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Rosalinda's Story

High up in the Andes Mountains, Rosalinda’s mother found herself pregnant. She did not want the child and tried to commit suicide. After Rosalinda’s birth, her mother’s feelings had not changed. So a judge ordered Rosalinda be turned over to Casa Luz. Her mother visited twice but has not returned.

Today Rosalinda is 8 months old, she is a very happy baby. She is content and healthy. The other orphans love holding and playing with her. Rosalinda is loved at Casa Luz.

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.We will be judged by 'I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in'.”
― Mother Teresa

Praying for a Miracle

Little Peruvian JESUS was born in Ayacucho in May 2012.

Jesus' birth mother was a victim of rape and abandoned him at the hospital. Shortly after she abandoned him, he was sent to the Casa Luz Orphan Care Center and was severely malnourished. In the first months of life, the doctors detected some problems with his psychomotor skills and told his caregivers that Jesus would never walk. Psychomotor skills are those skills that you do so often that you don't have to think about how to do them, like walking or typing.

A few weeks ago, the staff at Casa Luz took Jesus to Lima to have a special study done and brain damage was detected. Right now, the damage affects the mobility in his legs. The doctor said that as Jesus grows they will see the extent of the brain damage and the areas of his body that are affected. Even with this sad news, his caregivers continue to pray for his healing and have already seen improvement. Jesus can now move himself around in a baby walker. Jesus is a very happy and content little boy who brings so much joy to those around him.

His caregivers say "We know it's hard to go up for adoption, since couples want healthy kids. But we also know that nothing is impossible with God. Jesus is a very beautiful baby. We pray that he grows under the love of God and will have a very good family who loves him."

Please join us in believing God for healing and a family for Jesus.

Give Thanks

Recently, I received a report about the orphanages and schools in Sierra Leone. Part of that report talks about this unfinished school building. Their target finish date was in September but they ran out of money. The report goes on to say that for now the kids are meeting in shed and that the team is in good spirits.

What really struck me, is that the team is in good spirits...wow, what a good reminder to be thankful and trust God.

I am trusting God for the additional funds to send to Sierra Leone. I am thanking God for the 277 orphans and their wonderful caregivers. Please join me in praying for these children and their leaders.

1 Thessalonians 5:18~give thanks in all circumstances...

Dorcus

My name is Dorcus. I am from Zimbabwe. I am in grade two and I am nine years old. My mother passed away three years ago and my father passed away last year.

After both my parents died, I was taken to stay with my maternal grandparents in Gokwe. Then my grandparents also died and I was taken back to my father's home town. For more than a year I was moved from one home to another seeking a permanent home to stay in. Finally, I was taken to my paternal grandmother's place, where I am staying now. It's not all rosy as my life has become even harder. Sometimes I am given work to do before I go to school which makes me very tired when I get to school. My grandmother has a hard time providing for my daily needs like food and school supplies. If it were not for God's Garden who gave me notebooks and pencils, I would not be able to go to school. I am given clothes by people and they tell me to water their gardens in exchange. I also work for other people to get food and clothes.

Sometimes, my grandmother sends me to other people to work for money to buy food. Sometimes I do not go to school because I have to go water other people's gardens. I wish to pursue my studies to higher levels but I need help.

You can change a life. $15 feeds an orphan for a month. What will you do?

Prayer for Ornella

Please pray for one of our the girls in the Central African Republic. Ornella has been suffering from "ascites", which is a build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity, for close to two years now. The swelling is continuing and the CAR staff has taken her to the hospital. Please pray for relief for Ornella and that this time the doctors will be able to determine the cause.

The Central African Republic still needs our Support and Prayers

This update on the Central African Republic's turmoil is from our partner Vision Trust International's Country Director, Tom Peters.

I recently returned from a two-week visit to the Central African Republic and want to update you on what’s happening over there as well as the orphans in our program.

As you may be aware, there was an overthrow of the CAR government on March 24. Unlike past coups, where things are generally back to normal within a week, this one is still chaotic even after all this time. Part of the problem is that the rebel groups had only one common goal: to get rid of the government. Once that was accomplished, their coalition fractured and there’s been fighting between rival groups ever since.

As a result, the common people have suffered the most. There is constant unrest, especially in Bangui. There is virtually no law and order, so petty theft and other crimes are rampant. For most, there is a constant tension in the air of what could happen next to them or someone they know.

