Sponsor...anyone???

Okay, I could try and write a sweet, tear jerking, guilt rendering blog here. But, I won't ask you to grab your tissues and hold on. Nope, I am just going to be forth right and ask you to consider sponsoring a child in Liberia.
I think the best testimony is always from an eye witness. Therefore, I will call Myself to the stand and tell you what I saw and heard. (not all right now....you will have to check in for updates).

In my brief opening statement, I met beautiful children that radiate their creator's joy. I was filled to overflowing by their tenderness and love that they lavished on the relationally starved American.
What I also so was children that didn't have paper or pens to write letters to send home with me. That lacked all the personal items we take for granted.
I didn't go expecting to sponsor any more kids, but "Rachel" became like an appendage to me. Leaving her with no hope just didn't see possible.

I would like to let you hear what my my Daughter Dora says about having a sponsor:

My name is Dora Peed; I live In Charlotte, North Carolina with my family. I was adopted from the Daniel Hoover Children's Village run by African Christians Fellowship International (ACFI). I just wanted to say thank you for your support to the orphans of West Africa, Liberia, especially the Daniel Hoover Village. Without support, the kids that are adopted and the kids that are still at the home will not have a life in which they can build a future. You may think that the gifts you give to feed the kids are not much, but to me it meant a lot. It gave me hope that I was going to have a meal for that day and a place to re

st my head. The gifts and letters that are sent, give us support and something to hold on to. Knowing that you have family in some part of the world who is thinking of you is very special to us and we cheer every moment of it. Because some sponsors would not send letters to the kids they are sponsoring, when other kids received letters, it make them sad. A simple letter alone can really make a difference in a kid s life. Sometimes ink on a piece of paper can change the life of a kid, because he or she knew someone somewhere is thinking of them.

I just want to say how grateful I am to all the sponsors and their families for taking the time to look through the eyes and love of Jesus to help the orphans of Liberia. We can t repay you for all the things you have done for us, but God has a greater reward for you.

Because of Him,
Dora

What the kids value most in Liberia is someone knowing their name. I am attaching the link for the sponsorship page. I know many of you are so generous already. I wouldn't ask this from you unless I knew it would be a blessing to you. Also, my daughter Dora is still in Liberia until July 12th. If you hurry and let me know. I can tell you about some of the kids and possibly get a letter from the child or even a picture from Dora for you.

I am anticipating this whole village being sponsored. Oh, there are actually two "homes". The other one is a Deaf Home. More kids to love. Perhaps you have a heart for special needs children. They made such an impression on me, I am going to learn sign language so I can communicate better with them.

So, I ask you SPONSOR ANYONE???

The Link is on the sidebar....

What are you waiting for????

Is that the rain I hear...

I think I am finally on East Coast time. Yep, its tough to do but I have to move on.

I don't mind the role I play here, I just miss the roles I played there so much. I miss loving on children, spending time just hanging out with them, trying to empower them children by telling them they are loved and special, that God knows them by name and now I do too. Watching them grow before your eyes as you build them up. I miss the worship with the Liberians, the freedom that have to express their love for God and their undignified worship. I miss the freedom PERIOD that the Liberians have to just live life without so many regulations and rules or expectations of being politically correct or tolerant of things that are evil in the sight of God.
The coolest thing I noticed was that all the little things in life that I have learned along the way...were actually valuable tools that I could use to minister to the Liberians around me. i.e.. Sign Language that I think I learned in high school...experiences from the other mission trips that kept me able to operate from a practical point of view and not just an emotional one (that never helps anyone).

Many more things, I will probably blog about. Only because I never want to forget. It's not just the poverty and 3rd world conditions that challenge me. Its the people. Their joy, their faith, their belief in God isn't just one dimensional. Its so much more. It challenges me to where my own relationship to God is at. Its just priceless. Its like being in heaven early and not wanting to leave!!
Can't wait to see them again...here and in eternity!

Liberia -2010

Quick Review of My Life Changing Trip to Liberia...
Things I already miss:

• Children walking arm and arm with me, longing to be held, making sure the hair is not in my face, reminding me to zip up my fanny pack, loving that I was there and knowing somehow in God mysterious ways that He loves us and we are family because of Jesus Christ!
• Building encouragement into the lives of kids that may not always know that they are loved by God and specifically created to live out His purposes in their lives.
• The Liberian accent"o", and the joy in kids faces.
• The laid back Liberian culture.
• Laughing with our team!
• Trying to see how many people we can stuff into a mini (and I mean mini) van!!
  
• Everything!

Reasons I glad to be home:

• My Husband that is loving, supportive and encouraging...but mostly "gets" me and my craziness.
  
• Missing my family and knowing they understand the mission field and were anxious to hear all the details.
• Sweet friends and church family that I know love and support me.
  
• Cotton (my Bichon)
  
• Having A/C and not be sticky 5 minutes after you get out of the shower.
• Not a whole lot else...could repack and be gone next week.