Back to Liberia....

Here I am -Christina-back in Liberia again. So much to tell you.

After spending the morning and afternoon in meetings with two of our key people that work for FMN, we went to one of the foster homes to see one of our FMN kids. Favour is doing very well in her care, and her caregiver is so good with her! The last I saw of Favour, she was at a feeding center, abandoned and malnourished, little muscle tone. Now she is eating well, and gaining muscle strength. I also get to hand out certificates for the last workshop we had. I will post pics of all the kids later.



We then went to see Surprise. What an amazing little boy! The last I saw of him, he was lying in a crib, doing nothing...not moving, no eye contact, nothing, just lying. Now that he is in the Forget-Me-Not program, he has a very loving foster mom, who does therapy with him, plays with him. He is smiling, laughing, moving all his extremities, and has a home! Tears filled my eyes when I saw how beautiful God knit this foster mom's heart into the life of this little boy that just existed in a hospital bed. THIS IS EXACTLY THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO BE HERE! We are taking children that NO ONE seems to want, just abandoned, they see no potential. I am thankful I get to witness and be a part of this program and how it is changing lives!!



We then went to see two more foster homes and four of our kids. Wow! Pictures cannot describe how wonderful these kids are doing. Kenneth, who has possible CP and was severely malnourished, is eating well, loves to be held, and really enjoys all his foster siblings! (If I could pic a favorite from today, he is it). He just melts into you when you hold him! Maddie came to her foster home very stiff, all over. When I saw her, she was sitting in the stroller, and nicely relaxed. She is a petite little thing and does not want to be put down. I had no problem holding her for awhile. Barry, well he is Mr. Smiley and smart! He had been in the hospital for a very long time. Even though he is five, he is the size of a three year old, probably CP. He is a very interactive little guy, who loves everyone, easygoing, SWEEEEET, his smile just is beautiful. He will really benefit from therapy, and hopefully be moving around very soon!



Martina is a child that we don't know anything about, only that she was abandoned and probably has hydrocephalus. She really wanted to be held and soothed a lot...her foster home is doing a great job taking care of her needs.

I am just blown away at the hearts our caregivers have for our little ones. They really love these kids, and are doing such a wonderful job of going the extra mile of taking these 'special' kids into their care. Our kids in the FMN program are not easy kids. They require a lot of care and energy. Our nurse does an excellent job of checking weekly, getting kids to the hospital, teaching therapy and care tips to our FMN homes.

I am just filled with joy that I can be a part of this in action. I am truly seeing the hands and feet of Jesus in our foster homes. What a beautiful thing...God created these children...this is His program...these children are precious! I am sooooo overwhelmed to be able to be a part of this!

More tomorrow….

This is Surprise!

**Global's mission is to not only advocate and support the outreach of orphan children and families in need but to also allow you who are being called to serve- to serve with the talents, resoures, and abilities God gave you in a way that reaches out to others. Whether it be sponsoring a child, raising funds for a much needed water well, helping to build a school, reaching out to medically fragile children, getting involved in agriculture in Liberia, sponsoring a needy family, feeding the poor, or any number of ways; Global is available to you to do your calling through. We encourage you to contact us today to become actively involved in working together to be the answer to some of these needs.

update on Jeremiah

We met Jeremiah bk in July at JFK and were asked to take him into our foster homes. Jeremiah had surgery for his hydrocephalus and other issues and was abandoned by his mother shortly after. His doctor felt he would improve and only time would tell. Well after much stalling of paperwork and documents and some mis-communications.... he was placed into an orphanage instead.

We are happy for Jeremiah as he is getting the much needed help he deserves. We are glad we were able to inspire other organizations to become involved in this important issue of caring for special needs children.(Jeremiah's sponsor was happy to sponsor another child instead and we are thankful for their decision to continue to help as there are so many in need) We wish him well.

we have been busy...

The triplets are doing well. Thanks to a donor they are eating well and growing.

This little guy's name is Kenneth. He was abandoned at a feeding center. Please consider being his sponsor.

And this is Mardea. She too was abandoned at a feeding center. She is very malnourished and needs you to consider being her sponsor.

And this sweetie is Patience. She loves attention. Wont you consider becoming her sponsor? For more information on doing this go to- forget-me-not childrens homes.

We will be posting really soon an update on our caustic education/prevention program that is under way.

During this upcoming thanksgiving season- be thankful for your blessings as you reach out to bless others with what God has given you in abundance. Perhaps contributing towards the rice bowl project. Thus helping another to eat today.

As always we are thankful for your much needed prayers as we continue to step out in faith and go where God leads.

Benefit update..

Our Global benefit went very well. The silent auction was a success. We really enjoyed what Mark Green from Malaria No More had to share. The night was filled with laughter, sharing, fun, and all for a good cause. Next year we will be looking forward to the Orphan Run 2010. More information coming soon...

Donna Barber

Jeff Garrett

Mark Green

Global Board Members with Mark Green- Jeff Garrett, Peg Halvorsen, (Rachel Green-daughter of Mark), Mark Green, Julie Redman, and Donna Barber

Malaria No More-Mark Green to be Guest Speaker at Benefit

New York, NEW YORK - "Mark Green, recent U.S. Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, joins Malaria No More as the new Managing Director of the Malaria No More Policy Center in Washington, DC. Green brings unparalleled experience and insight into the fight against malaria in Africa to his new role at the Policy Center, where he will shape Malaria No More's advocacy work to engage policymakers in the race to save lives from this preventable and treatable disease.
During Green's tenure as Ambassador to Tanzania, the East African nation celebrated the first-ever official visit by a sitting U.S. president, a dramatic reduction in malaria incidence and deaths on the Islands of Zanzibar and the launch of a nationwide campaign to distribute mosquito nets to all children under five. Green has worked closely with President Kikwete and the Tanzanian National Malaria Control Program, as well as U.S. organizations like USAID and the President's Malaria Initiative, to address the malaria crisis in Tanzania.
Green has a long record of public service and international policy, serving as a four-term Congressman from Wisconsin and as an active member of the House International Relations Committee through his work on the subcommittees for Africa and human rights and his help in crafting the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003. Additionally, Green has traveled to West Africa with international organizations including the Academy for Educational Development, Oxfam and Save the Children to work on programs related to women's health and education in Africa and served as an election observer in Kenya in 2005.
"I look forward to working with Malaria No More and its partners to fight this disease and bring hope to the millions of families in Africa who battle it every day," said Mr. Green. "I have seen first-hand how U.S. assistance to fight malaria in Africa has changed lives and improved livelihoods. I will work to ensure that the Malaria No More Policy Center takes every opportunity to raise awareness and help build support for efforts to eliminate this devastating disease.

Thank-you!

Thank-you to all of you who took part in our Online Auction.
You made it a success!! Your items will be in the mail this week.