Friday, October 31, 2014

ORPHAN SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 2, 2014


CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD WILL BE CELEBRATING
ORPHAN SUNDAY THIS WEEK

WHY?

TO BRING AWARENESS TO COMMUNITIES OF THE NEED FOR FAMILIES FOR ALL CHILDREN - LET'S WORK TOGETHER FOR
A
WORLD WITHOUT ORPHANS

ONE CHILD, ONE FAMILY, ONE CHURCH AT A TIME!

AND IT IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH IN CANADA


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

NOVEMBER 2, 2014 - ORPHAN SUNDAY AROUND THE WORLD - NOW IN BARRIE, ONTARIO TOO


ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN NEED YOU

JOIN US ON SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER 2, 2014

HI-WAY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

BARRIE, ONTARIO


LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP

We will be sharing the church's role
with James 1:27 for all of us to work together 
for...

BARRIE WITHOUT ORPHANS

JEREMIAH HOUSE - GETTING READY FOR WINTER WITH SOME GREAT CHANGES

FINALLY - COAL HAS ARRIVED FOR WINTER
The wood is in and now the coal is here.  


Matty doing some amazing work with youth in KG...teaching what he loves - Music.
Matty is an amazing blessing to the team in KG.

New windows at Jeremiah House - finally - we have been needing these and
waiting for them to be put in!  Deal is now almost completely
done!  Thank you sponsor!

What a difference this will make for the winter!

No more cold drafts coming in between the cracks!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

TRAUMA CONFERENCE IN BARRIE, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 1, 2014 - SAVE THE DATE


TRAUMA
CONFERENCE 
BARRIE, ONTARIO
November 1, 2014
Mapleview Community Church


BACKGROUND WHY WE ARE DOING THIS

We have been serving across the globe for over 10 years now.  Training and building capacity of those working with orphans, vulnerable children and crisis families has been our passion and focus.  We have seen many changes in the persons we have worked with - changes that by implementing best practice strategies, methodology and knowledge - delivery of services to children has been advanced and children are cared for differently as a result.

No matter where we go - everyone is doing the best they can and the best they know how to do. In many cases their practice is exceptional and in others - they have been WAITING FOR NEW PRACTICE INFORMATION and training to grow and develop their programs and outreach. Church leaders, pastors, foster parents, adoptive parents, NGO's and government agencies have been our audiences around the world.  We have served in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Mexico, Nepal, Mongolia, Tajikistan, USA, Canada, and Brazil.  And we continue.

THIS HAS BROUGHT US TO HOME....BARRIE, ONTARIO
Some time ago, we felt the strong desire to offer Trauma training to our home area families, agencies, etc.  And from this is the result of the conference in November - Please consider joining us there - to better understand complex developmental trauma and the impact it has on an individual, family, parent, caregiver, teacher, or worker of children.

TOGETHER WE CAN BE THE HANDS AND FEET THAT BRING HOPE AND HEALING to those who have suffered psychological trauma.
  
Joining us for the conference will be Pam Parish, author of Ready or Not.  She will share her experiences  as a foster mother who has adopted adolescent girls who have also experienced trauma in their lives.  Pam is a fountain of energy and passion for helping older youth find a "forever family"  You won't want to miss this opportunity to meet her and get  her book.





Thursday, October 23, 2014

WHEN WILL YOU RETURN - WE HEAR THE CALL OF THE SERVAN

MAKE YOUR PLANS AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS

Each day in training is a major opportunity to make a difference in the lives of a child.  We have received several emails already from participants from South Africa and Botswana, here is one that has really touched our hearts:

Hello mum,

I hope you enjoyed all the 3 days of your stay here, and arrived home safely.  I am sending a thank you note for the wonderful training I received.  I was so wonderful in deed, this training really made me realise myself, understand who I am, what I want in my life,  what I will be doing during my retirement life.  It has already helped me change to improved life style of my son who used to be so naughty and troublesome.  For the past 3 days he is just a happy boy who enjoys playing with his mum, chatting and discussing real life issues.  This has been  history because he was always not sure when to say what to me, whether what he will say is right or not.  He truly sees a loving mum this time around.  lAst night he asked me, mum you look so happy since Monday what happened?

I doubtlessly belief that this is going to lead me well to my task of care giving to the traumatized which has long been my passion.
  
I thank you very much and say Hi to Dad Lygn.  I love all.
  
Signed....
                   
We praise HIM for opportunities to serve the nations.  Who would have ever guessed we might be called for a time such as this.  Trauma Informed Care is needed everywhere - children are suffering - parents, caregivers and workers are facing challenges that wears them down.  Yet today - we see how one training, one moment in time might make a difference in the lives of a family! and in the life of a CHILD.

