TELECONFERENCE May 23

The May 17th conference was moved to May 23.  Gary Schneider  opened with prayer and scripture references from Psalm 68:5 "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling.
John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

(Jesus is talking to his disciples before going to the cross and reassuring them. This is an example of a Father's Heart.  Gary tells us that while we love and share the gospel with these children we will see Jesus's finger prints as our hands and feet are used in His ministry.

Updates from Zambia were given: 1)  a new mama Sarah and 8 children were selected for My Fathers House #7. 2) 5 children were selected for  MFH #6 - they added 4 girls and 1 boy so now they have 8.
3)Funds for MFH #8 have been raised , $43,000,, site prep and material acquisiton to begin June 1.
4) Funds are still needed for maintenance, furniture and appliance replacement still needed ($6,000). This is all happening in Chongwe and we celebrate this achievement! In Lusaka where our other MFH village is, repairs and replacements are underway costing $4,500 for House #4. The office administrator , Mareta M.  lost her sister this week.  Please pray for her comfort. There is a new staff member in Chongwe named Abigail, the MFH coordinator.



Update on our plans for our August team:  We need more people!!  If you are reading this blog please consider this amazing experience to go with us - there is still time. Go to our website and fill out application to go with the mission team in August.  Because of the smaller team, we are having to modify Camp Hope into fewer days. Our construction team will work 3-5 days and Camp Hope will run 1-3 days.  We may be doing community service/outreach with the mamas and children in Chongwe.
We will have a Field Day with the 88 children from the 11 MFH homes.

Gary told us about two children - one with a happy ending and the other undergoing very disturbing situations.  The one with the happy ending is in My Fathers House and is doing well. The other is  not in MFH and yet the staff is ministering to her.  There are so many on the waiting list to go into a house.

Gary continued by discussing the Zambia culture:

He explained the difference between an African Christian and a Western Christian;

African Christian views the Holy Spirit as power - ( because of witchcraft they desire the power of the HS)The Holy Spirit  gives them gifts of the spirit, Tongues, Healing,Prophesy,deliverance,and counsel.
The people worship for longer periods of time than we do and open services praying out loud and in tongues. Their prayers are longer with fasting. Their preaching is loud and long with much enthusiasm and it is extremely edifying.

Western Christian on the other hand see the Holy Spirit as truth and counselor and it becomes more inward. The gifts only exist if the person experiences them.

On a personal note, we raised $1,034 for EOH at our garage sale.  Thank you to everyone who donated items, and shopped there. Les and I have both completed our shots and are that much closer now to stepping on that plane.
Please pray that God will use us in a mighty way while we are in Zambia even though we are now experiencing these obstacles.  Please pray that many will answer Gods call to join us in this August venture to make our team  that much more productive.  Thank you  Lord - how you constantly love us and care for our needs.  Prepare us all for what lies ahead.
Next teleconference - June 20th.

TELECONFERENCE  APRIL 19TH

We started with devotions and prayer from Ephesians 4:2  . "Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love" Cheryl expanded on this by saying  that we are not to think of ourselves highly or boast but to bare with other people's faults standing with one another. In other words, don't be confrontational.

We learned that some of our team will be people that are coming from outside of the US and Canada. All communications are also to go strictly through Cheryl Greif, our program manager with Every Orphans Hope - and what a great one she is!!!!~  We also learned that our August team's leaders are going to be Will and Holly Gruver. Wow!! John Mizarek will be our construction leader. John shared with us a typical day on the construction team.  He said, " first day is a bit chaotic while getting the lay of the land. He said important to be flexible and that we need to keep in mind that God will show up and everything happens in His time. He will meet us there." This comment was for all from the United States as we are so time oriented and everything is so tightly scheduled.  In Zambia time it is not important but rather they are event oriented.  Will and Holly have sponsored six orphans that are living in My Fathers Houses built by our construction team. Those children do not consider time lapse from when they saw them last - they only concentrate on the times they do see them.  Zambians emphasis is on present experiences rather than the past or future.  In other words, we in the United States live by the clock - we are concerned with punctuality, time expended, allocations of time to achieve the maximum within set time limits, tightly scheduled, goal directed activities, emphasis on dates,planning and the future. Rewards are given for efficient use of time.  In Zambia there is more concern for details of the event regardless of time required. They don't care how long it takes to fix a problem. They stop and wait upon the Lord , consider everything until problem is solved.  Zambians have a "let come what may" outlook not tied to any precise schedule. They focus on completing the event as a reward in itself and they do not necessarily need to see the fruits of their labors.  They live in the moment.

What is so exciting about this program is that we are working along side  these wonderful African people and we WE will learn much!!!

