WE'RE BACK...
It was an incredible trip! Thank you for praying for us. We knew you were! We couldn't have done some of the things we did had we not had so many people at home praying.
God is Good!
We'll just give an overview of the trip but it will be missing many pieces and we'll try to keep you posted on the latest updates during the month about the following things:
*Purchased a Chlorine Water system.
*Walked the perimeter of the land in Korogwe to see how it may be used for a future compound.
*Plans for the trip in October.
*500 chickens in the chicken project.
*Car situation. (Greatest need at this time)
As for the overview...
Well, we met some great people being with the Medical Mission group from Iowa on our first leg of the trip. We flew in a small MAF plane to Singida from JRO airport. That's was a great experience. We actually didn't know how great it was until we took the 10 hour bus ride back to Arusha. While we were in Singida we saw the children's feeding center that Outreach International built. This is the center we are considering doing if the plans for the land begin to unflod. We then had quite an experience as literally thousands of locals from the Singida area came to be seen by the American doctors and dentists. What a blessing as a medical person to have the ability and wisdom to help so many no matter where you go. Hats off to the team we were with. As we parted after only a few short days we were off to Arusha and then on to Korogwe and up to The Children's Home. It was good be back at the home and to be able to spend time visiting with the children. Alan and Herbert had a lot of business to take care of and I was just happy to tag along, taking notes and having my camera in tow. We trudged up and down the mountain mostly on foot but that's a good thing, especially the part that Herbert fondly calls the "short cut" as it humbles us to experience how committed Herbert and Emily are to what God has called them to do up on this mountain. (And then on the fleshly side, it shows us how much we need to get into shape if we're going to climb Kili) Each visit to Tanzania opens our eyes to new and even more exciting things. Every trip stirs memories, but it excites the adventurer inside both of us as well. We wonder what God is doing in us especially when it obvious that the only thing we can do is pray. Like when we are standing at a bus stop and we can't help but try to talk to a young man who is obviously possessed as he spews out chantings that the bus we're traveling on, will for whatever reason, not make it to it's destination. My heart aches as God reminds me, he's someones son, so I pray... Feeling helpless causes us to remember in our weakness apart from Him. He is God and there are few times we forget this in Africa. The needed dependence on Him is awesome. I needed to literally draw from His strength several times during this trip, physically as well as emotionally. Juma was one of the reason I needed His grace to be sufficient in my emotional moments. Juma is 6 years old and he has HIV. He's precious and persistent. He left his new home and friends and with his new back pack on his back, that was a big as he was, he hiked down the mountain with us going back to the village where he lived before he had come to the Children's Home. His wounds were now to serious to allow him to be exposed to the other children. We prayed... God heard... We'll expect! Please pray for Juma that he will be healed and return to his home on the mountain. While reading one day I found a specific scripture that became especially personal and applicable to my situation. I've read it many times but never applied it personally. It's Matthew 15:27-28. I'm one of those little puppies eating crumbs from my Masters table and I'm happy (blessed) that He says, "their Masters table". What do you think would be on the Master, of all the Universes, table? I have no problem with this 'analogy' of knowing who He is and who I am in contrast and because of knowing His love for me and Juma and everyone who is His child. He is still the loving, healing Master and I'll wait for His will to be done on Earth and it is in Heaven.
Well, story after story could be told at the return of each trip but we do realize living it and hearing it are very different and we don't know when we cross over to boring, so... It's just that we hope and pray that God might touch at least one heart through what He has allowed us to experience and then share with you. Thank you again for your prayers and support.
God bless you!
In His Love,
Alan and Shannon
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Praise & Prayer Requests
PRAISE GOD AND PLEASE PRAY!
Psalm 22:
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.
We know it was God who accomplished all that was done on Saturday at our second food packaging event. There were 103,000 meals packaged by approximately 400 volunteers. Praise God!
