Mission Trip Fundraising Ideas

Meet Kari Gibson, blogger extraordinaire! She is one of the leaders for our July Africa mission team. She has created a wonderful blog for her trip. What I want to feature though is her blog post on fundraising. This woman sold over 800 t-shirts last month for Children's Hopechest, raising over $24K! So, if you are wondering how to raise money for a mission trip, I would take some of her ideas to heart...

http://mycrazyadoption.org/crazy-fundraiser-for-a-mission-trip

Britt Nicole's Video About Africa

I wanted to share Britt's new video about her newly released song, "Walk on the Water". She's shares her experience with Visiting Orphans and footage from her time in Africa. I just love this girl and her heart! Enjoy...

Costa Rica Bound!

Our Costa Rica team heads off to Limon, Costa Rica this Wednesday, March 3rd until Wednesday, March 10th. The neat thing about this team is that the entire team is from Nashville, TN, where our office is located! So this team has gotten to meet weekly and really get to know each other.

Our team members are:
1. Carrie Grace-Congdon
2. Mary Botha
3. Art Wasem
4. Jason Crossman
5. Autumn Kerr - the Team Leader
6. Me :)
7. Tiffany Lankford
8. Tara McWilliams
9. Nikki Dunaway
10.Alicia Jordan

This team will be visiting two orphanages in a part of Costa Rica that is still third world. I know most of you, when you hear Costa Rica, think resorts and vacation, or atleast I do. But honestly, most of Costa Rica is still very much still third world, especially on the Caribbean side of the country.

I have a wonderful friend from high school, Brian Benson, who runs an eco tour business and through this connection, he was able to meet with the government and the respective orphanage directors. He has been living in Costa Rica for years and had never seen the orphanages. He so happy we are investing in these children and is so happy that we opened his eyes to the plight of the orphans there in his beloved country.

These children have never recieved a mission team before. I can't imagine how special they are going to feel when our team arrives. This team is coming with toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothes, school supplies, towels, and bathing suits for each of the kids! They are leaving personalized journals for the older kids as well and a skate board at each orphanage! God has been so present in this team, confirming each team member in His unique and awesome way. This is a great trip for anyone who is going on missions for the first time and our two Summer Costa Rica trips are already almost full!! God so SEES these children. "I will not leave them as orphans...I will come to them!"

Here is the itinerary for the week:
Thursday March 4th
We get on the road after breakfast and drive to Limon (3.5 hours) where we meet the Director of the Limon PANI orphanages and her partner. We head to the Coco’s orphanage for lunch and spend the afternoon with the children.
Dinner is served in the hotel.

Friday March 5th
On the road at 8am sharp to commute to Limon ($5 min) and visit another orphanage called Villas del Mar. We spend the entire day (Until 3-4pm) at the Villa orphanage. In the evening we meet up with Barrett, a Christian man who runs a ministry and skateboard park in Puerto Viejo (near-by town 20 min. south of Cahuita). We will have a BBQ cook out dinner at the skate park and enjoy the evening. We head back to the hotel around 8pm as a group.

Saturday March 6th
Today will be a beach day with all the children for both orphanages. After breakfast we commute to Limon and spend the day on the beach. Bring your swimsuit, towel and sun block. It is going to be a great day!
Dinner is served at the hotel.

Sunday March 7th
On the road at 8am to Limon. Today we spend the entire day in the Coco’s orphanage (Until 3-4pm). The late afternoon is free.
Dinner is served in the hotel.

Monday March 8th
On the road at 8am to Limon. Today we spend the entire day in the Villas del Mar orphanage (Until 3-4pm). After we leave the orphanage, we drive to Puerto Viejo (near-by town 20 min. south of Cahuita) to enjoy the town and have dinner at 7pm.
Dinner will be at one of Puerto Viejo’s top restaurants, Loco Natural. We head back to the hotel after dinner as a group.

Tuesday March 9th
Free day for the team: rafting or beach and return to San Jose for our farewell dinner in our hotel.

How God Changes a Heart Through Missions to Orphans

The following is a letter written from one of our mission team members who traveled to Haiti this month. Dr. Amy Schroeder-Whipp, joined this trip at the last minute as the orphanage we were helping, Danita's Children had requested medical personnel. The letter is written to the orphanage director. I have to share it with you because it is an awesome testimony of what God can do in a heart which is totally surrendered and obedient to Him in walking out missions to care for the least of these. It's why I work so tirelessly and passionately to send people to walk out James 1:27 to care for orphans in their distress.

Dear Danita,
I am going to try and tell you my story to help you understand what God is revealing to me about my trip to your facility. My time with you at the orphanage was very brief and God does things in His own time.
As you know, I am a podiatric physician and surgeon. I live in the Chicago suburbs. I have been married to my husband for over 2 years. He was my first and last boyfriend; we met in college over 10 years ago and have been together ever since. He works as a financial planner/advisor for a Christian-based organization that works exclusively with physicians called Larson Financial Group.

I was fortunate to grow up in a Christ-centered home and cannot ever remember life without my Heavenly Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. My husband and I have moved about the country, living in Iowa, Florida and St. Louis before recently settling in Chicago, which is where the rest of my family is, and where I’ve always considered my home to be. My husband and I have always been active serving in church, being part of small groups, and spending time alone with God each day reading His Word and speaking with Him in prayer and meditation.

I have never desired to be a mother. My husband has never desired to be a father. We like kids, but never wanted our own. I never felt I had motherly instincts and I’ve never felt love for a child. My focus is mainly on my relationship with God, my marriage, and my career. I enjoy traveling and fitness as my hobbies. I also have a dog who I consider to be our “baby.”

Right before Christmas this past year, my husband and I individually felt God was speaking to us about adoption. I brought it up to my husband and we laughed together, surprised how God was telling us both the same thing. We said we’d just be open to His leading. We talked to a couple of families we know who have adopted, just to hear their stories. We decided to just keep praying for God’s direction and felt at peace about that.

