Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Bible Camping in Tanzania




Each year our partners in Tanzania bring our older sponsored kids "Bible Camping." Just like a youth camp here in the U.S., the kids get to be away from their homes for a few days, enjoy delicious food, play sports, and learn more about our Lord!





The kids also have the privilege of learning spiritual knowledge and life advice from families and community members. For most of the kids, it's the highlight of their year--and for first-timers, it could be the best days they've ever had in their lives!





So far, we've received $300 for the camp. But to facilitate the awesome experience of Bible Camping for the 70 kids and staff members, we need to raise a total of $1,792. If you would like to donate, you can use the response card that came with the latest issue of "Hope is Alive" magazine, or click to our web site to donate. You can select "Tanzania Bible Camping" under the "Special Projects" menu on the donation page.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

1 Million!



We've got some great news! During the past week we marked the 1 millionth dollar given through Lahash! Thanks to each of you in dozens of nations around the world for caring so much about our brothers and sisters in East Africa.


What has been done with the gifts? At Lahash, people specify gifts to three different areas. Here's where the dollars have gone over the past five years.

East African Partnerships:
* 130 Kids Sponsored Monthly - They are receiving tuition, supplies, and hope each month from kind sponsors around the world

* Care for Vulnerable Adults - There are 300 people with leprosy receiving life-sustaining household gifts, 100s of families affected by AIDS who receive Home Based Care, and dozens of widows receiving counseling and support

* New Buildings - New schools, dorms, homes, a dispensary, and repairs to dozens of damaged or old buildings have enabled vulnerable people to have a chance in life

* Supporting Local Staff - Over 20 courageous and sacrificial men and women serve in their neighborhoods and villages through our local partnerships. This support allows for sustained and culturally sensitive ministries to transform lives and give hope.

Lahash Staff:
* Four Full Time Staff - Two serving with Lahash in Portland, Oregon, and two serving in East Africa. The staff enables dozens of volunteers and advocates to spread the news of hardship and hope, process donations, hold events, sponsor more children, and move people to understand more of God's heart for vulnerable people.

Lahash Travelers:
* Over 150 Travelers have traveled to five East African nations sharing, serving, loving, crying, and living life with our brothers and sisters in need. They've come with medical expertise, photography skills, teaching and counseling backgrounds, Biblical training, construction skills, and a willingness to do anything to love and be with their global neighbors in need.

A word about money:
Our ultimate goal at Lahash is not to raise a lot of money. But ambitious projects and the intensive care of vulnerable people do require gifts from friends around the world. We want to celebrate with you this exciting marker, and together dream about new futures, lives, and hopes for all those in need and who suffer! Thank you for demonstrating and sharing the love of Jesus through these East African partnerships!


But what can one dollar really do?
Just one dollar can do so much! For example:
1. Provide several meals to a family affected by AIDS in Kenya
2. Buy several writing books and pens for Sudanese orphans
3. Pay for a trip for a hospital checkup for an AIDS patient in Tanzania

Every single dollar goes so much further than you think. Each dollar counts. Each dollar is a blessing. We thank you for your continued support, prayers, and love!

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Opening Ceremony Of Tenderfeet Education Center.


At a colorful Ceremony, the new Tenderfeet school was officially opened. In attendance were the Collette foundation team, the children, teachers, parents and few invited guests. The Collette foundation has been instrumental in the funding of the purchase of the new plot of land for Tenderfeet that is large enough to hold the school buildings and also a playground for the children.

Tenderfeet education center has developed to aid Orphans and other vulnerable children of pre-school age in Nairobi, Kenya. Tenderfeet Education Center focuses on creating a positive environment for the children. The center was founded and directed by Margaret whose motivation is to improve the living situation of the country in the years to come.
Originally located in Kibera, The largest township in in East Africa, the school was forced to move due to the unrest In early 2008. Tenderfeet is now located in Riruta, a suburb of Nairobi, currently has 80 students. Although the location has changed, the passion of Tenderfeet is very much alive.
It was a privilege to be a part of this eventful day and just seeing the Joy on Margaret face and those beautiful smiles on the children's faces was just amazing. You could see a great future for the children.

While Margaret was giving her speech, one could not notice the joy felt from her words, she expressed the gratitude she had for all those who has enabled the project to to where it is now , she also highlighted on some of the steps the project has gone through to the current state.


The greatest achievement for the school so far has been the actualization of their own facility which has facilitated the fulfillment of Margaret's mission and vision.
We give God all the glory for this far he has brought them and pray for all other projects still pending like electricity to be installed and the completion of the Toilets.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Traveler Training




On Saturday the 5th, we held a traveling training seminar here at the office. We have 11 people who will be traveling to Africa in the summer and fall (and all but one has already traveled to Africa!). There are two main "teams" for this trip: the Sponsorship Team and the Media Team. We had a wonderful African meal, talked about the role of advocacy and God's heart for the vulnerable. We even had a packing demonstration.



Please pray for the health, safety, and God-mindedness of all of those who have made the tough decision to travel to Africa. And pray for those who still are wrestling with the decision, specifically Casey and Abbe Schilperoort, who are still seeking God's will for them and their two little ones Asher (age 2 1/2) and Lucy (4 1/2 months) in making the right decision for their family.

We praise God for all your support and prayers!


Thursday, June 03, 2010

Work Parties and House/Office Needs

There are some big concerns about Lahash House during our lovely Oregon rain torrents. We urgently need a roofing person to flash the chimney to keep out that rain. Does anyone know an unemployed roofer who would like to do a very important job? Or perhaps a well-employed one not likely to charge the standard fee? It's a priority need right now, so if you can point us to a likely roofing angel, please let us know!





There are also additional projects at Lahash House to continue the remarkable progress made last summer and fall. Winter sort of froze volunteer enthusiasm, but we'd like to renew efforts to make the Lahash House a bright, welcoming place to complement the fantastic work of our staff.

So here's the plan: we'll have four major work days during the summer, all Saturdays - June 12, 19, 26, and July 10. There's more than enough work for folks who want to paint, or rake, or hammer, or plaster, or tote, or scrape. There will be food and drinks - coffee and doughnuts when you arrive and lunch. Let us know you can be with us on one, two, or all of those days.




Here's 3 Ways to get involved:
-Work Days
Come join the hilarious and fascinating Lahash community for days of renovating and improving the old home. We'll go from about 9 AM to 5 PM.

Email info@lahash.net if you can make it!
• June 12
• June 19
• June 26
• July 10

-Chimney/Roof
We need a kind soul who can assist us with chimney and roofing work. Are you that kind of person? Or do you know a friend of a friend that would love to share expertise and time for a good cause?
Let us know: info@lahash.net


Our recently refurbished Presentation/Meeting Room. Hopefully the whole house will look like this some day!


-Donations
If you can't make it to one of the work days, but still want to pitch in, we're in need of donations to get all the supplies and work done. This summer we need to replace windows, purchase paint & primer, replace fixtures, and purchase furniture. We need an additional $5,500 to make the magic happen!

To donate, head to www.lahash.net/donate.html or send your donation into our office:

Lahash International
4850 N Vancouver Ave
Portland, OR 97217

We appreciate all the ways you support the Lahash ministry, and we are confident that God will provide!