“The poor will eat and be satisfied;” and “those who seek the Lord will praise Him”
April 2010 trip to Tanzania - Prayer Request:
1 Thessalonians 5:
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
1) Please pray that the enemy would be bound in the name of Jesus from hindering what God is going to do while Herbert, Emily, Alan and Shannon are together in Tanzania.
2) Please pray for good health for us all and healing for Herbert and Emily. Also, that Alan’s back would be strong throughout the entire trip.
3) Please pray for traveling mercies in the air and on the ground.
4) Please pray that we would all have clarity and God’s anointing as we share God’s word with the people.
5) Please pray that we would express His love to everyone we encounter.
6) Please pray for the people to have understanding and an openness to the Holy Spirit as we share with them; Children groups, church groups, street groups and especially the Muslims in this area (village).
7) Please pray that we would have good interpreters, preferably Godly but that we’d be a light to them if they are not.
8) Please pray for us to be as organized and time efficient as we can be and not worry when that is not happening. (TIA – This is Africa)
9) Please pray that, as God wills, we will have time in Moshi (where we originally began working in Tanzania) and have time to visit our friends there. Please pray that we will see Teddy, Angela and Nema for a good visit. (Young girls)
10) Please pray that God would use us while we are with the group of doctors and nurses from Iowa. Many are not believers. Pray for their salvation as God exposes them to things they have never been exposed to before. Let them know to call out to God almighty.
11) Please pray that God will give us His favor with the government. (Actually all people there)
12) Please pray that we will have honest, sweet and sharpening (as iron sharpens iron) fellowship with Herbert and Emily and that we would leave Tanzania having greater understanding of cultures and each other.
13) Please pray that we would come home knowing Him better and having a clearer vision of what He has for us to do.
14) Please pray for Herbert and Alan to have a kindred spirit and vision for this ministry. Please pray for absolute unity through the Holy Spirit.
15) Please pray for us to be humble, gracious, understanding and loving in every situation.
16) Strength, boldness, courage, discernment, wisdom… What ever God puts on your heart. He knows better than we do what needs to be lifted up in prayer. We will be praying that He will speak to your hearts on our behalf and also that He will bless you as you pray.
17) Pray for the salvation of many and that they would know Him deeply. Pray for the country of Tanzania to experience revival.
18) Pray for strength, boldness, understanding and wisdom for these children who have come to know Him and that God would use them to be a light in their own country for His glory.
19) Please pray for all the financial needs to be met by His grace.
20) Please pray that God would put it in and on the hearts of those who are to get more involved with Africa Harvest of Hope.
In Jesus Name we pray. Amen!
Thank you and may God bless you!
Psalm 22:
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.
We know it was God who accomplished all that was done on Saturday at our second food packaging event. There were 103,000 meals packaged by approximately 400 volunteers. Praise God!
“The poor will eat and be satisfied;” and “those who seek the Lord will praise Him”
April 2010 trip to Tanzania - Prayer Request:
1 Thessalonians 5:
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
1) Please pray that the enemy would be bound in the name of Jesus from hindering what God is going to do while Herbert, Emily, Alan and Shannon are together in Tanzania.
2) Please pray for good health for us all and healing for Herbert and Emily. Also, that Alan’s back would be strong throughout the entire trip.
3) Please pray for traveling mercies in the air and on the ground.
4) Please pray that we would all have clarity and God’s anointing as we share God’s word with the people.
5) Please pray that we would express His love to everyone we encounter.
6) Please pray for the people to have understanding and an openness to the Holy Spirit as we share with them; Children groups, church groups, street groups and especially the Muslims in this area (village).
7) Please pray that we would have good interpreters, preferably Godly but that we’d be a light to them if they are not.
