My friends started a sweet website called www.acharityproject.com. created to help fundraise for charities. One of my goals for 2012 is to raise the cash to fully fund the Crops for Widows Program. My goal is $27,400 to raise in 2012. That averages out to just over $75 each day. But I'd hate to wait a full year to know the program has been funded.
Will you join me? With your help, we can impact women who desperately need help. I was there in October. I saw the need with my own eyes. Donate here http://www.acharityproject.com/f/FOVCcrops
Thanks friends!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Union
While I've been kind of quiet on the blog, I've been busy in the background of life. A while back I met with a feature writer of the local paper about a greenhouse project on the elementary campus. He learned of my work in Ethiopia and asked for an interview about that. The result was an article in The Union's Christmas segment where they focus on people serving others.
I'm quite thankful for Rich taking the time to meet with me and allow me to critique his article. I must also say that there's one line in the article that really, REALLY bothers me. I asked for it to be taken out multiple times but they didn't listen to that suggestion. So when you read the line "she sleeps well at night...", please know that was creative license. I don't sleep well at night because of the few people we've been able to impact. It's not a proud thing. In fact, my heart aches for the many, many people in the same situation who we pass on the road and never get to impact. It's for those people that we continue to raise money for the crops program (and others) to reach those people.
If the print is too hard to read, you might have to save it and then view it as a jpg.
Merry Christmas!
I'm quite thankful for Rich taking the time to meet with me and allow me to critique his article. I must also say that there's one line in the article that really, REALLY bothers me. I asked for it to be taken out multiple times but they didn't listen to that suggestion. So when you read the line "she sleeps well at night...", please know that was creative license. I don't sleep well at night because of the few people we've been able to impact. It's not a proud thing. In fact, my heart aches for the many, many people in the same situation who we pass on the road and never get to impact. It's for those people that we continue to raise money for the crops program (and others) to reach those people.
If the print is too hard to read, you might have to save it and then view it as a jpg.
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
FOVC Garden
While in Ethiopia in October, we planted a garden on the FOVC campus. I showed pics on my blog of it where the ladies were using the planter. I just chatted with Desalegn, the main guy who makes things happen in Ethiopia. He said this:
Yes, it is being gardened and the seeds are growing slowly.
The widows and staffs are always following the garden
and the widows are eagerly waiting to use it for more place in their own gardens and to use the ways you teach them in their own lands
Desalegn, you are so sweet. And I'm so thankful that you make it your passion, your job, and your life focus to serve these widows and orphans. It is a joy to partner with you and FOVC.
Tax deductible donations may be made to FOVC if you'd like to partner with us in the crops program. Email me if you need my address tam4buit at hotmail dot com.
Yes, it is being gardened and the seeds are growing slowly.
The widows and staffs are always following the garden
and the widows are eagerly waiting to use it for more place in their own gardens and to use the ways you teach them in their own lands
Desalegn, you are so sweet. And I'm so thankful that you make it your passion, your job, and your life focus to serve these widows and orphans. It is a joy to partner with you and FOVC.
Tax deductible donations may be made to FOVC if you'd like to partner with us in the crops program. Email me if you need my address tam4buit at hotmail dot com.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
What I'm up to with Journey4Hope
Two things going on in my world of journey4hope. The first is that I've been working on making ethiopian magazine bead necklaces that are for sale. Here's one I just sold today. To see more, click on the necklace tab above.
The second is that I really, really would like to sell the rest of the Feed Hope puzzle pieces. I'm super thankful for Megan's willingness to do this fundraiser and would love to honor her and get all the pieces sold. After all, who wants a partially pieced puzzle? To see more about that, click on the Puzzle tab link above.
And last but not least (I know, I said just 2 things), I'm praying and thinking about the next trip to serve FOVC in Ethiopia...
And last but not least (I know, I said just 2 things), I'm praying and thinking about the next trip to serve FOVC in Ethiopia...
