Mark Your Calendar Now for These Powerful Events
As you plan for your year ahead, consider making room for these powerful events that don’t just fill your social calendar, they help fulfill the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children.
4 Special Ways to Say “I Love You” this Valentine’s Day
Love lasts forever. Flowers and candy, though touching gestures, do not. This year, consider giving a gift that will provide a vulnerable child with what Valentine’s Day is really all about: the assurance that they are loved.
Trinity Church Members Encourage and Support the Work in Haiti
A work team from Trinity Church in Central Illinois spent this week in Haiti—seven days of faith and fellowship they will not soon forget. Michael Kaeb, one of the trip participants, shared these amazing pictures of their time together!
What Does it Mean to Empower a Child?
Within each child lies a set of unique talents and passions that God longs to use. But millions of these children never have the chance to reach their full potential because of their circumstances. When you live in desperate poverty, big dreams must give way to day-to-day survival. That’s not the way it has to be.
So what does it mean to empower a child?
The answer might surprise you.
It can’t be taught. It can’t be learned. It must be given.
The fruit of empowered giving is ripening right now for 216 children in Haiti.
Great Reads for 2016
Looking for something to inspire you this winter? Here are six relevant books you don’t want to miss in 2016.
Annie
Three-year-old Annie* barely escaped the building that crumbled around her during the catastrophic January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake. Her mother was not so lucky. She did not survive. Tremors continued for days. Buildings continued to fall and the death toll continued to rise. But even after the shaking stopped, Annie’s life remained on unstable ground. In a country in ruins, she was alone.
There were so many little girls like Annie who lost their parents in the enormous earthquake that she was simply herded with countless other children into the slums. She was given food when she begged hard enough. But she mostly went unnoticed.
Five Things You Can Do This Year
There is so much to look forward to at the start of a New Year. Fresh starts, new opportunities, trips to plan, goals to reach and the potential of so many amazing things as you look at the days ahead. Have you also considered what you could do to change a vulnerable child’s life this year?
As 2015 Comes to a Close….
2015 has been an incredible year and we praise God for the incredible growth in the children we serve and the new initiatives developed that continue to change lives. Here are a few of the highlights:
Child Development
Our child development staff has been hard at work creating new initiatives for our Home of Hope children. They have started regular day seminars that cover a range of age-appropriate topics and are working on an individual basis with our children to ensure they are receiving the educational and emotional support they need. In addition, they have created a rotating library to be shared between families and are brainstorming new projects for 2016!
Moriya Ethiopian Accessories
This year has been a huge step forward for a small Ethiopian business (Moriya) that now employs 11 women. They were living in complete desperation – doing whatever it took just to survive and support their children. They are now empowered to work with dignity and have hope for their family’s future. In 2015, the business expanded its online presence, inventory is now sold through many new channels and the product offering has expanded in both quality and variety! Check out the online store here.
Events
2015 has been full of some incredible events across the U.S. From orphan care conferences to moving presentations from Stephanie Fast, benefit auctions, gospel sings and much more – it’s been a busy year. We are grateful for the opportunities to represent the voice of the most vulnerable with churches, groups and individuals across the country.
Welsh School
In 2015, the Welsh campus was expanded to include a two-story church and school for Home of Hope families, their children and those in the surrounding community. Construction is finishing up, and the students are excited to be in the building very soon!
Adoption Resources
LSM continues to work with families interested in pursuing adoption. Although the international adoption scene is changing dramatically, we are still providing information, support and guidance for couples and individuals interested in learning more about their options. We are also providing resources for those considering adoption through the foster care system. You can learn more here.
None of these initiatives could have happened without you and your support. Together, our efforts are creating long-term change in the lives of vulnerable children around the world. We look forward to what God has in store for 2016!
Merry Christmas!
We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Much More Than Electrical Wiring
This week, a small work team is spending time in Welsh, Haiti. They are putting the finishing touches on a new school for two of our Homes of Hope in the area as well as the surrounding community. They are working hard to wire the campus for solar power and are making great progress! Not only that, but the team’s expertise as electricians is being passed on to our Haitian staff and several of our Home of Hope boys in the process!