The day I heard about the earthquake I was driving in my car to work. I immediately started weeping, not something I do frequently. I had no idea why I was weeping.
I did not want to go to Haiti. My husband received a text message from one of our pastors 72 hours before the trip, asking “Does Amy have a passport and can she go to Haiti on Monday?” My immediate answer was “No, I can’t go to Haiti on Monday!” This was followed by a list of various reasons I could not go: I just started a new job with a non-Christian employer who would never allow me to take a week off at the last minute, cancel surgeries and reschedule my patients. I did not have a passport and it was Friday morning, etc, etc. My husband however, encouraged me to think about it. After praying and submitting to God’s plan, not mine, I thought “Ok God, if you want me to go to Haiti, then help me get there.” Obviously, through a small set of miracles, my boss let me go, I got a passport in less than 2 hours, and I was on my way.

My plan was to go to Haiti and provide for the medical needs of the children at Hope for Haiti Children’s Center as best I knew how. I felt that God has blessed my life abundantly, and I should serve Him back.

My husband did not share this with me at the time, but he felt there was another reason God wanted me in Haiti. He heard God telling him that I would come back changed, not as the same Amy he knew. He didn’t know exactly what this would be, but that it would be something life-altering and very special.

Honestly, I was disappointed when I got to the orphanage. I saw there was already a pediatrician there, and I thought, “Lord, why did you bring me here? They don’t need my skills.” I enjoyed being with the children, but felt awkward around them, like I didn’t know what to do or say. I thought the kids were cute, but I really didn’t have any emotions or feelings for them.

It wasn’t until towards the end of our trip that I really noticed Jean. I don’t even know his last name or how old he is. I believe he is somewhere between the ages of 4 and 6. I believe he is mostly blind and has cerebral palsy. I know he has seizures. Anyhow, I was in the cafeteria. He was sitting in his stroller, drool all down his neck, rolling his eyes around, head tilted way back. I looked at him and started crying. I thought about him in his darkness. I wondered how often he got picked up and held. I wondered if he knew what love felt like. I wondered if he remembered his mother. I wondered about his story. I still wonder because I do not know much about him. I cried for his loneliness. I picked him up and held him. I tried to sing “Jesus loves me” in his ear. I felt his arms and legs slowly relax as I held him against me.

After that, I tried to spend as much time with him as I could, while still passing out medicine, changing bandages and making rounds on the other children. I slept next to him my last night in Haiti. I fed him breakfast and lunch the next day. I felt concerned about him getting enough calories since he eats so slow and has trouble chewing and swallowing. I left to get on the bus to go home. I was happy to be going back to my family. I felt a little sad about leaving, but I left knowing the children are all well cared for and loved there.

I boarded the plane to Miami, still wondering why God had wanted me on that trip. I just didn’t understand. I thought,” I hardly did anything for those kids. How did I help them, God? Why did you want me there?” I opened my journal to start writing and all I could think about was Jean. I felt a deep, painful ache in my heart that I have NEVER felt before in my life. I desired that child: To have him, to hold him, to love him, to care for him, to provide for him. I felt a tender mercy for him and his contracted and twisted little body. I thought, “What is this Lord?” I spent hours on the flights to Miami and then on to Chicago seeking the Lord for an answer. I feel uncomfortable saying this to you Danita, since you are his mother. I thought I heard God telling me he was my son. I was in shock to think this. Why would I have the desire for a child when I’ve never wanted one before? I’ve held plenty of babies, babysat for the children of my friends and family. And why would I want this child? One who could never really love me back, or care for me when I get old?
I was afraid to share this with my husband when I got home. He knew it was coming. I shared my experience with Jean to him and he started to cry. I have never seen him cry before. He had the same desire in his heart for Jean, even though he had never met him or seen him. We feel to our knees immediately and asked God for help, for discernment and a clear understanding of His plan for our family.

I have fervently been seeking ever since, trying to understand if this really what God was telling me or not. I have spent time in the Word, listening for God’s voice and seeking wise counsel from those I look up to spiritually. Some of the verses I am reading:

“But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Matthew 9:13
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” Psalm 119:28 (my mother is praying this verse for me.)

“Freely you have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

“He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6

Now I know God sent me on the trip to break my heart towards children. He did not only want me to use my medical skills to serve Him, He wanted me to feel and experience mercy towards those children. And I did that, for the first time ever.
I picture Jean living in my house. I thought today of him feeling snow on his face for the first time, wondering what he would think of something so cold and so wet. I am continuing to journal. I am writing out my prayers to the Lord and little notes to Jean as well.

I was afraid to write you this letter; that you might find it offensive. Danita, I am not saying you and your staff cannot care for him properly. I know you can. I can too. Being a physician, and my husband working exclusively with physicians, we could give him excellent medical care. We would provide for him spiritually as well even though he understands very little. I know God touches Him and comforts him inside is dark world. I know your plans are not to adopt out children. I understand and respect your reasons for that. I know that if this is God’s plan for Jean, you already know this or He will reveal this to you. If this is not God’s plan for Jean, He will tell me that, too.

Please prayerfully consider what I am saying. I have thought about how complicated adoption in Haiti is right now. I’ve thought about the finances, the difficulty and commitment of caring for Jean’s needs, the amount of time it may take to carry this out, and the possibility that your answer may be no. But I know from past experience that often when the Lord speaks to us, we have to move forward in faith, even if we don’t know all the answers and details.

Please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Amy J. Schroeder-Whipp

The Story of Johnny

I SO wish I had so much more time to post all the videos, photos and stories I have from my trip to Haiti and Africa. There are still so many stories in my heart, mind and dreams.

I wanted to get this one up on the little boy, Johnny, that had been relocated after the earthquake to Danita's. He lost his family in the quake and if this man, Micah, from Vapor Sports, had not intervened in his life, who knows if he would have made it. Each team that has gone to work at Danita's has helped Johnny with his restoration and physical therapy. There is another video in an earlier post which shows Johnny trying to walk again with the help of short term missionaries.

This man Micah, drove into Porte au Prince right after the earthquake with Danita and just went to one of the 2 hospitals left standing and told those working, I just want to be a "grunt" man. I will do anything to help.

He ended up being the one removing the dead as they died in the orphanage, sometimes after days of decomposition and only having garbage bags to move them. Sometimes having to put them out the back door of the hospital in the garbage bags. He helped with amputations. He tried to calm hysterical family members who were trying to convince the nurses and doctors that they needed to help those that they loved. Just dealing with horrible situations and some of the saddest and most desperate stories I have heard.

