Global Orphan Summit

Some of the ladies who participated in the Global Summit

Mike Haege and Richard Mills- our go to guys for shipping the sawmill.

Phil Wilder- Guest speaker from Idaho.

The start of lunch that was super delicious!

Heart pounding, hands clammy, and a head that feels like I breathed in too much helium. That is how I felt on Saturday the 29th at slightly around 1:25 pm. My next two or three minutes I spent looking for a paper bag in which to hyperventilate in or a plastic bag in which to throw up in. Neither were to be found. What will I do to make this feeling go away? What I was to do in the next 2 minutes made me think that being pushed in front of a semi might just be fun. Then, at 1:30 I was left with no choice. I had to do it...What was it? Just a simple 20 minutes of sharing what the Liberian Literacy Project was about. THAT'S IT!! And I thought, just maybe, now I know what someone going through a heart attack feels like.

"Getting out of the Boat" is what Donna called it. “Do what God calls you to do and stretch yourself, even if you are uncomfortable" she says . Christina Hoffman reiterated that same message when she said: she has this crazy idea that Christians are called to do more, be more and love more....She thinks because she tells me to "Be the voice of the children because they have no voice" that she is right. It's sheer craziness I tell you! And how lucky am I to have friends like her? And, honestly, Global Orphan Outreach is filled with crazy, get out of your comfort zone, Godly people. I was privileged to be in the same room with them all day Saturday at the Global Summit.

The morning started out with Donna speaking about where Global started and where it is going...Some more of that crazy talk I tell ya! What is God calling us too as an organization? How do we glorify God through all our projects? Reading passages out of books that challenge us all to a better way of thinking. Not letting us stay in our comfort zone, afraid to "rock the boat". Who does she think she is anyway? She is my cheerleader.....from day one! She won't let me quit when I want to and she won't let me say I can't do something. God is using her talents to motivate and lead us.

Phil spoke after Donna. With a manner that could put anyone at ease he spoke of funding and goal-setting, keeping God as our centerpiece. With wisdom and humor he talked for an hour and a half! (Definitely going to be awhile before I can do that!!) And he reminded us that God did not run out of money! It was truly a pleasure meeting this man.

Christina Hoffman talked (and BEAUTIFULLY I might add) about the precious special needs children in Liberia. I am telling you this girl LOVES those kids in Liberia! Those of you who share in this program with her, sponsor kids, contribute financially or pray unceasingly for her should know that she is the perfect person for this program. She gives God all the glory and is so willing to be used by Him for something that is so dear to her heart! We have witnessed the kids in Liberia go from being alive to thriving in their new foster homes. With dedication and hard work the program has come a long way.

Denise Wagner--I finally met her. Been wanting to ever since our first phone call. What a joyful lady she is! She spoke about the Medical Outreach that she is doing. She has a heart for this project as well. Passionate about getting Liberian children the medical care they truly need. At one point her house and garage were overflowing with medical supplies, now meeting needs for this in Liberia. She works hard for medical visas for children and need and soon will be taking on a medical clinic project. Go Denise!

Peg Halverson was an AMAZING speaker! Inspiring, even with the flu. The silly old stomach flu wasn't going to keep her from talking about the Kpeletayama village that she loves with her whole heart. You see, Peg's little boy that she was waiting to bring home through adoption was from Kpeletayama. I say "was" because of water unsuitable for drinking, unfortunately took his life. God is using his little life to change that village. The village has a new well that everyone is benefitting from. With tears in her eyes, she spoke of a new school for the village where literacy will enable them to have a better future.

Kari Haege spoke on the Orphan Grain Project. Another worthy cause coming together nicely for the Kpeletayama village. Her dream is that one day the villagers will be self-sustainable through farming with peanuts and rice. So much to be said about this project! They currently shipped a portable sawmill to Liberia which will be used to build the school, hospital, homes, etc and be used to make extra income from selling boards. This will also provide some sustainable income for Global Orphan Outreach in Liberia. Amazing things happening here. They have a team heading to Liberia to train the Liberians to use the Wood-Mizer.

We also got to hear from Mark Halvorsen (Peg’s husband) as he had shared more about his perspective as a husband supporting his spouse in ministry. That created a lively discussion by all that was quit comical. I think we hit a nerve there..

And last was Jeff Garrett who spoke on our Be the One Be the Change guidelines for individuals joining the work being done through Global. He handled that in a very professional but humorous sort of way that left us laughing at ourselves but knowing that guidelines are needed in order to have unity within the organization.

We enjoyed the input of one of our other board members throughout the day and that was Pst Ben Kangar and his wife Stacy. Their life experiences that they had in ministry over the years all over the world really opened our eyes to the value of team cooperation, supporting each other, and balancing our roles as coordinators in our global work with our families.

-Julie Redman

Special note: I want to send a profound thank you to all coordinators, board members, their spouses, and all of you who took part in our first annual Global Summit. I was struck by how many amazing, gifted, and unique individuals we have involved in Global Orphan Outreach work. To see us all come together in one accord- one cause- one mission was awesome and a privilege to be a part of. It is then that I could see that Global’s mission has come to life! That this is not just about the projects or programs but about individuals serving. About relationship building. And the growth that comes from that. We are spreading the Gospel through our love, compassion, and mercy. We are coming together to meet a need of another. The Unity of People for 1 Cause!

