Every child deserves a safe place where they can be a kid.  A place where they can freely problem solve, use their imagination, develop physical strength, coordination and balance. A place where they can grow, dream, imagine, explore and gain a sense of self.

For many children in Guatemala this is nonexistent.  Many of the children here lose their childhood too quickly due to the stress of just trying to survive.

(photo credit) 

 Many of us have memories of our childhood days spent swinging on swings, sliding down slides, bouncing up and down on the teeter totter with a friend, hanging on the monkey bars, running through the grass and exploring the world around us. A vital and important part of our childhood development.

The children who come to Village of Hope often have lived in desperate poverty and will for the first time have a safe, permanent place to call home. Our goal is to provide them with the opportunity to grow and develop into the humans the Lord intended them to be through providing a safe place to grow- as every child deserves.

One of our big needs here at Village of Hope is a safe place for the children to play.  Because the facility is built in a mountainous area this isn’t as simple as putting in a swing set and a soccer goal. A large area will have to be dug out, a retaining wall put up to keep the mud from sliding and then the playground will be put in.

View from a different direction...

We have been blessed by a donor who has offered to match up to $10k for the ground to be dug out, a retaining wall constructed, a grassy area planted, and a playground for the children at Village of Hope. For every $1 you give between now and Sept. 6th it will be doubled! What a great way to invest in the kingdom and see your dollars stretched!

To give to the 10K match please go to: Lifesong for Orphans and please indicate it's for Village of Hope Guatemala- 10K Match.

Thank you so much!!!

Village of Hope

This post was Written by Amy Block . The Block and the Ucherek families are our friends serving as missionaries in San Lucas Guatemala.

I am a list maker. I learned that from my mama.

To me, being able to cross things off my ‘to do’ list, to grab my pen and scratch through a job as ‘finished’ signifies accomplishment.

Yet, ever since moving to Guatemala I have noticed that the Lord has been teaching me a different way. Since living here I rarely have the opportunity to cross things off. Actually, rarely do I even have time to make a list. And while I fully admit that can sometimes be overwhelming, what I have learned is that I need to allow the Lord the freedom to direct how I spend my days.

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24

And so each morning, without fail, I get on my knees and ask God to show me what He has for me to that day... and that list in my head changes drastically.

A few days back God brought this precious family into our lives and they helped me see my to do list in a new light.

Aura Marina and her seven children live in a little village called Chi Tuk not far from Village of Hope. The main thing on Aura Marina's 'to do' list every day- is to simply survive.

As we visited with Aura Marina and her children, asked about their needs, prayed for them and got to know them better -for whatever reason the Lord brought my ‘list’ to mind. He reminded me that the bathrooms I complained about cleaning were a blessing…

                                                                   (family bathroom)

That the dinner ideas I had so often whined about trying to come up with were a blessing…

                                           (Aura Marina and her only means of cooking for her 7 kids)
And that the leaky roof we had been experiencing really wasn’t that big of a deal after all…

                                  (one bedroom, dirt floor home Aura Marina and her 7 kids live in)
And what I couldn’t help but wonder was how many times in the past I had allowed satan to distract me, to fill my head and my heart with my own shallow complaints, my own selfish wants, and my own agenda- that in the long run really don’t even matter. How much time had I wasted focusing on my own little world… when the world around me was crying out for Him?

So today I challenge you to ask God to arrange your 'to do' list for the day. I challenge you to not get so caught up in your own kingdom- that you forget about His.

If you would like to partner with us here at Village of Hope in helping families like Aura Marinas you can visit us at: Lifesong for Orphans- Guatemala.

Hello!