If you wouldn't mind sharing the links to the necklace and puzzle pages, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Let me know you stopped by,
Tamara B
Monday, November 28, 2011
Christmas Wish List
I'll start by admitting that I love receiving gifts. I day-dream about what I'll spend my Christmas money on... whiter teeth, a new purse, new clothes of all sorts, partially funding a dish washer, and a list of other things. And while our family moves our focus from a season of thanksgiving to a season of advent, I'm still human. And I still want things. Want. Not need.
Look at the above picture again. It's more than my two boys in front of the Christmas tree. For me, it shows a struggle and an inner battle. I've recently been to famine-stricken Southern Ethiopia where people are starving and literally teetering on death. There is so much NEED there that my WANTS are ... I can't even think of the word to describe it. Realistic people might say "but there will always be those situations". And to that I reply, but I've seen with my own eyes the need, the desperation, and the difference we can make. No, I can't expect every one else to think like I do, but I can take a few minutes to share with you.
Semi Feral Mama recently had one line on her blog recently that sticks in my mind:
In 24 years can an AP [adoptive parent] look at their child and say, “Yes, I knew your mother was going to die, but the contract I signed said I couldn’t help”? Will the child think, “Wow, my Mom is so ethical”?
That comment was in relationship to adoptive parents meeting up with the birth parent who was suffering from famine related problems. My thought about the above comment also applies today as I took my two younger kids shopping and then decorated a tree with my family later:
In 24 years, when I stand before my maker, will the Creator of the universe tell me "I told you over and over again to care for the orphans and widows in their distress" or will He tell me "what you've done for the least of these, you've done for Me"? While I won't give every penny of my checking account to caring for the orphans and widows, I will be held accountable when I meet my maker. And as we continue through advent season, it's my prayer that I'll look forward to the coming of Christ more than I look forward to opening a few gifts or spending some Christmas cash!
Look at the above picture again. It's more than my two boys in front of the Christmas tree. For me, it shows a struggle and an inner battle. I've recently been to famine-stricken Southern Ethiopia where people are starving and literally teetering on death. There is so much NEED there that my WANTS are ... I can't even think of the word to describe it. Realistic people might say "but there will always be those situations". And to that I reply, but I've seen with my own eyes the need, the desperation, and the difference we can make. No, I can't expect every one else to think like I do, but I can take a few minutes to share with you.
Semi Feral Mama recently had one line on her blog recently that sticks in my mind:
In 24 years can an AP [adoptive parent] look at their child and say, “Yes, I knew your mother was going to die, but the contract I signed said I couldn’t help”? Will the child think, “Wow, my Mom is so ethical”?
That comment was in relationship to adoptive parents meeting up with the birth parent who was suffering from famine related problems. My thought about the above comment also applies today as I took my two younger kids shopping and then decorated a tree with my family later:
In 24 years, when I stand before my maker, will the Creator of the universe tell me "I told you over and over again to care for the orphans and widows in their distress" or will He tell me "what you've done for the least of these, you've done for Me"? While I won't give every penny of my checking account to caring for the orphans and widows, I will be held accountable when I meet my maker. And as we continue through advent season, it's my prayer that I'll look forward to the coming of Christ more than I look forward to opening a few gifts or spending some Christmas cash!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
About Time
While I ignored lunch time and gave my kids gardettos instead, I managed to update both the necklace page and the puzzle page. Please amuze me and check them out :) Each of the pages have new text and new pictures. Happy viewing.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Shop with a Purpose
New necklaces have arrived. Well, they haven't really arrived cause I made them. But I'll be posting them this weekend. Stop by the Necklace tab and see what's new -- I'll be posting them Saturday morning.
Shop with a Purpose.
100% of the proceeds go towards my volunteer work in Ethiopia. By purchasing a necklace, you're providing education to widows in the crops program and giving them Hope for their future. That is something that I'm thankful for.
With love,
tamara b
Shop with a Purpose.
100% of the proceeds go towards my volunteer work in Ethiopia. By purchasing a necklace, you're providing education to widows in the crops program and giving them Hope for their future. That is something that I'm thankful for.
With love,
tamara b
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)