8) Please pray for us to be as organized and time efficient as we can be and not worry when that is not happening. (TIA – This is Africa)
9) Please pray that, as God wills, we will have time in Moshi (where we originally began working in Tanzania) and have time to visit our friends there. Please pray that we will see Teddy, Angela and Nema for a good visit. (Young girls)
10) Please pray that God would use us while we are with the group of doctors and nurses from Iowa. Many are not believers. Pray for their salvation as God exposes them to things they have never been exposed to before. Let them know to call out to God almighty.
11) Please pray that God will give us His favor with the government. (Actually all people there)
12) Please pray that we will have honest, sweet and sharpening (as iron sharpens iron) fellowship with Herbert and Emily and that we would leave Tanzania having greater understanding of cultures and each other.
13) Please pray that we would come home knowing Him better and having a clearer vision of what He has for us to do.
14) Please pray for Herbert and Alan to have a kindred spirit and vision for this ministry. Please pray for absolute unity through the Holy Spirit.
15) Please pray for us to be humble, gracious, understanding and loving in every situation.
16) Strength, boldness, courage, discernment, wisdom… What ever God puts on your heart. He knows better than we do what needs to be lifted up in prayer. We will be praying that He will speak to your hearts on our behalf and also that He will bless you as you pray.
17) Pray for the salvation of many and that they would know Him deeply. Pray for the country of Tanzania to experience revival.
18) Pray for strength, boldness, understanding and wisdom for these children who have come to know Him and that God would use them to be a light in their own country for His glory.
19) Please pray for all the financial needs to be met by His grace.
20) Please pray that God would put it in and on the hearts of those who are to get more involved with Africa Harvest of Hope.
In Jesus Name we pray. Amen!
Thank you and may God bless you!
Monday, March 29, 2010
100,000 MEALS - DONE!
100,000 meals – done!
THANK YOU! This could not have been done without you.
It was a great day – As approximately 400 volunteers come together Saturday, March 27 at the University of Redlands from 8 am to 5 pm and packaged 100,000 + meals. You were an encouragement to us and we don’t know how to thank you.
It was an inspiring day - To see so many people standing side by side putting these food packages together. People who don’t know each other sharing their stories as they scooped and packed these life saving little bags.
It was a blessed day - As musician after musician came to share and worship with music, the volunteers were blessed as they worshiped by serving with their hands. Prayer went up for those who came who don’t know the Lord and a spirit of encouragement and love seem to be poured out in that place during the entire day.
It was a long day - For many of the volunteers who were there from before 7am to set up and then running food and supplies to the tables all day, we pray that God blesses your souls and restores your strength. We know this was a long, hard day for many of you.
(Those of you, you know who you are – we can’t begin to express our appreciation and we know God is going to bless you for the effort you put into this work. We have, and will continue to pray for all of you. We especially thank you and we pray that you accept our sincere apology for not having enough help to relieve you during the day. We know how very hard you worked.)
The implications of last Saturday are going to be felt and seen for a long time here and in Africa, and yet we may never know what they are. No matter, because this is not our work, it is His. He said, “…inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brothers and sisters, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40.
Thank you and God bless you!
THANK YOU! This could not have been done without you.
It was a great day – As approximately 400 volunteers come together Saturday, March 27 at the University of Redlands from 8 am to 5 pm and packaged 100,000 + meals. You were an encouragement to us and we don’t know how to thank you.
It was an inspiring day - To see so many people standing side by side putting these food packages together. People who don’t know each other sharing their stories as they scooped and packed these life saving little bags.
It was a blessed day - As musician after musician came to share and worship with music, the volunteers were blessed as they worshiped by serving with their hands. Prayer went up for those who came who don’t know the Lord and a spirit of encouragement and love seem to be poured out in that place during the entire day.
It was a long day - For many of the volunteers who were there from before 7am to set up and then running food and supplies to the tables all day, we pray that God blesses your souls and restores your strength. We know this was a long, hard day for many of you.
(Those of you, you know who you are – we can’t begin to express our appreciation and we know God is going to bless you for the effort you put into this work. We have, and will continue to pray for all of you. We especially thank you and we pray that you accept our sincere apology for not having enough help to relieve you during the day. We know how very hard you worked.)
