Construction Continues - Lifesong Ethiopia

Please enjoy this update from Gary Ifft, Lifesong Ethiopia...

"Construction progress continues to go well.  Shown below in a picture is part of the 14 room (12 classroom) Primary School building in Ziway.  As you can see, the floor between the first and second floors has been poured and work is under way to lay the blocks for the walls of the second story.  We are still waiting for the floor to cure, thus the "forest" of eucalyptus poles which are holding up the forms are still in place.  Cutting and placing those thousands of poles is an engineering marvel, but it's the way such work is done here in Ethiopia.

Also shown below is the front of the new four classroom building in Adami Tulu.  Being a much smaller project it is further along.  The tile floors are being laid, the ceilings are being painted, and preparations are being made for finishing the windows and doors.    With our projected increase of 150 students this September (from 600 to 750) we will need these buildings finished and ready for use by then." Child Sponsorship Update: We are thankful to have 16 more children sponsored since our last update! If you are interested in supporting one of the remaining 54 students, please visit the Sponsorship Website.

Changes & Opportunities - Lifesong Ethiopia

Listen in as we share with you new updates from Lifesong Ethiopia... On November 17th, Lifesong for Orphans received an offer from a generous donor to give a matching donation of up to $130,000 for the new construction projects in Ethiopia.  This match lasted until year end. Thankfully, in 45 days, thanks to many of you, we reached the goal! Praise God! We are thankful to begin on construction on both Phase II in Ziway and the new block in Adami Tulu.  We ask you to please pray with and for us as we begin this large work. Framing up the first foundation hole at ZiwayAdami Tulu Construction Progress Tesfaye - Age 4We are excited to announce the new Adami Tulu website along with Child Sponsorship Program opportunities.  We are thankful 88 of the 189 children have been sponsored.  If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring a child for $19/month, please visit the website to see the details, pictures, and how you can get involved in sponsoring one of the remaining remaining 101 students.

COMPLETELY in AWE!

Do you remember that Hope Ethiopia:100 challenge we gave you? The one where YOU all completely exceeded our goals? 

And that one phone call where an AMAZING donor committed to match ALL donations (up to $130,000) to Lifesong Ethiopia through the end of 2011?

Well, we found out about that donor on November 17th! That's 45 days to raise $130,000... which made this goal seem next to impossible... in OUR eyes! However, as you all know... GOD had different plans for THESE kids - 

and these kids - 

Plans that we could never had imagined... plans to give them hope and a future! 

Thanks to an AMAZING TEAM of individuals and their fundraising efforts, coupled with the provision of our Lord, THE MATCH HAS BEEN MET! Did you hear me? All ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS has been donated for the children at the Adami Tulu and Ziway, Ethiopia schools! 

We stand in complete awe of our MIGHTY Jehovah Jireh! 

Thank you fundraising team for your efforts, for the way you never stop advocating for these children, and for our faith in our Lord God Almighty to provide for ALL of their needs! 

Thank you donors who stepped up to the challenge and did not let the dollar amount get in the way... but trusted that EVERY one of your dollars mattered! 

Thank you to all of you who advocated for these children, pray for them, and have invested in their lives... it will surely be an invest with an eternal reward! 

**For those of you who were wanting to give towards this project but haven't quite done so yet, it's not too late... you can still help! Any giving towards Ethiopia now can help us fund the daily costs of 500 children per year ($180 p/yr, p/child)!

Check the Adami Tulu site often to learn more about The Project, the fundraising priorities, and what's in store for 2012! 

Hope Ethiopia: 100

Hope Ethiopia from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo. 

Children at the Lifesong Ethiopia school are fed 2 nutritious meals per day, provided with a quality education, and taught the message of Jesus Christ. This gives kids like Beza the hope they need in order to break free from gripping poverty.

We currently have a need to build a 12-room expansion to our existing school, in order to reach more children like Beza. We have been blessed, by the generosity of a donor, to be able to MATCH all donations to the Ziway and Adami Tulu Schools between now and December 31st... up to $130,000!!!

This week, the 5^th through the 9^th, we invite you to join Hope Ethiopia:100. We are looking for 100 people to give a one-time $100 donation! We have currently raised $59,472.21 of the $130,000 needed, which is about 46%. 

Joining this team will not only give hope to kids like Beza, but your dollars will be matched AND you'll be entered into a drawing for a FABULOUS gift basket (details below).

Help us achieve the next $10,000 by being a part of our Hope Ethiopia: 100 Team!

*Gift basket includes: $100 itunes or amazon gift card, Lifesong t-shirt, Lifesong cookbook, Journey On CD, handmade necklaces & note cards by orphans in Zambia, handmade ornament from a child in Ukraine, 5 bags of Gobena coffee, Gobena coffee mug, Gobena t-shirt, and Gobena tote bag. This basket is worth over $250!

*To commit via check, please send an email to info@lifesongfororphans.org. Make check payable to Lifesong for Orphans, indicate 'preference Hope Ethiopia: 100' in the memo.

The PERFECT Gift for Teachers!! DOUBLED!!

I am SO excited to tell you about this SPECIAL opportunity to give to a teacher in your life. Aren't they hard to buy for? BE SURE TO KEEP READING... YOUR GIFT WILL BE DOUBLED!!!!

Are you searching for the perfect gift for the teachers in your life?  How about skipping the routine coffee mug or picture frame and make a donation to the Lifesong Schools in Ethiopia instead?  Teachers are guaranteed to love that you made such a thoughtful donation in their honor.

If you donate at least $10 in honor of your teacher, the Adami Tulu Team send you the card pictured to the left and below for you to give to your teacher. Isn't is gorgeous? I would LOVE to receive this as a gift during this season of GIVING!

"Several former teachers have told me that they would have loved to receive a gift like this. And, as a former teacher myself, I agree with them. Teachers get bombarded with coffee mugs, candy, and teacher do-dads at Christmastime. This year, give your teacher something truly meaningful instead; spread his or her love for education around the world." - Mary Beth Picker, Orphan Advocate

OK, now for the AMAZING part! As of last night, we have a generous donor that has stepped up to MATCH all donations to the Ziway and Adami Tulu Schools between now and December 31st... up to $130,000!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited? What a GENEROUS way to make the most of your giving and bless the children and families in these communities! Let me tell you first hand, these schools NEED to be expanded... these children NEED an education... they NEED to be fed each day... they NEED to hear about Jesus! Lets give HOPE to these precious children in Ethiopia! 

Would you join us in prayer as we seek to make the need known? 

MAKE A MATCHED DONATION NOW!

***If you are giving a gift for a teacher and would like one of the cards mentioned above, As you donate, leave a note in the “Special Instructions” box telling us how many cards you would like.

I’m so incredibly thankful to these generous folks for their commitment to these kids in Ethiopia. For their belief in our shared vision of ending the global orphan crisis by keeping families together, breaking the cycle of poverty, and building self-sufficiency.

So I don’t know about you, but I’m incredibly enthused, excited and energized about this movement to change the world. I hope you’ll join us in acting today to maximize the impact of this generosity." - Aaron Klein, Orphan Advocate