More News!

Hello Friends!

Surprise, surprise, more exciting things are happening as we prepare for our trip.For one thing, Team Tasfa has grown to twenty-three confirmed travelers!

My friend (though I have never met her!) and IAN mom, Sharon, is coming. Sharon is a real, live social worker who has--for years--been burdened to help orphans. It has been her heart's desire to work in on orphan sponsorship program. And now she has her chance, because Sharon will be taking on FOVC's child sponsorship program. Those of you who are interested in sponsoring a child--stay tuned, because your opportunity to change a life is coming! If you can't wait to meet Sharon, visit her at her blog!

Here is what Desalegn wrote when I told him Sharon is coming:
Thank you Lory sooooooooo much for sharing this wonderful news with me. This is the answer for my prayer. Please appreciate Sharon on behalf of my staff and me and the Board of FOVC. And tell her also all about FOVC and its Orphan and Vulnerable Children Care and Education Program (OVCCEP). I think you are familiar with OVCCEP now.

Also, Mitch C., a pastor from our church is coming, along with his wife. When I emailed Desalegn about the possibility of Mitch teaching and encouraging the FOVC staff, and possibly any interested local church leaders, here is how he responded:
Lory I have a strong but smooth and life changing question for you. Lory: Shall we also prepare a church conference in Shanto? Please, please let me know this soon. Because I should have to contact the local churches and other concerned bodies about this issue soon if we want to prepare church conference. If we do so the pastor will preach to 1000 to 10,000 people in and around Shanto and will draw many souls to Christ. It will be the second fold opportunity for FOVC and your church Lory. So shall we try it????! Thanks!!!

Obviously, we are all overwhelmed to the point of goosebumps, at the many incredible opportunities that are unfolding as we prepare to travel to Shanto. In addition to these new opportunities, we're taking the pillowcase dresses to the girls, something special for the boys, full sets of soccer uniforms, a medical team, lots of expertise and passion, builders, an architect, engineers, seed money to purchase livestock for the widows, art projects for the kids, a mini-VBS for the kids, skills training for the widows and community members...plus a few other initiatives that are still in the works. And, or course, lots of love and encouragement!

Thankfully, our group is focused and gifted and talented and passionate. I love that each member of Team Tasfa has a unique calling for this trip. I can't wait to see how everything is going to unfold.

With so much love,
Lory