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IFast58

iFast58 is a grassroots movement to see believers all across the world "Spend themselves on behalf of the hungry" through dedicating one day each week to pray and fast for the poor, the hungry and the oppressed around the world as well as those who serve them.  At the same time, we memorize Isaiah 58.

 

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  • IFast58 Blog

    iFast---a tad late :-)

    Posted by on
    Posted 17 Feb 2010 12:51 PM
    • 0 Comments

    Agh!  Greg's out of town and I am alone with the 3 kiddos....It's kind of messed me up on days!  When Gracie got into bed with me at 2 am it dawned on me...oh no, I haven't sent out the iFast email!
    So....here are your requests!  Sorry this is so late!
    Requests:
    Remember the Poor: 
    For the church to have her eyes opened wide, fixed on eternity, fixed on the author and perfector of our faith.  That we would not be lulled by the things that are transient and passing, but that we would be fully engaged and awakened to the eternal.  We ask God to do whatever it takes to awaken us, to open our eyes, to see His Kingdom.  Since we are no longer children of darkness, that we would walk and live as children of light, producing abundant fruit

    Lemonade International
    1. Pray for a Vitalino - an 83-year-old widower with no family who just had surgery on his leg. He is a man who is very special to our team in Guatemala. He is recovering in the hospital today after a blood transfusion following surgery.
    2. Pray for our 50 Days in 50 Days Campaign that begins tomorrow - our goal is to broaden our base of monthly donors to include all 50 states in the US. We currently cover 27 states and want to strengthen our presence there while adding donors in the remaining 23 states.
    3. Pray for our team member, Leah Craver, who is returning to the US this Thursday after serving in La Limonada for the past year. She will also be raising support to continue working Part-Time helping to coordinate our child sponsorship program.
    4. Pray for Erwin "Shorty" Luna as he fully steps into the role of pastor to the La Limonada community and serves as the point person of our new church "Communidad de Fe".
    5. Pray for important steps that need to be followed to move our carpentry workshop forward at Escuelita Mandarina.
    6. Pray for "Michael" - a 12 year old boy in La Limonada who tends to be the "class clown", but is currently depressed because his family and home life is falling apart. We visited his home last week and the environment is horrible.
    HOPECHEST
    We have a team on the ground in South Africa/Swaziland this week. Pray for safety and effectiveness.
    Pray for travels for Bob and Tom to Dallas this week.
    Pray for NGO status for Ethiopia and Uganda.
    Pray for our staff in the US as we grow and go through changes. 
    Pray for Peter Abera our country director for Ethiopia as he travels to the US next month.
    Orphan Relief and Rescue
    Please pray for wisdom as we work with the government to find the best situation to transfer children out of the very worst orphanages--whether into foster care, better orphanages, extended family, etc. And please pray that the orphanage directors would work with, not against us, in the interests of the child. Pray for the children, as this can be a traumatic experience--missing their friends, a new environment and new caretakers. So pray it wouldn't be in vain, that in the long term they would have amazing opportunities to grow and to know Christ, to transform their nation.
    -Korpu was moved to her new foster home yesterday! We have been working towards this for two months. This is a great opportunity for her to have a new chance at life and truly thrive. Please continue to pray for her as she adjusts to a new place. Also pray for the other kids at the orphanage she came from. They are all in similar situations and we are in a fragile agreement with the director for helping them to find new places too. It is a sticky situation and we want what is best for all the kids involved.
    -Michael is looking much better as well! The swelling in his legs and jaundice is gone and he has more energy. Continue praying for healing from his liver disease.
    -This week we are celebrating the first year of our Child Development Program (CDP). When CDP started last year we were reaching 10 kids today 120 children in some of Liberia's worst orphanages are receiving mentorship and discipleship in small group settings. We have seen amazing results in the behavior of the children. As this program continues to grow our need for Child Mentors is also growing. Please pray for the right people, Liberians and/or international staff to join our team.
    -Our President, Tim Pratt was supposed to be joining the team in Liberia next week. Due to severe back problems he has had to delay his trip. Please pray for his complete healing and that the time he does spend here will be productive and encouraging for all. 
    Louisville Orphan Care Initiative
     
    Launch of our Pregnant Teen Mom Ministry & Aging Out of Foster Care Ministry
    God's hand to continue to move in bringing in those that are willing to be the hands and feet of Christ.
    Continued favor with the Jefferson County Department of Family & Children
    Strength and wisdom for all that are involved.
    A new team has joined iFast this week.  This is a friend of ours who is ministering to Homeless teens in Colorado Springs.  He works with an org that is not faith based so we won't use their name, but he'll still give us requests!  Pray for Daniel as he ministers!
    In keeping it simple to start with-I'd love your prayers for the homeless youth in Colorado Springs-that true change will come when they open up to God's love for them. Then for those of us who work with them-some know Christ, some do not.
    Caroline's Promise
    I would love for the team to pray for my health.  I have been sick, off and on for the past month.  It just won't go away.  Going back to the doctor today.  Thank you:)

    For the Orgs that are participating but didn't get us requests:
    HopeMongers
    Abba Fund
    HELP
    Global Orphan Outreach
    Liberia Education Project
    Amazima Ministries

    Join us THIS morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101 

    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    NEW blog address: 

  • IFast58 Blog

    Trust - iFast

    Posted by on
    Posted 10 Feb 2010 12:51 AM
    • 0 Comments

    I recently started a Bible study with a few of the young girls here in Colorado Springs.  Tonight was SUCH a sweet time with them.  We went through Psalm 16, especially verses 5-6 
    "5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; 

           you have made my lot secure.

     6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 
           surely I have a delightful inheritance."

     

    We talked about this in light of news we had learned today.  A man from our church here in COS passed away in the Haitian earthquake.  I asked the girls how hard it would be for them to trust that the portion the Lord has given is good and that the boundary lines He has drawn are pleasant if they were facing the loss of their family member.  It was such a sweet time with these girls as my precious Abby piped up, "that reminds me of when I was reading Job." and continued to share how God is the one who said to Satan....Job trusts me not just because his life has been great.  We used the conversation to pray together that we might be children of God just like Job and prayed that even if our worst fear took place, we still chose to trust that HE is good.

     

    It reminds me so much of those I have met living in extreme poverty.  Often, while faced with situations that I would imagine to be truly unbearable they lift their voices in praise.  I see the trust of Job.  I see a people that believe that what God's word says is true, even when their life situations don't seem pleasant.  

     

    Today, I'm praying that while I intercede for those in extreme poverty that I also seek to learn what so many of them already know.  I pray that He would use their faith to teach me.  That I might say to the Lord, "I choose you. No matter what."  
    Requests:
    Remember the Poor: (from last week)
    Praying to the Lord of the harvest to raise up and send out laborers into his harvest.  Praying that the church would rise up and be known to the world by her fruit, that we would live out pure religion in every way, caring well for every widow and every orphan, that not one would be left unloved, unfed, unmedicated, or uneducated.

    Lemonade International
    1. Pray for a team of 11 people from Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, NC who are in Guatemala this week to serve in La Limonada. They will be conducting a dental clinic, sports programs for the kids as well as helping with some small construction projects.
    2. Pray for our team member, Donnie Long, who is spending the month of February in the US before returning to Guatemala to serve as our Full-Time Missions House Director and Group Leader for short-term teams serving in La Limonada. He is in the US to rest, connect with family and friends and to raise support after being in four different countries over the past five months.
    3. Pray for our team member, Leah Craver, who is returning to the US in about a week weeks after serving in La Limonada for the past year. She will also be raising support to continue working Part-Time helping to coordinate our child sponsorship program.
    4. Pray for Erwin "Shorty" Luna as he fully steps into the role of pastor to the La Limonada community and serves as the point person of our new church "Communidad de Fe".
    5. Pray for important steps that need to be followed to move our carpentry workshop forward at Escuelita Mandarina.
    6. Pray for "Michael" - a 12 year old boy in La Limonada who tends to be the "class clown", but is currently depressed because his family and home life is falling apart. We visited his home last week and the environment is horrible.

    HELP
    1. Pray for favor w/ Stateside fundraising. 
    2. We're bringing on our first full time staff member. Pray for a great transition!
    3. Pray for energy and strength. 
    4. For for our www.shirts4help.com fundraising. We hope to sell 1000 shirts. 
    HOPECHEST
    1. Pray for the upcoming Swazi trip.  The team leaves on the 15th and Greg leaves a few days early to go to S. Africa.  Pray for all of their hearts that God would prepare them for what He has laid out for them.
    2. Pray for our upcoming opening of S. Africa
    3. Pray for upcoming fundraisers and launches that are in the planning stages for the next few months.  Crucial decisions are being made every day
    4. Pray for Bukedea, Adecar and Kabermaido as they continue to seek sponsors

    Pray for other organizations that are participating in iFast but didn't get their requests in
    Orphan Relief and Rescue
    Caroline's Promise
    HopeMongers
    Abba Fund
    Global Orphan Outreach
    Liberia Education Project
    Amazima Ministries

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101 

    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    NEW blog address: 

  • IFast58 Blog

    Renewed Minds - iFast - Feb 3

    Posted by on
    Posted 3 Feb 2010 12:24 AM
    • 0 Comments

    I got the sweetest devotional from fellow iFaster Amy Savage this weekend.  The devotion for today seemed appropriate to focus on throughout an iFast day.  I was having a conversation last week with a friend about how easy it is some weeks to just let it slip by.  Sometimes you fast, sometimes you don't.  On the weeks that you fast, sometimes you make it all day (or whatever you feel called to) and sometimes you eat b/c you are hungry halfway through.  Sometimes, you make the whole day fasting....but realize at the end of the day that it wasn't real fasting and praying...it was just not eating.  
    One of the goals in fasting is to point our hearts towards Jesus.  To spend the time we would have spent eating, praying.  To allow the grumbling of our stomachs to turn our hearts towards the Bread of Life.  
    From "JESUS CALLING" by Sarah Young
    I am renewing your mind.  When your thoughts flow freely, then tend to move toward problems.  Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, circling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery.  Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus.  Worst of all, you lose sight of Me.