He did have awesome opportunities to lead those dying to the Lord, so I can't thank him and our God enough for putting him in the right place, at the right time. And he was in the right place to find Johnny and this boy's destiny has been changed forever. Thank you Micah for not being afraid to go into the fire of Porte au Prince and enter into the trauma and change lives eternally. I know your life was changed eternally as well!

The Gift of Writing

Visiting Orphans is so blessed by the mission trip team members that God sends our way. Missy Williams, one of the team members from our last trip to Haiti obviously has a gift of writing and photographer. Here is her great blog and a recent post about her time there. Beware..you may cry about this story of Jameson.

Dr. E!!

Our Visiting Orphans team to Haiti was blessed with the most gentle and best pediatrician I have ever met. His name is Dr. Eric Escue and he was a GOD send to this team. He was never too tired to answer the same questions over and over again to the members of the team and you could tell he held this responsibility of caring for these orphans with high regard. I remember him literally shaking as he carried the new children off of the plane to the truck, just amazed at how loving the doctors in Porte au Prince were and how happy he was to just have a few words of one of the little girl's diagnosis just written on her body cast.

I called him a "Softie" because although it would get crowded in the clinic with the children just coming in and out, some just wanting to be weighed and others complaining of small stomach aches, yet, he would never ask them to leave. He also could barely ever turn them down if they asked for something. Truly he loves these kids and is in the RIGHT profession! If you are in Memphis, TN, I highly recommend him!

I wanted you to read his blog reports as he worked day in and day out to make sure these orphans were healthy and cared for. You will love his perspective and tender heart in his writings!

Doctor E's Blog

My Fair Lady, Naomi

It was sad to say good-bye to everyone today, but we all celebrated by spending the morning playing with the children. Most of my posts have been pretty heavy, so here's a fun video of my time with Naomi this morning. She was one of the children that came from the streets as opposed to another orphanage that had crumbled in the earthquake.

When she arrived, she had quite a wild look in her eyes and began begging immediately, jumping on everyone and taking and stealing everything you had. She does not do any of those things anymore..and her behavior is starting to become more loving and definitely more interactive and appropriate which you will be see by this video. This was due to the consistent love and care she was receiving in this safe harbor of an orphanage. So, this is why I called this post, "My Fair Lady, Naomi". So many of these new children literally change almost over night when the love and security of God surrounds them.

Our time there was the hardest I've ever worked on a mission trip, so I enjoyed this day of just playing with the children... I'm so excited as we will be taking 2 more teams in March to help with the continual influx of new orphans. This was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever taken and my heart breaks thinking of all the tears and physical pain I saw in these children who were victims of this disaster. Please be a part of these teams. If you don't GO, who will? How else will these children know the love of Christ? Haiti needs YOU, your soul and your Spirit...not just your money. We have a way for you to go....

The Rescue

We were included in another rescue today! Our team loaded up and headed to the "landing strip", which was just a big field. We then had to be sure that all the goats and people were off the "runway". Kids had followed us there from the village and we waited about an hour. As the plane approached the villagers all came out. They, as you can imagine, are very interested on any word or sight about the earthquake that hit their country just a few hours away.

Three children were flown in on this flight. One orphan with cerebral palsy was just left by her mom at the hospital after the earthquake. Another young boy was in a body cast and an amputated arm and a young woman in another body cast. It was amazing to us and especially the doctor on our team, Dr. Eric Escue, that the doctors in Porte au Prince had written in sharpies all over her cast. They had written when to take off the cast and what the diagnosis was. They had also written that they loved her and so did God!!! Here is the video of when we received them and loaded them into the truck. I will try and post the actual landing of the plane later... One note is that the boy in the full body cast just got an xray and it looks like his femur was broken and that it was never set. So the cast was in vain. Pray for him (Yonic is his name) as he now goes through surgery as soon as we can find an orthopedic surgeon.

Danita, the director, left for Porte au Prince yesterday to bring back more orphans. Thank GOD our next Visiting Orphans team will be here on Tuesday morning by the time they get here... It's such perfect timing. This team was able to help with the first set of new orphans. We helped provide structure, time off for the staff so they could concentrate on many more other pressing items for bringing in these new children, loved on the orphans, teach them the new rules and boundaries and calm their fears about an earthquake hitting again.

My Bionic Sister

I have always referred to my sister Robin, for those of you who know me, as "Martha Stewart on Speed". Honestly, she is a woman who rarely ever tires and just runs circles around me. She LOVES to serve people in every way. Therefore, you can understand why she is the first person I think of to join me on any international or mission trip. So, she was the first person I called to jump at the last minute to come on this trip to Haiti.
As you can imagine, she dove right in, raising $10K in just days to help this orphanage and was able to bring 2 suitcases full of medical supplies. When she arrived, she organized the new makeshift clinic and began serving the doctors (she is doing this now as she sits right next to me helping the doctor write up the chart on each child). Then, she volunteered with another team member, Toby Ryder, to cook all the dinners for the team members and staff here. So, she's been SO busy and such a blessing!

Last night, we got to hear one of the most amazing personal testimonies I have ever heard from, Toby. God seriously saved him out of complete drug abuse and saved and healed his wife of burns over her entire body! After this incredible testimony of God's power, we started home to the missionary house. It's dark here with dirt roads and no street lights.

We heard a motorcycle coming around the corner and he accelerated as he turned and when he turned, my sister was right there. He hit her dead on...and she flew about 15 feet and then the motorcycle landed on her and the rider jumped off and over her and ran off. We all thought she was dead as she didn't move for a good few seconds. Until she heard me start to freak out. :) Then, she said..."I'm okay, I'm okay and started moving and getting up". Her first words were, "Is the driver ok?!"

All she had was a bloody lip and a few scrapes and bruises. She miraculously walked away from this....We KNOW it was the power of prayer from everyone who is following this journey. We CANNOT thank you enough for praying for our team. We heard about the power of God from Toby and then last night we WITNESSED it! Your prayers saved my sister's life from injury and death. I cannot thank you enough and it renews my faith that prayers are truly SO needed and they SO work. Thank you so much...

Rehab for Johnny

We are so excited to see Johnny, the little boy whose femur was broken starting to walk again. His femur was broken for 11 days before they found him. Thankfully a christian doctor who had flown into help gave him surgery at one of the hospitals that was left standing in Porte au Prince. Here he is finally starting to walk again...I will post the story of how he was found by an American couple soon...