How pathetic is it that I haven't posted since last year??!! Man time sure flies! Trying to keep up as a full-time mom, wife, employee, student, and mentor is HARD!! Sorry, blogger just had to get erased from the list! Maybe, just maybe, I can add blogger back when I GRADUATE next month! Yes, that is what I said - I have two more weeks of class and I'm done! YEAH! I wondered if it would ever happen, but I think I can make it! :)
We have experienced an amazing adoption story through our friends the Ucherek's and now our friends the Duncan's are adopting! We are so excited so I wanted to share their blog with you so that you can be encouraged by their journey. Check out www.itsalwaysbeenindia.blogspot.com

Hope to blog with you soon!!

Show the love of Christ to a child in need this Christmas!

What are you doing this year for Christmas?

Decorating the house? Making Christmas cookies? Celebrating with family and loved ones? Exchanging gifts?

What if this year you gave gifts that not only celebrated your loved ones but brought the love of Christ to a child in need? An orphan in Africa, India, Ukraine, or Honduras?

This year Lifesong for Orphans has gifts that will do just that. Give the new Lifesong cookbook...

or give a child in Africa food, a child in Honduras job skills training, a child in India a home... in honor of those you love... and really, what could be better at Christmas than to know your gift was given to a child who needed it more.

Check it out here.

May God bless your holiday season!


10-11 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

GIVEAWAY!

This week, you have TWO chances to be entered in a giveaway for a FREE Lifesong for Orphans t-shirt! Lifesong will be debuting 2 new colors (chocolate brown for men and red for women) and are offering to give away 2 shirts before they are available for sale!

Here’s how to enter:
#1: Go to the Lifesong blog posting from Monday and guess how many children are no longer orphans that Lifesong helped to bring home through financial assistance.

#2: Leave a comment on Friday’s posting about how we can creatively work together as the body of Christ to care for orphans around the world! Here's what you do... share with us your ideas. Leave a comment... maybe about a ministry your church is involved in... or a family you helped support financially to adopt.

Maybe you have this aMAZing idea that has been just waiting to get out and be put in action. Here's your chance! Let's inspire each other to rise up on behalf of orphans!

“With this in mind, take some time to walk through your house and ask God what he would have you do with your part of the 200 million orphans worldwide, most of whom may never hear the gospel, much less have it lived out in a loving family of their own.” – Greg Lucas

Hey my bloggy friends! I had to take a minute to share something that I learned last week - something that I hadn't thought about before - something that made me realize even more how powerful our God is and that His Word is exactly how He wants it to be.

First, let me ask you a question - if you were starting a church, would you begin by setting up a plan of policies for the church to function or would you share the doctrine of the Holy Word first and then figure out the policies?

As we look at the letter's that Paul wrote, the growth of the church is based on right teaching over policy.

Paul teaches about doctrine in all of his first letters and then talks about church leaders and policy in Timothy and Titus at the end of his life. Obviously, the most important information in causing the church to grow was the doctrine!

Hope this can be a great reminder to all of us to always put doctrine over policy!

Thank you Pastor Dick!! :)

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

     

Alvin was born in a Liberian refugee camp in The Republic of Ghana, Africa.  His mother fled there during the civil war in Liberia.  Sadly, while she was in Ghana her family was killed in Liberia.  Alvin’s father died in the refugee camp before he was born.

In 2007, When Alvin was 4 years-old, he and his mother returned to Liberia.  There she began attending church and quit drinking.  Two years later, a few days before Christmas, she began vomiting and was admitted to a hospital with malaria.  Soon after, she died.

Alvin now lives at Lifesong Liberia's Master's Home of Champions.

You can help a child like Alvin. You can feed a child like Alvin.

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We have 44. 26 to go!

Will you join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans?

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to make your commitment! 

  

Quita is 5 years old.  During the disarmament time, rebels came to her village and took all the men, including her father.  She never saw her father again.  Later it was discovered that these men were taken to a bridge where they were shot and thrown into the river.

Her mother ran to the Salala district with the other villagers for refuge.   There she later got sick and became paralyzed.  Last year Quita’s mother died and Quita was taken to the Lifesong Liberia's Home of Champions.  When she grows up she wants to be a medical doctor and help children.

