The anticipation of Christmas can make a kid out of the oldest adult. The shiny wrapped gifts, the brilliant lights it brings back many fond memories of childhood. What is in the package? When can we open them? What a joy to watch that same anticipation in my kids and grand kids.
My grandson spent the night with me the other day and he knew that the next day would be our family party where all his cousins would come over and we would open all of our gifts. Being only four years old his concept of time is not fully developed and first thing in the morning he began to ask, “Can we start the party now Nana?” I started out by saying not yet Charlie but five minutes later he would ask the same question again, “Now Nana, can we start the party?” No, I would remind him that the others have not arrived and we cannot start the party until they get there. He continued to ask every five minutes right up until the others arrived. His anticipation of playing with his cousins and unwrapping the gifts under my tree had him antsy.
When a child is sponsored through Friends of TOUCH it’s like a continuous Christmas present. Sponsorship means they can wake up every morning with anticipation, knowing that they have a future. I can just imagine them waking up and asking “Is it time for school yet?” They are receiving the greatest present any child could ever get: a good education.
Sadly many children are still waiting for their sponsor. Their Christmas present hasn’t arrived and they have no hope of ever having a better future than the poverty they see around them. They watch other children as they go to school with longing in their heart.
Becoming a sponsor through Friends of TOUCH means you touch the life of a child in need giving them a Christmas gift that lasts not only all year long but will change their destiny forever. What greater gift could anyone give than to snatch a child from poverty and set them on the road to a good future? Won’t you continue the Christmas Spirit and become a sponsor today?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
A Very Special Birthday
How November 30th Became Our Birthday
It was a beautiful morning, on the 30th day of November 1984, when my precious mother brought me into this world. This Day has been so special to me, and each year, I hold special memories of it.
A few years back,while working with TOUCH, I had an opportunity to move around my community with a questionnaire, and the purpose of this was to identify needy and vulnerable children so that TOUCH would help them realize their dreams. Among the questions I asked was, "When were you born?"
Surprisingly, the biggest percentage of these kids did not know when they were born, and had even never had a chance to celebrate their birthdays. This touched my heart, I did not know what to do then. While I continued, I met one young girl, who also did not know her birthday, but asked me to share my birthday with her.
She told me that her mother died before telling her when she was born and that her guardian, (grandmother) did not know. I accepted and she also asked me to be her mother, which I did.
The news of sharing a birthday with me went around, and 30th November became a very big thing. All the kids started coming to me on individual basis that we should share a birthday, and today, each one of us is another year old.
To all my precious little men and women, Happy birthday, I am glad to share this special day with you. I wish you smiles and laughter, Joy and cheers, new happiness that stays through out the year.
- Written by Margaret Bakubi, of TOUCH in Uganda
Margaret works with her sister, Sara Sebyala, to care for children in Kitintale, Uganda. She shares her birthday with more than 80 children this year.
Visit our new web site!
It was a beautiful morning, on the 30th day of November 1984, when my precious mother brought me into this world. This Day has been so special to me, and each year, I hold special memories of it.
A few years back,while working with TOUCH, I had an opportunity to move around my community with a questionnaire, and the purpose of this was to identify needy and vulnerable children so that TOUCH would help them realize their dreams. Among the questions I asked was, "When were you born?"
Surprisingly, the biggest percentage of these kids did not know when they were born, and had even never had a chance to celebrate their birthdays. This touched my heart, I did not know what to do then. While I continued, I met one young girl, who also did not know her birthday, but asked me to share my birthday with her.
She told me that her mother died before telling her when she was born and that her guardian, (grandmother) did not know. I accepted and she also asked me to be her mother, which I did.
The news of sharing a birthday with me went around, and 30th November became a very big thing. All the kids started coming to me on individual basis that we should share a birthday, and today, each one of us is another year old.
To all my precious little men and women, Happy birthday, I am glad to share this special day with you. I wish you smiles and laughter, Joy and cheers, new happiness that stays through out the year.
- Written by Margaret Bakubi, of TOUCH in Uganda
Margaret works with her sister, Sara Sebyala, to care for children in Kitintale, Uganda. She shares her birthday with more than 80 children this year.
Visit our new web site!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Praying for Children
Today is the halfway point in 40 days of prayer for the orphan. As a part of these 40 days, and as a part of our commitment to care for children in Uganda, we are praying for each child in the TOUCH program by name. We are also praying for their caregivers and siblings.
The method doesn't change. Each Wednesday, we pull out printed child profiles and spread them out across the altar at Lighthouse Worship Center. Then we spend the day picking each profile up, looking at that child's photo and reading his or her story. One by one, each and every child in this program will be prayed for by name.
I find in doing this, our prayers change. At first we see problems, and after a full day of story after story - father dead, mother very sick, there is no food in the house, we share a mattress and a blanket, rejected by family - it is exhausting. Thus year on the first day, we prayed for 36 children and 104 siblings, with 43 caregivers. Only three children still had both parents, and every one of those parents was "very sick" with AIDS. The task is overwhelming.
By week three, the stories hadn't changed, but we had. We had shifted our focus from the problems to the solution. Still praying for each individual child and his or her needs, we also prayed about our role. "Lord please show us how to encourage the children. Show us how to give them hope. Teach us to love as You love. Show us what to do about abuse and exploitation. Teach us the way to save children from disease. Lead us to sponsors, innovators, and mentors." And there is so much more...
Please continue to join us in prayer. You can download the 40 days prayer guide and follow that, or come by the church on Wednesdays, pray for the ministry, for solutions, for open doors. Pray for the children - good health, provision, family, their future, salvation, hope, caregivers, and education. Pray for Sara and her team at TOUCH and for the teachers who work with the children.
