Passion for Orphans and Widows

One of the very worst things that came about because of my surgery was not being about to go to Ethiopia with Sara beth Fentress. It is clear from talking to her and people that have met her that she has a real passion for the children of Africa.

I have often said to people who have never been to Africa that you just cannot understand what an amazing place it is. I know we are talking about many nations but about half of them fall into the category of needing help with Orphans, Widows and HIV. I, obviously want to share the blogs of anyone who has fallen in love with Africa. If you have been there and left, you know that you left a part of your heart there. I am OK about that. It just me more incentive (like I needed anymore) to go to Africa.

Sara is selling an awesome shirt and most of the proceeds will go to help widows and orphans in Africa. I have a feeling that one day our ministries will cross and we will be able to do great things for the Lord and for the people of Northern and Eastern Africa especially. I have not only added a picture of the shirt but a photo of Sarah loving on some kids in Africa.

Check out her blog: http://www.sarabethfentress.blogspot.com/ and if you are interested in buying the church for $20.00 plus a couple dollar for shipping, contact me at jarnwine@charter.net and make sure you put the word "SHIRT" in the subject line.

This week

I am so excited about a couple of things that are going on right now. First, this is the very first blog entry using my new Mac Book Pro. It is very exciting. Until now I have been a faithful PC user and all of the notebooks I have had have been HP. But, I decided to take the leap into the glorious world of Apple and so far, so good.

I also had a great time speaking at two events for the Baptist Women's Day of Prayer. I love talking to people about missions and the people group that I am called to minister to. I love that I got to talk about THE FREEDOM PROJECT and that the women were excited. So many people, many of these women included are unaware of the awful conditions that have plagued Sudan for so long. It is not on the news and if it not something you actively seek to learn more about, you can easily miss it. I fail to understand why it is not on the news every single night. Part of the reason I feel this way is the passion I have for this people group and what is happening to them, but the senseless murder rape of so many is news!!!

The women asked a lot of really good questions. They were touched by the trauma that these women have gone through. They even collected clothing that I will sending to an orphanage in the country we will eventually open The Freedom Center. I just loved talking to these women, answering their questions and knowing people are praying for The Freedom Project.

WHAT A WEEK. . . . and it is only Wednesday.

Missions Education

This weekend I had to the chance to talk to more than 700 children about the needs of refugees in Africa. We talked about the Freedom Project and why it was something that we needed. They were so great. The event was JAM, a missions educations event for children. They had so many questions and were amazed at the needs of the people in Africa. Some even told me about the work that their church was doing in Africa. They were great.

Next week for the Baptist Women's Day of Prayer I have the honor of getting to talk to two meetings. We are going to talk about Islam and the things that are going on in that area of the world. These wonderful women are even collecting clothes for me to send to orphans and refugee children that are in need. I cannot wait to share with these women about the needs of refugees. I will be sure to share more about it later. Remember to pray for The Freedom Project. It is coming along, slowly but it is coming along.

Better

Thanks for the prayers. We are going to look into our first fund raiser. We have had fun creating animated versions of ourselves. We are doing it ultimately for security reasons once we are out and meeting more people and have official links to the blog. For now it is just fun. Be looking for things that we are doing later in the year. For now. Here is the animated me. Fun to be able to be whatever size you want. The rest is pretty close. Thanks for the prayers for my back. I am excited about getting back in the groove and getting the info we need. I am planning trip to Africa in May or June 2010 and will know so much more then.

Blessings,

Jennifer

Today in Darfur

Today many women were raped in Darfur. They watched their husbands die and some lost children but they will carry the bodies around for days, loving them too much to just leave them. If the babies are left at moment of death some are put in the water to contaminant the water. They lose their home, their husbands, they gain the fear of rape and trauma. How can we do nothing???? How can we watch this happen?

The Big Freedom Project is in tentative negations to build a safe house, actually a safe compound. The women will learn a trade and we will help sell the things they make in the US with all the money going to them. Students must be educations we will have a school and a clinic for the family. We have also felt that we will have 2 day clinics for those in need in the host nation.(A clinic for the people involved with the center and a free clinic to be staffed by mission teams that come in) We know that we will run small orphanage 5-20 HIV, AIDS positive kids. The clinics will oversea the med, they will go to school, we will have 2 full time care given for the 5-15. The Sudanese women who want to learn the care givers.I am rambling, there are so many things we want to do for the women of Sudan and for the host country. Pray with us and do what you can. No one should carry their dead baby around for days for love and fear they (the child will be used to to containment the water. Just let you voice. There is a cause in face book under my name, join. The more you know. . . . . comments welcome. I am working on grammar. It is 3:30 in the morning. I covet you feedback.

Don't forget to check out www.EthiopiaKids.com. You will love to pictures painted in words by the members of this forum.

Darfur, Congo, Chad etc.

There are so many things we hear in the news today. The lead story was about the president having a meeting to deal with an issue that may have been racially motivated. I have no opinion on that. It is not my place.