    A renewed mind is Presence-Focused.  Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation.  Sometimes you can find Me in your surroundings, a lilting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight.  At other times, you must draw inward to find Me.  I am always present in your spirit.  Seek My Face! Speak to Me and I will light up your mind. (Romans 12:2, Psalm 105:4)
     
    Praying this week, we seek Him and that TODAY is filled with intimacy and His presence anew!!!
    Requests:
    Remember the Poor: 
    Praying to the Lord of the harvest to raise up and send out laborers into his harvest.  Praying that the church would rise up and be known to the world by her fruit, that we would live out pure religion in every way, caring well for every widow and every orphan, that not one would be left unloved, unfed, unmedicated, or uneducated.

    Lemonade International
    1. Pray for our team member, Donnie Long, who is spending the month of February in the US before returning to Guatemala to serve as our Full-Time Missions House Director and Group Leader for short-term teams serving in La Limonada. He is in the US to rest, connect with family and friends and to raise support after being in four different countries over the past five months.
    2. Pray for our team member, Leah Craver, who is returning to the US in less than two weeks after serving in La Limonada for the past year. She will also be raising support to continue working Part-Time helping to coordinate our child sponsorship program.
    3. Pray for Erwin "Shorty" Luna as he fully steps into the role of pastor to the La Limonada community and serves as the point person of our new church "Communidad de Fe".
    4. Pray for important steps that need to be followed to move our carpentry workshop forward at Escuelita Mandarina.
    5. Pray for "Michael" - a 12 year old boy in La Limonada who tends to be the "class clown", but is currently depressed because his family and home life is falling apart. We visited his home last week and the environment is horrible.
    6. Pray for a team of 11 people from Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, NC who wil be arriving in Guatemala this Sunday to serve in La Limonada next week. They will be conducting a dental clinic, sports programs for the kids as well as helping with some small construction projects.

    HELP
    1. Please pray for our shirts4help.com campaign, hoping to sell 1000 shirts, almost halfway there. Proceeds goes to Haiti Orphans. 
    2. HELP has a booth at Verge Conference this week in Austin. Pray for favor, contacts, and most of all, action!
    3. I'm speaking Saturday at the Verge Conference on "How the church can be creative, and care for the orphan." Pray for wisdom and clarity! 
    4. We've recently sent our a "stateside operations" plea for financial support. We need some cash flow, to take advantage of all these opportunities. 
    5. Pray for strength, I'm really tired and need some strength! 
    6. We have a benefit concert this Friday in Sacramento. Pray God moves on the hearts of the people to love and serve the orphan. 

    Thx, always praying for all of you also! 
    HOPECHEST
    1.  Praise! Thanks for praying for the for the launches this weekend.  Birmingham went well as did Atlanta! Thanks for all of the volunteers who made this a success and worked so tirelessly.
    2. Praise! We are celebrating with our volunteers, Ben and Amy, who passed court in Ethiopia today for their new little guy, Tariku.  Also praising with Lindsey and Le in OKC who got their court date for Ethiopia today!
    3. Pray for the upcoming Swazi trip.  The team leaves on the 15th and Greg leaves a few days early to go to S. Africa.  Pray for all of their hearts that God would prepare them for what He has laid out for them.
    4. Pray for our upcoming opening of S. Africa
    5.  Pray for Jumbo and Kriek, our Swazi leadership, who are in the country for meetings and some R&R
    6. Pray for upcoming fundraisers and launches that are in the planning stages for the next few months.  Crucial decisions are being made every day
    7. Pray for Bukedea, Adecar and Kabermaido as they continue to seek sponsors
    8. Praise! Over 800 shirts sold in Shirts for Shoes! That means tons of shoes for some precious little (and big) feet!!!  Thank you Kari for spearheading this and thanks to all who blogged, FBd and Tweeted about it
    Thank you for lifting up the children we serve.  Thank you for lifting up our staff.  

    Pray for other organizations that are participating in iFast but didn't get their requests in (I didn't send out a weekly reminder since I was flying all day :-) 
    Orphan Relief and Rescue
    Caroline's Promise
    HopeMongers
    Abba Fund
    Global Orphan Outreach
    Liberia Education Project
    Amazima Ministries

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101 

    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    NEW blog address: 

  • IFast58 Blog

    Renewed Minds - iFast - Feb 3

    Posted by on
    Posted 3 Feb 2010 12:24 AM
    • 0 Comments

    I got the sweetest devotional from fellow iFaster Amy Savage this weekend.  The devotion for today seemed appropriate to focus on throughout an iFast day.  I was having a conversation last week with a friend about how easy it is some weeks to just let it slip by.  Sometimes you fast, sometimes you don't.  On the weeks that you fast, sometimes you make it all day (or whatever you feel called to) and sometimes you eat b/c you are hungry halfway through.  Sometimes, you make the whole day fasting....but realize at the end of the day that it wasn't real fasting and praying...it was just not eating.  
    One of the goals in fasting is to point our hearts towards Jesus.  To spend the time we would have spent eating, praying.  To allow the grumbling of our stomachs to turn our hearts towards the Bread of Life.  
    From "JESUS CALLING" by Sarah Young
    I am renewing your mind.  When your thoughts flow freely, then tend to move toward problems.  Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, circling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery.  Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus.  Worst of all, you lose sight of Me.

    A renewed mind is Presence-Focused.  Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation.  Sometimes you can find Me in your surroundings, a lilting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight.  At other times, you must draw inward to find Me.  I am always present in your spirit.  Seek My Face! Speak to Me and I will light up your mind. (Romans 12:2, Psalm 105:4)
     
    Praying this week, we seek Him and that TODAY is filled with intimacy and His presence anew!!!
    Requests:
    Remember the Poor: 
    Praying to the Lord of the harvest to raise up and send out laborers into his harvest.  Praying that the church would rise up and be known to the world by her fruit, that we would live out pure religion in every way, caring well for every widow and every orphan, that not one would be left unloved, unfed, unmedicated, or uneducated.

    Lemonade International
    1. Pray for our team member, Donnie Long, who is spending the month of February in the US before returning to Guatemala to serve as our Full-Time Missions House Director and Group Leader for short-term teams serving in La Limonada. He is in the US to rest, connect with family and friends and to raise support after being in four different countries over the past five months.
    2. Pray for our team member, Leah Craver, who is returning to the US in less than two weeks after serving in La Limonada for the past year. She will also be raising support to continue working Part-Time helping to coordinate our child sponsorship program.
    3. Pray for Erwin "Shorty" Luna as he fully steps into the role of pastor to the La Limonada community and serves as the point person of our new church "Communidad de Fe".
    4. Pray for important steps that need to be followed to move our carpentry workshop forward at Escuelita Mandarina.
    5. Pray for "Michael" - a 12 year old boy in La Limonada who tends to be the "class clown", but is currently depressed because his family and home life is falling apart. We visited his home last week and the environment is horrible.
    6. Pray for a team of 11 people from Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, NC who wil be arriving in Guatemala this Sunday to serve in La Limonada next week. They will be conducting a dental clinic, sports programs for the kids as well as helping with some small construction projects.

    HELP
    1. Please pray for our shirts4help.com campaign, hoping to sell 1000 shirts, almost halfway there. Proceeds goes to Haiti Orphans. 
    2. HELP has a booth at Verge Conference this week in Austin. Pray for favor, contacts, and most of all, action!
    3. I'm speaking Saturday at the Verge Conference on "How the church can be creative, and care for the orphan." Pray for wisdom and clarity! 
    4. We've recently sent our a "stateside operations" plea for financial support. We need some cash flow, to take advantage of all these opportunities. 
    5. Pray for strength, I'm really tired and need some strength! 
    6. We have a benefit concert this Friday in Sacramento. Pray God moves on the hearts of the people to love and serve the orphan. 

    Thx, always praying for all of you also! 
    HOPECHEST
    1.  Praise! Thanks for praying for the for the launches this weekend.  Birmingham went well as did Atlanta! Thanks for all of the volunteers who made this a success and worked so tirelessly.
    2. Praise! We are celebrating with our volunteers, Ben and Amy, who passed court in Ethiopia today for their new little guy, Tariku.  Also praising with Lindsey and Le in OKC who got their court date for Ethiopia today!
    3. Pray for the upcoming Swazi trip.  The team leaves on the 15th and Greg leaves a few days early to go to S. Africa.  Pray for all of their hearts that God would prepare them for what He has laid out for them.
    4. Pray for our upcoming opening of S. Africa
    5.  Pray for Jumbo and Kriek, our Swazi leadership, who are in the country for meetings and some R&R
    6. Pray for upcoming fundraisers and launches that are in the planning stages for the next few months.  Crucial decisions are being made every day
    7. Pray for Bukedea, Adecar and Kabermaido as they continue to seek sponsors
    8. Praise! Over 800 shirts sold in Shirts for Shoes! That means tons of shoes for some precious little (and big) feet!!!  Thank you Kari for spearheading this and thanks to all who blogged, FBd and Tweeted about it
    Thank you for lifting up the children we serve.  Thank you for lifting up our staff.  

    Pray for other organizations that are participating in iFast but didn't get their requests in (I didn't send out a weekly reminder since I was flying all day :-) 
    Orphan Relief and Rescue
    Caroline's Promise
    HopeMongers
    Abba Fund
    Global Orphan Outreach
    Liberia Education Project
    Amazima Ministries

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101 

    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    NEW blog address: 

  • IFast58 Blog

    Prayer Reflections on Psalm 16

    Posted by on
    Posted 26 Jan 2010 9:41 PM
    • 0 Comments

    thanks Vince for writing this while I'm out sick :-)

     

     iFast Reflection

    Many of us have made a commitment to memorizing this chapter of scripture this week so I thought it would be helpful to share some thoughts around this. We would LOVE to invite you to memorize this chapter with us if you like.

    Psalm 16

    1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.2 I say to the Lord, You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.

    Let us seek to find our refuge in Him and as we petition Him on behalf of the “least of these” that they would find and take refuge in Him.

    3  
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

    4  
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.

    5  
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

    Lord, let us be mindful that You are our portion and You hold our future. We are thankful that we have a beautiful inheritance in You as do those who are orphaned and suffering through extreme poverty.

    7  
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

    Lord, I am thankful that You speak to our hearts throughout the day and also at night as we sleep. Speak Lord. We will listen. Lord, we will set You always before us so that we will not be unstable when challenges come. Lord, we pray this for the children around the world who are suffering with a “shaken” world – particularly Haitians.

