ADOPTED

This is from an email from a lady, Amber who is teaching at Bamako Christian Academy in Bamako, Mali. Armee has been her taxi driver for the past year and a half. He like so many others there are Muslims.

I have come to love Mali's slow leisurely pace of life, but time has flown by since my last update. And as usual, I have so much to tell you! Ever since my dear friend Becca sent me a shirt that says "ADOPTED Ephesians 1:5" across the front, I have been thinking about the wonders of adoption. So of course, the updates in this newsletter seem to center around that beautiful theme of being adopted.

Armée. When I received the bright red ADOPTED shirt, Armée was with me. We were sitting in a small room in the post office waiting for the postmaster to finish praying so he could sign off on my packages. Being impatient, I had already opened the one from Becca and was wondering how I would explain the significance of "Adopted—Ephesians 1:5" that Armée questioned. Luckily, adopted translates almost directly and praise God for once again giving me the French words to describe something complex like how I was adopted into God's family. I savored the 15 uninterrupted minutes of discussion we had about God, prayer, and even a few days later—sin. I later found out that the postmaster didn't know we were waiting for him: he had been sitting outside drinking tea with his friends the entire time. If he had happened to see us come in, I know I might never have had that opportunity to talk with Armée in such a quiet, serious atmosphere. Dooni-Dooni (small-small) as they say here, Armée is getting a glimpse of what it means to be adopted into the family of God. Praise God for the verses and songs I continue to share without opposition. Please pray for Armée and the many other Christian influences he has in his life.

Orphanage. In my many trips to the orphanage I've never been greeted like I was a few weeks ago. One of the Nunus came to me with a big smile and pulled at her t-shirt while pointing at a small baby carrier on the floor. She was trying to tell me about a newborn who was in that carrier a couple of weeks ago. I remembered dressing him in a donated t-shirt. I only had one t-shirt and chose him because she had informed me that he had worn the same dirty shirt since being born 5 days before. Now as I looked, a new baby was in his place—he had been adopted! She began thanking me for the beautiful gift that had greatly improved his circumstances. And I now I thank you, whoever gave the tiny blue shirt with turtles on it! Praise God for thankful nunus who see what a difference these gifts are making. Pray for our ministry to the orphans. Pray for my visit to a different orphanage outside of Bamako next Monday.

National Adoption Month

Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster care. You can find ideas for ways to celebrate each day this month at adoption.com

Misperceptions: Mine and theirs

The Egyptian people have been so accepting and loving toward us, and are part of a culture that truy practices hospitality toward strangers. I thought they might be aloof or even hostile - a misperception. The zebeleen, or garbage people,also showed us friendship and hospitality - but even more surprising to me - they have a joy of life, pride of workamanship and a hope for the future. As you look at the pictures we send from Zeriba (garbage city) perhaps you can imagine how the burden of my heart was made lighter by seeing how well the people are coping physically.

On the other hand, their spiritual condition is not so good. There are a few believers but most consider themselves Christians by birth and not by faith. But the Lord gave us tremendous freedom among the leaders and some of the seekers in the congregation. In our "training sessions" we began by investiagting their values and goals for life, and then taught them fom the Bible: What God's plan is, what man's part is in God's plan, that we cannot be part of God's plan unless we belong to God, and fineally, how to belong to God. In this leadership training we showed clearly the our salvation has nothing to do with our efforts, but only with God's grace. The simple truth of Romans 3:23 was absolutely life changing to both men and women who attended these sessions. It is a truth that is not taught by their leaders, but they see that it is in the Bible, and they hold the Bible in the utmost highest esteem.

I don't know what the future holds with regard to tcabc ministry among the Copts here in Cairo, but it seems that the Lord has opened a door of opportunity. The light of the Lord is shining forth in some very dark corners of this city of 20 million. Our enemy has had a stronghold here for so long that he will be difficult to dislodge, but as we told our Coptic friends, "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world". I am so grateful to God for putting it in my heart to come to Egypt, and for protecting my wife an family in my absence.