I Am Not Forgotten

It has been so chaotic trying to teach and get these new orphans assimilated into life at Danita's Children's Home. Everything is new and they've been through such trauma with the earthquakes. We've done the best we can to communicate with the children. I've found that Haiti is not like Uganda or Ethiopia where most children know some English. These children do not know any English so we've had a hard time communicating with them. So, you can understand how it was so special this morning when we finally found out their names and put name tags on them! I loved watching them light up when we finally recognized them and said their names. I can imagine they have felt lost, forgotten and scared. I'm beginning to get pretty attached to some of them...

Joy in Suffering

This is a video of one of the new girls they brought into the orphanage. She had her arm recently amputated. When the staff found her, she was at one of the two (out of 5) hospitals left standing in Port au Prince. The doctor looked stunned and explained that she had just told him her mom had died in the earthquake and someone else had just come in and told her that her dad had died and was lying in a ditch. This was right after the operation where they took her arm.

Thankfully Danita and staff were there to sweep her up and bring her to her new home where she is surrounded by love of both staff and children. Here she is just a couple days after this operation and the death of her family. She is somehow full of joy in this moment. Pray as the symptoms of trauma will begin to manifest in the next couple of months. They are all still in shock and adjusting to the new loving environment here.

The Church Being the Church

The orphanage moved the pews out of their church to set up enough beds for the new children. Talk about the church being the church!

Introducing the New Children to Danita's

As I mentioned on a previous post, Danita brought in 28 new orphans at 2 AM on Tuesday night. Here they are eating their second meal in their new home...Wanted you all to get a glimpse of their precious faces....

How to Cross the Haiti Border

BY FOOT!

Our First Day in Haiti

It was quite a journey crossing the border between Haiti and Dominican Republic. You aren't allowed to cross by car or a vehicle unless you have a special government permit, so we were dropped off by bus about 3 blocks away and all our luggage was placed in carts and we walked through. There was a very hard line of demarcation that you could see between the living standards in the D.R. and in Haiti. Literally, shacks and dozens of people just bathing and washing in the river, next to nice large mexican style building on the D.R. side.

Then, it was just a small walk to Danita's Children's orphanage. She brought in 28 new children at 2 AM last night. The day before 3 children had arrived by a charter plane. One that I mentioned in my earlier post, Joselyn, a boy actually who had his leg amputated and another young girl who has lost her arm and her whole family. Then, another young boy arrive with a broken femur. He too lost his parents in the earthquake. The 28 new kids are displaced from different orphanages, except a small handful that Danita picked up from the street.

I spent the day with the two doctors helping with the check ups for the kids. I was fun playing the nurse! I weighed them and helped wiht medication. The rest of the team helped with getting the kids their showers.

Gotta run!! On our way to dinner....

Little Jocelyn & Safe Arrivals

Our first team of eight met in the Miami airport tonight and in only 1.5 hours we were landing in the Dominican Republic. We are getting a much needed night of rest tonight at a hotel (especially me!) here in Santiago and then at 9:30 AM tomorrow morning, we are headed by bus to cross the border into Haiti. I am still amazed at how we were able to recruit 19 team members in just 5 days to create two whole mission teams to serve this orphanage. And we are still adding names every hour to a waiting list of people who are taking God's commandment in James 1:27 to go and visit orphans in their DISTRESS.

We will be stopping at a medical supply store to buy a set of crutches for a little girl who recently went through an amputation due to the earthquake. Her name is Jocelyn. Please keep her in your prayers. I will let you know more details as we arrive and are able to jump on the internet. Our second team needs some bed pans to bring and the orphanage was asking for some more morphine for the doctor to use who is already on the ground. There are certain rules around transporting morphine though since it's a controlled substance, so we were unlucky with this request. It saddens me to think of the pain of children and other civilians who are having to end surgeries and pain without pain killer. I can't even imagine!!! We are so blessed in the U.S. I pray Jocelyn did not have to endure this surgery without adequate pain killer and anesthesia.

Thank you all for your prayer coverage. We have a great team!

Our Teams to Haiti

Here are the team members

Leaving Today: Tuesday, January 16th
Amanda Lawrence
Nathan McCauley
Hannah Bates
Cliff Neeley
Toby Ryder
Dr. Eric Escue
Robin Ireland

Leaving Monday, February 1st
Becki Carlson
Misty Bates
Julie Richards
Anna Melvin
Mike McRill
Tricia Morrill
Sarah Schroder
Jennifer Knox
Maria Regalado
Melissa Williams
Melanie Leet

Thank you for praying for us!

A Video of My Faida

My sweet husband gave me this great Ipod Nano for Christmas and I was able to capture quick videos while on my grip to Gulu. I'm so happy I had it as I was able to video Faida in her traditional dance costume.

Update from Danita who is in Port au Prince getting the Children

See this link: http://www.danitaschildren.org/earthquake-relief-effort/

Our first Wave One B will be on the ground there in Haiti by this Wednesday. We will start receiving these children by Thursday. Pray that God continues to connect Danita in Port au Prince by His hand with the orphans who need to be moved to the orphanage.

Our team Wave Two will be leaving the following Monday, February 1st to help. Thank you all so much for your support in every way! I will keep you updated. You can donate on my post below.

Video for Danita's Children

If you want to see the ministry we will be helping in Haiti and if you want your heart to be utterly broken for these orphans. WATCH THIS! You can donate to our mision trip in the below post.

Donate to Haiti's Displaced Orphans

You can donate below to help us raise funds to help the 200 displaced orphans at Danita's Children's Home in Haiti. We will be sending teams who will need these funds to buy supplies to deliver and to help with the lodging and feeing of the children when they arrive. Thank you so much.

Quick note, make sure you note that it is for the Haiti trip and if it for a particular team member's trip cost, please list their name. As an FYI, Chip In does take 3% of each donation. (Thieves! JUST Kidding!)

On My Way to Haiti!

With God's sovereign hand we have orchestrated a small team of 5 people to head down to Haiti this Sunday for a week to help with 200 orphans who have been rescued out of Port au Prince. They are coming to an orphanage called Danita's Children and this orphanage is about 9 hours away from Port au Prince. This orphanage has been housing about 70 orphans and now they are going to be stretched beyond measure with the additional 130 orphans. Our team will be uniting with another 25 team members traveling from a church out of Florida.