Isn't it amazing that at 5 years old she's thinking about how someday she can help other children?

How can we help children today?

We're asking for a monthly commitment of $28 for one year.

Twenty-eight dollars...

- eating out at that new restaurant

- the shirt you've had your eye on

- a date night to the movies

- those pillows that would just look sooo good on your sofa.

I won't lie, making this commitment will require some sacrifice.  But trust me.  The sacrifice is always worth the reward.

What can you sacrifice for a child like Quita?

Our goal is 70 people.  $28 a month.  One year commitment.

We have 36 commitments, 34 to go!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans!

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to commit! 

This summer our church had their annual VBS program. We had the kids raise money to support a Vacation Bible Camp at Lifesong Liberia. Well, the response of these 5-11 year olds brought tears to my eyes. We heard stories about kids doing extra chores around the house and emptying their piggy banks. One child even asked if this year's Christmas money could go to helping these children across the world! wow!

That week we raised more than double what we needed! That same week our Liberia director, Emmanuel Jones, discovered another orphanage that needed our help. Another orphanage where the children were starving. Another orphanage that we could help with extra money raised by children in Illinois.

Amazing! God's timing is so good, isn't it?

We announced to the kids that their money would not only give Liberian children a Bible camp to attend, but would also provide food and shelter for over 25 more children! Oh the cheers that filled the Sunday School room that evening. They whooped and hollered. I cried. God is good!

2010 Liberia VBS from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Over 360 children attended!

67 children dedicated their lives to Christ!

75 adults came, and 11 of them received Christ!

Bishop Emmanuel Jones writes:

It was heart touching and very moving to watch for three days. I saw the children change in a dramatic way in their relationship with God and with each other.

The camp was profound and the children left very encouraged and blessed. We have started a church in the community in order to continue discipleship and follow up with these new believers."

But this was only the beginning. Now, with more children we have more cost. Funds are tight and we need help.

Here's the exciting part. If we surpass our goal of 70 sponsors we can take in more children! Children who would otherwise be turned away!

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We currently have 25 commitments... 45 to go in just 3 days!

Can we do it? With your help we can!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans.

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to commit!

Kemah never knew her mother. One day while she and her brother were sleeping, their home caught fire. In a desperate attempt to save his children, Kemah’s father ran into the house for them. After he rescued her brother, her father searched for Kemah as well. That day, the roof of their little house caved in, leaving Kemah’s foot badly burned and killing her father.

Now orphaned, 6 year-old Kemah and her brother found refuge at Master’s Home of Champions-Lifesong Liberia. Here she is gaining an education, is given daily, nutritious meals, and is learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kemah can tell you that she loves Jesus and knows He loves her because He died for her sins. Someday she hopes to be a missionary so she can tell others about the love of Christ!

Wow... What an amazing response to the Gospel from a young child who's already experienced more pain than many of us will experience in a lifetime. But Kemah is not alone. There are other children... so many children... who need our help!

We're asking for a monthly commitment of $28 for one year to help cover the costs of caring for 70 orphans in Liberia. This donation will cover food and water, and other necessities, such as coal and kerosene, toothpaste, bathing and laundry soup, and hair oil.

A typical grocery list at Lifesong Liberia for 1 month includes:

- 8 bags of rice

- 5 gallons agro oil

- 2 bags of cornmeal

- 1 bag of sugar

- 20 gallons of red cooking oil

- 1 carton of cooking salt

Sometimes powdered milk and flour will also be purchased, but not every month.

Every 1-2 days cassava, various vegetables, fish and occasionally chicken are purchased for soup.

Typically the children at Lifesong Liberia will have cornmeal porridge for breakfast and rice with soup for lunch and dinner.

Will you help us feed and care for these children? Children like Kemah?

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We have 17 commitments. That means 53 to go in just 4 days!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose for orphans!

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to make your commitment today!