Sharon Hoover from the Centerville Presbyterian Church spoke on humility in a servant's heart using Mark 5:1-20.  After the Sermon on the Mount while Jesus and his disciples were heading east crossing the sea of Galilee upon reaching the banks Jesus observed a man who had been bound in chains coming from a tomb with evil spirits in him, a pitiful man who would cut himself with stones. Jesus removed the demons and the man sat humbly at His feet and begged to go with Jesus but Jesus said no but rather  go tell your family about me and what I have done.  So the man went telling all the people.  ( Sharon shared that it occurred to her that this was really the first missionary - a poor and lowly man  who left with a huge heart for what Jesus had done for Him.  Therefore, we certainly should be able to do the same - simply to be Jesus's hands and feet and to sit with the children and tell them what and how much Jesus has done for us humbling ourselves .   OUR HOMEWORK is to journal now -- she asked do we have humility and reverence to spend time at the feet of Jesus and how do we view the concept of humility. We were challenged to daily find ways to humble ourselves in different ways and how we can do the same in Zambia. We are to ask ourselves where we are in humbling ourselves and allowing God to be in control.

We are to look forward to our next teleconference as we will receive our curriculum that we will be sharing with the children . Cheryl is hopeful that we will have 20 pictures to share with the children this time along with the curriculum.  We also will go over packing lists, and learn Zambian phrases and maybe some songs.  Thank you Cheryl, John and Sharon for a great Teleconference.

Next conference - May 17th, 7 pm  wow its the day of our garage sale !!

TELECONFERENCE APRIL 12

Thank you Lord.   We are now officially on the August Team which means enough people got their applications in to create two different mission groups going to Camp Hope to minister to the orphans in Zambia. Therefore, we now have our specific dates so we can start planning our trip.   This is the schedule:

Les and I will probably leave the mainland July 27^th or 28^th to arrive in Johannesburg and then take a flight to Lusaka. We will probably be staying at the International Hotel near the airport in Lusaka  and then will meet the team at the airport in the evening on August 3^rd, On Saturday the following morning we will be taking a culture walk through the villages and surrounding area. On Sunday, the 5^th we will be attending the local churches and worshiping with the African people that helped to put this together and make it all possible. In the afternoon we will be shopping in the  market place and then go through a time of training.  FROM AUGUST 6-10 will be my most life changing days as we will be at Camp Hope all that week and Les and I will have a group of children and in one week please pray that we can bring them hope,  that they will all come to know who Jesus is and that they can develop a personal relationship with Him no matter how young they are.  We have been told that with all that they give these children, the one thing that really changes their outlook on what they have to go back to, is what is permanent and can never be taken away from them – Jesus Christ. It is the only way I will be able to leave these children – knowing they have a Big Daddy they can turn to. AFTER Camp Hope the following day, August 11^th we will be touring “My Father’s Houses” and Construction Day. We are now working on our 12^th house.  Each house is 800 square feet with three bedrooms – 4 boys in one room, 4 girls in one room, and a room for the Mama.

Every house has solar panels for electric, has running water and bathrooms. Every house has a kitchen but they still teach the children the tribal way with their outside adobe ovens so that they never forget their ways.  On August 12^th we will be going on a safari with the team and on August 13^th we will be saying goodbye to our amazing fellow team members as they head back to the mainland. We will then be continuing on in Africa with Will and Holly and the grandchildren to other parts of Africa. Stay tune to what we will  be planning. 

Soon we will have another teleconference  Thursday, April  19th

Please note that if you decide to donate to  Every Orphans Hope in any way, please make your check out to Every Orphans Hope and in the memo put our names so we get credit toward the children we provide for during the week we are in the Camp. This will not go to fund our trip but to help defray the costs for everything we are doing for the orphans, medical , clothing, crafts they keep, bibles , their food three times a day. You can also donate by contributing to our garage sale May 17^th, 18^th and 19^th at 7670 Queensland Lane North in Maple Grove – bring items a week before and we are looking to borrow some tables as we expect to have a lot of items. Remember if you shop while here make your checks to Every Orphans Hope and you get  a tax deduction.  Email me to let me know :  shann2854@gmail.com

Our email address is shann2854@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you. Shann

Hi everyone,  we've decided to have a garage sale for Every Orphans Hope on May 17th, 18th and 19th in our garage at 7670 Queensland Lane North, Maple Grove Minnesota.  Just bring your unwanted items that are in good shape and we will try and sell them and the money will go to Every Orphans Hope. AND if you come and shop, whatever you buy , if you write a check to Every Orphans Hope, a tax deductable receipt will be sent to you. Hey, its a win, win situation.  Just email us with any questions and let us know if you want to participate. We would like all items the week before.