I was just contacted tonight out of the blue by the CEO of a medical supply company and he has offered free medical supplies for our trip and our team members are busy raising additional funds for the orphanage itself. God's people are so generous! I will be posting as I am able while I am gone. If you feel led to donate to this mission for these children, you can send a check to Visiting Orphans at P.O. Box 1766, Brentwood, TN 37024.

You can find out more about this mission at Danita's Children's website: www.danitaschildren.org.

Bringing Christmas to the Dumps in Ethiopia

Bringing Christmas to the DUMP!

The below post is written by my husband, Simon, as he was the team leader for our Visiting Orphans trip which started in Uganda and went on to Ethiopia. It SO reminds me of the story of the prodical son. Honestly, there were even pigs in this dump that these kids were living with. They may not have squandered their physical, monetary inheritance as the prodical son did, but I'm sure many of them do not realize our Spiritual inheritance, which is so rich in the Lord. Simon understood this and spoke into a certain young man's life and now this young man had a fattened (well, skinny in Ethiopia) sheep/calf and is living as a son of the most High God. The most incredible inheritance ever!

On our leg to Ethiopia this year our team decided to visit the garbage dump in the big city of Addis Ababa. It was my first time visiting such a place!

Let me tell you that a mission trip never goes as planned and that is kind of how this experience started. We had it on our schedule to visit the dump for a couple hours one afternoon but we got side tracked. Because our team had spent more time at one orphanage, we just simple ran out of time to go see the kids in the dump as we planned. However, my friend and co-leader on the trip Nathan and I got together and literally, God had a better plan in mind. You see, in Ethiopia Christmas falls on January 7th and we had missed our chance to visit the kids in the dump on the 6th. Well, it just so happened that WE received the gift of going on Christmas morning. How neat? Literally, once we put two and two together, we decided to go all the way with this and make it the best Christmas ever for some kids who NEVER see any visitors nor do they receive gifts for Christmas. So on Christmas Eve, we were grocery shopping for 75 kids and finding ways to spoil the heck out of them!

At about 10:00am, we rolled up to a place that when I say stunk, I mean it was maybe the worst odor I have ever smelled. Thirty of us were packed tightly in a bus with bags of toys, clothes, groceries and two sheep. Yep, you read that right. We had bought two sheep to kill and cook for these kids. One of our guides actually grew up in the dumps and has a divine story of how he made it out. He is the one who suggested that the best way to feed these kids would be to give them some goat (or sheep as we call them in the U.S.) meat☺. OK… so we were in for an adventure.

Let me say this too. This visit to the dump was something that I was not ready for. I had been prepared for orphanages and street kids and a team of thirty people to lead. But this was new for me! Was the smell bad? Yes. Were the kids and teens filthy? Absolutely. But was there a need like no other? You bet. And that is why this place gave me more heartbreak than any other place on this trip. As soon as I got there, I decided that I was going to throw myself into their lives! Honestly, it was the only way I knew to get rid of the smell. As I walked around the trash, I saw a group of guys just chilling out in a group of about 8-10. There were sitting in a little section of the dump up on the side of a building. As soon as I saw them I knew that they weren’t up to any good. They were typical rebellious teens looking for their next high. In Ethiopia they chew this leaf called “chet” and I saw it in their eyes. I’ve seen the look before in my old lifestyle that I was caught in during my college years. I walked over to these boys and I just sat down next to the leader and began to talk and listen. For the next 45 minutes, I just hung out with these guys.

Now, you’re probably wondering about the rest of the kids. Actually, the rest of our team had everyone under a covering, kind of like a bridge, teaching them some Bible stories. And some of the team members were busy watching the two men slaughter the sheep for dinner. It was actually the idea of 2 women on our trip to do this and many of those watching the slaughter were women. (I was surprised! ☺) Once the sheep were cleaned and ready for cooking, we all went over to a big covering to meet up with the rest of the team for a real Christmas party. We couldn’t really grasp the amount of fun that we were about to have. We had bought about 100 party hats and little whistles that you blow for your birthday and we passed them out as the meat was cooking. Then we gave out shirts, sandals, beanie babies, toys, stickers and more. Every kid was smiling and having a blast. Once the meat was cooked we gave out plates of food to everyone with bread and cookies! The kids dug in as if this was the first meal they ever eaten. Every bone was gnawed clean and they were using both hands. They couldn’t seem to eat it fast enough.

Last, there was one young man that was part of the group of guys that I was talking to earlier who really just wanted to talk. There was something different about this guy. He wasn’t doing the drugs but he was part of the group. Ever since the moment I stepped into their group, he was so interested in telling his story and hearing mine. His name is Teguson. Finally, I said to him in front of all the boys, “there is something different about you! You have persisted your way into my heart and if I lived here and owned a business, I would have hired you.” I told him about some of the pains I’ve gone through back home and explained that it was only the faith that God has a great plan for my life, that got me through everything. I asked him if he has that and that it is free and that God loves him enough to give him life! He accepted and through an interpreter, Teguson met Jesus!

After leaving that day with my arm around Teguson, God worked on my heart. Later that afternoon, I decided that I was going to give him a chance through some of the connections that I have in Ethiopia. Teguson will have a chance now and I believe that he will achieve his dream. God has a way of redemption that no human coincidence can compare to. That day at the dump was a real eye opener for somebody who thought they had seen poverty. That day changed my life and it was one of the best Christmas’ I’ve ever had!

More Karamajong Children Photos - What You Will See

The Visiting Orphans team took some very moving photos of our day with the Karamajong children in Jinja. You will see by some of these photos the skin and bones of these children and just how hungry they were for the one meal they would get daily...You will see the desperateness and the tears and the exhaustion of being so weak without food. You will also see their joy in midst of their pain. You will see that each of them had a bowl or a plate in their hand. If they didn't, there was no way to feed them.

Our hope is that we can bring LOTS of these bowls and plates on our next trip in April...not to mention shoes and clothes.

We could use you on this trip in April. Our team is not big enough yet. We have more than enough team members for our Summer trips, but we want to bring lots of supplies on this trip in April.. I cannot get back there soon enough. I just keep remembering how much help they needed. Won't you go for us and help them?!