The method doesn't change. Each Wednesday, we pull out printed child profiles and spread them out across the altar at Lighthouse Worship Center. Then we spend the day picking each profile up, looking at that child's photo and reading his or her story. One by one, each and every child in this program will be prayed for by name.
I find in doing this, our prayers change. At first we see problems, and after a full day of story after story - father dead, mother very sick, there is no food in the house, we share a mattress and a blanket, rejected by family - it is exhausting. Thus year on the first day, we prayed for 36 children and 104 siblings, with 43 caregivers. Only three children still had both parents, and every one of those parents was "very sick" with AIDS. The task is overwhelming.
By week three, the stories hadn't changed, but we had. We had shifted our focus from the problems to the solution. Still praying for each individual child and his or her needs, we also prayed about our role. "Lord please show us how to encourage the children. Show us how to give them hope. Teach us to love as You love. Show us what to do about abuse and exploitation. Teach us the way to save children from disease. Lead us to sponsors, innovators, and mentors." And there is so much more...
Please continue to join us in prayer. You can download the 40 days prayer guide and follow that, or come by the church on Wednesdays, pray for the ministry, for solutions, for open doors. Pray for the children - good health, provision, family, their future, salvation, hope, caregivers, and education. Pray for Sara and her team at TOUCH and for the teachers who work with the children.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Loving Orphans IS the Gospel
I have a young friend who loves the Lord. She works in the world of television and media, and recently I had the chance to collaborate with her on a project to benefit orphans. The radio spot turned out great and I hope it will stir many hearts.
A few days later, my friend called me to say she had had a revelation after we left her production studios. She said she was listening to the script for our piece, and it HIT HER. “Jodi, I realized, loving orphans IS the Gospel!” That is correct my friend. That is the “ah ah” moment that some of us have had, and some of us have not yet had.
Loving orphans IS the gospel. We love them just as God loved us. We are the orphans He rescued. Without our adoption into His holy family, without His love and care, we would be nothing. We would be orphans…lost, hungry, naked and afraid.
But our Heavenly Father did not leave us abandoned…He rescued us. And so, my young friend has finally GOT IT. Loving orphans IS the Gospel.
Today’s prayer asks that Christians around the world would rise up to rescue the orphan. I say the orphan rescues me. How can I ever repay my Father for his love and care and good works? How can I ever even begin to try to emulate Him, His love, His heart. The orphan rescues me by providing me an opportunity to be like my Father. And in rescuing the orphan, I am rescued, rewarded, redeemed and rejoicing. Don’t rescue the orphan because she needs you…rescue her because you need her.
“Only in Heaven will we see the gift the poor are to us” – Mother Teresa
Jodi Jackson Tucker
National Coordinator
Orphan Sunday, www.orphansunday.org
www.christianalliancefororphans.org
A few days later, my friend called me to say she had had a revelation after we left her production studios. She said she was listening to the script for our piece, and it HIT HER. “Jodi, I realized, loving orphans IS the Gospel!” That is correct my friend. That is the “ah ah” moment that some of us have had, and some of us have not yet had.
Loving orphans IS the gospel. We love them just as God loved us. We are the orphans He rescued. Without our adoption into His holy family, without His love and care, we would be nothing. We would be orphans…lost, hungry, naked and afraid.
But our Heavenly Father did not leave us abandoned…He rescued us. And so, my young friend has finally GOT IT. Loving orphans IS the Gospel.
Today’s prayer asks that Christians around the world would rise up to rescue the orphan. I say the orphan rescues me. How can I ever repay my Father for his love and care and good works? How can I ever even begin to try to emulate Him, His love, His heart. The orphan rescues me by providing me an opportunity to be like my Father. And in rescuing the orphan, I am rescued, rewarded, redeemed and rejoicing. Don’t rescue the orphan because she needs you…rescue her because you need her.
“Only in Heaven will we see the gift the poor are to us” – Mother Teresa
Jodi Jackson Tucker
National Coordinator
Orphan Sunday, www.orphansunday.org
www.christianalliancefororphans.org
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Day 1: Learning to See
Today we begin 40 Days of Prayer for Orphans. We are asking God to break our hearts. We are asking Him to let us see with His eyes and to love with His heart. These 40 days are not only for the children, but they are also for us. If we are not changed over the next 40 days, then we haven't really prayed.
A Broken Heart
When the Lord breaks your heart, it breaks in all the right places. You find that those things He breaks off – the ones we think are important – are actually abnormal, even harmful growths. Allow the Lord to begin that breaking process in you today. Real change takes place from the inside out. A transformed life begins with a broken heart.
His Eyes
God sees people from a different perspective. What happens when we take our favorite promises and the scriptures that we claim for ourselves and apply them to orphans?
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
- Psalm 139:15-19 (ESV)
“Where then is my hope? Who will see my hope?” - Job 17:15 (ESV)
With God’s eyes, you CAN see the hope for the orphan. Allow God to show you hope for those who seem hopeless, and allow Him to use you so that THEY can see as well.
His Heart
Now let God take the brokenness of your own heart and life and use it for His glory. His heart is moved with compassion. Compassion is different from pity – it feels but it also acts. Our hearts must change so that we are not moved by mere emotion. Unlike emotions, which come and go, compassion has persistence to get the job done. When God's heart of compassion beats within us, we will not flinch at the difficult task of caring for so many children.
Isaiah 54:10
"For the mountains may departand the hills be removed,but my steadfast love
shall not depart from you,and my covenant of peace shall not be
removed,"says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
Thank you for joining us in this journey. May we all be changed.