The implications of last Saturday are going to be felt and seen for a long time here and in Africa, and yet we may never know what they are. No matter, because this is not our work, it is His. He said, “…inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brothers and sisters, you did it to Me. Matthew 25:40.
Thank you and God bless you!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Behold how good...
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is good! It is good, because God said it was good. We need to find out how good this is and park here and become use to this way. This way of unity.
Yes, it can be overwhelming at times, but what in life is not overwhelming at times.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul says, "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." Paul continues his illustration in this chapter and says, "...the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
We are in awe of this body. We are humbled, knowing it is the body working as it should that accomplishes His will. It is however sad when we are witness to and even guilty of the body harming itself, remembering what Paul said, "...this is Christ's body."
Through this body, united and working together, God accomplishes great things for His glory. The united body is a powerful tool. No one person could accomplish what a strong united body can accomplish. A hand, and eye, an ear, a foot alone can not accomplish much, but together we, by the mercy and grace of God, can change the world.
A most important thought, moving further into chapter 13, Paul writes, we are only a loud, irritating noise if we do all that we do and we don't have love. Pray that our united body has love! Love for each other, love for strangers we will be standing next to, love for the unlovely and love for the people who will receive this food on the other side of the world. God's ways are beyond our understanding but when He says, "Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love" then we need to ask ourselves what does my love look like.
This Saturday is not about packing boxes with food, it's about packing with love.
Africa Harvest of Hope thanks you for showing the love of Christ in His body.
We are praying for you!
It is good! It is good, because God said it was good. We need to find out how good this is and park here and become use to this way. This way of unity.
Yes, it can be overwhelming at times, but what in life is not overwhelming at times.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12 Paul says, "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." Paul continues his illustration in this chapter and says, "...the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
We are in awe of this body. We are humbled, knowing it is the body working as it should that accomplishes His will. It is however sad when we are witness to and even guilty of the body harming itself, remembering what Paul said, "...this is Christ's body."
Through this body, united and working together, God accomplishes great things for His glory. The united body is a powerful tool. No one person could accomplish what a strong united body can accomplish. A hand, and eye, an ear, a foot alone can not accomplish much, but together we, by the mercy and grace of God, can change the world.
A most important thought, moving further into chapter 13, Paul writes, we are only a loud, irritating noise if we do all that we do and we don't have love. Pray that our united body has love! Love for each other, love for strangers we will be standing next to, love for the unlovely and love for the people who will receive this food on the other side of the world. God's ways are beyond our understanding but when He says, "Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love" then we need to ask ourselves what does my love look like.
This Saturday is not about packing boxes with food, it's about packing with love.
Africa Harvest of Hope thanks you for showing the love of Christ in His body.
We are praying for you!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Food Packaging Event by Breann Crain
Africa Harvest of Hope Food Packaging Event
The Goal: To package more the 100,000 meals through 500 volunteers in just a few hours
Location: University of Redlands, University Hall, Rm 214
Date: March 27, 2010
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
What do I do: Keep reading to find out
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~AnneFrank
Start changing the world… feed a child.
Africa Harvest of Hope is having a Food Packaging Event right in your neighborhood. This will be my second event and if you are wondering what a food packaging event is, let me tell you.
When you walk into the University Hall, the sites and sounds will transport you to Tanzania. The colors, textures, and patterns will make up the backdrop to the entrance of the event. Take some time to walk around and look at the beautiful faces; so many happy, smiling children. Next, you will register, after you register, the magic begins. Hundreds of strangers will be working around long tables in a well coordinated assembly line. A volunteer will take you to a station and train you on your position.
