Why have a church fund with Lifesong?

Here's what some of the people we've worked with have to say...

Got to love Aaron's humor!

You can find out more about how to set up an adoption fund in your church HERE or email us at info@lifesongfororphans.org 

 

Big Build in Nashville, TN

It was an amazing experience to serve Dorsell, a widow and family in need, with our newly adopted children by our side.  It was James 1:27 brought to life for the Bojar family!"

Jim Bojar, volunteer

On April 16th, a group got together in Nashville, TN, along with founder, JT Olson and his wife, Sara, to serve Dorsell, a local widow.  Through this project not only was Dorsell served by the hands and feet of Jesus, but the money raised will go directly to serving orphans, whether it be through indigenous orphan care or helping families adopt!  Check out their video, or go here to find out more.

 

Family Friday (on Monday!): Tom and Tiffini

Tom and Tiffini adopted two brothers from Ethiopia, Lukas and Yakob. (look at those smiles!)

Here, Tiffini shares a little of their story:

I had been praying about adopting for 3 years.  However, my husband was not feeling the same call from the Lord.  So, I waited and prayed.  In November of 2009 God moved my husband's heart at a church men's retreat.  He made it clear to us both that now was the time to adopt... siblings!

We started the process immediately, but when we found out how high the cost of adopting siblings was, I admit that I experienced some fear and panic.  But even though we did not have the money we knew that God had called us to this.  So we moved forward, trusting that God would provide.

When I found out about Lifesong and Both Hands I was so excited.  This idea was straight from God!  My husband and I were both sure that this was God's answer and His way of providing for us.  We told family and friends and applied to Lifesong to begin a Both Hands project.

Totally unexpectedly, on February 22nd, the same day I sent in our applcation to Lifesong, we received a referral of two precious little brothers... only two weeks after getting our paperwork done!  Wow.  We were overwhelmed and so amazed of God's plan.

But wait.  Now we had to come up with a huge chunk of money much sooner than we'd expected.  I contacted Lifesong and told them our story.  We no longer had time to complete a Both Hands project.  Our need was immediate.  On March 4th I was contacted by Lifesong to tell me that an anonymous donor had promised a $4,000 matching grant to our family!

We immediately began sending out fundraising letters and within 3 weeks the Lord had provided the entire $4,000 in donations!  Not only that, but donations continued to come, and in the end almost half of our adoption expenses were covered as a result!

Lifesong was extremely instrumental in making our adoption a possibility.  We cannot express our gratitude.  Looking back on this experience, we saw God's hand move in miraculous ways over and over again.  May He get all the glory!

Thanks Tom and Tiffini!  Lifesong is blessed to be a part of your story!

You can read more on their blog HERE!

Ethiopia Expansion

Please enjoy this update from Lifesong Ethiopia:

In addition to just the normal operation of the schools, the feeding programs, etc. we have been in the process of :

• Adding four more classrooms to Lifesong's Pre-School in Adami Tulu.  Thank you to Aaron Klein and the "Adami Tulu team" for all the hard work that went into raising the funds so we can serve more children!  Upon completion we will have two classrooms each of Nursery, Lower Kindergarten, and Upper Kindergarten.  This project is just beginning.  

• The Adami Tulu team is now working to raise funds for new restrooms on the Pre-School grounds.  You can see the difference between the current restrooms (left), and the model of the ones we hope to build (right):

 

• Building a "high wall" between our Lifesong primary school and the courthouse behind us to keep the "smell" from our latrine from entering their offices and the smell from their latrine from entering our school director's office.  This project is nearly done.  It is a cement block wall 147 feet (47 meters) long and 15 feet high (4.5 meters).  It is really "just a wall," but a mighty big wall.

 

Here's a video from the Adami Tulu team:

Thank you for your prayer and support as we strive to bring joy and purpose to children in Ethiopia!

Summit Contest

UPDATES:

-4/20 at 5:00pm CT... current leaders are Natasha Loken Siebert with 354, Sara Avery Moore with 267, Kelly Stem Rumbaugh with 243, Renee Yoder Skibinski with 220, Jenna Lorick with 216, Kim Kellenberger with 156, and Marianne Gross with 124!

-4/20 at 4:00pm CT ... current leaders are Natasha Loken Siebert with 341, Sara Avery Moore with 254, Kelly Stem Rumbaugh with 234, Renee Yoder Skibinski with 207, Jenna Lorick with 164, Marianne Gross with 122 and Kim Kellenberger with 122!

-4/20 at 12:00pm CT... current leaders are Natasha Loken Siebert with 312, Sara Avery Moore with 215, Kelly Stem Rumbaugh with 203, Renee Yoder Skibinski with 177, Marianne Gross with 103, and Jenna Lorick with 103!

-4/20 at 10:00am CT... current leaders are Natasha Loken Siebert with 290, Sara Avery Moore with 181, Kelly Stem Rumbaugh with 175, Renee Yoder Skibinski with 153, and Marianne Gross with 101!

-4/20 at at 9:00am CT... current leaders are Natasha Loken Siebert with 284, Kelly Stem Rumbaugh with 172, Sara Avery Moore with 170, and Renee Yoder Skibinski with 128!

-4/19 at 4:30pm CT... current leaders are Sara Avery Moore with 58, Natasha Loken Siebert with 41, and Renee Yoder Skibinski with 30!

Summit VII is rapidly approaching and boy do we have a give-away for you!  

But first, let me tell you about a little perk for summit attendees who are also in the process of adopting.  Four of the breakout sessions offered ("Attachment and Trauma" 1 and 2, and "Becoming a Multicultural/Multiracial Family" 1 and 2) are available for Hague credit.  The breakout session, "Depression after Adoption," although not included in Hague requirements, will count (by many agencies) towards adoption training hours.  That's what i like to call a win-win.

And for another win...

We are hosting a little friendly competition among our followers to win one free registration to Summit VII in Louisville, along with 2 free nights in a hotel!  Exciting, right?!

Here's how it works:

1. suggest that your friends "like" Lifesong for Orphans on facebook.

2. tell them to comment on our wall with "your name told me to like Lifesong"

3. whoever has the most friends comment on our wall (on their behalf) wins!

You have till midnight central time Wednesday, April 20th.

Questions, comments, concerns?  Leave a comment here and we'll do our best to answer!

If there are any ties, we will draw for the winner.  

aaand...

GO!