Soup's on...

I'm sure many you remember our friend, Addisyn Block, who has been continually advocating for orphans, specifically for our kiddos at Lifesong Ethiopia after her visit there this summer. (check out previous blog posts about Addisyn here and here)

We recently received this letter from Addisyn along with her lunch money for the past several months.  That's right--this school year, Addisyn has eaten the African soup she saw Gary and Peggy Ifft make in Ethiopia every day, and is donating the money normally spent on lunch to kids in Africa. 

Yeah...we think it's great too!

Thanks again Addisyn for your continued support and amazing example...we feel so blessed to partner with you in serving the fatherless.

Planning Ahead in Coffee

Anyone thinking Christmas yet?

This week a Christmas tune may have swept through my car speakers.  There may be a gift or two stowed away in the closet for safe keeping.  I may have cast longing glances at the twinkle lights in the basement.

I can't help myself.  I love the feeling of Christmas and when the weather first starts to turn and I smell the crispness in the air, my heart leaps involuntarily... Christmas is on the way!

Many of you are cringing right now.  Yes, I can feel your indignation creeping in... but let's put our differences aside and talk about something really cool you could do this Christmas.

What if instead of giving just another shirt... just another toy... just another... thing, you gave something that continued to give to others?  Continued to give to those who really needed it... to the poorest of the poor... the "least of these."  

There are many ways, you can do this... here is one:

Gobena Coffee offers fresh-roasted gourmet fair trade, organic, shade-grown coffee(yum).  And the best part?  Partnering with Lifesong and Loving Shepherd Ministries, 100% of their proceeds go to help orphans in Ethiopia.  Check out their projects here.  

This year you could serve Gobena with your holiday desserts or give a Gobena tote bag or t-shirt(softest shirt I own!).

It doesn't matter how you do it... but make this year count.  This Christmas let's give more.

... stay tuned for more super cool gift ideas.

A Note of Encouragement

Back in July, 14 year-old Addisyn wrote on her mom's blog.  She challenged parents to teach there kids to think about others as they shopped for school supplies.  She challenged them to give to Lifesong Ehtiopia's preschool so children there could have books and uniforms:

My challenge for you is to talk to your child. Tell them. Teach them. They won't know unless you do- I didn't. Teach them something far more important than what they will learn the entire year at school. Challenge them to go without one of those items thrown into your cart and instead send that money to Lifesong for Orphans and for Adami Tulu preschool. Show them how to think of others. Help them develop a heart for giving. Show them how to think outside of their own wants. Teach them to make their lives count. Develop in them an awareness for others. Teach them how to care.

One family took her up on her challenged and their daughter, Kensley, was excited to reach out to other children across the world.  Check out what she sent to Ethiopia with her money:

Kensley, we love your heart!  Thank you, Kenny and Donna, for teaching your children to care for the fatherless!

One Year Ago

A year ago today in Ethiopia, Kenny and Jana were introduced to two little boys... two little boys who had consumed their prayers for months... two little boys born in a different land with a completely different culture... two little boys for whom they had traveled across the world to rescue and call their own.

 

When Kenny and Jana first decided to adopt in May 2008, they knew they would face some financial barriers.  They received a matching grant through Highview and Louisville Orphan Care Alliance in partnership with Lifesong for Orphans, and by January of the following year they raised almost $26,000 for their adoption!

Now, 7 year-old Charlie and 3 year-old Sam are thriving.  And though this road has been anything but easy, Kenny and Jana would choose nothing else.  As they watch their boys grow, they are excited to instill an understanding of God's mighty hand in their lives.

I can’t wait until the boys are old enough to understand the testimony of faith that brought them to America and forever into the Cook family. I pray that they will use this awesome story as a part of their own personal testimony and share it for years to come!

~Jana Cook

Happy Gotcha Day, Cooks!

Check out their blog here!

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Will Provide

No, it's not Friday...but we always love sharing some of our adoption stories with you--no matter the day of the week!

Meet the Ruggards: The Ruggard family brought home little Tripp this past April from Ethiopia.  Lifesong was able to provide them with a matching grant and also assisted in their fundraising efforts. 

What a huge blessing it was to partner with your ministry in our adoption journey.  Lifesong not only provided a $2,500 gift, but also the encouragement to send adoption support letters to our family and friends.  Without this encouragement we may never have allowed God to provide through our family and friends the funds needed to finance our adoption.  --Ruggards

Thanks Ruggard family for sharing your heart and your journey with us.  It's amazing for us to be able to see our God, the Ultimate Provider work in your lives!!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19