Walk on the Water

God coordinated the best team to visit these kids in Gulu! I feel so honored that God included me in this awesome mission to the children in Gulu, and especially at Village of Hope. I was blessed by Bethany Haley who is a psychologist and runs a ministry called Exile International. She is a best friend of mine and works passionately and without end to help heal the children who have been traumatized by abductions and murders of the LRA. Most of these atrocities are just 2 or 3 years old and these children carry these horrible memories and emotions with them. She taught us how to take them through art therapy to share their stories. Without sharing and talking about their stories, they will continue to hide them in their heart and the darkness can consume them. But when they bring these stories into the light, the shame is broken and they heal.

The team also consisted of singer/songwriter, Britt Nicole. This young woman has a heart ONLY for God and to LOVE all His people. She was a walking ministry, constantly being led by the Spirit and determined to not miss Him if He called her to speak or reach out to someone. Through out the airports and into the displacement camps, she would constantly stop to tell strangers that Jesus loved them. She has the gift of worship as well and would constantly sing over the children. She was my constant companion and I loved how she would pray over me as I prayed over the children.

We were also accompanied by Jake Birdwell. An avid traveler who came as a photographer and videographer to tape the trip for a documentary for Exile Int'l. He brought safety, security and care to our team..and he loved on the children and participated in many activities.

We were blessed to lead these children through the prayer of salvation so that this God who says He is a father to the fatherless could become their heavenly Father. I wasn't sure how many of them understood that God adopts us into His family and becomes our daddy. I knew many of them missed their earthly fathers and I wanted them to know that God our Father could be their Abba, their Daddy, if they would accept Him as the Lord of their lives. We were amazed at how many of them raised their hands to invite Him into their hearts. I think most of them knew the salvation message and most of them had already accepted them, but when I told them about how He could be their daddy, every single one raised their hand.

One particular little girl stands out to me. She had a very hardened, angry face but was the first to raise her hand to receive Him into her life. Literally after the prayer, she was glowing and smiling and showing compassion to a toddler boy in the room. She continued in this new found hope and happiness during my entire stay with the children. She is the little girl whose hand I'm on as we are praying in the photos above. I love the photo of the two children who just lived in the nearby village who were listening through the window. At one point one of those little boys literally climbed up into a tree and sat there to see and hear better. (reminded me of Zacheus..)

It was awesome to see how God used each one of us to bring His Kingdom come into the lives of these children. I'm just so thankful to have this purpose in my life. To be able to be used by God into the life of one of these very precious children.
You will never be the same again once God has used you to minister to an orphan. The vulnerable, helpless and abandoned.
I write these blog posts with the hopes of inspiring you to as, Britt puts it in her song, "Walk on the Water". I read a quote on the way home yesterday that said, "Your life begins at the end of your comfort zone". This is so true. I encourage you to go and minister to the orphans or ADOPT one (or two or three :)).

The Tipping Point

I’ve never been a book worm and I’m not one to enjoy watching movies and documentaries that cover atrocities against man. So, I only knew a little bit about Gulu and Northern Uganda and all that happened with Joseph Kony and the LRA. I probably knew more than the average American due to my work, but still, it only skimmed the surface.

Honestly, I did not want to know. There is still a part of me that doesn’t want to learn anymore. Who wants to truly willingly break their own heart? I was almost dreading this part of our trip, satisfied to have just gone on to Ethiopia with the Visiting Orphans team or to have gone on home.

I didn’t want to hear the children’s stories. I didn’t want to see a room full of children grieving and crying out with hurt deeper than I’ll ever know. I cannot imagine the memories and scenes they have to shut their minds off to. The nightmares they sleep through and the fear that constantly haunts and trails them. The fear that “when” and “what if” the rebels return?

I have been to Rwanda about 15 years after the genocide. As soon as we arrived in Kilgali, we went straight to the genocide museum. This museum leaves nothing to your imagination. I was not at all prepared for the stories and scenes and photos I was going to see. It didn’t just cover the genocide in Rwanda, but also many others in the 1900’s.

I struggled with fear while I was there. Fear that plagued me while I slept which I had to war against spiritually. I had no idea the horrors that humans could do to each other. If they could do it then, then why not now? Could there be a trigger for this to happen again. So, my time in Rwanda, unfortunately was not as wonderful as my time had been in other African countries. I’m sure this was one reason I was hesitant to visit Gulu and it’s people.

So, I arrived at Village of Hope reluctant to dive in and love these children. It has only been 2 or 3 years for most of them and this man, Kony is still unbelievably alive and well. I was reluctant to share my heart and open it to them. I had to search my heart and soul. “Lord, what’s wrong with me? Normally I can’t wait to dive into the lives of orphans and love them? Why am I so hardened and calloused?” I was sitting back while Bethany and Britt were pursuing these children and making sure they were always in the midst of them.

As I wrestled with these questions I realized…It’s because I didn’t want my heart to break again. Normally when it breaks it means God is going to ask me to do something bigger than myself to make a difference in His Kingdom. And to be honest, I’m just plum tired of that. My life has been one heart break after another and working so much to accomplish things much larger than me.

I have just wanted a normal life finally. I’m finally married and we have a house we love and we’re ready to put down some roots, and have a family. Of course, like most, wanting to have a biological baby first. (I’m human too!) Especially since time is not in my favor (or so the doctors and others would like to tell you). Of course I will adopt, but why can’t something “N.O.R.M.A.L” happen in my life for once. Something on course like the rest of America. Something easy. Why can’t it be about me, just once? Why does it always have to be about HIM?! ☺

Pretty selfish, huh? But I’m not going to pretend I’m the only one who struggles with that. I know b/c I talk to many friends and acquaintances who are amazing men and women doing awesome things for God and they also struggle with the same desires and thoughts.

So finally, as we had our first day off at Village of Hope upon arrival and I was planning to just have some “me” time, my heart began to melt. These children without invitation would come and just sit down next to me as I read the Bible…wanting me to read to them. STARVING to hear the word and wanting to know more. Wanting to read it to me. Joining me and putting their arms around me as I tried to stay in contact with my “world” on my blackberry or Facebook. Looking at each person’s profile. Wanting to see all the pictures on my laptop. Loving the pictures of the beach and my dogs and my nieces as flower girls and loving my wedding dress. Holding my flashlight for me as I ate my dinner in the dark by the fire so I could see what I was actually about to eat and constantly combing, braiding and playing with my hair.

I don’t think these children had a clue that God was using them to minister to me. To love on me, to open my heart…that mother’s heart which has been determined to do it “My way”.