Dave

Coming Home

Sitting here with friends, having supper on our last night in Cairo, I look back on the trip and it feels like I have been gone for months. It is amazing the journey this has been. It has been a spiritual awakening like none other. I believe that He has sent me here to open my eyes to what is possible and to strengthen my faith in Him. There is a darkness in Cairo that is very present not only in the night but during the day as well. Its unlike any other feeling, the people and religion are empty. It is so very sad because the have not experienced the love of God. I believe it is the mission of all Christians, in Egypt and around the world to share the love of God to those around us.

The garbage city was like a light in a very dark world. And although the process will be long and hard, this light is slowly spreading. It will eventually drown out the darkness that Satan has created. To see into the hearts of the Egyptian people has been the greatest blessing. Most of us would look at where they live and what they do for a living and would feel pity for them, but to meet these people who have nothing, and to see that their generosity in the face of adversity, is indescribable. The hospitality we experienced was that of any five star hotel in the most prominent area, in the biggest city, in any country in the world. God has come into their hearts and is working, and it is truly an honor to be a part of this trip. There is much work, but it is nothing that the Lord cannot handle. Please pray for the Coptic churches here, and for the Muslim people to open their eyes and hearts to the love that our Lord has to offer them. Pray for the people to love their enemies so that they may see how JC lives in all of us.

Mandy

Garbage City in Cairo

Garbage City in Cairo

The first three days we have been working in the "zeriab" a very poor garbage area. In the mornings we told bible stories and had a craft. The children loved it and loved learning our names and talking to us. We touched them, hugged them and felt loved too! We spoke and had a question and answer time with the adults in the evening. They have a great knowledge of the bible and we were able to share much needed practical ways to apply God's word in their every day lives. They have been very open and extremely hospitable. In fact, going back the second day my heart was happy to see people I had just met because I felt the love and connection through J.C. Today is Thursday and we visited "mokattam" which is the largest well known garbage city of Cairo. We learned about the education and skills that they teach there and how it has helped that area considerably. We hope to find a way of duplicating a similar concept in the area we have been working with the Coptic church.

Our trip has brought together a group of believers who had not previously met. The connections that have been made are sure to make a huge impact in the future. It has truly been exciting to see what God is doing in Cairo!

~Sarah

Finding the light in Egypt

It is 1:05 a.m. and we just finished eating Egyptian pizza and watching the missionary's child belly dance. Egypt never ceases to surprise me. We have had lunch with a priest, visited a orphanage, accidently stumbled into an Egyptian wedding, watched Jason and Adam argue over a gift that they both wanted to buy, but Jason insisted on having the only one in America. Adam deferred and once again we had peace.
Our dorm (which is the only word I can think of to describe it) is another story. We have only had one outlet that worked so we had one lamp for light. The overhead light has never worked. When we tried to power up the computer it blew our only outlet so we have had no light. Today we decided to wash clothes. Our washer is in our bathroom. The only problem is that when you use too much water it starts coming out of the drain on the floor. Luckily for us they supplied us with a full-size spueezie and a mop. The only problem was that the washing machine made the air-conditioner in our room go out and all the other power in both rooms. No problem because they didn't work anyway. After 1 hour of washing we decided to hand wring our clothers and hang them in the closet. We took the rest of the clothes to the little iron man around the corner to wash and iron them for pennies. Egypt--- it is such an adventure!!! Other than that God has moved in some great ways. Oh, by the way I plugged in my receptacle into the wall plug and the overhead light came on... go figure! Ginny Hathorn

TU Furniture Fest

It is that time of year! A chance for you to bring your pickup (and your teenage son?) and help move in the International students at TU. Talk about a great opportunity to reach the world this Saturday August 18th! 80% of foreign leaders were educated in the United States. We’ll take you (and your truck) for one, two, or three hours, whatever time you can donate!

The info is below. Most importantly, we need trucks and warm (it will be warm) bodies, to help move the furniture around the TU campus/community.

There's an increase this Fall in enrollment numbers from overseas so wider opportunities for reaching our to our world for Christ. Pickup trucks, trailers, muscles, cold water and 'hospitality servers' greatly welcome! We start at 8:00 a.m. as usual, meeting at the Wesley center, 3019 E. 5th Street bringing the furniture to the site, setting up and preparing for arrival at noon of the students. Then meeting and serving the students, helping them get the items to their apartments.