    9  
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

    Lord, let my heart be glad in You. Let me never be moved by my circumstances but by Your Holy Spirit. Lord, I am thankful that my security is in You. I pray that the millions of orphans in the world would find their security in You also.

    11  
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

     

    Lord, I find my guidance in Your presence – thank You. I know that my joy will not come from external things but It comes only in You. May I constantly focus my life so that I am at Your right hand.

     

    As I have sought the Lord over the past several weeks, the recurring response I feel He is giving me is that my affections should be set completely on Him. I often feel like they are set on Him but if I am willing to be honest and dig deeper they are focused on outcomes and expectations.

    I really find it hard to transition to a focus on Him solely. My prayer for you and for our prayer team this week is that we would become “better” at setting our affections on Him. That we would truly seek and embrace the Giver of all good gifts over the gifts themselves.

    God in a world that is completely “me” and “self” focuses help us to learn to delight ourselves in You and to find our pleasure and joy in You and You alone.

     

     

    Children's HopeChest:

    1. Atlanta Launch Weekend – Mangwaneni – Meg Williams, Adecar - pray for Melanie, the weather and safe travel.

    2. Swazi Vision Trip - Feb 15-Feb 24

    3. Our South Africa launch in partnership with Focus on the Family

    4. NGO status in Uganda and Ethiopia

    5. Pray for David Hames and the Haitian rescue effort

    6. Russia Sex-trafficking Mission trip - deadline is Friday

    7. New Orleans Fund-raiser in February

    8. The continued success of the Bukedea and Kaberamaido lauches
    9. eS’Khaleni Launch in Birmingham
    10. Pastor Gift in Nsoko, Swaziland is sick – please pray for him
    11. Eyerusalem's , our discipler in Ethiopia, mother is gravely ill - please pray for her.
     
    H.E.L.P.

    1. I will be speaking at Verge Conference in Austin, TX next week. And HELP will have a booth set-up. Pray for wisdom and favor. 

    2. I may be heading to Haiti with a team of doctors and nurses. Pray for an open door, and direction. 

    3. We are working on doing a fundraising campaign to cover stateside operations. We really need a breath-thru. Lot's of ideas, no funds in implement. 

    4. Pray for our shirts4help.com project. We are hoping to sell 1000 shirts, which will raise $15,000 for orphans in Haiti. So far we've sold 250 ish. 

    5. We may be hiring our first full-time employee next week. (raising his own funds) Pray for wisdom and favor. 
     
    Caroline’s Promise 

    Praise for one of our grant families in South Carolina.  We awarded this family a grant in December, thinking that their adoption would take another year or two.  We didn't understand why God was choosing this family when they were so far away from travel.  But it was clear that the grant should go to them.  We obviously had no idea what Haiti would be going through less than a month later.  But God did!  Their son flew home from Haiti this week!  God was so faithful to work every detail out. 

    Prayer for Board members and volunteers who are experiencing physical illnesses.

    Prayer for our Guyana Field Coordinator, Angie Hemric who is still looking for monthly supporters so she can get back to Guyana.

    Prayer for our April team to Guyana to fill up.

    Orphan Relief and Rescue

    1) Korpu- things seem to be coming together for a foster home, but it is a learning process. Pray for her continued health and a perfect match in a home where she will get the love and attention she needs and deserves. And pray that everything comes together quickly and she can make an easy transition to her new home.

    2) Michael- He continues to be quite sick, struggling with the discomfort of advanced liver disease and trying to be patient as the medications can take months to really make an improvement. Please pray for wisdom for me as I try to know what is emergent and what is the normalcy of a chronic disease and how to help an 18 year old boy cope with being so sick. Also pray for a new living place for him where he can be close to the hospital and provided for.

    3) Accreditation with the government of Liberia- This continues to be a frustrating process. Andrew has been going to town every day and pleading for our certificate to come through and day after day he is given more hoops to jump through. It has been more that a year and nerves are running thin, we really need a breakthrough in this soon.

    4) Our field team continues to grow, Ashley is returning to Liberia on Friday (leaving Atlanta Thursday) after six months stateside. We are excited to see her back! Pray that she will be right in the center of where God wants her to be and for a quick adjustment back to the team and work here.

    5) Please pray for our new fundraising campaign that will be launching soon.

     It is humbling to have the opportunity to partner with you all. Thanks for the encouragement and for building us up.

    Organizations that are a part of iFast to lift up in prayer:

    Remember the Poor
    Lemonade International - Bill is traveling to Guatemala with is wife Cherie and daughter Miyah this week. Please pray for their trip.
    Global Orphan Outreach
    ABBA Fund Prayer Requests
    HopeMongers

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. Wednesdays 9:30 AM Eastern 7:30 Mountain at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101 

    Brandi's NEW blog address is http://www.brandilea.com - please update your records.

     

    Vince Giordano
  • IFast58 Blog

    Letting Him do His thing

    Posted by on
    Posted 13 Jan 2010 1:03 AM
    • 0 Comments

    iFasters,

    I sat down to write my iFast challenge....all prepared to talk about Psalm 9 (which I LOVED today) and praying the scriptures for the poor and needy.  Then, instead, I spent my evening with the Lord doing some work in my heart and life.  Then, I thought...oooh I'll share what I'm learning.  But, the truth is...it's not really a finished work in any shape or form.  So, here's my brilliant challenge for today.  Ready for it?

    Go to Him.  He desires to take you deeper, to lead you higher and to change your heart in the process.  Just go to Him and make your heart available.  He loves you just that much that He wants to live in a seriously deep relationship that's always touching new vistas. (yep, more mountain imagery...I am SO not tired of that view of Pike's Peak that I get from my own home and from every drive I make :-)

    Requests:

    Remember the Poor
    Praying that God will come and purify his bride, that he would cleanse us with His word, so that we would be without stain, wrinkle or blemish, that we would be holy and blameless as we stand before Him.  Asking God not to leave us, the western church, in our apathy and complacency, and inviting Him to come and deal powerfully with us, so that the truth of the whole gospel is known, preached and practiced throughout this nation. 

    Orphan Relief and Rescue:
    These are repeats, but still much needed-
    Michael- He is still taking treatment for his liver disease.  No improvement yet, but the doctor is hopeful that he will respond to treatment in time.  He also needs a new living situation, somewhere he can still be near to his school and the doctor. 
    Korpu- She is still fighting malaria but has gained a 1/4lb in the last month (not a lot, but heading the right direction).  We are still seeking foster placement for her but have had some difficulties coordinating it.  I would love to see a breakthrough for her this week.
    Gifty- Still recovering from her liver transplant and brain surgeries.  She is making small steps of improvement each day, but has a long way to go.
    We still need our organization's accreditation from the Liberian government.  This process started a year ago and the certificate is sitting on the Minister's desk waiting to be signed.  Without this we can not register our new vehicles, pay our employees taxes or do many other things necessary for running an NGO in Liberia.   

    Global Orphan Outreach: 
    Global is working on taking on some Liberian churches here in the states for partnership in the work we are doing in Liberia. We are hoping for good direction as well as God lead connections to those individual churches here who see the need to not stand by but actually become involved in their own country and their people. We would like them to be the answer and we assist not the other way around

    ABBA Fund Prayer requests:
    - Jason is moving across the country as we fast today!  Pray for he and his family!

    Children's HopeChest:
    1. Uganda and Ethiopia NGO status
    2. Launches for Kaberamaido (this weekend) and Adecar (end of Jan) in Uganda
    3. Nigist Tefera - An orphan at Moses Children's Hope who fell and suffered brain injury and is in need of surgery - we are praying for  US doctor to be in Ethiopia to evaluate her situation
    4. Swazi vision trip in February
    5. The launch of our new website
    6. Praying for the 147 Million orphans in the world and the children susceptible to the sex trade.

    From Sandra Carmichael, a leader of a Swazi Online sponsorship group in Children's HopeChest
    Prayer Request for Mangwaneni Manzini
    So far at our carepoint, 172 children have been profiled. 58 are officially sponsored, and I believe we have 11-12 more who have unofficially committed sponsors, so that leaves 102-3 of the currently profiled children still waiting for a sponsor. 

    A sponsor is a life-line for the children beyond basic needs. Many of these children are orphaned and those that aren't, could be at any day due the ravages of Hiv/Aids on the country of Swaziland. A sponsor is a source of encouragement and provides a valuable role-model to a child that helps them grow into the kind of person God intends for them to be. Half of the country is under that age of 15, so the need for God-honoring role-models is great.

    The Beveni Carepoint was once fully-sponsored. Then there appeared around 30 kids who regularly made their way to the carepoint for food. Of those 30, only 10 boys remain unsponsored. Their names are: Nhlanhla, Ntokozo, Thabiso, Thapelo, Bongani, Siza, Ciniso, Siphetfo, Philani, and Meluleki.

    As you pray tomorrow that God will send sponsors for the 102 or 103 children at Mangwaneni, will you also request the same for the 10 boys at Beveni?

    You don't have to tell me you are praying. This is completely between each of us and our Heavenly Father. He knows each child deeply, and He knows each of the sponsors deeply who He wants in relationship with each child.

    So tomorrow, I request your company at any time of the day, wherever you are, to pray for sponsors for each and every child at Mangwaneni and Beveni. 

    Thank you so very much. It is an honor and privledge to pray with you.
    Sandra

     
    Lemonade International:
    1. Pray for Kerry Smith, Dan Hoffman and April Butler who are all attending language school in Antigua, Guatemala and who will be arriving in Guatemala City over the next month to serve in La Limonada.

    2. Back To School - please pray for our 34 teachers and workers and about 350 students at our two schools in La Limonada as they are in the first full week of the new school year.

    3. Pray for our team in Guatemala as they have to make some difficult decisions that will affect the enrollment of the oldest students at one of the schools (12-14 year olds). They need God's wisdom as they seek what is best for the students, the teachers and the learning environment at the school

    4. Pray for our transition into our newly rented "Intern House" in Guatemala - where as many as 6 interns will be living by the spring and where our teams who travel to Guatemala will stay while in the country to serve in La Limonada. Pray for our team member, Donnie, who will be overseeing the house and all the interns.

    5. Pray for a medical/dental team of 11 from the Allentown, PA area who will be serving in La Limonada from this Saturday through the following Saturday.