This unrest has affected our orphans, especially in the capital city of Bangui. Certain areas of the city are under constant oppression due to their association with the former government. As a consequence, orphan groups in those neighborhoods haven’t been able to meet consistently and many children have been sent by caregivers to relatives in other parts of the city where things are more “calm.” One of the older orphan girls was wounded by a stray bullet in April, but praise the Lord that she was able to have surgery right away and has made a full recovery! In spite of all that has happened in the country, care for the orphans is continuing through the efforts of dedicated local heroes. We praise God for those on the ground who, along with us, are committed to seeing the children learn to live for God and love others. Through all of the hard times, the staff and tireless volunteers have done a great job of making sure the children continue to receive as much care as possible under the circumstances and helping point them to the hope that is found in living for God no matter what.

Unfortunately, we aren't seeing very much about the continued unrest in the CAR in the news but the situation is still desperate. Please remember these orphans need our support now more then ever.

Kids serving Kids

What do you get when you have passionate kids?
*5,000 quarters saved
*5,000 meals packed
*An awesome VBS mission project

In the little town of Girard, the VBS kids saved their quarters all week long. At the end of the week they came together to pack food for their mission project. 25¢ equals 1 meal, these kids saved 5,000 quarters and gave 5,000 meals. Kids serving kids...AMAZING!
Thank you Girard for investing the lives of children all over the world!

Evodie

A little girl named Evodie from the Central African Republic has a special place in our hearts.

Evodie is an orphan who lived with her grandmother. She is very tiny for her age which is likely due to a pygmy (Bayaka tribe) heritage or lack of nutrition growing up. The grandmother was heavily into witchcraft and would abuse this little girl. We learned that as she grew, the beatings became more severe. The leaders of the orphan care program in the Central African Republic looked for another home for her to go, but no one would take her because they were afraid of the curses the grandmother would put on them. At 12, Evodie ran away after a severe beating. We found her 3 months later with no explanation of how she survived, she just shyly stares at her feet when we ask if anyone hurt her or how she ate. We found a place at an orphanage for her to live. She started 1st grade and seems very peaceful and content there.

On my last visit, I asked if there was anything I could bring her. She very quietly said, "yes, bread, chocolate and shoes." I found a small American style grocery store and bought the very expensive bread and chocolate. The next day I took them to her and pulled her around a corner of the building to give her the chocolate alone so that the other children would not feel left out. She smiled a huge smile, said thank you and then noticed a group of children gathering around the corner of the building to see what we were doing. She smiled a big grin and held out the chocolate to share. Without taking a bite, she handed the chocolate to the other children and watched as they each broke off a piece and passed it on. She was very content to watch them it eat all. She truly has a kind and giving heart. Evodie has so little and gave away the gift she had received selflessly. What a special little lady!

Deuteronomy 15:10a-Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart

“Give, but give until it hurts.”
― Mother Teresa

Update on the turmoil in the Central African Republic

Back in April, I shared with you some of the details of the rebellion in the Central African Republic; the violent rebellion lead by the Seleka coalition continues.

Recently, our CAR leaders shared with us that the violence and extortion is extreme.

Last week, 9 high school students were killed at a school. Then the rebels took the elementary school hostage, in order to extort money from parents. The rebels need money to fund their cause and they are willing to go to extreme measures to make that happen. (This did not occur at one of our projects.)

Our leaders, in Bangui, continue to search for the children that attend our programs. Many are moving and have had to relocate because of the rebel forces and we are directing the children and their caretakers to the nearest project. (We have 9 programs spread throughout Bangui.)

Thankfully, the banks have reopened so we are able to get funds through. This means the 550 orphans in Bangui are being feed.
Please continue to pray for their safety. This conflict is far from over.

Our founder with children in the Central African Republic

Walter's Story

This is Walter, one of the orphans at Casa Luz in Peru. I love this photo because it reminds me that the Lord is the Shepherd who cares for the most vulnerable sheep like Walter. He is the Father to the fatherless, the defender of the orphan and the widow.
I am praying for Walter today, that he would receive this truth and trust the Lord to be his Shepherd and His Lord in the midst of the hurts of being abandoned by his parents.

Rene's Story

This is the story of Rene, a child sponsored through one of our partners, Vision Trust International. Food for Orphans helps feed the children of Casa Luz in Ayacucho,Peru.

Rene was 10 years old when she came to Casa Luz with her three siblings, each of them carrying a burden in their little hearts. One day when arriving home from working on the farm with their father, the children saw their mother in the distance standing next to a tree outside of their humble house. They began running and shouting “Mommy, Mommy!” but this time she did not respond to them. As they got closer they realized that something was wrong, their mother was not moving. When they got to her feet they discovered to their horror that she was hanging from the tree.
She had committed suicide five months pregnant. On this terrible day their world was destroyed. Their father could not care for them on his own, so he decided to bring them to Casa Luz.
At Casa Luz, Rene and her siblings were feed, cared for and learned about the love of God. She accepted this love and God began to heal her heart. Quickly, Rene began to serve the Lord in church, singing in the choir and teaching children’s Sunday School.
Rene is now in college. In her spare time Rene helps to care for the children of Casa Luz, children who are just like her. It is her dream to one day preach the Word of God and to help the impoverished Quechua people who live in the mountains of Peru. In the same place where her life was destroyed, she will bring the hope and love of God.

