Hands-On

New Hope Foundation in China could use an updated revision of their brochure. Is anyone up for volunteering at an orphanage, from the comfort of your own home? Let me know ... it needs to be professional so someone with prior design experience would be great!  

Concerning the recent article about PFO in the Stars and Stripes Newspaper ... The Stars and Stripes is distributed to military bases throughout Europe and Asia, downrange (war zones), and online. Their estimated readership is approximately 400,000 people! Oh my ... it's amazing how God can use the efforts of one person to really spread the word! Way to go Leah! Thank you for helping us give a voice to orphans around the world.

 Photo by John Kay of kids at www.hopefosterhome.com

PFO in the Paper

Today there is a really good article in the Stars and Stripes newspaper about PFO and the plight of the children that we serve. This is distributed on various military bases, I just emailed to ask about that. Please pray that God would use this to inspire more than we could ever imagine, enabling us to help more children. Copy & Paste the below:

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=140&article=65606

p.s. PFO became an official organization in 2003, we gained tax-exempt status in 2007.

Generosity of God's people on display ...

 

On Sept. 20th, 5 protestant chapels on military bases in Stuttgart, Germany gave offerings designated to Portion for Orphans. This was a fundraiser specifically to help cover the 2010 medical expenses of New Life Orphanages in Kenya. On average, this medical orphanage incurs average annual medical expenses totaling approximately $25,000. New Life takes in children who are on the brink of survival, children who have been abandoned in fields, trash cans and hospitals, children that other centers cannot or will not take in. Many arrive HIV+, but with proper care and medical attention, more than 90% become HIV- within the first 2 1/2 years of life. New Life has taken in more than 1090 babies, more than 800 have been adopted. They have 7 homes around Kenya where the children who are not adopted grow up. New Life is founded by founded by UK missionaries and is a registered non-profit in the US as well as the UK. 

I'm thrilled to announce that the total given on Sept. 20th was $13,729.43. 

Because of these offerings, along with 2 VBS fundraisers over the summer and other donations that have come in from individual donors, PFO will be able to make a Christmas gift to New Life that will cover their 2010 medical expenses. That is awesome! God is really moving on behalf of His children and you all are responding SO generously! There are lots of pictures and video on previous posts from my recent trip to New Life. 

As you can see, PFO partners with orphanages that are doing an exceptional job caring for children. Our vision is to help expand their work.  

Hu Jian Lun is just over 1 year old. I met this cute little guy at New Hope Foundation this summer. Due to his cleft lip and pallet, he had a feeding tube and arm braces to prevent him from pulling the tube out. PFO donors funded his $650 cleft pallet surgery. It costs a little more than before because we are working with a different organization and they must send the children as well as a nanny via train to the Operation Smile clinic. Our funds cover the cost of transportation for baby and nanny, as well as a hotel and food for the remainder of the child's stay in the hospital. In Hu Jian Lu's case, he went to the hospital 3 times for this surgery. Unfortunately, Operation Smile kept returning him due to various issues preventing him from having surgery. After a lengthy time in hospital, he has just returned 'home' a healthy baby with a beautiful new smile! Thank you all for helping take care of these babies. :) 

  

Here is Hu Jian Lun before and after his recent cleft lip surgery! What a way to show God's love. 

Thailand ... Unbelievably beautiful country and people! Casey and I had a wonderful and fruitful time visiting with the Australian Directors of Mercy International, who've started 3 orphanages across Northern Thailand. Overall, Mercy looks after more than 150 children, each of whom have their very own unique story.  

Here are some pictures of us with the kids... 

  
 

Prayer Requests ... Please pray with us for opportunities to fundraise for Thailand, for a covered play area and hopefully a new home for the kids in Khon Kaen, who against the odds are growing up healthy and in need of more space. Also, on Sept. 20th, 5 Protestant Congregations in Germany will take a designated offering for PFO, 100% will help cover the 2010 medical expenses for New Life Kenya. 

Safe and smooth arrival ... Casey and I spent the afternoon and evening at the first Mercy Orphanage yesterday. It's a home for 40 precious kids that are HIV+. My favorite part of the evening was after dinner when all the kids gathered around for a devotional. They do this each night and a different caregiver teaches them something from the Bible. The older boys are learning guitar and they led the group in a few worship songs, ones you would know but in the Thai language. It was very neat to see all the children worshiping so wholeheartdely and respectfully. PFO donors have enabled us to provide $15,000 of support for these chidlren in the last year and a half. These funds help provide school uniforms and supplies as well as nutritional meals. I'll post pictures when I'm able, for now we are heading out to the next center a few hours West of here towards Chiang Mai. We'll be visiting with the founders concerning current needs and future projects we can help support. Please be praying for the Mercy kids and John Kay as he is in China.