Nine years ago, I was approached by Canadian Food for the Hungry International and asked if I'd like to partner with them as a Child Sponsorship facilitator. I heartily said "Yes - but..."! Instead of facilitating the sponsorship of children from all over the world, I asked if we could focus on a particular region of their choice. They chose the village of Makhai which was sinking in devestating loss, death and disease (AIDS). In essence, I "adopted" this community, and many of YOU got on board immediately too by sponsoring children from the village! (By the way, your sponsored children are BEAUTIFUL!) Well, here's the story of what has happened, in the words of Elaine Dahl, CFHI worker...

"I got to sit there, with the village leaders, and I asked them.....so what's different? How are you different now from 8 years ago?" They all got quite teary actually, and then began to talk. Eight years ago, CFHI workers [I was part of this team!] came to their community, and among other things, told them that God loved them and wanted to bless them. The leaders believed they were cursed by evil spirits, but the CFHI workers assured them that God had won that battle long ago and that He ruled and reigned.

The leaders began to believe, and when CFHI workers gave them ideas as to how to look after their children and their community, the workers also assured them that they could do it, and that God was with them. They made changes, they began to collect clean water, began to clean up the area, began to educate their children, to care for their neighbours. They studied scripture, learned about Jesus' love and care and claimed Him for their own. They tried the new crops that CFHI workers suggested, and it worked. They thought about education and the CFHI workers said, "You have so much here, you could build it yourselves!" So, they made bricks for many months.

Then, a work team from Canada came, and helped them build the school. And on and on! Now, they are a healthy, thriving community, designing income generating ideas so they can care for the vulnerable children in their community. They know without a doubt that God loves and blesses them, and they know that with His help, they did it! The community people look to their own leaders for help, for spiritual and moral guidance, and the CFHI workers are on the sidelines, encouraging, giving ideas, but ultimately, allowing the leaders to lead.
It is so exciting Debbie, because now CFHI is pulling out. The leaders and people are so excited, because it's been a long process of teaching them that we are only around for 8-9 years, that we will empower and facilitate -- but then we leave. They know we're not going far, just to another community nearby that wants us to come. Our field workers will also check in regularly, because by now they are close brothers, sisters and friends.

But Makhai doesn't need more sponsored children anymore! The community is caring for it's own children! They don't need too many more ideas, they have many of their own. They just built a vocational school because their young people were having to go too far for training. The leaders of the community are now being asked by neighbouring communities to come and show them what they need to do differently, and they bring the good news of Jesus with them wherever they go. [We just heard that now the Bishop of Uganda is pointing to this community as a model!]

So it was an incredible visit, to see Papa (the most senior leader) talk so excitedly about God's love and protection, that they were NOT cursed, that they were blessed and loved. That has changed everything. Now they are children of the King and they know it. For me, what was the most incredible of all was that all of what we teach and preach about here in Canada, sustainable development, building into churches, leaders, families, sending, influencing, empowering....giving them a future and a hope, with a vision of a community of people who love God....all those things....IT REALLY WORKS! THAT was a defining moment for me. Nine years with CFHI, seven years in Africa as a mission worker, and for the very first time, I got to see the "finished product". Oh what a day THAT was, and I thought of you Debbie, since you were part of the beginning..."

~Elaine Dahl

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THE BEGINNING OF DEBBIE'S MISSIONAL JOURNEY 

At age 9, Debbie deeply felt the call of Christ's Great Commission ... and her heart began to beat for the last, the lost and the least.  In 1990, while recording her first cassette tape of original songs in college (called "All the Way to the Throne"), Debbie's heart for Missions inspired her copyright name and record company, Far Away Music.  Little did she know that her gifts in encouragement, music and worship would be the catalyst for taking her ministry "far away" around the globe, even when she wasn't physically present!  Now she lives to encourage men and women everywhere into a lifestyle of worship by embracing the Hope of God's fathomless love in Jesus Christ (the really Good News!) She and Scott feel called to help the Church "get the Gospel straight ... and then get the Gospel out.  When the message of the Gospel is truly grasped, not only does it transform us from the inside out, it empowers us to reach out and embrace humanity, in the same way that Christ embraced us! 

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BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING ~ A PERSONAL NOTE FROM DEBBIE! 

"My friend, and gifted painter, Donna Smallenberg  has graciously  partnered with us in our Kingdom endeavour to call the Church to awareness and action when it comes to the "last, lost and the least of these".  Her magnificent work of art entitled "Today's Orphans, Tomorrow's Leaders" graces my own dining room / living room and reminds us to PRAY...and GIVE ... and then do everything we can for these little ones.  Through the sale of this painting, Donna and I will be donating 50% to "Children's Charities / Organizations such as www.HopeForTheNations.com and www.StoneyCreekExpeditions.com   and Canadian Food for the Hungry International . 

Donna's beautiful painting is 12" by 24" in size.  It is printed on 80 lb. archival paper, is of a limited edition quality and is being offered to you for only $30 US/Cnd.  The stunning price, quality and the equally stunning purpose behind it is meant to bless YOU.  However, it is also meant to bless an orphan.  Every beautiful print sold will be used to help these reputable organizations pull them out of slavery, give them food, hope, freedom and Jesus!  So, frame this beauty as you wish, to match your own decor!  It will make a WONDERFUL conversational piece that will remind you and your children -- that you are BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING to the last, the lost and the least.    

Order your very own special print of Donna's painting here:  Info@FarAwayWorship.com   We will send it to you immediately in a very protective cardboard tube.  Include your full name and mailing address; and pop a check / cheque in the mail for $30.  Please add $10 for shipping / handling for a TOTAL of $40..  Mail it to Far Away Music Canada, Box 7, Chilliwack, BC V2P 6H7.  Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child-at-risk today!  View Donna's beautiful painting below ...  "

In His Everlasting Love,

DEB :)

     

 

Far Away Music Canada | Box 7 Station Main, Chilliwack, BC | V2P 6H7 CANADA

FarAway Phone: 604 793 4580

FarAway Fax:  604 793 4510

E-mail: Info@FarAwayWorship.com