    H.E.L.P.:
    1. Important meeting next Monday with a large church. Seeking funding and partnership to launch a Global Leadership Program in 2011. 
    2. Speaking about Gospel Justice in Philly next Sunday (24th). Pray kids get sponsored, and lives are changed and challenged. 
    3. We are really in need of some immediate funds to cover some key operations needs for HELP. We really want to implement some idea's, but need cash to do it. I'm praying for a miraculous donation :-)
    4. Pray for wisdom, and strength, the next 4 weeks are slammed w/ travel and some amazing possibilities.
    5. Pray for interns. We are seeking 2-3 interns to work w/ HELP part-time or full-time by this summer. 
    6. Pray for an unnamed donor, who may support HELP monthly. It's a rather large sum. 

    Thanks again for praying and loving the global poor!

    Liberia Education Project
    Thank God for His provision of resources:  we shipped 10 bicycles to
    Liberia for the teachers to use as means of transportation.  These bikes
    will enable them get to the school on time from the various villages. A
    new volunteer joined our team recently and he is so excited to serve the
    Lord, please pray for him.

    Please add these prayer requests from the Liberia Education project:

    1.  Volunteers:
        - We need volunteers to work with the project in area (s) they feel
    God's call to make a difference in the lives of the children and
    adults in the villages and communities in Liberia. All areas of
    expertise are greatly needed.

    2.  Jacob Madehdou's trip to the project site in Bong County, Liberia:
        - he is making a trip from Febuary 4 - March 15, 2010, please pray for
    God's provision and resources.
        -We are planning to conduct a 2 day camp for about 100 plus children
    at the project site.  This will be the first camp experience for
    children in these villages.
        - all the other works to be done during his trip there,
        -  the work that is presently being done at the project site

    3.  Funding for the programs of the Liberia Education Project:
          - Construction of the school campus
          -Water and Sanitation
          - Agriculture program to help substain the school and the community

    Caroline's Promise
    Wisdom and direction for Director, Lisa Holbrook and husband, David.  Personal request:  there is a potential buyer for commercial real estate that we own.  The sell of this property would open the doors for a new career for David
     
    South Carolina Director, Martha Marie Smith and her husband Eddie are in the process of adopting a child from foster care.  Please pray for favor with the courts.
     
    Praise for God's financial provision through end of year giving!
     
    Request for God's hand in our upcoming mission trips to Guyana and Guatemala.

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101#
     
    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

  • IFast58 Blog

    Christmas iFast

    Posted by on
    Posted 23 Dec 2009 12:32 AM
    • 0 Comments

    As many of you know, I'm moving across the country a week from today (it's already Wednesday :-)  Because of this, Christmas has taken a bit of a backseat to packing and saying my goodbyes.  In fact, I haven't even purchased ONE Christmas present! Thankfully I had a sweet gift closet and a husband willing to make a few present runs.  This weekend, however, I went to a Christmas musical.  It helped me to stop, if just for a few hours, and focus on this holiday and why we celebrate it.  It ties into our hearts for the poor, hungry and oppressed so much because that's what Christmas was....
    The God of the Universe, seated in heaven, choosing to leave His majesty and live amongst the poor (that's us :-) He brought such purpose.  He brought such redemption.  He brought such love.  This is what I see in you guys.  A passion and a purpose to serve the poor.  To bring hope, healing and redemption into their midst.  
    Here is what blew me away this week though.....
    He showed up in a way that baffled everyone.  Didn't make one choice that made sense to any of us.  He chose to come as a baby.  To a poor couple.  He chose a young girl who wasn't even married.  He chose a girl from Nazareth that had to travel to Bethleham.  He chose a carpenter to be an adoptive father.  All culminating in the glorious birth of our savior happening in a barn surrounded by animals and dung.
    None of this makes any sense.  But it was and is perfect.  
    So often, it seems like His plans don't make sense.  His plans to use US in the lives of the poor, hungry and oppressed.  He could rain down manna...yet, His perfect plan is you and me!  
    Sometimes it seems the things He is calling us to are too big.  The problems too overwhelming.  Yet, He gently calls us and lays groups of people on our hearts.  He says, "yes, this is what I have called you to, even when it doesn't make sense.  I am in this"  
    Today, I am just going to bask in that and learn to trust a little deeper and look for His movement a little more.  It seems like anyone could have followed the bright star like the wise men, but they saw that star as the activity of God when others didn't. 
    Today, i am going to stand back and be amazed that He chose a girl like me...much as He did Mary...to be involved in HIS work throughout the world.  Today, when the tasks ahead of me seem too overwhelming, the need too great, the plans He's laid out too incomprehensible...or just plain strange... and I'm going to choose to trust Him.  To say, as Mary did, "may it be to me as you have said."
    We serve an AMAZING God who left Heaven to come and lay down His life for us.  A God who is still active in our world today and calls us to be a part of it.  Merry Christmas.  He sure is good.
    Personal from Meg Clarke:  Please pray for Meg and her husband Mike. (iFasters) who are ministering to those in their neighborhood after the sudden death of a loved neighbor on Saturday. Pray for the funeral happening today and for Meg and Mike to have the words to say to the various friends and family members coming to them seeking advice and wisdom. 
    Personal Praise:  Both Lindsey and Le as well as Ben and Amy (all iFasters) received long awaited referrals for their Ethiopian children recently! We celebrate with them and pray for them as the really really hard part of waiting comes...waiting with a picture in your hand!
    Lemonade Int'l
    pray for the family of Dulce Rivera - a three year old from one of our schools in La Limonada who died yesterday.

    Continued Requests for the Ministry:In conjunction with the Guatemala public school calendar, our schools in La Limonada will be closed for the month of December. During this time, please pray:

    *  For our team in Guatemala as they prepare for a new school year in January with more children than ever.
    *  Many of our team members will be traveling to visit family this month so please pray they will have a restful, relaxing and refreshing time with family and friends.
    *  For the children and families of La Limonada that this will be a time when they learn to trust in God and realize that it is He that is doing the work in their lives.... while at the same time may they grow in their appreciation of the beauty of the relationships that exist with them and the teachers and staff at the schools.
    *  For the plans and preparations for our first vocational training program for older students - a carpentry workshop at Escuelita Mandarina
    *  For the provision of shoes, backpacks, school supplies, scholarships and bonuses for teachers through our "Gifts Of Hope" Christmas Fundraising Program

    Liberia Education Project
    1.  Volunteers:
        - We need volunteers to work with the project in area (s) they feel
    God's call to make a difference in the lives of the children and
    adults in the villages and communities in Liberia. All areas of
    expertise are greatly needed.

    2.  Jacob Madehdou's trip to the project site in Bong County, Liberia:
        - he is making a trip from Febuary 4 - March 15, 2010, please pray for
    God's provision and resources.
        -We are planning to conduct a 2 day camp for about 100 plus children
    at the project site.  This will be the first camp experience for
    children in these villages.
        - all the other works to be done during his trip there,
        -  the work that is presently being done at the project site

    3.  Funding for the programs of the Liberia Education Project:
          - Construction of the school campus
          -Water and Sanitation
          - Agriculture program to help substain the school and the community
     
    HopeChest
    ANSWERED PRAYER:
    Thank God for the Russian investigation ending with no charges against  
    HopeChest!

    Fantastic launch in OKC - we are closing in on 500 children sponsored

    1. Safe drive and move for the McElheny's
    2. Continued success for year-end fundraisers
    3. Upcoming launches in Raleigh and Atlanta
    4. Comtinued sponsorship in Bukedea and Mangwaneni
    5. For the heart of the church to break for the world's poor and orphans
    6. Stopping of trafficking
    7. For God's hand and favor to rest on our friend and partner  
    organizations
    8. For all of out volunteers, US and in-country staff
    9. For our scheduled Swazi Trip in February.  We need people to sign up or else possibly cancel it. Pray God will bring exactly who He wants to be on this trip to us.  
    10. For a number of churches being approached about sponsorship. Specifically a large church in OKC.

    Remember the Poor
    Remember the Poor:  Asking the Lord to bring the western church into His glorious freedom--freedom to love and give lavishly, freedom from worry about tomorrow, freedom from the bondage of materialism and debt.  We are praying Galatians 5 this week.  He has called us to freedom!  We pray that we will not use that freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but that through love, we will serve one another.

    HopeMongers:
    Sam and Wendi are still in Ethiopia.  Pray for these last few days as they minister.  Pray especially for their "All I want for Christmas" campaign and are giving out those amazing Christmas gifts to orphans across Ethiopia!

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101#

    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

  • IFast58 Blog

    Thankfulness

    Posted by on
    Posted 16 Dec 2009 9:51 AM
    • 0 Comments

    God answers our prayers.  In fact, He often blows us away.  This weekend was one of those times for me.  We have been praying for weeks on iFast about the upcoming launch in OKC.  We have watched our sweet ifaster, Lindsey A, grow in her faith as she stepped out in faith with her church Body.  Here was a church of just under 1,500 signing up to sponsor a village of 600 kids!  I went there this weekend wondering how the Lord would answer these prayers.  I was blown away.  We saw 400 kids receive the blessing of sponsorship.  We also found BOSCO in our list of profiles!!!  Our sweet iFaster, Melanie Dale, who prayed so fervantly just a few short weeks ago for this precious boy, is now not only his prayer advocate, but his Sponsor mama too!!!!We saw the Lord move in mighty ways.  We saw Jesus.  

    I was so blessed through watching Him this weekend.  I was blessed by spending time with a group of people, ALL fellow iFasters, who choose to seek HIS face for the orphans in Uganda.  It was AMAZING to join in the throne room from the same spot on earth :-)  

    I saw 3 amazing things.  I saw Him change US, provide for these sweet children of Ngariam and change a church Body...all in the same weekend.

    As I entered the weekend, I waffled between faith that they'd all be sponsored and fear that the whole things would be a flop.  After at least 5 times of group prayer, I ended at a place of utter submission.  Hope for moving mountains and complete peace that HE would move and however that looked would be fine for me.  It was such a special time with these fellow iFasters to watch and listen to their hearts break for the orphans.  I'm thinking an iFast weekend may need to be in the works :-)  

    I saw Him come to the aid of the children of Ngariam.  400 kids.  400 little ones who are RIGHT NOW on the brink of starvation will have sponsors...and thus food, and love.  amazing.  literally breath taking to watch God work.