As the next morning dawned and we got ready for the heavy day of emotional grief counseling with the kids (what I had been dreading), I stood in my mud hut with two of the most precious friends and fellow “journeymen” (as they call you in Gulu) a woman could ask for, Britt and Bethany. We were talking about the kids, talking about what that day would hold. (I was still dragging my feet as I got ready for this) I started telling them how I had grown fond of this little girl Faida (who you will read about in my previous post) and Britt commented, “Amanda, I have known all along that God was going to do something in your heart on this trip, but I didn’t know what…but when I see you with her, I see your Mother’s heart for her…” And…that’s when I broke. I finally let it all go…my coffee cup shaking in my hand as I let go of that which I have wanted and desired in order to probably, knowing God, receive some sort of another extraordinary calling to these children. Maybe it’s adopting a large sibling group, maybe it’s adopting children with HIV, maybe it’s opening up our own orphanage or moving to Africa. Or…maybe it’s just continuing to work forVisiting Orphans so that more and more people are ministering to orphans. Or even more...what if it's ALL the above or more than one of these?!

Whatever His will is, I finally let Him have all control and have His way with me, my plans and my family. It still hurts to share but I’m honestly looking forward to seeing what He has in store. I know it will not be easy and will most likely require MUCH work and will be anything but NORMAL…but maybe, just maybe, I will make a difference personally, this time in the life of an orphan(s).
(photos by Bethany Haley)

A Girl Named Faida

Faida....
I can’t get this little girl’s beautiful face out of my head. It’s imprinted on my heart. Im not sure of her age as sometimes it’s 11 and sometimes it’s 12. Most children at Village of Hope do not know their birthdates anymore. So…they guess.

See, their moms and dads were murdered in the last few years in the LRA rebel raids against the Acholi people. Some were burned, cut up by machetes, or so much worse. Some were shot or hacked to death by their own children as the rebels made them by threatening to kill them. These are the children at the Village of Hope. Fiada’s parents were killed and she and all 5 of her siblings abducted. But..they escaped!

We are visiting Village of Hope with Bethany Haley, a psychologist who works with African children who have gone through trauma. As we led a room full of these children (most are between 10 and 15 years old now) through a time where they were encouraged to share their stories of trauma, I looked at Fiada and I saw her fidgeting and sweating. I started to tell her it was okay…that she could cry and let go and that’s when the dam broke. Sobs began as her broken heart poured out. I embraced her and held her and told her over and over again how sorry I was. She let me hold her for awhile and then, as her heart broke even deeper through her tears, she ran out of the room. One by one, crying children started leaving in sobs. I didn’t follow her b/c I thought she might need that time, but Bethany followed her. Three of the girls had run to their room and were wailing and sobbing. Bethany sat down on Faida’s bed and it was soaked with her tears.

She was able to gain her composure and returned to the room. By this time, I had started crying. She couldn’t look at me… It hurt, but I’ve been there. She’s angry, broken, so sad. Can you imagine her memories?! Watching her parents killed by a rebel or her own sibling. Having to live in the bush with no clothes for days and no food b/c the rebels have looted their home. Then being abducted and having atrocities done to them, most which they will never speak about. In fact, Faida was not one of the girls who was emotionally able enough to share her story. She’s not ready yet. But hearing her sister share the story and other children share their stories, was just too much and the memories flashed back.

I am forever bonded to her now. After this time of practically the whole room of children crying and pouring their hearts out. We let them talk about their hopes and dreams. Faida hopes to drive a car one day and wants to be a lawyer.

As we finished our heavy emotional day, each child chose a rock to represent their past and burdens and they carried them out onto the land and laid them at the bottom of a cross that had been erected. Although Faida seems too afraid or ashamed to look at me, she wanted to walk with me. She made sure I was beside her at all times.

We laid our burden stones down and took our handkerchiefs where we had drawn our hopes and put them on the top of broken tree branches and carried and swayed them back and fort in the air as we sang all the way back to the school room. Declaring“the glory of the Lord and throwing the devil out of our lives”. These were lyrics from a traditional Acholi song they sing.

Then this morning as I awoke, Fiada had chosen to hold a sign that Bethany had created that read, “I am Beautiful” for a video Bethany was making. She was smiley and giddy. As I approached, she got bashful and Bethany said it’s b/c we’ve bonded. It’s the same “game” you play with someone who you do not know if they will love you back or afraid you will lose them.

Before I left the Village of Hope today I had known all week that I was supposed to give Faida this silver promise ring I have worn for the past 10 years. It has the scripture, “I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine” written on it in Hebrew. I gave it to her and through an interpreter told her what it meant. I told her that I had fallen in love with her and I began to break into tears saying that if I could be her mother I would. I promised to sponsor her and be her mommy in America. I will help her become a lawyer and will pray for her always. I also promised to return. I told her how sorry I was about what happened to her. She hugged me and held me immediately, thanking me. From that time on, she would not leave my side and did not look away when I looked at her. I truly saw a new hope, a new light in her eyes. There seemed to be less sadness and less anger.
Honestly, I really would be her mom. I don’t know how it could happen for many reasons whilch I will not get into in this email.

But I’m hooked and do not think I can ever stay away from Uganda and from this tragedy that has played out here. I certainly cannot stay away from Faida. She needs the love of a mother, even if all I can give at this time is my prayers, letters, money and visits. What breaks my heart the most is that these children do not have mommies and daddies, but I will get into that on another post.

The Karamajong Children

Our time with the visiting Orphans team was amazing. This team had SO much unity and that is a miracle being such a large team. It was obvious that everyone had come on the trip with the same heart and purpose in mind...to be used by God as much as possible to minister to these children.

I will have to say that by far, visiting with the children from the Karamajong people that Amazima feeds was the most rewarding yet devastating for the team. Katie Davis, the beautiful young woman who started Amazima, started this feeding program with this people group about 6 months ago. This people group is seen as the lowest of the low in Jinja. They are truly the poorest of the poor and it's the survival of the fittest among them. The hardest part was watching the children line up for the one meal that most of them would eat per day Monday through Friday. This is the meal that Amazima provides for them at school. These was pushing and shoving and fighting and crying and wailing. Little boys and girls carry their infant siblings on their backs so that they can eat too. Britt was standing by one little girl who was being shoved so badly that the baby fell off and landed on the cement floor, smacking it's head on the cement. The little girl that was holding the infant just seemed like she had given up...like she was defeated, so she just stood there crying, refusing to get out of line. Eventually through much more pushing and with my help, she got her bowl filled up with the rice and beans. And then she just stood there in line...for what seemed like 5 minutes. I think she was just so defeated...