-Donna Barber

My Son's First School

Name of School:  Catherine Reese Preparatory School
Location of School:  Du-Port Rd., Paynesville Community
Year of Establishment:  1997
Principal:  Gbalee Nyogbe

While Catherine Reese Preparatory School is not a school we are currently working with, it is an important school to our family.  This school is my son's first school.  This is a part of him and a time in his life that we did not share with him.  These are the pictures we will put in his Lifebook.


This is where my son used to walk to school every day. It is the building and the people that gave him his first glimpse of the world around him.

This is the group of children that attend this school.  Some of these children went to school with my son.  He played with them and I am sure fought with them and learned alongside of them.

His day would start with lining up like this for morning devotions,

and the pledge to their flag.  Probably a song or two (or three, knowing the culture of Liberia).

He would have played a game of soccer (or football in Liberia) for sure with these guys.  His competitive little 5 or 6 year old self would have hated to quit the game in order to go back to study.

I can picture his cute little face sitting in the room learning his ABC's and how to spell Teddy.

And another break for Phy-Ed class.  Oh this would have been at the top of his list too!

Students heading back to class with Principal Nyogbe close behind.

I don't know if these are all the same teachers that were there when Teddy was there but most likely some of them taught my son.  And although we will never know all of Teddy's history, we know that the people that invested into his life when he was in Liberia have shaped who he is today.  I am thankful.

Teddy with his teacher now.  She is an awesome teacher and Teddy loves her class!

Meet Christian

This is 6 year old Christian.  He is also a student at Light Stream Academy.  He is one of 5 members in his family and he lives in Pagos Island, Congo Town, Monrovia. In this picture he is standing outside his home area.  What a cutie!

Christian is in the K1 class this year.  Christian is standing in his K1 class.  He says that someday he would love to be a pastor.

This is a picture of Christian with his teacher.  Christian is a good speller and Spelling is his favorite subject in school.

As with most of the children you have seen so far, Christian studies at home. This is how most kids will study because there is not an adequate area for studying properly.  Also, kids will study outside to get the light they need to see.  Once it gets dark, studying has to be over.

Christian with his two brothers, Arthur and Archibald.  This will be their shared dinner for tonight.

And just another picture of the boys enjoying their rice.

Christian standing out in the yard next to his classroom at Light Stream.  Christian is struggling with with raising his grades although he does okay.  He is doing very well at physical education, which means he is probably a good soccer player.  :)

Christian with mom Beatrice, brothers Arthur and Archibald.  Dad was not in the picture today.  This family is desiring to work in a business together so they can get on their feet.  The family asked us to thank you for sharing your resources with them so Christian can attend Light Stream.  They are extremely grateful for your generosity!

Bush School building has begun..

The work for the teacher house in K village has just begun with the molding of the sun dried bricks. Even the very beneficiaries the kids are involved.

Patience

I have been very blessed to have Stephen working for this program. He is a hard worker and so dedicated to this program.  He has been faithfully filling my email box with all the updates of our students.
Meet Patience!
Patience lives with her mother Catharine and sister Blessing in Pagos Island, Congo Town, Monrovia.  She also attends Light Stream Academy.

This is Patience standing in an area that is outside of her home.

Patience is working hard and although she is 9 years old, she is just in the beginning of her school years.  After school is out this is where she goes to study.

And here she is standing in her classroom.  I smiled when I saw the child down from her sleeping!

Patience favorite subject is Reading.  She is reciting the alphabet well and is still having some difficulty in mastering the recognition of the alphabet.  She is doing well with Writing, English, and counting her numbers.  She is doing very well in her Phy-ed as well.

Life has been difficult for this family.  Patience would not be receiving her education without your help.  I am rejoicing for this little one to be in school!

Patience standing in her school yard.

Catherine and Patience want to say thank you for the payment of her tuition and the other things...uniform, etc.

Give what you got

Tyler, Daniel and Josh are three young men who have a heart for serving, and are heading to Liberia, Africa to help in whatever way they can with the Orphan Grain Project and Global Orphan Outreach. They need your help! It is awesome to see these young adults active in the Global community and share their talents. Give what you got- and that is exactly what they are setting out to do.

They are all still in need of funds to help pay for their flight, and expenses while in Liberia, which will not include hotel costs as they will be staying the entire month with the Liberian people.

They will be training a team of Liberians on the Wood-mizer sawmill (that was a gift from the Wood-Mizer company), which will in turn provide wood for many of the building projects, and serve as a source of income in helping fund the Orphan Grain Project and Global Orphan Outreach in Liberia.

Where ever they are needed, and whatever work needs to be done from clearing fields, to building, to running the sawmill, these boys have volunteered their services. In Tyler's words, "A scripture that never leaves me alone, and I pray never does is Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself". One thing that I've been learning over the years is how incredibly fortunate I am to grow up with so many opportunities that I have had. I feel as though I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn a lot in the construction/saw-milling field, and I feel as though the skills that I have acquired should be used to teach others. So that we may be able to pass on knowledge and help the Liberian people get on their feet, one person at a time." Tyler is also hoping to come back from the trip having gained a greater wisdom and understanding of what really matters in life, in hopes to continue on in support with a growing passion for helping others.

Give what you got- every little bit helps! To help please go to our website:
www.globalorphanoutreach.org and click on the pay pal button. (put in memo for boys travel)
You may also send donations to our Global address: P.O. Box 331 Delavan, Wi 53115