Hey all! Check out this link:
http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2010/9/20/we-have-5-days-lets-make-them-count.html

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Good morning my bloggy friends! After seeing that its been two months since I've blogged, I'm feeling quite guilty. Yes, I am still alive and yes, God continues to shape and mold me through this little thing called life.
About eight weeks ago, I began having major pain in my neck, left shoulder, and left arm. When I say major, I mean not going to work, laying in bed all day kind of major. After trying chiropractor care and lots of different kinds of drugs without relief, I saw a neuro surgeon on a Friday and had neck surgery the following Monday (August 23). So, its been almost 4 weeks since my surgery and I am happy to say that I felt immediate relief and continue to recover well.
During the time of my recovery, I've had lots of time to spend with God. Our time together has been so precious and I've learned so much. In the whirlwind of a life I typically live, I find myself always looking for a quick fix to any problem I may encounter. I mean, who has time to deal with problems??? God placed me in the first three chapters of Proverbs for about two weeks to show me the importance of seeking wisdom. In James 1:5, God offers wisdom to those who ask for it. Proverbs shares the blessings of seeking wisdom and the consequences of not. God helped me realize that I must seek wisdom in everything. I must seek wisdom first, not after I've tried my own thing and screwed it all up. God is willing to give it to me - all I have to do is seek it and then actually obey once He gives it to me. Simple enough, right?
Well, my problem is taking the time to seek it. Will you pray with me that we will take the time to listen for God's wisdom?

Our small group has been reading the book Radical by David Platt and I have to say it has opened my eyes to many things. I highly recommend it. One thing it has led our group to do more of is - see a need, meet the need. We began by serving in our community by helping some people with home repair and gave school supplies to some needy families. Then, we became aware of a need outside our community.

Join our small group (a group of young adults in Central IL) as we seek to find 475 people who will give $20 each in order to build a well for the kids at Plan Escalon campus in La Entrada, Honduras! WILL YOU CONSIDER GIVING $20?What is $20 to us today, in 2010 in the US... well, I could think of a lot of things and if we each make one sacrifice, we can make this happen!

If you would like to join us go to www.lifesongfororphans.org and click on donate and make sure you put Honduras Well in the description box. You can also find out more about Lifesong for Orphans, the children they provide for, and other opportunities for you to serve along side them at the website. And if you are on Facebook, check out our group at Godabuildawell.

Also, check out this amazing post at our friends, Dan and Christi Ucherek's blog
http://godetchedyourname.blogspot.com/2010/09/while-we-wait.html

God is on the move!
God is working in so many lives!
God loves you no matter what is happening around you!
God is good all the time and all the time God is good! (even when you don't understand!)

Are you saying yes to His calling? Or is fear keeping you safe in your comfort zone? I can say from experience that He can be trusted. He is faithful but how will you know until you say yes? Say yes before you even know what He is going to ask and get ready for an amazing adventure!

Are you afraid? Do it anyway!!

OK, I've said my piece for now. Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Hello my bloggy friends! No, I have not forgot about you! I think of you often, but have a difficult time, finding time to put those thoughts into words on my blog! Wow is all I can say about our amazing God. I had shared in previous posts about my difficulties in transitioning back into the working work while maintaining everything else in my life (well, except my blog :)), but as always God is faithful in pulling me through difficult situations. I felt as though I needed a refresher in my spiritual walk and boy did God provide one for me! Our young adult group started reading and discussing the book "Radical" by David Platt and it has left my head spinning (in a great way!)! It has challenged me and caused me to do some major thinking over my life and the way I live it! The biggest challenge it has brought about is how it has made my selfishness very apparent. I guess my selfishness comes so naturally that I don't even notice it at times. This book has been a great inspiration to me also to be more intentional about building relationships with others. I highly recommend it.

So, I would love to hear about what God is doing in your life! How is He changing you? What is He calling you to do? What vision or passion has He put on your heart? Big or small, I want to hear it all!!