A Broken Heart
When the Lord breaks your heart, it breaks in all the right places. You find that those things He breaks off – the ones we think are important – are actually abnormal, even harmful growths. Allow the Lord to begin that breaking process in you today. Real change takes place from the inside out. A transformed life begins with a broken heart.
His Eyes
God sees people from a different perspective. What happens when we take our favorite promises and the scriptures that we claim for ourselves and apply them to orphans?
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
- Psalm 139:15-19 (ESV)
“Where then is my hope? Who will see my hope?” - Job 17:15 (ESV)
With God’s eyes, you CAN see the hope for the orphan. Allow God to show you hope for those who seem hopeless, and allow Him to use you so that THEY can see as well.
His Heart
Now let God take the brokenness of your own heart and life and use it for His glory. His heart is moved with compassion. Compassion is different from pity – it feels but it also acts. Our hearts must change so that we are not moved by mere emotion. Unlike emotions, which come and go, compassion has persistence to get the job done. When God's heart of compassion beats within us, we will not flinch at the difficult task of caring for so many children.
Isaiah 54:10
"For the mountains may departand the hills be removed,but my steadfast love
shall not depart from you,and my covenant of peace shall not be
removed,"says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
Thank you for joining us in this journey. May we all be changed.
Friday, September 17, 2010
40 Days of Prayer for Orphans
Join us for 40 Days of prayer for orphans and for the children of TOUCH. We have scheduled these 40 days of prayer to begin on Wednesday, September 29th and to end November 7th, Orphan Sunday.
Use the daily prayer guide to pray for the needs of orphans and those who care for them. Download the guide.
We are also incorporating several special times to pray specifically, by name, for each of the children at TOUCH in Uganda.
Launch on Wednesday, September 29th
That the Lord would give us each a personal sense of responsibility for the next 40 days (and beyond) for praying for orphans, pastors, the church, and the community. That He will break our heart for the orphans. That He will help us to see orphans with His eyes and His heart. That He will use this 40 days of prayer to change us and our churches.
Prayer for the Children at TOUCH
10 a.m. - 6p.m., every Wednesday during the 40 days – We invite all who will come to join us at Lighthouse Worship Center (Hayes, VA) each Wednesday to pray for the children of TOUCH by name.This is something that we feel is vital to the ministry, because God knows each and every child as an individual, uniquely created, and He has a plan and a purpose for them. Over the course of the 40 days, we will pray individually for each of the individual children of TOUCH. Note: if we are not in the sanctuary, ask at the church office - we may be praying in another room.
That the Lord would give us each a personal sense of responsibility for the next 40 days (and beyond) for praying for orphans, pastors, the church, and the community. That He will break our heart for the orphans. That He will help us to see orphans with His eyes and His heart. That He will use this 40 days of prayer to change us and our churches.
Prayer for the Children at TOUCH
10 a.m. - 6p.m., every Wednesday during the 40 days – We invite all who will come to join us at Lighthouse Worship Center (Hayes, VA) each Wednesday to pray for the children of TOUCH by name.This is something that we feel is vital to the ministry, because God knows each and every child as an individual, uniquely created, and He has a plan and a purpose for them. Over the course of the 40 days, we will pray individually for each of the individual children of TOUCH. Note: if we are not in the sanctuary, ask at the church office - we may be praying in another room.
Orphan Sunday, November 7th
Joining with Christians around the world and the Christian Alliance for Orphans, we re-affirm our commitment to care for the orphan. Find resources for your Orphan Sunday event at the Orphan Sunday web site: www.orphansunday.org.
Joining with Christians around the world and the Christian Alliance for Orphans, we re-affirm our commitment to care for the orphan. Find resources for your Orphan Sunday event at the Orphan Sunday web site: www.orphansunday.org.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A Matter of Perspective
I was amazed to hear of the recent incident involving an airline steward and his irate behavior on the plane he was serving. Everyone has a different way of looking at this incident, a different perspective of his motives, his attitude, the attitude of the other passengers involved, and it reminded me of another story I heard once.
There was a man on a train holding a small child who was wailing at the top of his lungs. As time went on during the journey the child would not stop wailing and the other passengers became uncomfortable.
They begin to murmur among them selves, “Where is the child’s mother?” “Why can’t he shut the child up?” “Why doesn’t somebody do something?” Finally they asked the conductor these questions and he didn’t have an answer for them so they insisted he go over and ask the man to quiet the child.
The conductor went over to the man and asked, “Could you please quiet the child he's disturbing the other passengers?”
The man replied, “I cannot quiet the child only his mother could get him quiet.
The conductor then asked, “Where is his mother?”
The man replied, “She is in the baggage car.”
The conductor suggested, “I would be glad to go and get her for you.”
The other passengers were listening to this conversation being very angry and frustrated with the child and his father, they awaited his answer.
The man looked up to the conductor with red weary eyes and said, “She cannot come nor can she any more comfort our child. She is in her coffin and we are on the way to bury her.”
The passengers who were so ready to condemn were now moved with compassion and they volunteered to take turns helping care for the child while their weary father rested. You see their perspective had changed.
We are looking for people who can change their perspective; people who can hear the wailing of the children in Africa and want to help comfort them. You can help by sending them to our web site, inviting them to our scheduled events, giving them a brochure, and most of all, asking them to sponsor a child.
We cannot bring back their parents, but the funds you provide from your sponsorship help give them comfort and a future. Thanks to all of you who are willing to change your perspective. Don’t stop!
D
There was a man on a train holding a small child who was wailing at the top of his lungs. As time went on during the journey the child would not stop wailing and the other passengers became uncomfortable.
