A Couple of Updates

So things have been crazy around here lately and blogging has been slow.   I am finally settling in to a new routine.  I have taken a full- time teaching assistant position for special needs children at our local public school system and I still have my part-time driving job as well.  With a large family wanting/needing my attention on the after school hours, life can be kinda crazy!  And though things have been quiet on the blogging end, we have been busy with getting our kids enrolled again this year, collecting the end of year report cards, switching some kids to new schools, etc. etc.  Stephen is back at it again, working towards updates for our sponsor families and we will be updating each one of you.  I just want to take this time here to mention that the last time I spoke with Stephen he wanted me to share with you the thankfulness from each family.  Some have expressed how much stress has been taken from them knowing that their child is in school and fees are paid, now they can focus on how to feed their children without the added pressure of paying for school.

If you've followed the blog before, you know that Stephen's sister had passed away leaving two babies behind.  They have been sponsored by a family here in the US and the babies are doing fabulously!  They are growing by leaps and bounds and have remained healthy since birth.  Such a blessing!  AND, Rebecca gave birth to a healthy baby girl just recently and they named her Monconjay.  She is totally adorable.  I cannot wait to see her.  Stephen and Rebecca have alot going on and I would ask that you cover them in prayer.

On another note, Donna will be taking a trip to Liberia in November.  At this time we are sending over the previous letters and items that some of you have sent a few months back.  Differing circumstances had made the past trips needing to be re-scheduled.  So, if you have not heard back, you will next month when Donna comes back from the trip.  I am hoping that all of you received your letters and/or drums from Liberia from the last trip.  If something was missed please let me know!  I am working on a return trip to Liberia during the beginning or ending of this coming summer.  My date has not been planned yet because we have a graduation and a wedding within a month of each other.  I will keep you updated on that as the plans unfold. (Keep it in the back of your mind and if there is something you would like me to do while I am there please email me.) If you wish to send another package or have not yet been able to and want to, this would be a great time to get something to me.  By the end of October I will be sending everything to Donna to take with her.

One more quick update...Global Orphan Outreach has been working hard to make the website easier to navigate and understand.  Go here to see our changes that we are making.  Now on to some pictures for you.

The twins.

Such little cuties.  We are having fun watching them grow!

Yonjay is off to school this year.  Look at his cuteness in his uniform.

And after a very long wait the arrival on Monconjay finally came.  This is her dedication.

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul. ~Joseph Addison~

I will be doing some posting on our walk with some more pictures soon. For now, here is a group picture of those who attended minus a few people, including our speaker.

He Had A Dream

"I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls." 
  Martin Luther King Jr. (I Have A Dream)

The function of education is to teach one to think 
intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education. 
                                                                        Martin Luther King, Jr. 

A Message From Frank G. Traub

I first heard about Global in January of this year when I was invited by a friend to accompany her to a workshop being hosted by the organization. When I returned home I immediately got in touch with Pastor Ben and told him that there was something very different about Global. As a Liberia I’ve seen the workings of humanitarian organizations in my country; and believe me when I tell you, a lot of them do not account for much. It saddens my heart to see people pushing their own agenda under the guise of helping the needy. However, with Global there was just something different. As I looked into the faces of couples present and heard them talk about my people with so much passion, I knew that these people, while not the wealthiest donors, where making the most sacrifices. I saw and talked to husbands who stayed home as their wives did what their hearts told them was right.

Fast forward to June and I’m invited to speak at a walkathon planned by Global. The objective: that people here in America (especially their children) will have an idea about how most children in Liberia walk to and from school (and many a times on empty stomachs). If I was surprised in January, I was blown out of my mind on Saturday, the 25^th. I saw kids who were so enthusiastic about what their parents were involved in. I saw families of the organizers rally around them in support. But more than that, I saw Liberian kids who had been brought over to America either for medical care or to be placed in proper homes with love and care. In any case, these kids were being given the opportunity to dream again- the opportunity to have hope in a world that they’d given up on.

My only regret was that it was held so far in Wisconsin where not many Liberians are; and I thought a lot of Liberians should have the opportunity to see what’s really being done to help us as a nation. So if there is a possibility of a program being held in Minnesota, I would gladly welcome the idea. The hearts and the motive of the people involved are too pure to not be allowed to touch and encourage others. So on behalf of the Liberian people, I say a big THANK YOU! And may God continue to bless the works of your hands!!!