March 15 teleconference

We opened  with a devotional from Ellen Doyle.  Matthew 16:26 and 1 Tim 1:15  was used with a strong message about focusing on each other rather than ourselves  during this mission and always.  We were given notes on Why we serve? We are to serve others who offer nothing in return without expectation and benefit.  We fail to do this when we get entangled with the cares of the world polluted by self-centered or self-serving concerns. James 1:27  We are to defend the fatherless just as our Father/God defends us and them. Isaiah 1:17, Psalm 68:5, Proverbs 23:10-11.  We are to comfort them with the same compassion that God our Father has comforted us 2 Cor. 1:3-4. We are to encourage them in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Word of God and minister to their emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs. Psalm 10:17 and 18.  We have been given much from the work of our hands and the blessing God has bestowed upon us in order that we may care for others and in this case orphans. Deut10:18 , Deut 14:28-29, Deut 24:19.  It is the revealed will of God in the Holy Scriptures that He commands His people to have a heart like His toward the orphan. So we pray according to His will that His promises on behalf of the orphans come to pass, through the body of Christ, for His glory and praise.

After reviewing the flight itinerary, passport/visa information, and immunization recommendations. Gary Schneider told us a heart wrenching story of Ophrey, a young orphan boy who was 16 but looked about 10. He had come to him in June of 2008. Ophrey was ill with HIV having lost both parents to HIV and was taken by an alcoholic care giver.  He had heard about Camp Hope and so badly wanted to attend our camp but had become too ill.  The June team prayed continuously that he could be well enough to join their camp for a week.  Miraculously the Lord provided him enough strength at the appropriate time to attend the camp and everyone was blessed by his presence. Ophrey wanted to know his Big Daddy in heaven and he received Christ as his personal saviour at that camp that week.  He later passed away but they all knew that he was with Jesus without any pain or suffering.  Gary shared that story so that we could begin to understand how much these children want to learn about Jesus and that miracles have been happening at these camps yearly.

After hearing about Ophrey, we were reminded that God’s plan is perfect. In developing a missionary mindset, no matter what the circumstances may be, we are to remember this statement and to help us remember it, we were given these letters:  F. R. O. G. - Fully Rely On God.  We are to give up trying to fix things and make God my security.  Isaiah 38:14
We are to look to God daily - Job 24:23  We are to rest in the Lord  - Acts 17:26 and 27.

In preparation for the mission trip and during the trip, Cheryl recommended Journaling.
Psalm 139:5,  Luke 12: 1-34.  Norbett Platt wrote information on journaling saying it helps us pause for thought, to think deeper, and to regain our equilibrium.

February 16 Teleconference

The Every Orphans Hope teleconference began with devotions from "Guide to Short Term Missions" which was about trusting in God alone in a deeper way by giving up total control.

We were told our mission begins now as God prepares us for this trip. A missionary mindset was discussed using Romans 12:3 to help us pray about respecting the culture where we are traveling and sharing the gospel.  Rom 12:3 ''For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.." Another aspect of the missionary mindset is understanding the importance of sharing the Good News with these little ones who have no hope and have not had the opportunity to even know who Jesus is.  Romans 10:13-15  "For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news'."

Last night Les and I witnessed a big Hawaiian who originated from New Zealand sing a song that he says always brings him to tears. It was very heartfelt because it was a song about when the first missionaries came to his island to bring the Good News and how he weeps every time he first sang the song.  He was an amazing singer and performer who shared the Good News in a mighty way.  Another mountain top experience for us last night, so far away from home on this remote island where I write to all of you.

IMPORTANT:  To all of you who wish to partner with us to help these little ones we invite you to Pray for us on this journey.  Your prayers are very important.  We are paying our own expenses on this trip but there are added costs to pay for the children who come to the camp for a week.  We encourage you to consider donating to this wonderful organization to help make this trip the most successful possible.  If you are led to do so you can donate on the website http://everyorphan.org/how-to-help/support-our-ministry/donate/  - just fill our names as Missionaries and the rest of the requested data.  You can make a copy for your tax deductible records.  If you have already donated and did not do this please email cheryl@everyorphan.org and she will add the necessary data to your previous donation.  We have just learned that donations not specified for this mission trip go into the Every Orphans Hope general fund and are not necessarily applied to this trip.  

During the conference we were also encouraged to journal.  This encourages pause for thought and helps us with the process, preparing our attitude and mindset before the trip. This will help us to acknowledge that God's plan is perfect even though we may see things we are not prepared for. Knowing this it will help us to respond correctly. 

We were given a website to study which you all may be interested in reading, especially if our journey interests you enough to want to join us.  It is a snapshot of Zambia --  http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2359.htm.

During the week of Camp Hope for the children the lesson plans we will share to teach the children about Jesus will focus on the following topics: Truth, Faith, Hope, and Love.  More on this later.