    I saw this church rise up on behalf of the widow and the orphan.  As Vince and I spoke on Sunday morning, I literally saw their hearts break.  I could see their tears and watch as God reached in and gave them HIS love for the orphans.  I saw family after family stand in the church foyer bragging about their "new son" or "daughter".  I heard story after story about a family that was going to sponsor just 1 and now they were trying to figure out just how many they could take.  I heard stories from yesterday about Facebook exploding with families posting "their" kids and how they were already praying for them.

    i literally watched God connect 2 villages...2 communities with HIS heart.  Amazing.  Breath taking.  All provoked because one girl, one iFaster, stepped out in faith to follow her dream to see a village of children have life.  

    Lives were changed.  both here and in Ngariam.  As for here, I am changed.  I am different.  I am thankful.  I have seen God personally rise up for the widow and orphan and I have seen God's church respond.  I will FOREVER be grateful that I got to be a small part of that experience.

    So, today....my fasting will be in Thankfulness.  In the midst of busyness (and yes I am VERY busy!!!) I will chose to stop and be thankful that we serve a God who cares so intimately about the children that we cry over all across the world, He also cares intimately about the church here and that we "get it" and are changed in the process of caring for the poor.  And...HE chose to use each one of US in the process of connecting the 2.  Wow.  I am in awe.  HE IS MIGHTY!!!!!!  Praise His Name!  

    Let's praise Him with these amazing organizations today....many of whom have listed AMAZING reports of praise...as well as lifting them up today.

    HopeChest
    1. For our year-end campaign
    2. New launches - Fargo, OKC, Raleigh, Atlanta
    3. New Orleans fund-raiser
    4. For the amazing volunteers He has brought to HopeChest
    5. For the PRC staff who are slammed with heavy workload
    6. For the McElheny's as they prepare to move and come on staff
    7. For the Swaziland vision trip in February
    8. For the 147 Million orphans in the world
    9. For the vulnerable young boys and girls who are targets of trafficking
    Redeemer House Orphanage, Uganda

    *
    Pray that our application for registration as an NGO in Uganda will be processed quickly and accepted.  We have had some difficulties in the process.
    *
    Pray as our board meets and considers God's direction for the future of the orphanage.
    *
    Pray for Elysia, our country director, who is working with an African-based organization as they reach out to the needy children of Masaka, Uganda this week.
    *
    Praise that all of our children passed their school exams and were promoted to the next grade!  Elysia has been tutoring them and it is making a difference.
    *
    Pray that the children in our care will respond to God's call on their lives and choose to love and serve Him.
    *
    Pray for a difficulty with Elysia's passport to be worked out quickly.
    *
    Thank God for our sponsors who have chosen to make a difference for a child in Africa.
    *
    Pray that others would heed God's call to care for the widows and orphans of the world.
    Prayer requests from ORR-
     
    Please join us in prayer for a precious girl named Korpu.  She is  4 years old and weighs only 14.7 pounds.  She has been diagnosed as "failing to thrive" and is also being treated for malaria and a UTI.  She is living in horrible conditions and we need wisdom in what to do for her.
    And along those lines please be praying for all of us, it has been on our hearts the last few weeks to be doing what is BEST for those we are serving, not just what is good, the best.  We are seeing that is often going to mean making hard decisions and doing things that are not easy.  We want to be advocates for these kids and help them to not just survive, but to thrive.
    Pray for the government of Liberia as it unveils it de-institutionalization plan for the thousands of orphans here and that we can see how we fit into that plan.
    Remember the Poor: 
    Still prayin' for the western church!!  He says to ask, seek and knock.  Incidentally, for anyone who wants a chuckle :), our dear African brother put it this way.  "To knock is polite, to seek is a little less polite, and to ask...well that is just the African way!"  So, we are taking the African approach as we come before the throne of grace, asking and continuing to ask for revival to be poured out on this land--that the church would rise up to meet all the needs.  We know God has provided all that is necessary to meet all needs...it's just a matter of releasing what He has provided! (2 Cor 8:14-15)

    Liberia Education Project

    1.  Volunteers:
        - We need volunteers to work with the project in area (s) they feel
    God's call to make a difference in the lives of the children and
    adults in the villages and communities in Liberia. All areas of
    expertise are greatly needed.

    2.  My trip to the project site in Bong County, Liberia:
        - I am making a trip from Febuary 4 - March 15, 2010, please pray for
    God's provision and resources.
        -We are planning to conduct a 2 day camp for about 100 plus children
    at the project site.  This will be the first camp experience for
    children in these villages.
        - all the other works to be done during my trip there,
        -  the work that is presently being done at the project site

    3.  Funding for the programs of the Liberia Education Project:
          - Construction of the school campus
          -Water and Sanitation
          - Agriculture program to help substain the school and the community

    HopeMongers
    Sam and Wendi are still in Ethiopia.  Pray as they continue their "All I want for Christmas Campaign"


    Lemonade Int'l
    Personal for Bill: I pinched a nerve in my back a couple weeks ago and have
    been in significant pain since then. Chiropractic wrok hasn't helped
    much. I'm going for physical therapy starting tomorrow. I am asking
    for relief from pain that's prevented me from getting much work done
    for the past two weeks.

    Continued Requests for the Ministry:In conjunction with the Guatemala public school calendar, our schools in La Limonada will be closed for the month of December. During this time, please pray:

    *  For our team in Guatemala as they prepare for a new school year in January with more children than ever.
    *  Many of our team members will be traveling to visit family this month so please pray they will have a restful, relaxing and refreshing time with family and friends.
    *  For the children and families of La Limonada that this will be a time when they learn to trust in God and realize that it is He that is doing the work in their lives.... while at the same time may they grow in their appreciation of the beauty of the relationships that exist with them and the teachers and staff at the schools.
    *  For the plans and preparations for our first vocational training program for older students - a carpentry workshop at Escuelita Mandarina
    *  For the provision of shoes, backpacks, school supplies, scholarships and bonuses for teachers through our "Gifts Of Hope" Christmas Fundraising Program

    Global Orphan Outreach
    Continued prayer for Global's work in progress in Liberia. :0)

    Also- lets pray for the CEO's and leaders of mega non-profit organizations who are paid 2- 3- and 400,000 dollars in salaries each year and yet talk about how wealthy Americans should help the poor more. It sends a mix message to those who are wanting to give but see and hear this going on.
    Lets pray especially during this holiday season when so many organizations are fund raising. That hearts would be open to God's leading of individual finances and giving. 

    HELP
    We were able to raise the $5000 for our Christmas Fundraiser. Thx for praying everyone. 
    Prayer Request:
    I will be having  a series of important meetings in Austin over the next two weeks. Please pray for favor and wisdom. 
    Pray for our 100 kids in Zim to get sponsored. 
    We're working on an iphone app and may have an investor to fund the project. Pray he comes through. 
    We're currently looking to expand our child sponsorships, we have various orphanages in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan who have asked for our help. Pray for guidance.
     
    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101#
    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

  • IFast58 Blog

    Shield of Faith

    Posted by on
    Posted 8 Dec 2009 11:37 PM
    • 0 Comments

    I don't know about you guys, but I am BUSY this time of year!  I've travelled the last 2 weekends and will be gone this weekend....that, on top of getting ready for Christmas, parenting 3 preschoolers and oh yeah, moving across the country in 3 weeks has made my head spin this week.  When that happens, sometimes I tend to forget.  My mind races so fast, that my times of focus can be fleeting.  
    This week, what the Lord has impressed on me as I have struggled to maintain focus on the truth is to remember.  Remember what He's already taught me.  I forget so quickly.  In fact, a friend lovingly told me today "didn't He already teach you this?  Why are you struggling again so quickly?  You need to let it be a finished work" ouch. (in a good way) It reminded me of the scripture I had just read this morning.  Ephesians 6 goes through putting on the armor of God.  It says in 6:16 "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."  Above that verse I had written in my Bible "If you let down your shield you WILL be vulnerable to attack."  ahhh, the pieces fell together for me.  My focus shifts to me, I begin to tailspin.  It's not life that had gotten out of order....the chaos can't be blamed...what was to blame is that I had lost sight of faith.  I had let down my shield and was open to attack.  
    So today, I choose to put up my shield of faith.  Being SURE of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1).  I will have faith, a strong faith in the God I serve.  In His promises.  In HIS mighty plan.  There, I can rest...there I will be protected from the evil one.
    I pray the same for each of you.  This work is hard.  This stand you are taking, to draw near to the battle.  To war on behalf of the poor, hungry and oppressed. The enemy doesn't like it and he IS going to be looking for every opportunity to throw those flaming arrows.  Put up your shield of faith, warriors.  He is using you in mighty ways across this world.  This is part of the reason why we feel so strongly that this movement include praying for "those that serve them".  Our prayer is the that iFast team will be those that can hold up your arms and help hold up the shields around you as you serve the least and are therefore a threat the the enemy.  
    Liberian Education Project
    We have a new organization joining us this week!  They'd have requests in, but I neglected to email Jacob back and tell him to email me on Tuesdays.  But, iFasters, please lift up www.liberiaeducationproject.org and check them out!

    Orphan Relief and Rescue
    Matt Le Page received his American VISA today!  This has been a long and frustrating process, now that it is completed more doors are opened for Matt and Mariel in the future.  While this brings a huge relief for them it also means they need wisdom and guidance for what their next steps will be. 
    Elena Pellizzaris (a fellow ifaster) joined our field team in Liberia this week.  She will be here until June working with our Child Development program.  Please pray for a quick adjustment to life on the field, a new job and foreign culture.
    This week there are some big donors considering helping out our programs.  We ask for generous hearts and favor.   
    Our VP is in Liberia this week and some hard decisions regarding our involvement with certain homes need to be made.
    Global Orphan Outreach
       I am writting to you about a little boy named Bryant and the need to get the word out about the work Global is doing with the Forget-Me-Not Childrens Homes for special needs kids in Liberia.  A month ago or so, his father asked FMN if we would take him into the program. His mother had already abandon him due to his disability and his father said he would do the same if we didnt take him. He said he would allow him to die and he didnt care what happened as he was a burden. We told our FMN nurse to take him in immediately. She thought it best to wait a couple of days to arrange his caregiver first. We were anxious to give him the love and support that he deserved. He even had a wonderful family here in the states to sponsor him. By then the father disappeared into the bush with Bryant. After much searching over the past month- we were able to find his grandfather who told us this past week to dont bother looking for him anymore. He was dead. His father took him to the bush and starved him to death.
       Words cannot begin to express how we felt. Devastated begins to describe it. How could anyone do this to any child? Yet- This is why we do what we do.
       Bryant and children like him are precious and have immense potential. They need you and me to help. (I am sure the birth family felt too overwhelmed and had no options left-this does not excuse it)
       We at Global are putting out a plea once again to everyone. Please get involved. These kids need you. And as you can see- many times it is a life or death situation that decides what their fate will be. We cant help them all but please help us to help some.
       If anyone knows of another organization who feels they would be a good fit to partner with us in this week- please let us know. Time is of the essence.

