1 entry)

2. Re-post this Zambia blog posting on YOUR blog to share what the Lord has been doing at Lifesong Zambia (1 entry)

3. Tell us about an Orphan Sunday event you had or attended in the past (1 entry)

4. Tell us your plans for THIS YEAR's Orphan Sunday on Nov. 6th (1 entry)

5. Re-post this on your facebook wall (1 entry)

6. Re-post this on your twitter page (1 entry)

7. Ask your friend(s) to post on THEIR blogs, facebook, or twitter and tell us YOU sent them (1 entry)

8. Tell us what you think about the 'Brush to Berries' video - what moved you, what stood out to you, what are you excited about? (1 entry)

9. Become a fan on facebook here (1 entry)

10. Send an email to info AT lifesongfororphans DOT org asking to receive our monthly updates (1 entry)

PLEASE leave a separate comment on this post for EACH entry, including your email address so we are able to contact you!

***Giveaway starts immediately and ends at midnight on Monday, October 3rd.

Adoption Resources

As we serve more and more families, we are often asked what resources are available for adoptive families to prepare their hearts and homes to welcome a 'child from a hard place'.

Check out our newly-renovated Adoption Resources page! Pass it along to anyone that you think it could be helpful to!

Please share any additional resources that have been helpful to you both pre and post-adoption.

LET'S ENCOURAGE THE BODY OF CHRIST AS WE WALK THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER!

Lifesong Ethiopia Update

Please enjoy this update from Lifesong Ethiopia:

• Christmas was celebrated on Jan. 7 with a special program, which included singing carols, a message from an evangelist and a drama of the Christmas story starring some of the older students.  Since many of our students come from Muslim or atheist homes this is a great opportunity to share Christ.

• Recently 4 American volunteer nurses came to check all 430 of our students.
  • Because of this examination, 7 year-old Abdisa was taken to the local hospital and we found out she has a heart concern.  Now she can get the attention she needs.  Her mother, a young widow, is one of the school's cooks.

• Dr. Bryan Stoller, an optometrist, also came to check vision and hand out glasses.

• We also have a prayer request for a girl named Marion that is 14 years old.  She was sexually assaulted and became pregnant.  Her mother is widowed and HIV positive.  As a student at the Lifesong, Marion receives special care and hopefully she will continue her education after her baby is delivered.

"Hopeless life situations can be turned around because of the love of Jesus." ~Peggy Ifft, Lifesong Ethiopia

Thank you for continued prayer and support as we strive to bring joy and purpose to orphans.