They begin to murmur among them selves, “Where is the child’s mother?” “Why can’t he shut the child up?” “Why doesn’t somebody do something?” Finally they asked the conductor these questions and he didn’t have an answer for them so they insisted he go over and ask the man to quiet the child.
The conductor went over to the man and asked, “Could you please quiet the child he's disturbing the other passengers?”
The man replied, “I cannot quiet the child only his mother could get him quiet.
The conductor then asked, “Where is his mother?”
The man replied, “She is in the baggage car.”
The conductor suggested, “I would be glad to go and get her for you.”
The other passengers were listening to this conversation being very angry and frustrated with the child and his father, they awaited his answer.
The man looked up to the conductor with red weary eyes and said, “She cannot come nor can she any more comfort our child. She is in her coffin and we are on the way to bury her.”
The passengers who were so ready to condemn were now moved with compassion and they volunteered to take turns helping care for the child while their weary father rested. You see their perspective had changed.
We are looking for people who can change their perspective; people who can hear the wailing of the children in Africa and want to help comfort them. You can help by sending them to our web site, inviting them to our scheduled events, giving them a brochure, and most of all, asking them to sponsor a child.
We cannot bring back their parents, but the funds you provide from your sponsorship help give them comfort and a future. Thanks to all of you who are willing to change your perspective. Don’t stop!
D
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Calling?
Apologies to anyone who has been trying to call us. Our old phone number, 757-272-0979 isn't working. We have a new phone number: 804-684-1790.
Basically, our phone carrier switched their business model around and decided not to do phone service any more. We started the process to move the number, but services ended before the move was complete. It's frustrating to us, and I'm sure it's frustrating for those of you trying to reach us.
We really are here. We really do want to take your call.
Basically, our phone carrier switched their business model around and decided not to do phone service any more. We started the process to move the number, but services ended before the move was complete. It's frustrating to us, and I'm sure it's frustrating for those of you trying to reach us.
We really are here. We really do want to take your call.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Dinner at Tuscany's
Tuscany's is a wonderful coffee house on the corner of Route 17 and Denbigh Boulevard in Yorktown, VA. Locals will know its location as "across the street from Pop's."
Join us there THIS SATURDAY, at 6pm for an evening of good food, great coffee & tea, and wonderful friends. Hear about changed lives and God's faithfulness, and learn how easy it is to really make a difference in Africa.
$10 in advance
$12 at the door
Includes salad, specialty sandwiches, coffee, tea, or water
Specialty coffees and desserts also available
(10% of all proceeds benefit FOT)
Door prizes For advance ticket sales call (804) 684-1790 or 804-815-3358
Join us there THIS SATURDAY, at 6pm for an evening of good food, great coffee & tea, and wonderful friends. Hear about changed lives and God's faithfulness, and learn how easy it is to really make a difference in Africa.
$10 in advance
$12 at the door
Includes salad, specialty sandwiches, coffee, tea, or water
Specialty coffees and desserts also available
(10% of all proceeds benefit FOT)
Door prizes For advance ticket sales call (804) 684-1790 or 804-815-3358
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
After the Bombs
This Sunday in Kampala, Uganda, 76 people lost their lives when explosions tore through crowds watching the World Cup final. The explosions were within just a few miles from the school. "You remember the coffee house your team liked so much?" asked Sara when I called, "The rugby field is just beside that."
All of the TOUCH children, staff, and volunteers are okay, and the church is working to respond to the needs of those who suffered in this attack. While we pray for justice and for safety from further attack, a lot of us are looking at the news (when we can find it), thinking, "I was just there," or wondering how where our friends were at that moment when the blasts occurred. We wonder how anyone could do such a thing. We wonder how the world will change.
The news that the most-feared terrorist group in Somalia has taken credit for the attacks that they may have had help from another group in Uganda, and the solemn warnings of experts and the media are like a second wave, planting fear and uncertainty.
We don't think about it, but there are other terrorists all around us, every day. Their names are so familiar, that the words themselves hardly cause a stir within us. Divorce. Addiction. Sickness. Poverty.
Each of these is destructive to families and societies and can leave a wake of fear, uncertainty, and cycles of further destruction.
Each of us must take a stand. We must work and pray for and with each other - Faith and Action together. If you saw someone plant a bomb in a crowd, wouldn't you do something?
sources:
www.divorcestatistics.org
www.infoplease.com
www.globalissues.org
www.safefamilies.org
World Health Organization
UNICEF
All of the TOUCH children, staff, and volunteers are okay, and the church is working to respond to the needs of those who suffered in this attack. While we pray for justice and for safety from further attack, a lot of us are looking at the news (when we can find it), thinking, "I was just there," or wondering how where our friends were at that moment when the blasts occurred. We wonder how anyone could do such a thing. We wonder how the world will change.
The news that the most-feared terrorist group in Somalia has taken credit for the attacks that they may have had help from another group in Uganda, and the solemn warnings of experts and the media are like a second wave, planting fear and uncertainty.
We don't think about it, but there are other terrorists all around us, every day. Their names are so familiar, that the words themselves hardly cause a stir within us. Divorce. Addiction. Sickness. Poverty.
Each of these is destructive to families and societies and can leave a wake of fear, uncertainty, and cycles of further destruction.