Starting at the head of the table there are three buckets. One bucket contains white rice, another contains dried soy protein, and the last contains dried vegetables. One cup of each goes into a bag. The bag moves down the table where a vitamin bullion is added. Next the bag is weighed to ensure proper shipping. Then the bag is sealed. When thirty-six bags are sealed, they are boxed up. In one hour, a table can box up hundreds of bags. Each bag contains four to six meals.
Your whole family can help. This is a great way for your children to be involved. It is recommended that the children be 8 years or older. Gather your friends. Call your neighbors. This is also a great way to earn some community service hours, which is needed for most high school athletes. You can work for as little as one hour. Or stay as long as you like.
Throughout the day you will be inspired, lifted up, prayed over. It is a God filled day. God's children will be fed through your labor of love. But each package of food is so much more than just food.
The food helps support a local orphanage. Africa Harvest of Hope is a school/orphanage in Tanzania. At this school children have found refuge. They learn what God's love really means. They have found community amongst themselves. They have learned skills to become a contributing member in their own society. They have found acceptance. There are close to thirty school age children currently living at Harvest of Hope orphanage in Korogwe, Tanzania.
Individually, we can do very little to change the world but together we can change the world one child at a time. If you have ever read the statistics about orphans world wide, you may feel helpless. You might say, there are so many children and what can I possibly do to help? Here is your answer. Come see what one person can do and find out for yourself how easy it is to make a difference, together.
"So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."--James 2:17
The Goal: To package more the 100,000 meals through 500 volunteers in just a few hours
Location: University of Redlands, University Hall, Rm 214
Date: March 27, 2010
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
What do I do: Keep reading to find out
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~AnneFrank
Start changing the world… feed a child.
Africa Harvest of Hope is having a Food Packaging Event right in your neighborhood. This will be my second event and if you are wondering what a food packaging event is, let me tell you.
When you walk into the University Hall, the sites and sounds will transport you to Tanzania. The colors, textures, and patterns will make up the backdrop to the entrance of the event. Take some time to walk around and look at the beautiful faces; so many happy, smiling children. Next, you will register, after you register, the magic begins. Hundreds of strangers will be working around long tables in a well coordinated assembly line. A volunteer will take you to a station and train you on your position.
Starting at the head of the table there are three buckets. One bucket contains white rice, another contains dried soy protein, and the last contains dried vegetables. One cup of each goes into a bag. The bag moves down the table where a vitamin bullion is added. Next the bag is weighed to ensure proper shipping. Then the bag is sealed. When thirty-six bags are sealed, they are boxed up. In one hour, a table can box up hundreds of bags. Each bag contains four to six meals.
Your whole family can help. This is a great way for your children to be involved. It is recommended that the children be 8 years or older. Gather your friends. Call your neighbors. This is also a great way to earn some community service hours, which is needed for most high school athletes. You can work for as little as one hour. Or stay as long as you like.
Throughout the day you will be inspired, lifted up, prayed over. It is a God filled day. God's children will be fed through your labor of love. But each package of food is so much more than just food.
The food helps support a local orphanage. Africa Harvest of Hope is a school/orphanage in Tanzania. At this school children have found refuge. They learn what God's love really means. They have found community amongst themselves. They have learned skills to become a contributing member in their own society. They have found acceptance. There are close to thirty school age children currently living at Harvest of Hope orphanage in Korogwe, Tanzania.
Individually, we can do very little to change the world but together we can change the world one child at a time. If you have ever read the statistics about orphans world wide, you may feel helpless. You might say, there are so many children and what can I possibly do to help? Here is your answer. Come see what one person can do and find out for yourself how easy it is to make a difference, together.
"So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."--James 2:17
Monday, February 8, 2010
A NEW YEAR
IT'S FEBRUARY? Well, Happy New Year anyway. 2009 faded into the past like it was a vapor and I can't help but think of what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. ... That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “ See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after.
Solomon also wrote in Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Well that's where we are. We would do well to remember that nothing is new and even as we continue planning what we believe is the direction we are to be moving in, we rejoice (big time) in the fact that it is God who directs us.
Africa Harvest of Hope didn't begin with some well thought out plan. (We're not being self depricating when we say this) we're just stating the fact that we were moved in our hearts to do something, and we are thankful that it is God who directs our steps. We have many plans for 2010 but it would be a good idea to lay them out before Him and everyone who will pray with us as we "plan our way".
First, we ask you, friends and followers of AHOH, to pray for Herbert and Emily and those working at the Children's Home in Korogwe. They have been incredibly busy this last year as well as fighting off the oppressor's darts of illness and trials. Please remember them in your prayers. They have worked diligently to prepare to receive new children into the orphanage and that's not as easy as it may sound. There is extensive red tape they must continually find time to unravel and work through. They also make sure all the children are doing well in their studies and when any of the children are ill they make long treks to the clinics, sometimes in the middle of the night. So many incredible God stories we hear from them (via the phone) we'd love to share...
Second, as you know our first Food Packaging Event was awesome. We're still in awe of what God did that day. So, with that excitement still motivating us, we have set the date for our second event. Details will be up shortly. BIG thank you to Breann Crain our new blog-ett-er for AHOH.
Third, our trip that is coming up in April. Alan and Shannon will be joining 90+ doctors, nurses, dentist, one mom and a landscaper. Not really only one mom but for sure one landscaper. Alan will be a Fundi (handyman) and Shannon will be a cook/nursery worker. Watch out Tanzania. They may need some Pepto after we leave. After a week in Singida with the Medical Missions Team they will be traveling with Herbert and Emily (AHOH Tanzania Team) to Mbozi in the south of the country. After that they will finish the trip with a week at the Children's Home in Korogwe visiting with the team there and sharing with the children and the people in the village what God has put on there hearts. Please pray for a safe and productive trip.
Forth, is an exciting fundraising event that Lauren Mosher from Lifehouse Theater will be putting together. From what we understand this will be a night you won't want to miss. It set for Friday, May 28 at the Fox Theater in Redlands, CA. We'll be sharing more information as the event unfolds.
One more thing to think about; Many people have inquired about going to Tanzania with AHOH. This needs to be something that has been prayed about and seriously thought through. We by no means want to discourage anyone but it needs to be a desire that flows from deep within your heart. This is the only way you can truly be sure it's something you should be doing. We will be putting a team together to go in Late October 2010. If going to Africa to serve is a burden you can't shake let us know. The cost for a two to three week trip is usually about $3,500. We'll sit down with you and share all that is necessary for the trip and we can help you with sponsor letters as well. We've already begun to pray for the team that will be going. If that's you, please be praying for the team as well. God knows who they are.
We opened hardly believing January had already whooshed past and closed with information about the team trip in October. Lord willing, that leaves November and December wherein we will continue to be ever thankful to and for our Savior and all He has accomplished for us in the year of our Lord 2010. God bless you all!
Prayer reminders:
Herbert and Emily Mwaimu and the AHOH Team in Tnzania (Spiritual warfare)
Food Packaging Event, March 27, 2010 (Enough volunteers to package 100,000 meals)
April Trip to Tanzania (For God to lead Alan and Shannon through a safe and productive trip)
Lauren Mosher and the fund raising event to be held Friday, May 28 at the Fox Theater in Redlands, CA (For God to bless her with all she needs as she gives her time to plan this event)
Solomon also wrote in Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Well that's where we are. We would do well to remember that nothing is new and even as we continue planning what we believe is the direction we are to be moving in, we rejoice (big time) in the fact that it is God who directs us.
Africa Harvest of Hope didn't begin with some well thought out plan. (We're not being self depricating when we say this) we're just stating the fact that we were moved in our hearts to do something, and we are thankful that it is God who directs our steps. We have many plans for 2010 but it would be a good idea to lay them out before Him and everyone who will pray with us as we "plan our way".
First, we ask you, friends and followers of AHOH, to pray for Herbert and Emily and those working at the Children's Home in Korogwe. They have been incredibly busy this last year as well as fighting off the oppressor's darts of illness and trials. Please remember them in your prayers. They have worked diligently to prepare to receive new children into the orphanage and that's not as easy as it may sound. There is extensive red tape they must continually find time to unravel and work through. They also make sure all the children are doing well in their studies and when any of the children are ill they make long treks to the clinics, sometimes in the middle of the night. So many incredible God stories we hear from them (via the phone) we'd love to share...
Second, as you know our first Food Packaging Event was awesome. We're still in awe of what God did that day. So, with that excitement still motivating us, we have set the date for our second event. Details will be up shortly. BIG thank you to Breann Crain our new blog-ett-er for AHOH.
Third, our trip that is coming up in April. Alan and Shannon will be joining 90+ doctors, nurses, dentist, one mom and a landscaper. Not really only one mom but for sure one landscaper. Alan will be a Fundi (handyman) and Shannon will be a cook/nursery worker. Watch out Tanzania. They may need some Pepto after we leave. After a week in Singida with the Medical Missions Team they will be traveling with Herbert and Emily (AHOH Tanzania Team) to Mbozi in the south of the country. After that they will finish the trip with a week at the Children's Home in Korogwe visiting with the team there and sharing with the children and the people in the village what God has put on there hearts. Please pray for a safe and productive trip.
Forth, is an exciting fundraising event that Lauren Mosher from Lifehouse Theater will be putting together. From what we understand this will be a night you won't want to miss. It set for Friday, May 28 at the Fox Theater in Redlands, CA. We'll be sharing more information as the event unfolds.
One more thing to think about; Many people have inquired about going to Tanzania with AHOH. This needs to be something that has been prayed about and seriously thought through. We by no means want to discourage anyone but it needs to be a desire that flows from deep within your heart. This is the only way you can truly be sure it's something you should be doing. We will be putting a team together to go in Late October 2010. If going to Africa to serve is a burden you can't shake let us know. The cost for a two to three week trip is usually about $3,500. We'll sit down with you and share all that is necessary for the trip and we can help you with sponsor letters as well. We've already begun to pray for the team that will be going. If that's you, please be praying for the team as well. God knows who they are.
We opened hardly believing January had already whooshed past and closed with information about the team trip in October. Lord willing, that leaves November and December wherein we will continue to be ever thankful to and for our Savior and all He has accomplished for us in the year of our Lord 2010. God bless you all!
Prayer reminders:
Herbert and Emily Mwaimu and the AHOH Team in Tnzania (Spiritual warfare)
Food Packaging Event, March 27, 2010 (Enough volunteers to package 100,000 meals)
April Trip to Tanzania (For God to lead Alan and Shannon through a safe and productive trip)
Lauren Mosher and the fund raising event to be held Friday, May 28 at the Fox Theater in Redlands, CA (For God to bless her with all she needs as she gives her time to plan this event)
Monday, November 23, 2009
YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE...
Saturday, November 14, 2009 Africa Harvest of Hope held their first "Food Packaging Event"...
I ran across this quote by Gerhard E. Frost and it seemed appropriate to start with it;
" "The reason mountain climbers are tied together is to keep the sane ones from going home."
I don't know who said it... but with a mountain of mercy behind me and a mountain of mission ahead, I need you, my sister, my brother, I need to be tied to you and you need me, too... to keep from bolting, fleeing in panic, and returning to the "sanity" of unbelief.
Wise words, whoever wrote them..."
With our mountain of mercy behind us and a week of catching up on things we've let pile up while in the midst of our panic, we can't quit thinking about all the faces that came through the Yucaipa Community Center to scoop, fill, weigh and seal the little bags of food we will be sending to Tanzania. 50,000 meals to be exact and we could not have done this if the 350 to 400 volunteers had not been there throughout the day.