"Adopting" An Orphanage

“Adopting” an Orphanage

There are both non-Christian and Christian orphanages around the world that long for additional help to better care for their children. We know that in some place those resources can be mismanaged and not used to care for the orphans, so it is best to have a personal knowledge and understanding of the country in which the orphanage is located and the directors of the orphanage itself. Because of this important criteria, I can only speak about and recommend people with whom I have personally worked.

Adopting an orphanage can taken on many forms including, but not limited to:

• support the orphanage in prayer
• correspond with children in the orphanage
• provide financial support
• provide for specific needs through donations
• donate time

Bulembu and ABC Ministries

Abandoned Babies for Christ (ABC Ministries) was grown out of God’s intersection of a South African couple working in Swaziland and abandoned children. Since it’s inception, ABC has taken in dozens of babies in need. Gerry and Robyn Richter are amazing people who have followed God in faith each step of the way. The children in the home are cared for lovingly and competently. ABC’s story and vision can be found at www.abcministry.org.za

During ABC’s journey, they have now joined with Bulembu Ministries in Swaziland. This village was an old mining village purchased by an organization for the purpose of meeting the needs of orphans in the country. A school, clinic, agricultural endeavors, and foster homes are some of the other facets of life in Bulembu. Several opportunities for partnership exist in Bulembu. More information can be found at www.bulembu.org

Child Sponsorship

*this is post 2 on a series of entries related to Orphan Care, the first post can be read here*

Child Sponsorship

The concept of child sponsorship is not a new one. Usually such endeavors cost around $30/month with various organizations. It is important to note in child sponsorship that some organizations focus on OVC’s while others sponsor various children in need. Both are worthy causes, but in the endeavor to help orphaned children, this should be considered. The child sponsorship programs below are specifically for orphaned children.

Orphan Care International

Dillon International partners with Orphan Care International to do just that. More information can be found at www.dillonadopt.org

Young Heroes

In addition, local organizations in specific countries may have child sponsorship opportunities as well since the burden of orphans on society has become great. The Young Heroes program in Swaziland is one such program. More information can be found at http://youngheroes.org.sz/

Adoption Team Meeting

I would like to invite you to a meeting on Thursday, July 26th at 11:30 am in S1 to discuss the Adoption Ministry. Lunch & childcare provided, email awhalen@tcabc.com if you plan to attend and if you have any childcare needs.

This will be a good time to get together and see how God has launched this ministry and what all He is going to do through it.

Also, we have the opportunity to take part in two of Dillon International's Heritage Camps in July. Over 400 kids and their families spend a weekend learning about the Korean (July 28th) culture that the adopted children come from and celebrating the process of adoption and the unique heritage of their families. If you would like more information on these camps, visit http://www.dillonadopt.com/postadopt.htm We will have a booth at each of these camps selling our ADOPT(ED) shirts and with information on the ADOPT(ED) ministry. The purpose of this booth is to raise awareness about adoption and our adoption ministry and to raise funds for the ministry. If you would like to help man the booth, please let me know.

International Orphan Care

With thousands of children being orphaned every day, the need is great. Several tactics must be considered in order to meet the needs of every one of the 150 million orphaned children in the world. In the United States, the severity of the problem may seem distant and the solution to the problem unattainable. but whether through adoption or other means, every child can be cared for.

Although adoption is the ideal model to consider in caring for orphaned children, other solutions must be addressed because some countries do not allow international adoptions. In these countries adoption should be promoted within local churches. However, our responsibility and commitment should not end here. There is more that we can do as a church body in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to reach these children as well.

Several models currently exist in the international community and in Christian aid organizations to help orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC’s). Each of these models would allow involved individuals to be involved personally through prayer, resources, and time in supporting orphaned children.

1. Child sponsorship
2. “Adopting” an orphanage
3. Community Orphan Trusts
4. Enslaved Children

Check back over the next week as we highlight these 4 areas and ways you can directly be involved.

Blogathon

July 9th & 10th

Blogathon

Go to the Through Their Eyes Africa blog at:

www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com

Be a part of history! Today participating in the first ever “blogathon” to raise funds for the Through Their Eyes Africa Project. Please go to their blog and give generously today. You can make a difference to some of the neediest people on earth in a very unique way, and we need your help.