- We hear that 40% of marriages will end in divorce.*
- As of December 2005, child pornography was a $3 billion annual industry.*
- There are over 200 million people worldwide who abuse drugs.*
- Approximately half of all deaths caused by infectious diseases each year can be attributed to just three diseases: tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS. *
- Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day*
- According to UNICEF, 24,000 children die each day due to poverty.*
Each of us must take a stand. We must work and pray for and with each other - Faith and Action together. If you saw someone plant a bomb in a crowd, wouldn't you do something?
sources:
www.divorcestatistics.org
www.infoplease.com
www.globalissues.org
www.safefamilies.org
World Health Organization
UNICEF
Sunday, July 4, 2010
A Taste of Eternity
It was one of those days. The weather was perfect after weeks of hot, humid, stay inside weather it had cooled down enough to open the windows. I sat quietly under the shade trees smelling the clean fresh air. The sun was shinning, a cool breeze caressed my face, and no humidity.
I just closed my eyes and breathed it all in catching a whiff of Honey Suckle blossoms. It’s amazing to me how a simple smell can catapult you back in time. The smell of that fragrant flower made me feel like a kid again.
Feeling like a kid again is a huge accomplishment when you are over 50. For the tiniest of minutes I was 12 years old running through the grass with my friends playing tag, stopping to pick Honey Suckle blossoms to suck on. In that brief moment I felt young, free, safe, happy, everything I felt as a 12 year old child.
I began to worship God in my heart thanking him for that memory and for my blessed childhood. I felt as if He responded saying that these joyous feelings, these feelings of safety, joy, and peace, this is what eternity with Him feels like and I will enjoy these feelings every minute with Him. Oh what a taste of eternity!
All of these thoughts and feelings were only a few minutes in reality but I could feel eternity. For one instant I almost left this earth behind desiring so much to be in that eternity, but no, my work is not done yet, so I stay. But everyday, when I open the windows on a perfect day, when I smell the Honey Suckle, when I run my toes through the soft grass or warm sandy beach, I think of eternity and long to be where He is.
I wish that all children could feel as safe and happy as I was as a child but the reality is that many are faced with hunger, disease, war, and other atrocities that life in this world meets out to the poor and down trodden. The problem is so big! In Uganda alone over half the population is under 15 and 7.4 million of these children live in abject poverty.
I believe I can make a difference in this life to the lives of these children and others like them around the world. Can I reach everyone? No, but I will do what I can and make a difference where I can. How? By using my talents and resources to help these kids through the Friends of TOUCH organization.
You can help too. Sponsor a child, volunteer in the office, hold a fund raiser, pray. This coming spring we will be holding a Gala event that will be a once a year large scale fund raising event and we need every ones help. More information about this event will be coming up in our newsletters and on our web site, begin now to pray how you can help.
Thank u
D
I just closed my eyes and breathed it all in catching a whiff of Honey Suckle blossoms. It’s amazing to me how a simple smell can catapult you back in time. The smell of that fragrant flower made me feel like a kid again.
Feeling like a kid again is a huge accomplishment when you are over 50. For the tiniest of minutes I was 12 years old running through the grass with my friends playing tag, stopping to pick Honey Suckle blossoms to suck on. In that brief moment I felt young, free, safe, happy, everything I felt as a 12 year old child.
I began to worship God in my heart thanking him for that memory and for my blessed childhood. I felt as if He responded saying that these joyous feelings, these feelings of safety, joy, and peace, this is what eternity with Him feels like and I will enjoy these feelings every minute with Him. Oh what a taste of eternity!
All of these thoughts and feelings were only a few minutes in reality but I could feel eternity. For one instant I almost left this earth behind desiring so much to be in that eternity, but no, my work is not done yet, so I stay. But everyday, when I open the windows on a perfect day, when I smell the Honey Suckle, when I run my toes through the soft grass or warm sandy beach, I think of eternity and long to be where He is.
I wish that all children could feel as safe and happy as I was as a child but the reality is that many are faced with hunger, disease, war, and other atrocities that life in this world meets out to the poor and down trodden. The problem is so big! In Uganda alone over half the population is under 15 and 7.4 million of these children live in abject poverty.
I believe I can make a difference in this life to the lives of these children and others like them around the world. Can I reach everyone? No, but I will do what I can and make a difference where I can. How? By using my talents and resources to help these kids through the Friends of TOUCH organization.
You can help too. Sponsor a child, volunteer in the office, hold a fund raiser, pray. This coming spring we will be holding a Gala event that will be a once a year large scale fund raising event and we need every ones help. More information about this event will be coming up in our newsletters and on our web site, begin now to pray how you can help.
Thank u
D
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Leaders Born from Prayer
Have you ever tried to help someone and they just didn’t get it? Less than two years ago, we found that even though children were receiving food and aid from TOUCH, many of them were hardened against the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Of course, Sara and the staff at TOUCH love and care for the children no matter what their background or beliefs. They continued to serve faithfully and to pray that God would show them how to reach the children. It became clear that the children were hardened because of the conditions of their lives, the trauma they have endured, and the sins committed against them.
Like the prophets in the Bible, Sara decided to spend time in prayer repenting for those things. The workers at TOUCH, and here at Friends of TOUCH, joined together for this purpose. Over the next few months, we prayed and wept together through over 200 circumstances, events, crimes and sins that scar the lives of children.
Slowly, change began to come. At Christmas, the children of LifeHouse Church in Hagerstown, MD raised enough money to purchase a brand new Bible for every child at TOUCH. Prayer and the Word of God are a powerful and effective combination, and the children began to open their hearts.
As the second school term began just two weeks ago, our secondary school students returned to a government-run boarding school. The headmistress there says she wants more students from TOUCH, because they are so well-behaved. They are leaders in the school, especially in the Bible Club. They live as examples to the other students, and their enthusiasm for the word of God has spread to others.