Yours truly, Frank Glenn

The Big Day is Here (and now over)

A brief update on our walk today......
We had amazingly beautiful weather and a really great time!  I will be downloading pics and finishing up final details of the walk.  Thank you to all who helped this day be a success!

Meet the Speaker

Last year we had the privilege of hearing Pastor Ben Kangar speak at the walk.  Ben is originally from Liberia, West Africa but now resides in the U.S. with his wife and children.  We enjoyed our time and Ben did an excellent job speaking about school in Liberia and his experiences growing up there.

This year I invited Frank Glenn Traub to come speak for us.  He is also from West Africa.  Glenn has authored a book called "And It Shall Come To Pass."  You can find the link to his book at Amazon.  This book was written during his teen and young adult years while he was growing up during the Liberian war.  Glenn will be speaking about the war and its affect on Liberia's school children.  Glenn is bringing his book to sell at the walk and will be selling it for $20.00.  If you are interested in a book and cannot attend the walk, send me an email and I can grab one for you while he is here with us.

Hope to see you there!

Victoria Has Graduated

On June 12th we had our first graduate.  Victoria graduated from the class of K-11 from Fullness Apostolic Foundation Elementary School.  She has been a student with us for a couple of years and is doing well.  In order to partake in the graduation ceremony it is required that you wear the proper attire.  They need shoes and a dress (which costs around $15.00).  The graduation ceremony itself costs around $16 USD.  This is no small matter for our kids.  Another reason why we do the W.A.L.K.

This is the program for the graduating students.  Victoria is number 25...the very last one.

Kids in line for graduation.

Victoria in the middle.

The family and friends are gathered....

Some celebration singing...

Victoria's grandmother Annie in the middle here.

The principal making his remarks....

Almost done, Victoria!

Victoria with her family.

Congrats, Miss Victoria! We are proud of you!  Keep studying hard!

Her Blessings are Blessing Others

It has been so much fun seeing other children participate in school sponsorship!  Here is another family who is teaching their children what it means to invest in someone else.  What a gift they are giving to their children! You can check out their family blog here.  This is a post they did on W.A.L.K.  And, below are her two boys who are her greatest blessings...

Seriously, don't you just love those huge smiles?  They are already starting to get into writing their new friend some letters.  Hmmm, I might just have to post some really cute pictures for you of kids in Liberia writing letters to their new sponsors!  :)

Want Last Year's Shirt?

These are last year's walk-a-thon t-shirts.  They have the same quote on the back of them as this year's shirts.  (click to enlarge to read it)  I would like to sell them as part of the Memorial Day to Labor Day Challenge.  I have one small, 4 medium and one large in adult sizes.  I have an xl in adult but it looks like the size is incorrect on it.  It looks more like an adult large.  If you would like one, I will sell them for $5.00+shipping.  If interested, leave a comment or email me from the contact page.

Memorial Day to Labor Day Challenge

I wanted to update everyone on behalf of our kids.  Every child has been sponsored!  You have been gracious to the children of Liberia and you have honored HIM!  Thank you!

I have a pastor friend who did a challenge on facebook.  His challenge was to set a goal between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  My mind immediately went to what I could give up in order to give back.  It seems to be a common theme among organizations lately...."give up your soda, your coffee, a meal, etc. etc. and give that money to the needy, the orphan, the widow.  And, though you've probably heard it a million times and maybe even tried it before, can I encourage one person or maybe even two to give up something for this challenge?  But, what is that challenge $ going to be used for?  

This is the picture of Stephen and his wife, Rebecca that is on the side bar of this blog.  I have many pictures of them but since this is my all-time favorite one I am posting this one. again.  :)  Stephen is the guy who does all the work for the LLP.  (Liberian Literacy Program)  And, by "all the work", I mean ALL THE WORK!  From going to each school to do student profiles, taking pictures, meeting with all the families, setting up meetings, doing the meetings,working with school principals, distributing funds, buying supplies and uniforms and meeting with the Ministry of Health, this guy is truly busy.  Now imagine this.  He already has a full-time job outside of working for the LLP.  He has a wife and son that he adores and needs his time. ( BTW, Rebecca is pregnant and is due during the upcoming weeks!! Yay! I really can't wait and wish I was going to be there!)  He has been taking care of newborn twins for weeks since the passing of his sister.  He is involved in church.  He helps out his family and friends whenever he can.  That's Stephen.