    HELP
    1. We need to raise $1500 to fully fund our Chicken Project in Zimbabwe. 
    2. Pray for wisdom: we have a staffing decision to make. 
    3. Continue volunteer support. 
    4. Putting together a vision trip for 4-6 pastors who want to go. Pray that they ARE able to go. 
    5. Have some important meetings in Austin over the holidays that deal with funding issues. 
    Thanks for praying! Love it...means so much
    HopeChest
    1. For the Ngariam launch at Westmoore Church - lots of kids sponsored and a smooth service
    2. For the Bukedea kids to get sponsored in Fargo
    3. For the safe return of the Ethiopia vision trip and a great result in the heart of the team on on behalf of the children of Ethiopia
    4. For our in country staff - Russia, Swazi, Ethiopia, Uganda
    5. For our year-end campaign
    6. For all of the children that we are reaching in each country - that this holiday season they would feel and know the love of the Father

    Remember the Poor
    Remember the Poor: We are continuing to come before the Lord asking for awakening in the western church--that He would awaken us from our slumber and our self-centeredness.  We are praying that we would become like the Corinthian church, so eager, willing and zealous to give that there is not even a need for any of us to write about the work being done in order for funds to be procured; that the western church would be SO ready to help, that it would come spilling out.  In 2 Cor 9, Paul tells the Corinthian church that he doesn't even need to write to them about the ministry/service to the saints. He knows of their eagerness to help and tells them that their zeal has stirred most everyone else to action.  Lord, may it be SO!

    Lemonade International

    In conjunction with the Guatemala public school calendar, our schools in La Limonada will be closed for the month of December. During this time, please pray:
    • For our team in Guatemala as they prepare for a new school year in January with more children than ever. 
    • Many of our team members will be traveling to visit family this month so please pray they will have a restful, relaxing and refreshing time with family and friends.
    • For the children and families of La Limonada that this will be a time when they learn to trust in God and realize that it is He that is doing the work in their lives.... while at the same time may they grow in their appreciation of the beauty of the relationships that exist with them and the teachers and staff at the schools.
    • For the plans and preparations for our first vocational training program for older students - a carpentry workshop at Escuelita Mandarina
    • For the provision of shoes, backpacks, school supplies, scholarships and bonuses for teachers through our "Gifts Of Hope" Christmas Fundraising Program.

    Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101#
    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

  • IFast58 Blog

    ifast Invite!

    Posted by on
    Posted 2 Dec 2009 12:38 AM
    • 0 Comments

    Hey iFasters, Vince Giordano from HopeChest has asked to write the note for today's email... I LOVE his encouragement to prayerfully invite others to join. For me, this has been a tricky thing. It's hard to invite others or to even put it out there on your blog or FB b/c of the encouragement in scripture to not talk about it when you fast. I think this comes down to your heart...can I invite others to join by simply sharing what I'm learning? I believe that if I do it in that manner then sharing and inviting others to join us before the throne is a great privilege and they will be blessed by it like we are. Thanks for joining us each week...and thanks, Vince, for helping lead this cause and for this note of encouragement. I want to thank you all for your participation in the effort. It has been a great journey for the last several months to watch how God has grown our group and those who are participating. As we enter this important time of the year for both our ministries and the people who are served by them, I would like to challenge all of you to reach out to your friends, family, social networks and more and try to get as many people on board as possible. Let's try to grow iFast to 1000 participants by the end of January. I know we can do it and I believe in each of you. It has been a tremendous blessing to pray and fast and grow with each of you and I look forward to extending His kingdom of grace and love with you on behalf of the least of these...God bless Now for our prayer requests for this week: Tom Davis~ Erica Reed and her newly adopted daugther from Ethiopia headed back to the States this past weekend. Less than a day home, the Reeds discovered that their daughter has viral cardiomyopathy. Maura Rohama was one of the infants who received formula from our Ethiopia Formula Drive at HopeChest. Originally the Reeds were referred to Julianna Ashure...who died from complications related to diahrrea before they were able to finalize the adoption this summer. Now, Maura is sick, and on the 6th floor of the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital tonight. Please pray for miraculous healing for this sweet child's little heart. Help 1. We have multiple volunteer led fundraisers for our Christmas Campaign over the next few weeks. Pray for favor, kids sponsored, and funds raised, so our kids can have meat more than once-per-month. 2. Discernment: We're debating on what to do with our longterm vision in Cairo, Egypt. We have a team heading that way next year. We need discernment when it comes to orphan care in Muslim communities. 3. Pray for stateside monthly and one-time supporters. 4. Pray for strength for me (Chris). I'm starting to feel the immense weight of pioneering a non-profit, and working with orphans. We have so many passion and needs and I also know that they're are spiritual attacks that are real and eminent. HopeChest 1. Continued challenges in Russia (including the fact that they have quarantined our children at the orphanages in Ryzan making travel difficult) 2. We have a vision trip on the ground in Ethiopia (a woman on the trip has the flu) 3. Praying for our country leadership in Russia, Swazi, Uganda and Ethiopia 4. For Bosco as he is getting treated for his leg injury 5. For the launch of Bukedea Village in Uganda in Fargo this weekend. Pray for all of the children to have sponsors or advocates this week. Pray also for money to be raised to support this community. Pray for Lindsey E, Rachel and Ria who are putting on this launch weekend. Remember the Poor: The prayer that consumes us the most is for the church in America--for revival and awakening. We know when the church does what is designed to do, immeasurable joy will be ours and theirs as needs are met in abundance. So we are praying with all of you to our great God--that He would pour out His Spirit on us. We know the weapons of our warfare (prayer, speaking/teaching God's Word) have divine power to destroy strongholds, to destroy lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God, and to take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Cor 10) We are asking God to destroy strongholds in this nation and in our lives and to take every single thought captive to obey Him. Orphan Relief and Rescue - Liberia It's a busy two weeks for us, as our VP is here in Liberia and we're facing some tough decisions. In addition to the orphanages that we work with, whom we love and trust, there are dozens of orphanages that we've done assessments at, tried to work with, etc., where they simply need to be shut down. Abuse, neglect, rape, exploitation -- many of these directors have no business taking care of children, and solving these problems on "Africa time" is notacceptable where children's safety and growth and well-being are concerned. Please pray for wisdom and favor as we petition the government and other partners to work with us to close those down and find safe havens for all those children. And also for those situations that aren't so clear-cut, for discernment as to how to move forward. On behalf of the whole team, and the children you lift up by name, thank you -- your prayers are working. Lemonade International In conjunction with the Guatemala public school calendar, our schools in La Limonada will be closed for the month of December. During this time, please pray: For our team in Guatemala as they prepare for a new school year in January with more children than ever. Many of our team members will be traveling to visit family this month so please pray they will have a restful, relaxing and refreshing time with family and friends. For the children and families of La Limonada that this will be a time when they learn to trust in God and realize that it is He that is doing the work in their lives.... while at the same time may they grow in their appreciation of the beauty of the relationships that exist with them and the teachers and staff at the schools. For the plans and preparations for our first vocational training program for older students - a carpentry workshop at Escuelita Mandarina For the provision of shoes, backpacks, school supplies, scholarships and bonuses for teachers through our "Gifts Of Hope" Christmas Fundraising Program. Global Orphan Outreach Christina has a very important meeting with the MOH of Liberia tomorrow and advocating for special needs child. Pray God goes before her and Softens the heart of Liberian authorities to work more cooperatively with her and the forget me not program there. God has contined to bless the work there Thus far. Go towww.globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com Pray for the kids posted there who also need medical intervention. Thank-you. Thanks for praying with us! Love you guys! See you in the throne room :-) Would LOVE for more of you to join us on our conference call prayer time. I am blown away every time! Wednesday 9:30 AM at CALL IN #: 760-569-9000 ID: 968101# Thanks! Brandi www.BrandisThoughts.com

  • IFast58 Blog

    Waiting on the Lord - iFast58 - Nov 17

    Posted by on
    Posted 17 Nov 2009 10:38 PM
    • 0 Comments

    Waiting on the Lord is something that seems to be popping up everywhere for me lately.  It seems like it the Lord is really trying to teach me in this area...and if twitter is any indication...a lot of my friends too!  Sometimes it's waiting on little things... anticipating a fun weekend plan; sometimes its a grand event like a trip or an orphanage launch :-) or a move; other times its for things God has laid in your future, like waiting on an adopted child or some other promise the Lord has laid before you.  No matter what it is, for me waiting is hard.

    I told a friend tonight that waiting is a particularly interesting concept in my spiritual life.  It never seems to be something I "get" or conquer.  I can be feeling like I'm doing great one minute and be anxiously longing the next...all in the span of 15 minutes!  It constantly requires me to run to Him.  To cling to Him desperately some days and to simply hold His hand on others.  It's not something I do well on my own.  I think He makes it hard for me on purpose, so I run to Him regularly..you know, He kinda likes me and likes spending time with me  :-)

    Beth Moore spoke on Isaiah 40:31 recently.  "31Yet those who wait for the LORD, will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."  What she said really stuck out to me.  She said, notice that it says WAIT ON THE LORD. Not an event or a person or anything else.  If you are weary and tired in the waiting, maybe you aren't waiting on Him.  He promises that if we wait on HIM we will run without getting weary.  

    I hope that challenges you as much as it does me.  I want to use that to diagnose myself this week.  When I feel weary I'm going to choose to ask the hard question of whether or not I'm waiting on HIM or an event.  I'm going to run to HIS arms in that wait, whatever it may be, and drink in His life that will allow me to wait without growing weary.  

