Orphan Sunday

We had a great day on Sunday.

We visited Harvest Baptist Church and celebrated with our friends the dedication and adoption of their son.

It's such a sweet and precious thing to understand how we fit into God's family through adoption.

I love to hear the people of the islands here sing.
The rich harmonies remind me of growing up in the south.
I just can't explain it..... they sing with such conviction.
Each word to them is real.

The service was followed by a fiesta.  (lots of good food!)
and we met other foster families and had a good time in fellowship.
Some of the social workers came too.

After church, the men folk headed out for an afternoon of paintball.

I had some ladies over to share with them the Apparent Project.
I have no photos because Mike had the camera - because I was so busy talking that I didn't take any.
(*Mike did have the camera, but I didn't know it!)

The ladies that came got to pick out one of a kind original art in the form of necklaces and bracelets.
Their purchase also allowed men and women in Haiti to provide for their families;
food, shelter and the chance to go to school.

It's not often that you buy something and you know who made it.
Each piece has the artist photo on it and tells you a little of their story.

It's a life changing experience to really grasp the depths of supporting this project.

If you would like to host a party - click here to learn more.

Orphan Sunday has past for 2011-so you may be thinking, "Now what?"
Click here to learn more.

If you have questions about how to plug in on Guam to Foster Care and the ministry at Harvest,
please email me:  MikenMelda@aol.com

Six degrees of separation - preventing orphans

Hey........

Have you heard this term?

Have you played it at some kind of social event?

Try to connect two people in six (or less) steps through the people they know?

(*If you have no idea what I am talking about - check out this wiki link)

If you are with me -

Check this out!

I am going to connect YOU 
with saving lives 
and preventing orphans 
in Haiti.

Ready?


GO!

1)   My bedhead children eat cereal

2)   We save all the boxes

3)  We mail them to Haiti 




4)  The men and women there turn the boxes into jewelry.
(** You can read more about this step here)


5)  They ship the jewelry BACK to me to host a jewelry party. 



6)   You come to my house for some food, fun and fellowship, and shop for some new jewelry for yourself 
OR for Christmas gifts.  (*when is the last time you gave a gift that saved lives?)

The necklaces (and bracelets) are beautiful - I am sorry that my poor photography skills don't showcase the workmanship better!

Don't you WANT to be a part of something so redeeming?
I do -
Join me!  And learn more about the Apparent Project in Haiti.  
This program is allowing men and women to work and provide for their families.

Sunday afternoon
November 6th
anytime - 3pm to 6pm
1 Rota Street, Santa Rita Guam 
(coming from off base?  Let me know so I can add you to the guest list!)

Bring a friend!
There will be prizes!


Are you reading this and you don't live on Guam?
Click here to shop
or HERE to host your own party!

More on Orphan Sunday

Because I usually think what other people say sounds better than what I say....

this is a BLOG of links about Orphan Sunday.

Please take a little time to make yourself aware of the Cry of the Orphan.

Video titled:   Why Love Orphans?

and last but not least -
something very close to my heart.

The children of Haiti.

If you don't know - our son Michael is Haitian.

You can read part of his story by clicking here.

Haiti has many orphans and many orphanages.

But some children in Haiti are not true orphans.

That is:  their parents are not dead.

There is always the question of what is best for these children.

This question brings more questions.

The questions are hard to answer.

There is no black and white answer- it's all gray.


And I don't know the answers.


I can only share with you what I feel personally.

Here are a few posts to think about.

By my friend Heather ......  Preventing Orphans

Also, The Adoption Wall

I know, it's a lot to read and a little overwhelming.

Baby Steps -

On tomorrow's blog -
 I will be inviting you to come learn about a way to prevent orphans.

So - clear this date on your calendar and join me!

Sunday, November 6th.
Orphan Sunday 
Harvest Baptist Church
10:30


Then - 
3pm to 6pm (*also Sunday the 6th)
Learn about the Apparent Project
Where?
MY HOUSE!
Bring a friend!

Orphan Sunday is coming!!

If you have been reading my blog for a while,

you know that our family feels called to live out James 1:27a.

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this:  
to look after orphans and widows in their distress...

Over the years, the way this looks in our lives has been different.  But we do believe that this is something everyone who calls themselves a Christian should be involved in.

On some level.

The verse doesn't say:
....When you feel like it
....When there is a special offering
....When you see a sad commerical on TV with hungry children
....(the list could go on and on)

Another thing the verse doesn't say is:
Everyone adopt a child with no parents

Like I said:  this verse looks different in different families.
I am NOT trying to convince everyone that reads this post to run out and apply for adoption or foster care

If you live on Guam -
Orphan Sunday will be at Harvest Baptist Church
Sunday, November 6th
10:30am

Please bring a friend and come see the ways that you can plug into this verse on Guam.

If you don't live on Guam-
Go to this link and see if a church near you will be hosting Orphan Sunday.

more info. coming soon!!