But now imagine this...His full-time job outside of LLP barely gives him enough money to live on.  In Liberia they call that living "hand to mouth", meaning that there is not enough to go around.  He has taken in a couple different kids for the past year and fed them and given them a place to stay, even when he does not have much himself.  And the hardest part for me to type....last year from the LLP he received $250.00 for the year!!  Not much. Really not a lot when you take out expenses for all of the above!    

Stephen came into our program as a volunteer, just like the rest of us.  He knew we couldn't pay him when we started.  He still insists on volunteering.  His heart is in this program.  Since our program is growing and his workload is getting heavier,  I would like to give him something extra.  So, what I have decided to do is find things to give up during the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day and give that money to Stephen.  My personal challenge will be $25.00/month for those 3 months.  As I am looking at ways to fund another $25.00/month into our already taxed budget, I know that if I give up some of those unnecessary purchases (like the occasional pop from the gas station when filling up) it will add up quickly.  The kids have all given some clothes for a consignment store and my mother-in-law is donating aluminum cans from the place she is working.  We  are cashing in our brakes that we had replaced, to a scrap company.  I am going to Craigslist some items from home.  And, I am asking if any of you will join me.  Will you commit to this challenge with me from Memorial Day to Labor Day?  It doesn't have to be $25.00.  It can be $1.00, $5.00 or $10.00.  Anything will help.  Stephen is such a huge part of this program! Please consider how you could bless him in his efforts in Liberia.

                                    "When you educate a girl,
           you educate an entire nation"
                         ~African Proverb

Walkathon Registrations are Ready!

Please check out our walkathon registration page.  We have finally added the form and it is ready for you to download and print.  Register soon to guarantee a t-shirt at event.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!

             Education is the most
             powerful weapon which
             you can use to change
                  the world.
                ~Nelson Mandela~

Do You Like My Hat?

So here's our update on our Hat Day at school. The idea was, "bring a $1.00, wear your favorite hat to school."

Throwing a bit of Dr. Suess in there because that is what I am thinking about right about now.

So we decided to catch a few of those.....ummm, interesting hats.  This one definitely qualified for the "interesting" kind of hat.

We had normal hats...

and sort of "green bay packerish" hats...

We even had bicycle helmets.  Yep, they count.

We had really Goofy hats,

pink hair, yellow headband hats,

Uh, we interrupt our hat show to give you my hyper active son's "Mom, look at me!" pic.  Sorry.  We are working on not interrupting...

Oh, not finished interrupting yet?  Nope, "Mom, look at what I made in school today!" We'll keep working hard on this area...

Back to our hats, we had Tigger hats, too.

Bus 5 ~ We had very cool hats.

                                   Bus 10 ~ Looks like a cowboy theme going on here.

                                  The kids in Teddy's class showing off their hats.

                                          More of Teddy's class.

A representative from each class.

                                                                 

So, there you have it.  An updated version of Hat Day.  We think the day was a big success!  We were able to raise $222.00 for our Liberian school children!!  Our kids are making a difference!  A great big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who helped and contributed.

Letters

For those of you that have sent letters to me......they are on the way to Liberia to your sponsor kids.  I know the kids will be delighted to hear from you, see your pictures and write back!  

Walkathon Shirts

For those of you going to go on the walkathon, your shirt is covered in the cost of attending.  For those of you who just like the shirt and would like to order one (or more), this is what they will look like:  (click on shirt for a larger view of shirt)

The cost for the adult shirts is $20.00 + shipping.  I will be updating with all the shirt prices, including children's sizes.  Leave me a comment if you think you are interested.  Thanks!

We Are Almost There!

WE ONLY HAVE 4 3 2 STUDENTS LEFT TO SPONSOR!


LeRoyd,   who is $10.00/month  LeRoy has been sponsored!!
Annie,      who is $10.00/month  Annie has been sponsored!!
Rachel,     who is $10.00/month  Rachel has been sponsored!!
Rebecca,   who is $10.00/month  Rebecca has been sponsored!!

We are so close to having tuition paid for ALL our students in the program this year. 


If you choose to be a sponsor of one of the above children, Stephen, our country director, will send you this!

Ok, maybe not this particular one, but one like it.  And although it is not a big djembe drum, it is a nifty (did I just say that? I haven't said "nifty" in a long time, maybe ages!) little item to have in your home......just because it is from Liberia.  


*And for those of you who just may want one just for fun~contact me and for $15.00 we will get you one too!  Shipping space is limited so it will be a first-come, first-served basis.  This offer ends this Saturday.  Thanks!