For many of us, Africa does not seem a part of the world or it is a part we can easily ignore. If you are a human, (and my educated guess is that you are) a citizen of the world this is something you should care about. I know, it is my opinion but . . . .

I have a challenge for you. When you watch the news look for stories about the genocides that are happening in the Sudan, Chad, Congo part of the world. Do some research about what is happening. How is this not the lead story on the news daily?

Now, I know we all have our callings and care more about some things that others. I am one that cares about this issue, these people, these survivors. But I do not think this is my pet issue. Yes, it is my calling but I ask you to look into this issue and look into your heart. Read and be educated. Then pray and think about getting involved when the time comes. As Helen Keller said, "The world is full of suffering but it is also full of the overcoming of it." Be a part of the overcoming of suffering in the world! Pray about it. Let me know what you think.

Blessings,

Jennifer

*photo credit from free photos. "Africa from Space."

My blogs, Part Two

On my blogs look at the LA Connection, she is a very talented designer and on the roll look at Bek Wales blog, a great mom with lots to say. Look at them. They are great blogs.

Children Stole My Heart

I cannot find the picture of the baby that I held. So many people need help. Please become a follower and share with people you know. The Freedom Project is to help refugees and families but we also want to be a part of the community that we will be lining in and be a part of helping everyone that we come in contact with. The goal is to make the lives better or safer for everyone we meet. I look forward to having more people come along and join the blog and keep up with things that are happening and be a part of the solution. Soon there will be chances for you to add something like a silent auction, come to one of oue fundraisers. Please tell your Friends. Thanks for all you read and are a part.

Blessings,

Jennifer

Children

Thanks fully there are many children who have been adopted from nations in Africa. My friends D and A have adopted an beautiful child, E-girl (names are not given to ensure safety). D had started a web sight http://www.ethiopiakids.com/. If you are an adoptive parent from Ethiopia please visit and help those who are in the long and often hard process. This family is a blessings and if I had permission I would put a picture of the beautiful E-girl and all the kids who have been given forever families.

One of the goals of the Freedom project is to have a orphanage or help one financially that already existed. Please join in me prayer as we look forward to being more active in the work of the Freedom Project.

All of the ministries we will either start or assist in are worthy of your time, prayer and support. Please remember these are people who are hurting. Please join me in prayer for them.

Thanks for caring. It means a lot.

Back to School

As I walked through Target today I saw "Back to School" and "Decorate your Dorm" signs all over the place. When I was a teacher this was my favorite time of year. I loved getting ready for the students to come to school. Now, when I see those signs and all of the great school supplies (yes, I still buy notebooks and markers, just for me) I am always transported back to the schools I visited in Africa. Where I was in Africa, school was a privilege, not a right. Students yearned for an education, knowing, hoping it would help them have a better life. Of the schools, all 16-20 we visited, a few were concrete rooms with tin roofs but more of them than not were tin buildings held together with mud and straw. The classrooms were overcrowded. Sixty students would sit in a "room" meant for twenty. They had no books or chalk. They had no computers or pencils and paper. Yet, this was the dream. And in that place they learned because there were teachers who wanted them to learn. But primarily, they learned because they craved knowledge. You should have seen their faces. You should have heard the laughter and joy. I wish you could have seen them laugh at our feeble attempts to say something in their language. They soaked in every tiny piece of information they were given. They walked miles alone to get to school because they wanted to learn. Statistically there is very little chance of them getting out of the life they lived but if the could, it would not be without an education. I left some of my heart with those kids, in that country, on that continent.

As you buy new backpacks and paper, as you check things off the list and wait in long lines with children who dread the beginning of the school year, I challenge you to think of two things. First, the right we have to education is a gift, a ticket to the world of adulthood and success. It is everything, second only to a relationship with Christ. Second, think about the schools and students on there other side of the world. There are no supply lists that lead to frustration. But, just as with your child, the education they often fight for is the ticket to life. They do not get to stand in lines while the person in front them runs to get the folder with pockets because they got the one without. They walk miles, sometimes without shoes to have the chance to learn something that one day may help them help others.

The Freedom Center wants to be a part of making a school (hopefully more in the future) where each students has a chair of their own, where each student has paper and pencils, where each student learns something that can better the lives they lead and the community they live in. When you are in line, thank our Father for the privilege of shopping for school supplies. Please pray for those who live in a world where education is not easily obtained and is often abandoned. In that line. try not to get in a hurry or be frustrated, instead pray for those students who sit 4 to a seat and crave everything they can learn. While you wait, pray. While you wait, thank the Father that you live in a nation that has school supply lists that make long lines at Target. Consider thanking the Father for the privilege of having a supply list at all. If your feet hurt from a long day of work, shopping and long lines, pray for the children who walk miles on rocky roads to get to school.

Doesn't the PSA that NBC does end every segment with the statement, "the more you know. . . ." ? Pray they will know more and pray they will know the Teacher of us all.