    Let's pray the same for so many who wait and long for hope.  Let's pray that God's church rises up to offer love, support and provision to the least of these.  Thanks for praying with me. You guys are a joy to me and I am privileged to join you in the throne room on behalf of the poor, the hungry, the oppressed and those that serve them.

    ABBA Fund 
    - Pray for the families in need of financial assistance for adoption
    - Pray for us to have wisdom with the funds that we have and that we would be good stewards of those funds and follow God's leading in disbursing them
    - Pray for God's provision for our operating funds
    - Pray for our church partners who have adoption funds that we administrate, pray for the families and orphans they represent
    - Pray for our new venture, ABBA's Family Thrift Store that we just opened last week to raise money for orphans and adoption

    Remember the Poor: 
     Very thankful for what so far is a successful well installation at the Nkumba, Uganda orphanage/school.  This week one of the Nkumba staff is headed out to the Teso region to do some follow-up work and hopefully order surveys to drill more wells.  We are asking the Lord for specific direction--that He would direct our steps to the areas that need water, and for accurate surveys in these areas so that we work with the correct drilling company.  We are also asking the Lord for the resources needed to irrigate the farm.  In summary, we are asking Him who is the fount of Living Water for water, water, water!

    Global Orphan Outreach~
    Christina Hoffman who is the stateside director of forget me not childrens homes will be traveling to Liberia next week. She will be meeting with several people both within the ministry of health as well as directors of feeding programs and hospitals whom are looking to place abandoned children with her in this program. Pray for guidance and discernment. 
    And as always- the funds to care for these kids

    Louisville Orphan Care Initiative
    Personal--from Amy Coleman: my husband needs healing of kidney stones. We ended up in ER today. 

    LOCI is overwhelmed with requests: PTL!!  Voluteers to be His hands & feet still needed.  Favor for all we come in contact with.

    HopeChest Requests:

    1. Ethiopia Vision trip departs in 13 days – pray for lives changed and children helped

    2. Sponsorship Launch of Mpholi in Swaziland by Salem Chapel in Winston-Salem , NC on Sunday November 28 – pray for all the kiddos to get sponsors

    3. Sponsorship Launch of Bukedea in Uganda by Connect Community in Fargo , North Dakota the weekend of December 3-6 – pray for fund-raising and sponsorships and a serious WARM FRONT – brrrrrrrr

    4. Sponsorship Launch of Ngariam in Uganda by Westmoore Church in Oklahoma City , OK on Sunday, December 13 – pray for fund-raising and 500+ children to get sponsored.

    5. Pray for our leadership in the US and overseas.

    6. Pray as we go into the holiday season that our attention would be set on things above and that we would try to make this holiday season less about materialism and more about giving eternal gifts.

    7. Specifically pray for Bosco, a 12 year old boy in Uganda who needs his leg amputated to save his life.  Pray for the $1500 necessary to get him medical help.  (see more info on Vince's blog or my own...feel free to post it!!! www.vincegiordano.blogspot.com)


    Orphan Relief and Rescue - Liberia
    As our field team is returning in force to Liberia, the year ahead looms large: lots of work to do. So many children needing shelter, nourishment (physical and spiritual), and     love. Please pray that the team knits together tightly as a family, shoulder to shoulder. Pray we remember the work is the LORD's, He is before and behind us everywhere we go, every child we touch.
    In particular, we lift up Michael, a 17-year old boy with advanced cirrhosis of the liver from Hep B. His prognosis isn't good. Please pray for healing, for wisdom for Deb, our nurse, in seeking care, and that throughout the coming months, Michael feels the touch of the Living God, the Great Physician, in a truly special way.
    Lemonade International
    About 80 children from La Limonada will be traveling to a retreat center on the Atlantic coast of Guatemala for an "Arts Camp" in partnership with an organization called Build-a-Bridge from Philadelphia, PA. Artists from Guatemala and from all over the US will be teaching all forms of art (drama, dance, painting, sculpting, etc) to the children all week and using the art forms to encourage the children to express their hurts, pain, fears, joys and dreams. For almost all of them it will be their first time seeing (and swimming in) the ocean. Our team in Guatemala is asking that we pray for:
    • God's protection in all our travels, every activity, and post-camp
    • For peace and unity to be ignited among our kids
    • For each child to have an "Aha" moment where God reveals their value and gifti

    For those of you joining the conference call prayer time tomorrow at 9:30 am (eastern time) there is a 

    NEW CALL IN NUMBER!!!!!!

     

    CALL IN #: 760-569-9000

    ID: 968101#

    Thanks!
    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

     

  • IFast58 Blog

    Going "All In"

    Posted by on
    Posted 11 Nov 2009 12:19 AM
    • 0 Comments

    Just added request: A family is traveling to Uganda in a week to see their adoptive daughter. Sarah Elizabeth (Joyce as she is known in Uganda) is in the hospital and the family does not know the details.  But God does!


    Pray for healing for this precious girl and for the family as they travel    .


    When I play poker, I like to keep all my chips.  I prefer to play penny poker and do the smallest bets possible.  This isn't because I don't sometimes think I have a great hand, it's because I'm afraid if I don't I'll be out of the game.  So, I bet small so I can play longer.

    It seems to me that the disciples were a bit like this.  As I shared a few weeks ago, I have been reading through the gospels.  One of the things that stuck out to me this week was the common use of the phrase, "and they believed".  What struck me as funny was that it was being applied to the same group of people multiple times.  The disciples.  They would see a miracle and Jesus would say, "then they believed who He was".  Apparently, they just believed a little at a time.  This is a new concept for me.  I have known all along that the Christian walk was a journey and I would learn along the way. However, this struck me as new.  They believed...then believed a little more.  

    I want to be an "all in" Christian like my friends are in poker. I want to just jump and believe.  Too often, I ask God for miracle after miracle to prove Himself....then, I'll believe. I ask Him to speak to me and then when He does, I want Him to say it again...just to make sure.  I don't want to be like that.  I want Him to speak once and I believe. I want to see Him move and I jump in.  I want to BELIEVE Him, not just continue to ask Him to prove Himself to me. 

    I'm not sure how this may apply to iFast or to the poor, hungry and oppressed, but maybe it will help you kick off your time with Jesus in the morning.  Maybe you too need to ask Him to reveal the areas of your life where you are waiting for one more miracle, one more time of Him saying the same thing over again so that you'll believe for real this time.  Maybe you need to go "all in" like me and just start believing Him because He is who He says He is.

    HopeChest's Requests:

    The following are our requests for iFast58:

    1. Our Ethiopia vision trip in November
    2. Pray for Ginia who is in Russia working with our Russian staff on new sponsorship strategies for Russia
    3. Pray for Kriek in Swazi who was in a car accident - she is sore but recovering
    4. Pray for the launches upcoming in Fargo for Bukedea (pronounced like BOO KA DAY AH) 256 children and for Westmoore Church that will sponsor Ngariam (pronounced like NAR EUM) close to 600 children.
    5. Pray for the Salem Chapel launch Thanksgiving week - a NEW Swazi Carepoint launch - YAY Jena Penner!


    Lemonade International's Requests

    Favor with the Guatemala court system - so approval would be granted to begin a foster home for children in crisis in La Limonada

    Wisdom for the legal representation in this case Protection for children in La Limonada suffering from physical and sexual abuse

    Financial provision for a larger home to house children in crisis situations

    Protection, wisdom, provision, favor for our Guatemala team 

    Focus and prioritization for our US team For Priscilla (one of our teachers/psychologists in La Limonada) who is in Cincinnati, OH for an internship program



    As always, we'd love for you to join us on Wednesday morning at 9:30 am (eastern time) for a corporate time of prayer.  just call Number: 605-990-0111

    Password: 433537# to join us!


    It is a privilege to join you in the throne room on behalf of the poor, hungry and oppressed across the world and those that serve them.  


    Thanks!

    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

     

  • IFast58 Blog

    Miracle Working God

    Posted by on
    Posted 27 Oct 2009 11:46 PM
    • 0 Comments

    I have asked my friend, Vince Giordano from HopeChest to write this week's iFast58 email.  He got to see God answer a sweet prayer today and I wanted him to share it since YOU guys were involved!!!


    "Today we received awesome news. We received news that confirms that He places the lonely in families. As much as we care about the least of these, He cares even more.  Dima is adoptable!! What an answer to prayer that all started with an iFast request. Just a few Wednesdays ago we prayed for sweet little Dima - a special needs child in Elatma orphanage in Russia. I was also praying simultaneously for God to make him available to become a part
    of our family. The first and biggest hurdle has been cleared! I am grateful to all of you who prayed for Dima and I am thankful to God for answering those prayers. He is such a sweet and loving God. In all of His power and majesty He lovingly cares for the helpless and hopeless. AND He chooses to use us in the process - how fantastic is that?

    As my dear friend Brandi has taught me, God cares deeply about our hearts...He is committed to changing, molding and healing them in the gentle way only He can do.  Whatever you are trusting Him for today, I encourage you to do it with your WHOLE heart. He is good and gracious and tender-loving God...no good thing will He withold from them that walk uprightly. I am overwhelmed by the love of our God tonight and I pray you would feel His love today and that you would make a choice to make that love known to someone in a tangible way.

    Blessings,
    Vince Giordano

    Does that thrill your heart?  It does mine! And it makes me excited for all the other miracles we can pray for this week!!!

    Orphan Relief and Rescue - Liberia
    Praise point first: the Lord provided a new generator for the team house; thank you to all who prayed for that necessary item. We're one step closer to getting back up to full speed!
    Please continue to pray for the weekend of Nov. 6 & 7: there is our annual board meeting, a dinner and swing dance in Seattle, and a dinner/auction in Atlanta. All together, we hope that this weekend will establish a strong foundation for the year. Please pray with us that we will be equipped and encouraged for the year ahead!

    HELP - Help End Local Poverty 
    1. I just heard that a local Raleigh church (Treasuring Christ Church) is speaking about orphans this Sunday and they are going to ask their congregation to support our orphans viawww.helponenow.com! This is a great opportunity to kick start this initiative. 