Sara reports that students who finished with TOUCH and are now living on their own come back to worship at Calvary Temple, where TOUCH classrooms are located. “It’s so good to see them coming to worship God from their own hearts – not thinking they have to maintain a place in the program.” Sara says, “Their relationship with Christ is their own.”
Prayer is a vital part of caring for children. The World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk was June 5-6th this year. This international prayer movement is facilitated by the VIVA Network, to make people aware of the millions of children who are at risk for poverty, disease, and exploitation, and to pray for them. Friends of TOUCH hosted one of the prayer events at Lighthouse Worship Center in Gloucester, VA.
Participants prayed for the children of the world in five areas:
So many of you have called or written to tell us how you pray for the children. Please know that your prayers are powerful and effective. We are watching expectantly to see what God will do in their lives, here in the second half of 2010.
See the June-July Newsletter
Of course, Sara and the staff at TOUCH love and care for the children no matter what their background or beliefs. They continued to serve faithfully and to pray that God would show them how to reach the children. It became clear that the children were hardened because of the conditions of their lives, the trauma they have endured, and the sins committed against them.
Like the prophets in the Bible, Sara decided to spend time in prayer repenting for those things. The workers at TOUCH, and here at Friends of TOUCH, joined together for this purpose. Over the next few months, we prayed and wept together through over 200 circumstances, events, crimes and sins that scar the lives of children.
Slowly, change began to come. At Christmas, the children of LifeHouse Church in Hagerstown, MD raised enough money to purchase a brand new Bible for every child at TOUCH. Prayer and the Word of God are a powerful and effective combination, and the children began to open their hearts.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
- Psalm 119:45
As the second school term began just two weeks ago, our secondary school students returned to a government-run boarding school. The headmistress there says she wants more students from TOUCH, because they are so well-behaved. They are leaders in the school, especially in the Bible Club. They live as examples to the other students, and their enthusiasm for the word of God has spread to others.
Sara reports that students who finished with TOUCH and are now living on their own come back to worship at Calvary Temple, where TOUCH classrooms are located. “It’s so good to see them coming to worship God from their own hearts – not thinking they have to maintain a place in the program.” Sara says, “Their relationship with Christ is their own.”
Prayer is a vital part of caring for children. The World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk was June 5-6th this year. This international prayer movement is facilitated by the VIVA Network, to make people aware of the millions of children who are at risk for poverty, disease, and exploitation, and to pray for them. Friends of TOUCH hosted one of the prayer events at Lighthouse Worship Center in Gloucester, VA.
Participants prayed for the children of the world in five areas:
- Those who need a family
- Those who suffer violence
- Those who have no educational opportunities
- Those who suffer hunger and poverty
- Those who have been affected by loss and death
So many of you have called or written to tell us how you pray for the children. Please know that your prayers are powerful and effective. We are watching expectantly to see what God will do in their lives, here in the second half of 2010.
See the June-July Newsletter
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Need to Hate
There are people I know who seem to love to hate. They have a list of grievances against someone and they always look for new items to add to it. Even if a person is totally innocent and has no idea that they have offended, the hateful person records the insult and files it in their head.
Whenever the person who insulted them is thought of or mentioned in a conversation, out comes the list which is reviewed in its entirety and discussed with who ever will listen to the rants of a hateful person.
Many times revenge is plotted or a plan is schemed to insult, blatantly ignore, or even begin to spread rumors about the person who has offended them.
For a long time I would just shake my head at this type of behavior. I could not understand feuds, long arguments, vengeful attitudes, or hate. I enjoyed people and exploring new ideas and cultures. I didn’t have time to dwell on such things because the whole world was waiting to be explored and I wanted to see it all.
After traveling around the world and meeting many new people, exploring new ideas, experiencing new cultures, I too have learned to hate. In fact I have surprised myself at just how hateful I have become. Anger and hate have filled me to the fullest. It feels my mind, body, my soul, and makes me fighting mad. I have and will continue to plan revenge against the 3 things I hate so violently: poverty, ignorance, and injustice.
In this modern world it is impossible for my mind to believe that we still have people who go hungry every day. We still have children who are turned away from schools and cannot get an education because they haven’t got the few dollars it takes to pay school fees. Many still die from AIDs when the medicines are available but they haven’t enough money to purchase them. These are the things that fill me with anger and I know that they fill God with anger too!
But how can I fight injustice or change poverty or defeat ignorance? One person at a time! So I plan to fight these 3 things for the rest of my life.
Maybe you’re one of those people who need to find something hate. I encourage you to do just that but make sure you hate the rights things like poverty, ignorance, and injustice. Also, while you hate these things begin to fight them by helping someone else. Becoming a sponsor of a child in the TOUCH program is a great way to fight all of these in one knock out punch!
D-
Whenever the person who insulted them is thought of or mentioned in a conversation, out comes the list which is reviewed in its entirety and discussed with who ever will listen to the rants of a hateful person.
Many times revenge is plotted or a plan is schemed to insult, blatantly ignore, or even begin to spread rumors about the person who has offended them.
For a long time I would just shake my head at this type of behavior. I could not understand feuds, long arguments, vengeful attitudes, or hate. I enjoyed people and exploring new ideas and cultures. I didn’t have time to dwell on such things because the whole world was waiting to be explored and I wanted to see it all.
After traveling around the world and meeting many new people, exploring new ideas, experiencing new cultures, I too have learned to hate. In fact I have surprised myself at just how hateful I have become. Anger and hate have filled me to the fullest. It feels my mind, body, my soul, and makes me fighting mad. I have and will continue to plan revenge against the 3 things I hate so violently: poverty, ignorance, and injustice.