This was a similar scene where another little girl was kept putting her toddler brother to the side of the line and he would just get up and toddle back to her and she would push him away again. It was b/c she was trying to stay in line but kept getting pushed. I eventually picked him up and carried him. He was so weak he immediately fell asleep. She eventually got out of line and came and got him. I guess her love outweighed her hunger in that moment and she was willing to give up her place in line to carry him again. These children were gorgeous, yet filthy...clothes barely hanging on, if at all. No shoes anywhere. I spoke with Patrick, the administrator for this feeding program through Amazima....He is hopeful that we can bring shoes and clothes on our next trip in April. I want to help these children so much. I loved them so much. I still do and wish I did not have to leave. I wish I could stay there. Katie is doing amazing things for these people. God has taken one tiny servant who loves Him dearly..enough to surrender her all to Him and He is just pouring out blessings to these people through her. Please continue to give your donations to Amazima...especiallly for this people group.

We'd love for you to visit and help these people on our next trip in April. We will need your help. Pray that God would open up the storehouses of Heaven to bring His financial and spiritual resources to these people. You can find out more at www.visitingorphans.org. (photos by Bethany Haley)

The Winter Africa Trip Leaves

Our amazing mission team departed for Addis Ababa this yesterday morning. As I write they should be landing after a long 16 hour flight. They will head to the Ethiopia Guest Home for a quick shut eye and then back to the Addis airport to travel to Entebbe. Please pray for their strength and stamina as they then travel 3 hours to Jinja.

As you can see by these photos, the team packed over 60 bags full of shoes from Soles 4 Souls for 400 orphans and 400 of these precious hand made sock dolls. This Saturday will be the best day for these children at Amazima as each one get a brand new pair of shoes and a new doll. (I'm sure the older boys may give their to their little siblings. ;)) The grace and favor of God stayed on the crew as the United staff here at the Nashville airport allowed 4 additional bags for check in with no cost. I'm amazed at how much this happens for Visiting Orphans on our trips. It's such confirmation that God is the author of these trips and He so desires these supplies to get to the children. The picture of the team is of the 13 team members (plus one videographer) who were all leaving from Nashville. They met the rest of the team in the Dulles airport.

Britt and I will head over tomorrow morning, but our trip will be many hours longer as we did not get to fly on Ethiopian airlines. We will be traveling through Chicago, then to Amsterdam, Nairobi and then finally to Entebbe. We were eager to meet up with the team in Jinja and so we are flying on KLM. I bought 3 great books so as not to just feast on the free movies that the airlines offers. My book list consists of Sarah Palin's book, "Going Rogue", Bruce Wilkinson's new book, "You Were Born For This" and John Bevere's new book, "Extraordinary". I am looking forward to filling up with God's word on this trip before being poured out on His behalf as I get to love on these children.

I will do what I can to blog as I am in Africa. Can't wait to share our video we are producing about our trip and the pictures and stories when we return!

Visiting Gulu

I am gearing up for another trip to Uganda. This time I will be joined by CMA artist, Britt Nicole. Britt was inspired by the Orphan's Ticket Home gala that was held in August. This will be Britt's first time on a mission trip and the first time to visit orphans or Africa. We have such a heart full of expectation about what God is going to do on this trip. Bethany Haley, Executive Director of Exile International and great friend of mine will be joining us on this trip as well. It's so neat that God is sending the three of us to Africa together. Little did we know when this picture was taken what God had in mind just a few months later.

My wonderful supportive husband, Simon will be leading a team of 31 people for Visiting Orphans. They are also going to Uganda and we will meet up with them in Jinja on January 3rd, spend a few days workign with Amazima ministries and Canaan Children's Home and then head to Gulu with Bethany's ministry to work with former LRA child soldiers. Bethany's ministry uses dance and art therapy to minister to their traumatized hearts and I'm so ready to be a tool for God to use in this way...

The trip itinerary will look like this:

January 1st, 2010 - Leave the Nashville airport for Entebbe, Uganda.

January 2nd - Arrive in Entebbe

January 3rd to 5th - Jinja working with Amazima & Canaan's

January 5th - Entebbe

January 6th to 11th - Gulu working with Village of Hope

January 12th - Home

Already our home has received 400 pairs of shoes from Soles 4 Souls for the 800 little feet that Katie Davis sponsors through her Amazima ministry. Tomorrow I am picking up 400 sock dolls for these children which were created by another ministry. We've also received 40 Christmas gifts for the street boys in Addis for Simon to take on his trip. Another team member has created 8 full size soccer goals by hand for these same street boys. I can't wait to see the faces on these little boys when they finally get REAL soccer nets!
Please keep us in your prayers..that God would send us all in safety and that we would all be willing to step out of comfort zones and be used by Him in every way He desires....

Give Christmas Away

We are so filled with love during the Christmas season as our loved ones pour into us and us into them. Usually we return to the New Year with that wonderful warm fuzzy full feeling that we are loved, secure and that we have a family to call home. But not for everyone…. Millions of children around the world don’t even know it’s Christmas or what in the world that could mean to them. Would you give this love in your heart away in 2010 by traveling to pour it into the orphans of this world?

If so, Visiting Orphans, a mission sending agency, needs you. They have designed trips to lead teams into orphanages all over the world with just this purpose in mind. When you travel with them to Ethiopia you even get to help work at the America World transitional home. They are also offering two trips to Southern China’s Hunan Region! You could return to the region where you once adopted or hope to and invest in the children who may never have the opportunity for a family. You can also visit the wonderful ministry of Amazima on a trip to Uganda. Or visit the children in the port town of Limon, Costa Rica this March who rarely, if ever receive teams to help.

Visiting Orphans is also leading trips to Ecuador, Ghana, Rwanda, El Salvador and Honduras.
To learn more or join a Visiting Orphans trip, please click here .

If you would like to help spread the word of Visiting Orphans on your blogsite, please click here ( http://www.visitingorphans.org/uploads/visitingorphans2.swf) for their widget.