This project will be sending a group of well known photographers into a remote part of Africa that has not received any help yet. The photographers will be mentoring young adults on how to take pictures so that we can get a look at their society “through their eyes”. Eventually a book will be published with the photographs created by those young adults. The funds raised from this project will go right back to the needs of these people. So, please go now and give at www.throughtheireyesafrica.typepad.com . They need your donations to make this happen. Remember, what you give will make a difference in the lives of some of the neediest people on earth.

Be a part of history. Be part of the solution.

Thank you for your generosity.

Rescued baby girl

HYDERABAD, India — A newborn baby girl was buried alive by her family in southern India on Thursday but was rescued when a farmer saw the baby's hand sticking out of the ground, officials said. *CLICK HERE* to read the full story.

As we praise God that this precious baby girl was rescued, we remember all those waiting to be rescued...waiting for someone to notice their lifted hands, waiting for a family.

Sermon Series

Click here to listen to Pastor Alex's 4 recent sermons regarding the fatherless. (The first sermon was on Easter Sunday).

Iraqi Orphans

"24 boys found severely malnourished in a Baghdad orphanage have been moved to a different building in the same facility and are being properly cared for, Iraqi officials said Thursday."...to read the entire story *CLICK HERE* Please note that the images in the slideshow are graphic.

Though we can't always be physically near those in desperate need, we can intercede on their behalf and know that their Father and Defender hears.

Comments, Comments, Comments

If you have any further input on any of the posts or know of any other events, organizations, etc. we should be aware of...leave a comment and let us know!

Owasso Baptist Children's Home

There are so many wonderful and wonderfully fun ways to help someone else. Below is a list of needs from the Owasso Baptist Children's Home. There is everything from bed sheets to sponsoring birthday parties. What a fun idea for your family and friends...host a birthday party, teach a teenager to drive, share your gift of music...the opportunities are endless. You can contact the Owasso Baptist Children's Home if you would like to help in any of these areas.

The Owasso Baptist Children's Home Needs List
www.bchowa.org
www.obhc.org
272-2233

Linens
Twin sheets (flat & fitted)
Pillowcases
Pillows
Bath Towels
Washclothes
Kitchen Towels
Mattress pads
Mattress covers

Food Items
Canned vegetables
Canned fruits & juices
Pie Fillings
Boxed mixes (cake, cookies, brownies, muffin, cornbread, Bisquick)
Frostings
Dried Pasta
Beans
Rice

Paper Goods
Paper towels
Toilet Paper
Trash bags (13, 30 & 55 gallon)
Kleenex
Napkins
Stationery

Household Supplies
Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9-Volt)
Laundry detergent
Fabric softner
Bleach
Cleaning Supplies (Comet, Windex, Lysol, Pledge, toilet bowel cleaner, bathroom cleaner)
Light Bulbs (60 & 75 watt)
Fluorescent Replacements for 60 & 75 watt bulbs

Toiletry & Hygiene Items
Shampoo (Suave, White Rain, baby, fragrances, dandruff control)
Conditioner (same as shampoo)
Styling gel/mousse
Pump hair spray (non-aerosol)
Bar soap (deodorant, Dial, Ivory)
Antiperspirant/Deodorant
Toothpaste (tartar control)
Toothbrushes
Skin lotions (hand creams, body lotion)

Clothing Needs
Boys, Girls, Men's & Ladies' socks (dress & casual)
Pantyhose

Recreational Equipment
Basketballs
Baseball/Softball equipment
Volleyballs
Footballs

Camping Supplies
Sleeping bags
Tents
Lanterns
Cook Stove

Craft & Hobby Supplies
Models
Cross Stitch
Artist supplies
Ceramic paints & supplies
Scrapbooking supplies

Christian Entertainment
Christian books
Christian videos

Sponsorships
Birthday parties
Graduation
Music lessons
Christmas presents
Sports lessons
Driving lessons

Run for the Children 2007

Friday, July 27, 2007
6:00pm - Registration
7:00pm - 1K Fun Run
7:30pm - 5K Run

Visit Dillon International to download a registration form or register on the 27th.