In this modern world it is impossible for my mind to believe that we still have people who go hungry every day. We still have children who are turned away from schools and cannot get an education because they haven’t got the few dollars it takes to pay school fees. Many still die from AIDs when the medicines are available but they haven’t enough money to purchase them. These are the things that fill me with anger and I know that they fill God with anger too!
But how can I fight injustice or change poverty or defeat ignorance? One person at a time! So I plan to fight these 3 things for the rest of my life.
Maybe you’re one of those people who need to find something hate. I encourage you to do just that but make sure you hate the rights things like poverty, ignorance, and injustice. Also, while you hate these things begin to fight them by helping someone else. Becoming a sponsor of a child in the TOUCH program is a great way to fight all of these in one knock out punch!
D-
Monday, May 3, 2010
June 5th Prayer for Children at Risk
On June 5, we will join with others on this World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk. We come together to pray that children all around the world would know the love of Jesus in their everyday lives, and be able to claim for themselves God's incredible offer of abundant life. We also pray that as a result of our prayers more people will be mobilized to manifest the love of God to this generation.
June 5, from 9 a.m. to noon
Lighthouse Worship Center
4299 George Washington Mem. Hwy.
Hayes, VA 23072
June 5, from 9 a.m. to noon
Lighthouse Worship Center
4299 George Washington Mem. Hwy.
Hayes, VA 23072
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Kids Are So Literal: Part 1
On America’s Funniest Video last night, a man was filming his kids. He turned the camera on and his son about age 3 or 4 was sitting on the couch next to his other son about age 2 or 3. The first thing I noticed is this look of concern and confusion on their face and I thought what are they afraid of?
The older boy asked his dad “Are you going to tape us together now dad?” His dad in the mean time had panned the camera over to the floor where his toddler daughter was walking and blowing a toy flute. He absent mindedly mumbled something to the boy and kept adjusting the camera while filming the baby girl.
The boy asked again “Dad, dad, are you going to tape us together now?” The father said “Just a minute son” as he finished filming the baby. I thought why is the boy asking him, is he impatient, is he jealous of his baby sister getting all dads attention, or maybe he just wants to get off the couch and go play.
Finally the father turned the camera on the two boys sitting on the couch still wearing that confused fearful look on their little faces. The boy asked again “Are you going to tape us together now?” and the dad said “Yes, son I’m doing it right now”. The boy reached up and felt his head and replied “Well I don’t feel no tape.”
Between bursts of laughter I finally understood that the little boys had taken their father literally and expected him to get out a roll of tape and wrap them up together in it. That’s why the boys were confused and a little bit afraid. How cute was that! Kids are so LITERAL!
That’s the way it is with the children of TOUCH ministries. Your sponsorship LITERALLY provides them with life. First, it provides life through daily meals that otherwise they LITERALLY would go without food. Then it provides the opportunity for the children to LITERALLY come to know the giver of all life Jesus Christ. Finally, It LITERALLY provides an education that God can use to get them out of a life of poverty.
On behalf of the children I want to LITERALLY thank you from the bottom of my heart. Never forget that you make a difference.
D-
(Part II – next week)
The older boy asked his dad “Are you going to tape us together now dad?” His dad in the mean time had panned the camera over to the floor where his toddler daughter was walking and blowing a toy flute. He absent mindedly mumbled something to the boy and kept adjusting the camera while filming the baby girl.
The boy asked again “Dad, dad, are you going to tape us together now?” The father said “Just a minute son” as he finished filming the baby. I thought why is the boy asking him, is he impatient, is he jealous of his baby sister getting all dads attention, or maybe he just wants to get off the couch and go play.
Finally the father turned the camera on the two boys sitting on the couch still wearing that confused fearful look on their little faces. The boy asked again “Are you going to tape us together now?” and the dad said “Yes, son I’m doing it right now”. The boy reached up and felt his head and replied “Well I don’t feel no tape.”
Between bursts of laughter I finally understood that the little boys had taken their father literally and expected him to get out a roll of tape and wrap them up together in it. That’s why the boys were confused and a little bit afraid. How cute was that! Kids are so LITERAL!
That’s the way it is with the children of TOUCH ministries. Your sponsorship LITERALLY provides them with life. First, it provides life through daily meals that otherwise they LITERALLY would go without food. Then it provides the opportunity for the children to LITERALLY come to know the giver of all life Jesus Christ. Finally, It LITERALLY provides an education that God can use to get them out of a life of poverty.
On behalf of the children I want to LITERALLY thank you from the bottom of my heart. Never forget that you make a difference.
D-
(Part II – next week)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
World Water Day
One in eight people in the world does not have access to safe water, and 2.5 billion people worldwide live without a toilet. In the neighborhood where we work in Kampala, 83% of the families lack sanitation, and 28% lack access to safe water.
The system below is one of the improved water access points in Kitintale:
The system below is one of the improved water access points in Kitintale:
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Redirecting...
There are no potted plants in my grandson’s house so he was thrilled to find dirt and green leaves to play with when he came to Nana’s house. After moving him away from the plants several times I finally did the smart thing and redirected his attention by setting him in the kitchen with a large pot and several utensils so he could bang his little heart out. The distraction worked and he totally forgot about the plants (at least until the next time he came to visit).
I stooped to sweep up the torn leaves and dirt from the living room floor and it occurred to me that kids are kids all over the world and moms will be moms doing the same thing all over the world. Kids will get into things they are not suppose to and moms can redirect their curiosity with safer activities.
But how do you redirect hunger? Where can a mom turn to substitute education? Where does a mom find safety for her child when she lives on the street or in a hut with no door?
These are questions that the moms of poverty face every day. Sometimes the child faces these questions on their own because they have no mom or dad. Through sponsorship of a child you provide an answer to some of these questions. It is through your sponsorship that a child can have education, meals, and a safe place to learn.
Thank you! Don’t stop!
D-
I stooped to sweep up the torn leaves and dirt from the living room floor and it occurred to me that kids are kids all over the world and moms will be moms doing the same thing all over the world. Kids will get into things they are not suppose to and moms can redirect their curiosity with safer activities.
But how do you redirect hunger? Where can a mom turn to substitute education? Where does a mom find safety for her child when she lives on the street or in a hut with no door?
These are questions that the moms of poverty face every day. Sometimes the child faces these questions on their own because they have no mom or dad. Through sponsorship of a child you provide an answer to some of these questions. It is through your sponsorship that a child can have education, meals, and a safe place to learn.
Thank you! Don’t stop!
D-
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Often Untold Story of Children in Disasters
As the world responds to the earthquake in Haiti, our thoughts are focused on the immediate needs of food, water, medical care, and rescue efforts. But there is another disaster looming for Haiti's children.
As if worry over food and shelter wasn't enough. As if the trauma of all they have seen and experienced in this week was not enough. Children in Haiti face a danger that is only rarely spoken of.
Even before the earthquake, poverty provided opportunity for evil men to steal children and traffic them for labor or sex. Human trafficking is always a very real and present danger to children in poverty all over the world. Now, with all of society's safeguards in chaos and aid workers overwhelmed by the immediate life-and-death needs, Haitian children are in dire need of protection from human traffickers who will target them because of the desperate situation. The Atlantic published a story this week about how human traffickers respond immediately to the opportunity natural disasters provide.
Friends of TOUCH does not have a presence in Haiti, but we are asking you to pray specifically for protection for Haiti's children during this critical time. We also encourage you to give as you see fit to organizations at work there. The Christian Alliance for Orphans has a list of member organizations that you can trust working in Haiti.
Our God is able to sustain the children and to protect them. We are praying that workers in Haiti will be able to provide protection from traffickers. We are asking for safeguards to prevent people from simply walking into a field hospital and pretending to be a relative. We are praying for God's hand to defeat the schemes of the wicked, and for the children's protection and deliverance from them.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from men of violence
who plan to trip my feet. (Psalm 140:4)
As if worry over food and shelter wasn't enough. As if the trauma of all they have seen and experienced in this week was not enough. Children in Haiti face a danger that is only rarely spoken of.
Even before the earthquake, poverty provided opportunity for evil men to steal children and traffic them for labor or sex. Human trafficking is always a very real and present danger to children in poverty all over the world. Now, with all of society's safeguards in chaos and aid workers overwhelmed by the immediate life-and-death needs, Haitian children are in dire need of protection from human traffickers who will target them because of the desperate situation. The Atlantic published a story this week about how human traffickers respond immediately to the opportunity natural disasters provide.
Friends of TOUCH does not have a presence in Haiti, but we are asking you to pray specifically for protection for Haiti's children during this critical time. We also encourage you to give as you see fit to organizations at work there. The Christian Alliance for Orphans has a list of member organizations that you can trust working in Haiti.
Our God is able to sustain the children and to protect them. We are praying that workers in Haiti will be able to provide protection from traffickers. We are asking for safeguards to prevent people from simply walking into a field hospital and pretending to be a relative. We are praying for God's hand to defeat the schemes of the wicked, and for the children's protection and deliverance from them.
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from men of violence
who plan to trip my feet. (Psalm 140:4)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Integrity and Determination
We're really thankful for our donors, and we want to treat you right. Recently we're getting phone calls asking about year-end statements. We mailed them out today, so you can expect them in a day or two.
Again, we are grateful for your giving. It's been a rough year for so many, but we've seen so many of you dig in your heels and refuse to give in to recession. You've been determined to help, and you've made a difference:
Workers in Uganda are doing home visits this month, prior to the beginning of a new school year in February. They report that the community has taken note of the positive change in their children. TOUCH is not just keeping children in school, the program is also helping families by lifting some of the burden of feeding, and by providing all-day supervision while caregivers work.
Thank you again for making this possible. As of today, 140 of the 400 children at TOUCH are sponsored. We are praying that we will find sponsors for all of the children within the first quarter of 2010. You can help by spreading the word - download a brochure and tell your friends, link to us from your blog or Facebook, invite us to your church or school or civic group.
Thank you!
Again, we are grateful for your giving. It's been a rough year for so many, but we've seen so many of you dig in your heels and refuse to give in to recession. You've been determined to help, and you've made a difference:
- Many sponsors tell us that their sponsor check is among the first they write each month. Making it a priority ensures they never forget to send in that $35 each month.
- Volunteers spend time praying over each child by name.
- Several of you increased your monthly giving to stabilize the feeding program.
- You've written precious notes of encouragement for the children and to our staff - thank you!
- Some of you took hard financial hits and had to reduce pledges for a while, but you've not forgotten us as you recovered.
Workers in Uganda are doing home visits this month, prior to the beginning of a new school year in February. They report that the community has taken note of the positive change in their children. TOUCH is not just keeping children in school, the program is also helping families by lifting some of the burden of feeding, and by providing all-day supervision while caregivers work.
Thank you again for making this possible. As of today, 140 of the 400 children at TOUCH are sponsored. We are praying that we will find sponsors for all of the children within the first quarter of 2010. You can help by spreading the word - download a brochure and tell your friends, link to us from your blog or Facebook, invite us to your church or school or civic group.
Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)