Have a great day!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning my bloggy friends! I hope you had an amazing Memorial day weekend! I sure did, mine was filled with catching up on over due relationships, house work and home work. It feels good to catch up!!

Do you ever feel like your relationship with God is dry? Do you ever desire a renewal in your connection with God? Do you seek to have more passion?

I've been a bit dry lately, but God's Word revealed a great truth to me this morning. In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God shows Ezekiel some dry bones and then not only brings those bones back to life with flesh and skin, but breathes life back into them.

God has the power to do the same to you and I. Seek Him and you will be restored. Ask for passion, and He will fill you with it. Desire His guidance and will and He will show it to you.

Hope this brings encouragement to you today! Have a great one!
Christie

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Good morning my bloggy friends! It seems as though its been forever since we've talked. Lately, I have found myself overwhelmed with life. Attempting to balance being a wife, mom, friend, student, and employee has been difficult for me but I am holding on to the strength of God for wisdom and guidance. As I cried out to God about all I had to do, He softly and sweetly reminded me of the above verse. It reminded me, once again, that God is in control and that I need to make my focus on Him and the moment I am in - not the places I need to go or the list of things that need to be completed. Attempting to train my brain to focus on the here and now has been difficult but I will not give up.

While on the earth, Jesus' example was of working hard and being persistant but also taking the time to be still and pray. I wonder, how much more content and calm would my/your life be if we prioritized our quiet time with the Lord?

I hope you can gain encouragment from today's post and let it be a reminder for you to stay in the present and keep God as your focus.

Have a great day
Christie

This verse brought sweet peace to my heart today

Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Enjoy joy in your soul through Jesus Christ!

Christie

The words in this song are wonderfully true - I have lived them. Enjoy and soak up the peace that the truth brings.
Christie

Tenth Avenue North: You are more

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

I've been listening to the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan on my drive home from school each week. As I listened last night, I realized something about myself. I live in a cycle of being totally consumed and fulfilled by God and then falling into seeking other things in life to fulfill me. There is a void in my heart that can only be filled by God but I can so easily fall into trying to fill it with material things, the approval of others, achievements, etc. My last cycle has been being content with my home and what I have in it but recently have found myself spending money on it that I don't have. I've wondered why my heart has went from contentment to discontentment but haven't gone much further. It hit me last night - the reason I am spending money on unneeded things is because I'm searching again to fill my void with "things" instead of God. I've decided that each time I want something unneeded and am ready to shop, I will instead spend that time with God.

I love the way that God is so faithful! I'm so thankful that His love for me never changes even when I go seeking something else to take His place.
Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness, grace and mercy!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Matthew 5:13

Are you salty?

Are you passionate about your relationship with God?

Are you ready to say "yes" before God even makes the request?

Are you allowing God's light to shine through you?

It is easy to be on fire for the Lord when you first become a Christian but as the years go by and circumstances get the chance to harden your heart, do you find it more difficult to burn?

Think about your priorities today - does what you do set a godly example for others?

Do you speak and act differently than those who are not Christians?

Just some thoughts that I've been pondering and thought you may want to also.
Have a great day
Christie

Hello my friends - long time, no talk! Well, since its been so long since I've wrote something, I thought I'd add some recent pics so I could show you what I've been up to. On Monday, I had my 35th birthday and my sweet sweet friend, Kristy made me a beautiful cake! Her name is Kristy Cotter and she makes the BEST cakes ever and will be starting Cotter's cakes soon, so make sure you let me know if you are ready to be a very special customer. YUMMY!!!!
Another birthday surprise got delivered to my job on Monday. What a wonderful hubby I have!!
We also spent last weekend camping. It was so much fun and very relaxing. It was windy enough to blow us away but we were able to find ways to stay near the ground - well, except for the pics below.

Nate decided it would be good to walk in Cooper's shoes (paws) for awhile. He really enjoyed being a dog (I guess its a good thing that dog is his nickname!)

Well, that's all I have for now - hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie