Dear friends and family
Some of you have asked about specific ways you can join us to help an orphan. Here are some specific ways you can join with World Orphans to help a child in need this Christmas. We are excited to see our kids get involved in this with us as they choose to give to other children this year.

You can follow this link to World Orphans secure site and click on “Miscellaneous” option on the right and then input your donation amount and the project code listed below.

Opportunities include:

KENYA: Shoes for slum children

These are some of the kids I met walking the street in Mathare slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Our church partner in Kenya does ministry in Mathare to the kids and families there. Many of the children they help are walking around without shoes. This simple need can be met for 100 children for $670. (or $6.70 for one child.)

Enter the following code on your check or online memo: KEN-231-Shoes

SUDAN: Clothing for former street boys
Many in Sudan lack access to basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. At the World Orphans project in Darfur former street boys are living in church-based homes where they receive so much more than just the necessities. Each year our church partner purchases a full set of new clothing for the children under their care. This year, you can help provide new clothing and shoes for 50 boys for only $1,650 (or $33 for one child.)

Enter the following code on your check or online memo: SUD-537-Clothes

UGANDA: Life-saving mosquito nets
Malaria is a silent killer. Many young children succumb to this deadly disease every day and yet prevention is simple. Treated mosquito nets have been proven to reduce infection and save lives. Our church partners are able to provide these necessary nets for the children living in their homes, but there are many more children in their communities sleeping without protection. We would like to help our church partners to distribute these life-saving mosquito nets to 100 needy children. To do this, we need $880 (or $8.80 for one child.)

Enter the following code on your check or online memo: UGA-418-Mosquito

For more information or to read about opportunities to help children in other countries, I encourage you to visit the Blog of World Orphans’ president, Paul Myhill

What’s on your list this year? I had a hard time coming up with anything I really want (much less anything I really NEED).

Take a minute to watch this video and think about it. Then, will you consider giving a gift to someone who is really in need?

We are working with churches in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Iraq, just to name a few. You can help rescue and care for an orphan today for a gift of any amount, helping to provide food, clothing, school fees, and love to a child who is really in need.

You can go to www.WorldOrphans.org and make a lasting impact on the life a child this Christmas.

This video tells the story of a couple who adopted 4 children and became debt free following the steps of Dave Ramseys Financial Peace and decided to use that freedom to bless another family, so they could adopt as well.

I remember watching this video at a conference in October of 2007. I walked out of that session with tears in my eyes and said “I want to be that guy” – the person with no debt who can use the resources God has entrusted to me to help others.

God has certainly blessed our family providing not only the means and funds for adoption, but more importantly the 2 beautiful children He gave us through adoption.

Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

Who can you be a blessing to this Christmas?

If you would like to help change the life of an orphan, you can give a one time or monthly gift at www.WorldOrphans.org

I found some FREE Christmas music MP3 downloads on Amazon – Hurry, these may be limited time downloads.   Financial Peace approved just in time for the holidays!

I included individual links to each song.

Silent Night by Sixpence None The Richer – http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night/dp/B002P2DFGM/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_7

God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen by Jars Of Clay – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OZJ86Q/ref=dm_dp_trk8

MercyMe: It came upon a midnight clear http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013DCB82/ref=dm_dp_trk1

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by Casting Crowns – http://www.amazon.com/I-Heard-Bells-Christmas-Day/dp/B001GZOR6G/ref=pd_ybh_15?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1K5805ECNEFN4WV0X73M

Joy To The World by Casting Crowns – http://www.amazon.com/Joy-To-The-World/dp/B001GZL4I0/ref=pd_ybh_1?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=092M6PE91FTWR3Y5DY04

What Child Is This?  by Barlowgirl – http://www.amazon.com/What-Child-Is-This/dp/B001GD5DNO/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_62

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  by Big Daddy Weave – http://www.amazon.com/O-Come-Emmanuel/dp/B002OTLEG4/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_2

Silent Night by House Of Heroes – http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night/dp/B002UV37UM/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_5

O Holy Night by Mark Harris – http://www.amazon.com/O-Holy-Night/dp/B002Q5FN0Y/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_30

The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath – http://www.amazon.com/The-Night-Before-Christmas/dp/B002X2ZIY6/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_34

Do You Hear What I Hear by Mary McBride – http://www.amazon.com/Hear-What-Featuring-Patrick-Wilson/dp/B002RV943Y/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_7

No Room by Todd Agnew – http://www.amazon.com/No-Room/dp/B001382L6O/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_6

Who Is Like You (Album Version)  by Meredith Andrews –  http://www.amazon.com/Who-Like-You-Album-Version/dp/B0017TC5LK/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_55

I Celebrate The Day by Relient K – http://www.amazon.com/I-Celebrate-Day-Album-Version/dp/B001KW8QVM/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_3

Silent Night (Emmanuel) by Matt Maher – http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Emmanuel/dp/B001LR6ONS/ref=pd_sim_dmusic_2

I wept this morning as I sat in the London airport surrounded by the trappings of this world – the duty free liquor shops, the endless rows of high priced jewelry & chocolate shops, realizing that my 1 much desired latte would have paid 1/2 a month’s rent for people like Ennis, Paul, mary, Jane & their families that I visited in Muthare slums this week.

I continue to pray that God would let my heart be broken for the things that break His heart, and that He would change me to be more like His son Jesus Christ – a compassionate, self-sacrificing servant, who considers others as more important than himself (philippians 2:1-8), and who loves his neighbor as himself, to be able to say as Paul did that to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

I hope to post some pictures from my trip this week. Thanks to all who have been praying for me and the team. What an awesome time we had in Kenya seeing the power of the Holy spirit and the love of Christ through the local church giving hope, peace and joy to orphans, widows, the sick the lame, the hungry, and those who would otherwise be in utter despair.

When we visited Ennis in the Muthare slum, I think I witnessed the power of the gospel of Christ more clearly than I have ever experienced. I met Ennis on my visit to Kenya last March. She continues to gain strength – which is a miracle – her CD4 count has gone from 4 to over 900, and all without any medications.

When we arrived she was not home – she was cleaning her church, something she volunteers to do faithfully every week. Although she makes less than $15-20 per month washing clothes for people and is struggling to make enough for rent and food, she continues to trust God to provide and praises Him daily for what she has, as she serves Him faithfully. Before we left, I asked Ennis how we could pray for her – instead of asking for provision for rent or food or a blessing on her business, or to be able to move out of the slum to a better home for her and her kids, or for healing from HIV for her or her infected 2 year old boy Morgan, she simply asked that we would pray for her to have strength and faithfulness to continue to serve God and tell others about His love.

The pure and undefiled religion I saw on display – the complete and unfathomable contentment, overflowing joy, undeniable peace and hope, and remarkable humility of this woman – brought tears to everyone in the room, including the volunteers from the church that visit her regularly. We wept tears of joy together, not tears of despair. Just as she praised God and was thankful that He had brought visitors to encourage her, so did I – that He would show me a present-day servant and saint who bears witness to to life-changing power of God who forgives us and sustains us and is all we need. Ennis is a living example of how we should live our lives.

1 Timothy 6:6-7, 17-19
Hebrews 12:1-2

We spent monday morning with Fountan of Life (FOL) Church and their Home Based Care outreach ministry to people in the Muthare slums who are sick with HIV/AIDS.

We went in 2 teams, led by Pastor Gideon and volunteers from FOL. The ministry volunteers come 3 days every week – 1 day to each of the 3 slums they minister in. They currently have over 60 families that they care for and support – through prayer and encouragement, helping with practical needs like food, school fees, transportation to get medical treatment, and rent assistance. It is shocking to me that most people pay $10-20 USD per month for rent in an 8×10 ft shanty with no water or bathroom, and most do not have electricity. Most are struggling just to have food to eat – it is very difficult on their meager (if any)income especially when many of the women have been abandoned by their husband because they tested positive – they are now a shunned outcast to their family and community, and now care for their children on their own without any support.

Some, like Mary who we met, sleep on the floor- (the church has purchased mattresses for some as they are able). Others, like 60 year old Jane, sleep 9 people (including her 2 daughters and grandchildren) in a 12×12 home. They sleep on 1 twin bed, the couch, the floor or the coffee table, which they eat around during the day and becomes a bed at night.

As we walked through this dark place, where you could see in the eyes of the people true desperation and despair, I couldn’t help but think of of Jesus in Matthew 9:36-38.

Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. ³⁸“Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

And then we came to the home of Ennis – and my eyes were opened once again to … To Be Continued :)

We shared a passionate day of worship and celebration of the one true God with Fountain of Hope Church on Sunday, followed by a time of fellowship and food with Bishop Julius and his wonderful family, and with the 12 girls at the Fountain of Hope home. I am always challenged and encouraged in my heart when I experience worship around the world with my brothers and sisters in Christ – the joy and the praise is overflowing.

 We also got to know Antony and Doreen who are the house parents for the girls, and prayed with Doreen who is sick with Malaria . Please keep them in your prayers. Posted in Uncategorized ]]> http://markgumm.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/kenya-day-2/feed/ 0 mgumm http://markgumm.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/kenya-day-1-recap/ http://markgumm.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/kenya-day-1-recap/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:26:09 +0000 Mark http://markgumm.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/kenya-day-1-recap/ ]]>

We spent today at Fountain of Hope Church in Nairobi. We had the privilege of serving 60-75 kids in the from the community that come to the church every Saturday for food, fun, dancing, singing, playing soccer, and a short teaching time by the children’s pastor, Samuel.

We also got to meet Antone & Doreen, the house parents in the Fountain of Life Church home. They have a 4 month old, Nathaniel, and 12 orphans girls from the community that live with them in the new church home. We were able to pray for Doreen as she is sick with Malaria – as I put my hand on her shoulder I felt the fever through her shirt. Pray for her as she battles this illness, and tries to still be a mom to 13 kids.

Later we walked the 5-10 minutes to the slum behind the church and had a chance to see “Mamma” Betty, a woman from the church that lives there and has a school and pre-school – 80 kids in 2 adjoining rooms that are about 10×12. The church supports her and one of the pastors, goes in to help teach the children a couple days a week. We also got to meet a couple of the HIV+ orphans in the slum that the church is supporting by providing food and medical assistance to the children and their extended families that have taken them in.

Tomorrow we head back to Fountain of Hope Church for a full day of worship and spending time with the staff and the children.

Sorry, no pictures right now as internet is not able to upload them.

We arrived safely last night although I was delayed 4 hours due to an accident on the runway. I praise God for an absolutely beautiful morning – the birds are singing, the sun is shining bright, the coolness of the morning and the rain from last night dripping from the stunning variety of trees and flowers as I look out the window.

Myself, along with John, Kolbi, & Dee Dee from the Heights Church will be going later today to Fountain of Hope Church in Nairobi to see and help serve in their feeding program to orphans and needy children in their community.

Dan and Alisha arrive this evening. Pray for rest for the whole team tonight as we had a long journey and a very late night.

Mark’s wife Julie added: The accident on the runway was not Mark’s plane, but a cargo plane. Mark’s plane was rerouted somewhere to refuel and wait until the Nairobi runway had cleared before they were sent back.