Working together, we can make a difference.

No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it. ~H.E. Luccock

Meet the Cornell's

Last week, I told you about a new project in Kenya. Now let me introduce you to our new leaders, Bill and Patricia Cornell. They brought the Shalom School in Kenya to Food for Orphan’s attention. We are so excited about this partnership.

Bill and Patricia Cornell began their journey by traveling with a small team from 2001 to 2004 to Kenya and Zambia, Africa. Here is their story as told by Patricia…

During those years, we fell in love with every facet of a missionary life from day one. There was nothing too rough or rugged…no task too big…and no vision unreachable for either me or my husband! Our hearts were no doubt chosen by God to serve Him in this capacity! That’s why it was effortless to sale out- lock, stock, and barrel and move to Kenya in 2008. We were launched by Messengers International with one way tickets to Africa and our meager retirements…thinking this would be a 3 year jaunt! However, three months into this adventure we realized this was our plot in life…for life!

After strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to teach Bible application classes…we built a bamboo hut that served as a classroom. Our first class was 12 students…all Pastors from seven different tribes…some from the bush, the desert or slums but none could afford to attend accredited schools. We started that class with four books and one work book. The students shared the four text books and we printed workbooks from the one original. They studied for two full years and celebrated our first big graduation! We have graduated 174 Pastors or leaders in the span of five years and will have 6 more classes graduating in August 2013. Our course of action is to train and send out…selecting our VFA teachers from those graduates.

Although our vision and focus is to train and send out leaders, we become very involved in the lives of those who sit in our classes. Their families quickly become our concern. This, of course, leads us to many projects such as providing food, medicine, education, bicycles or motorbikes for our teachers, and provision for orphans and widows. This is where “Food For Orphans” comes into our lives. Pastor Victor and his wife Joann have a school for 327 orphans that we help as much as we can but cannot meet the enormous need there. Although, this is a school these children have to be fed before they can stay awake to study their lessons. The meal FFO provides will be the only meal most of these kids will have for the day. This is a miracle for our organization to be involved in the distribution of food for these kids in behalf of FFO!

We are blessed…the children are blessed and the Lord is glorified! Thank you FFO!

Bill and Patricia Cornell
Vision For Africa Ministries

New Project : The Shalom School

Food for Orphans is delighted to announce a new partner...the Shalom School in Kitale, Kenya. This school is headed by Pastor Victor who serves 327 of the orphans in the community of Kitale!
Food for Orphans is helping to feed these children 3x a day!

Thank you for your continued support. We are so thrilled to be adding a new school and feeding more children.

Beginnings

Do you know our story?

Gary VanDyke, Food for Orphans' founder and CEO, began helping orphans in 1999. As the father of five, Gary has always had a heart for the needs of children. But in 1999, he visited several children's projects in Lima, Peru and as he tells it, "To watch the pain of these children's suffering was impossible for me to bear. My life was changed forever."

Gary worked with a charity that helped needy children and orphans around the world. While there, Gary visited the international projects, evaluated their needs, helped to train the staff, and communicated the children's needs to people back home. As he visited more and more orphans, Gary was touched by their helplessness and innocence. He was constantly wounded by the poor health and physical condition of the orphans he met. When asked what their biggest challenge was, orphan caregivers repeatedly said "The lack of food."

Gary knew that he could not continue to stand immobile while orphans starved. Knowing that something had to be done, he began to create an organization that would address the orphans most pressing and urgent need … food.

In 2007, Food for Orphans was officially incorporated. Our staff has vast experience and history in caring for needy children, visiting orphan homes, evaluating children's projects, training orphan care providers, measuring the needs of orphans, and sharing our advice with the orphan care providers.

Through the generous donations of caring individuals, Food for Orphans will continue to grow and expand into more countries and many more communities. Our goal is to provide food to as many orphans as possible, because their suffering cannot and will not go unheard.

We will not turn our back on their need. Nor will we be silent on how easy it is for you to help them.

Good Reads

Read any good books lately? With summer almost upon us, it is time to get our reading lists ready!

I read a great book recently that I would totally recommend. It is called Until We All Come Home by Kim de Blecourt. This is an adoption story of love and commitment, loneliness and new friendships, despair and strength with a dramatic columniation in which God brings Kim through amazing hardships. I could not put this book down. Seriously, I read it in one day. You won’t be disappointed.

