Mike Haege and Richard Mills- our go to guys for shipping the sawmill.
Phil Wilder- Guest speaker from Idaho.
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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
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