    2. This Thursday, I'm meeting with large church in Atlanta. They recently made the top 100 fastest growing church list. (these lists drive me nuts) They want to know more about us, possibly take a trip, build an orphanage and sponsor some kids and plant some churches.  Possible huge partnership. 

    3. This Friday I'm meeting with some key decison-makers for a large Christian Conference Organization. Long story short, HELP may become a parter with themt and they will help us build a platform via their blogs, conferences, podcast etc! They love our Rescue, Restore and Renew philosophy.  The good news is, they requested the meeting. 

    So, lot's of great opportunities for HELP!  Please pray for the following:
    1. Favor. 
    2. All of our kids in Zim (55 right now, we got more on the way) get sponsored in the next few weeks. 
    3. A place to stay in Atlanta. If I have to, I'll sleep in my car, HELP really can't afford hotels at this point. My contact fell through, so I'm hoping to find a place to crash while in Atlanta this Wed and Thurs.

    Remember the Poor:  
    I (Cindy) feel sort of funny asking for prayer for myself, but a friend encouraged me to solicit prayer.  So, this seems a good place to do it :).  Two years ago, completely out of the blue, I was struck by a strange illness/malady, mostly unexplainable by the medical community.  For the past two years, it has hindered me from participating in much of life and ministry.  This past week it was exascerbated, seemingly by additional activity, and it appears to be another setback.  I would love your prayers!

    Lemonade International
     They come directly from Tita Evertsz, our director in Guatemala. She and her team are focusing on prayer this week in La Limonada... and will be taking time each day to walk through the community to pray for the people. This will be the focus of their prayers:
    • for justice (against injustice)
    • for freedom (against Satan's captivity) 
    • for unity (against division)
    • for the ones that use drugs, that they stop feeling pleasure in that and even that they may not feel the high
    • for peace in the community 
    • that we may have God's grace and favor in La Limonada
    • that hunger would be provoked in their souls from God and from us
    • that God open their eyes and that they may see God working in the community
    Thanks to the ifast58 crew for joining Tita and the team in Guatemala in prayer!

    HopeChest
    1. In-country staff
    2. The return of the Swazi vision team
    3. The Ethiopia vision trip in November
    4. Ngariam, Bukedea and Shalom Sponsorship launches and for the churches and communities that are praying, planning and brainstorming for these launch weekends!
    5. For the successful launch of the new website
    6. For the successful funding of the Russian grad programs
    7. For our amazing team of volunteers and our US staff
    8. That we always remember we exist for the benefit of the children
    first and for His glory


    As always, we'd LOVE to have you join us for our conference call time of prayer!  Call in at 9:30 tomorrow morning (eastern time) to Number: 605-990-0111

    Password: 433537#

    See you there....love you guys and praying for you as you fast and pray for the poor, hungry and oppressed throughout the world and for those that serve them!

    Brandi 
    www.BrandisThoughts.com

  • IFast58 Blog

    What kind of God do we serve? - iFast58 10/20/09

    Posted by on
    Posted 20 Oct 2009 10:14 PM
    • 0 Comments

    I've been reading through the book of Matthew this week.  2 things have stuck out to me in a new and fresh way. . .1. we serve a Jesus of miracles. Miracles! Yet, I am so much like the disciples who seemed to forget so quickly.  When problems loom and issues come up, I forget the kind of God that I serve. HE CAN DO ANYTHING!!!  The 2nd thing that has stuck out to me is His invitation for me to ASK.  Not only can He DO miracles, but He invites me to ask for them.  

    So this week. . both in your personal lives and in the ministries that we are praying for. . let's ask for miracles.  Let's be bold and ask Him to move mountains....then, let's sit back and watch our Miracle Working Jesus move mountains.  Let's ask Him to expand our faith this Wednesday.  I don't know about you. . .but I don't want to be a disciple who sees the hungry crowd and says. 'oh but Lord. . .what will we do?" but who looks to HIM to feed the masses and asks How we can be involved!

    We only have 3 organizations who have sent in requests, so please pray as you feel led for HopeMongers (site is back up after a few days down!), Abba Fund, Orphan Relief and Rescue, Louisville Orphan Care Initiative, Amazima, Remember the Poor and Lemonade Int'l (though we know they are in Guat. so pray for their trip!)

    Global Orphan Outreach
    We are talking with some other big organizations about partnering with us to work with special needs kids in Liberia. Our prayer is that they see the value in working together. It  takes time for this to evolve as relationships are built between organizations a

    HELP
    1. Pray for wisdom and provision.  (not generic, we really need it.)
    2. Pray that we sponsor 100 kids in Zimbabwe, we launch www.helponenow.com next week. 
    3. Pray for workers, we need some major volunteer help. 
    HOPECHEST
    1. Swazi vision trip
    2. Upcoming Ethiopia vision trip
    3. Mangewaneni Carepoint (GuGu's) - profiling would be completed and that sponsors would step up
    4. Launches for Ugandan sponsorships would stay on track
    5. For our in-country staff
    6. For this weekend in Oklahoma City.  Amy B, Lindsey A (fellow iFasters) and Betsy C will each be throwing fundraising parties.  Pray for GOD to bring the people.  Each of them are nervous about who will show up....but we know that it is GOD who makes things happen. Pray for people to show up, pray for provision for HIS little ones in Uganda and pray for people to be moved to action on behalf of them!  These events will take place Thursday night, Friday night, Sat morning and Sat night. Please pray!
    Join us first thing tomorrow morning (or today if you are on the east coast) at 9:30 am for our prayer time.  Call in 605-990-0111

    Password: 433537#
    We'd love to pray together with you!

  • IFast58 Blog

    Savoring Each Bite

    Posted by on
    Posted 6 Oct 2009 11:20 PM
    • 0 Comments

    I am thrilled that so many of our awesome organizations have gotten their prayer requests in this week!!!  My suggestion for this week, with this many requests is to pace yourself and pray specifically for each request.  I'd encourage you to print this out or keep your laptop open during the day.  Use these requests as your menu for the day.  Just like you would normally reach for a snack or meals throughout the day. . reach for these requests. Take one organization or even one request at a time. . .savor it. . . take it before the Father.  Don't let this be something that you do casually, but carefully.  Read the requests and let the enormity settle in.  Think about the individual children or adults represented. 

    Enjoy your menu of requests for the day :-) But don't forget to add in the real dessert. . .time in HIS word! There and only there will you be filled.

    We have a new organization joining us this week!  Welcome Chris Marlow and HELP(Help End Local Poverty) www.helpendlocalpoverty.com for more info!  
    1. Pray for favor as we pursue a key partnership with a large church in Atlanta. 
    2. Pray for key volunteers for HELP as we try to grow and expand. 
    3. We recently discovered that some of our girls (orphans, age 9,10,11) were trafficked in Cairo. Pray for their safety and release. 
    4. Pray for favor with the Zimbabwe government, they may give our pastor friend in Zimbabwe 53 acres to build orphanages so we can rescue homeless orphans. 
    5. Pray for our finances, as we seek one-time and monthly sponsors for our stateside operations.
    Caroline's Promise
    I would love for you to pray for the board of directors of cp. For wisdom and discernment

    Global Orphan Outreach
    Pray for the online auction running fron now until Oct. 28th. Pray for God's Provision through this auction for Forget Me Not, their orphan program for special needs kids. Check out www.globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com for more info and to pray more specifically.

    Orphan Relief and Rescue
    -There are 2 big fundraisers coming up in November. 
    Nov 6 in Fayetteville, GA and Nov 7 in Seattle, WA. 
    -Some of our staff will be heading back to Liberia in the next few weeks and there are a lot of details that need to come together; vehicles, generator, all around logistics and tools so that the work can be done most effectively. 
    -Our Child Development Program is gearing up for the school year.  Please pray for wisdom for Mariel as she leads it and for the kids in the small groups.  Several older children have received scholarships to be able to go to school, but there are more who need help.
    -Health and well being of all the kids in our homes as they emerge from rainy season. 
     
    Lemonade International
    1. For our team... as we clarify how we communicate what God has called us to do
    2. For provision for the completion of the renovations of our "Escuelita Mandarina" school building
    3. For a team of 11 from Lifepointe Church in Raleigh, NC who will be serving with us in La Limonada from October 18-24
    4. For a "House Party" this Saturday for Guatemalan adoptive families in Durham, NC
    Remember the Poor
    Well-drilling in Uganda:  Still working on selecting a contractor.  We are thankful God has been supplying excellent connections and good information.  In connection with this, we need to be able to make good water assessments in the areas we will be drilling.  Asking God to provide the people to do that.

    HopeMongers
    that we would see a project funded this week
    that we would have discernment regarding partners and projects as opportunities pour out from everywhere
    wisdom for next steps for company expansion and growth particularly in regard to locations, hiring decisions, and volunteer management
    that God would send us coop leaders to build the community

    HopeChest
    1. Pray for in-country staff: Peter Abera - Ethiopia; Jumbo and Kriek Gerber - Swaziland; Joseph Elotu - Uganda; Masha & Katya - Russia
    2. Pray for our volunteers. Specifically, Erin Moore who has an event ("10/10") planned for Saturday. Pray for hearts to be opened to the cause of the poor and for money to be raised.  Pray also for Lindsey Andrews and Amy Bottomly who are planning fundraising events to take place in a few weeks.  Pray as invitations go out, hearts will be moved. 
    3.Pray for the Swaziland vision trip in October;  Pray for the Ethiopian trip in November
    4. Pray for 5for50 launch
    5. For good stewardship for the whole organization
    6. Pray for our Quarterly Board meeting next week
    7. Pray for the launch of 1200 new sponsorships in Uganda before the end of January and for the churches and communities that are represented as they plan and prepare.
    8. Pray for the launch of the new website

    Pray also for Amazima, Abba Fund, RLC, Louisville Orphan Care Initiative and Doma.  Pray also for other organizations who God may be calling to get involved.  Pray for the teens who I had the privilege of sharing with today.  Many of them indicated that they may want to join us.
    I'd also love to invite you to join us on our weekly conference call time of prayer tomorrow (actually today!) at 9:30 am EST.  It is such a precious time each week to join together corporately all across the nation to pray for the poor, the hungry and the oppressed as well as those who serve them, both here and abroad.  Call 605-990-0111

    Password: 433537#
    One more thing. . .we'd love to see you join the group at www.ifast58.org! 

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