About the Author:

Kim met Gary VanDyke, our founder and CEO, at a Christian Alliance for Orphans conference before she started her journey through the Ukrainian adoption system. They kept in touch throughout the process and because of Kim’s heart for orphans; she has joined the Food for Orphans team. Kim is now leading our life changing mission trips. This is exciting stuff people! So go read this great book and think about joining a missions trip with the author.

Another book I read recently is Castaway Kid by R. B. Mitchell. This is the story of a little boy who was put into an American orphanage at the age of three. Mitchell chronicles his childhood rejection and abandonment along with his new found identity in the family God. The enormity of what he has been through and his ability forgive are remarkable. Mitchell’s story is one that will stick with you long after you are done. Warning: You will need Kleenexes!

Your turn! What books have you read lately? I need to get my list ready!

Orphans in Sierra Leone feed for an entire YEAR

* 5 ½ hours

* A lot hard work

* 145,000 meals packed

* 1,000 volunteers

* Volunteer food packers from other NonProfits, Business Professionals, NBA legends, even the Mayor of Orlando

* And a MAJOR corporation to sponsor the event

It's Done! Orphans feed in Sierra Leone for an entire year



We are so thankful for all our volunteers and packers! And a HUGE thank you to our corporate sponsor SAP!!!

Miracle in Haiti

Several weeks ago a US construction team headed to Haiti to build a school for an orphan project that Food for Orphans helps feed in Haiti. But the building supplies were held up at the border by corrupt officials wanting a $10,000 bribe. After nearly 3 weeks the officials released the supplies! By then the construction team had gone home, so the community came together to unload the supplies and build the school! We are so thankful for ministries and communities working together for one cause, to care for orphans.



Please pray that the school continues to have participation from the community and that the affiliate church will be able to build on this amazing interaction with the community.

Holy Week Camp in Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, we help support an orphan home with 60 children. A few weeks ago they had a camp where they invited street and community children to attend.

Over five days, the children played games, sang praise, danced, had Bible teachings and were feed three meals a day! Many of these street children normally eat dirt to fill their aching bellies, so this was a rare treat for them.

A high point of the camp was when one of the Muslim boys showed interest in the daily Bible teachings. He asked many questions during the remaining time at the camp and the leaders knew he was close to receiving the Lord. On the fourth day, he prayed and received Christ!

The last day of camp was Easter Sunday. The children celebrated with a church service, chicken and biscuits and a special sweet!



Since Easter, the orphan home leaders have been teaching the children about baptism. They plan on taking those who are ready to the beach to be baptized in the next few months.

On top of that, many of the street children have begun to receive regular meals from our program called “Back Door Dinners”!

It is so exciting to hear the difference these leaders are making in the lives of these children. Thank you for your part in making this possible!

Turmoil in Central African Republic

Over the last couple of weeks, you might have seen that Central African Republic has been in the news. Here is a quick update, so you are aware of what’s happening.

In December 2012, a rebellion by a coalition named SELEKA broke out against the government, accusing the President of failing to live up to various agreements between the different factions over the last several years. A peace accord was signed in January, stopping the advance of the rebels toward the capital, Bangui.

Two weeks ago, the SELEKA leadership again alleged the President was not living up to the accord from January, and re-launched their campaign to oust the President. Saturday March 23, the rebel troops pushed into the city, meeting little resistance and ended up taking the Presidential Palace. (Earlier in the day, the President and his family had fled the city.)

Looting began and continued throughout Sunday and Monday, with skirmishes continuing also between remnant forces loyal to the President, and the SELEKA troops. One of the rebel leaders, Michel Djotodia, proclaimed himself the new President and, on Monday, suspended the constitution and the National Assembly, stating he would rule by decree for the foreseeable future.

On Tuesday morning, March 26, we were able to get word from some of our Central African partners on the ground about the conditions in the country.

In Berberati, in the western part of the country where Food for Orphans has about 150 orphans in its care, conditions were mostly normal. In fact, the children had met in their groups on Monday for a time of prayer and fellowship together. Praise the Lord for their protection!

In Bangui, where we have about 550 orphans, news was troublesome. The status of the projects we support in the city was not yet evident. Due to poor cell service and continued looting, it was not safe to travel around the city, so it was hard to get accurate information on the status of each of the projects.

On April 5, all the orphans were accounted for but the looting continues. Please pray that the banks reopen soon. Funds are running short.

April 9-The situation has recently become more serious and dangerous for the orphans. Rebels have come onto the orphan care grounds searching for something to loot.

Thank you for your continued concern and love of our orphans in Central African Republic.

Food for Orphans is apolitical and is not involved in any politics. Please to pray for the safety of the orphans and of the workers and for the return of peace to this country.