Synergy: the working together of two or more people, especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities.
I wondered what each volunteer could have done that Saturday, had they not come to help package food. Could they have made a difference in 50,000 lives? Could we have packaged 50,000 meals without their help? Would there be 50,000 meals heading to a people group in Africa who will not only appreciate these rice meals, there will be some who will actually stay alive because they received them. We don't think about this kind of thing very often.
Have you ever picked up a 3 pound weight with only one finger? It's not that easy, but if you use all five fingers you can lift 35 or 40 pounds. That's synergy. That's working together. We are not accustomed to working together these days. In earlier times people came together to help each other out. What might normally take a man a month or so to build a barn, would only take a weekend with the help of people in his community.
Last Saturday we experienced something close to having a 'Barn Raising" experience and we want to thank every one of you who helped. You made a difference in so many lives. Not just ours and not just the children who will receive the food, but in each others lives as well. You stood shoulder to shoulder with people you didn't know. You fed children you will never meet and you blessed our lives in a way that will forever change us. In a time when it's hard to find 'good', together you made 'good' take place.
Re-read the quote again; Frost writes, "We are tied together...to keep (each other) from returning to the "sanity" of unbelief."
We were tied together with an invisible rope that gave us the strength to be insane and believe we could do something like this.
However, it would be foolish for us to think that even together we could have made this happen without God being in the middle of it. We all saw His faithfulness and we still feel an awe of what was accomplished because He tied us together that day.
I can't think of a better picture of synergy than a "body". Romans 12:4-6 says, "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them..."
God bless you!
I ran across this quote by Gerhard E. Frost and it seemed appropriate to start with it;
" "The reason mountain climbers are tied together is to keep the sane ones from going home."
I don't know who said it... but with a mountain of mercy behind me and a mountain of mission ahead, I need you, my sister, my brother, I need to be tied to you and you need me, too... to keep from bolting, fleeing in panic, and returning to the "sanity" of unbelief.
Wise words, whoever wrote them..."
With our mountain of mercy behind us and a week of catching up on things we've let pile up while in the midst of our panic, we can't quit thinking about all the faces that came through the Yucaipa Community Center to scoop, fill, weigh and seal the little bags of food we will be sending to Tanzania. 50,000 meals to be exact and we could not have done this if the 350 to 400 volunteers had not been there throughout the day.
Synergy: the working together of two or more people, especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities.
I wondered what each volunteer could have done that Saturday, had they not come to help package food. Could they have made a difference in 50,000 lives? Could we have packaged 50,000 meals without their help? Would there be 50,000 meals heading to a people group in Africa who will not only appreciate these rice meals, there will be some who will actually stay alive because they received them. We don't think about this kind of thing very often.
Have you ever picked up a 3 pound weight with only one finger? It's not that easy, but if you use all five fingers you can lift 35 or 40 pounds. That's synergy. That's working together. We are not accustomed to working together these days. In earlier times people came together to help each other out. What might normally take a man a month or so to build a barn, would only take a weekend with the help of people in his community.
Last Saturday we experienced something close to having a 'Barn Raising" experience and we want to thank every one of you who helped. You made a difference in so many lives. Not just ours and not just the children who will receive the food, but in each others lives as well. You stood shoulder to shoulder with people you didn't know. You fed children you will never meet and you blessed our lives in a way that will forever change us. In a time when it's hard to find 'good', together you made 'good' take place.
Re-read the quote again; Frost writes, "We are tied together...to keep (each other) from returning to the "sanity" of unbelief."
We were tied together with an invisible rope that gave us the strength to be insane and believe we could do something like this.
However, it would be foolish for us to think that even together we could have made this happen without God being in the middle of it. We all saw His faithfulness and we still feel an awe of what was accomplished because He tied us together that day.
I can't think of a better picture of synergy than a "body". Romans 12:4-6 says, "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them..."
God bless you!
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