TODAY WE VISITED SOS Villages of Botswana.  They have three sites in Botswana - serving over 2500 children.  We also visited an organization focused on protecting the rights of a child.  They could not come to the training due to funding....oh how we wish we had known as we know you our sponsors would have helped with this.  However, we did not find out about this until today and the training is over.  So.....

OUR COMMITMENT -if we come back we will train your staff at your site - which was a welcomed offer.  Praying for a return to South Africa, Botswana and even potentially East Africa in the fall of 2015.  Praying for His direction.

The LAMb Team




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

MAKING MELODIES IN MY HEART - IN BOTSWANA, SOUTH AFRICA AND BEYOND...


ENDING TODAY - TRAUMA INFORMED TRAINING IN 

BOTSWANA

We cannot put into words the joy and excitement for the time spent with these leaders in Botswana.  We had 45 participants and ended up with 25 persons who are interested in becoming trainers.  Organizations, churches and NGO's from across the country were present.  Words from the Department of Social Protection said it best, "We have a major responsibility for caring for the orphans and vulnerable children of Botswana - let us do this together!"

Only 2 million people in Botswana, but there are 49,301 orphans and over 25,483 vulnerable children registered in the country.  We are so honored to bring the Trauma Informed training to this country.  We leave with them - three different training tools:  the three day Trauma Informed Training, developed by our LAMb Team - Jayne, David, Ruby and Lynn.  AND we leave with the two three hour training programs - one for parents and one for workers.  

We conducted this training at the University of Botswana - and it will be used within the classes in the departments of Social Work, Education, Psychology and Counseling!  What a thrill to see the energy and excitement of the team of participant.  

SOUTH AFRICA

As we left South Africa, we had about 28 persons wanting to be trainers - and a strong will to move forward in the country.  TAWO - Together Africa Without Orphans will be the coordinators to this move forward in the country.  There too, we left the three training progams for them to continue with and implement into their system.


UKRAINE

Our team in Ukraine reports some great news - training continues - despite the challenges.  The team is conducting training that helps others to manage stressors, and their own fatigue dealing with the difficulties within the country.  The goal at this point is to be effective by being available to meet the needs of those Ukrainian leaders who are struggling and suffering from the conflict.


TAJIKISTAN

Completed training of Life Skills, Trauma Informed Care and in the end left five training programs with the five trainers - great end to a great event.  Equipping the saints.



MORE TO COME....KYRGYZSTAN UPDATE







Monday, October 13, 2014

DAYSPRING PRAYER NEEDED - KYRGYZSTAN

WHEN THE PILOT WORKS
BUT THE AUTHORITIES HAVE AGENDAS THAT DON'T MATCH

We need your prayer.  Our Country Director and Residential Director in Kyrgyzstan have had troubling news last week, they did not get their work permits renewed.  Now, it is not for reasons of poor work, etc.  It is political and we cannot work in that challenge.  With the difficulties around the world, Kyrgyzstan is making some changes that they hope will protect their country and their efforts to develop.  That has recently meant that Ukraine, USA and Canada persons in Kyrgyzstan are considered "foreign agents."  Simply put, that means getting work permits and working in the country legally has become very difficult.

As you know - Kosta and  Olga are far more than staff - they are parents to our little girls and they have been extremely successful getting children returned to their birth families, and now have two little girls we are seeking adoptive homes for.  They are family to these children and NO MOVE is to be made except for a permanent "forever family."

We need intercession.  We need the authorities to find a way to give favor to those working for the good of the country and who love the work in Kyrgyzstan.  We need favor for our children who know what family is and who are safe, secure and loved.  We need intervention.  Please Pray for Dayspring.  

We had to "fire" Kosta and Olga.  They will remain doing exactly what they are doing, we just had to make different arrangements for the legal oversight - changing titles and responsibilities of other staff on the ground there.  

Dayspring is a success - well respected by authorities and we are working tirelessly to make sure the children do not suffer in the process of this change.

Thank you.
The LAMb Team


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

TAJIKISTAN - CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAINING NATIONAL TRAINERS TO HELP FAMILIES, VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ORPHANS


NO INTERNET FOR FIVE DAYS?
THAT IS RIGHT
IT WAS SHUT DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTRY

We were without internet for five days while in Tajikistan - and it was really strange.  Seems the internet is a means of sharing information that could have led to some difficulties in the country - so to be safe, the internet was shut down.  Really not happy about not being connected - but very happy about being safe. It will be shut down there until the 10th - at least that is what the authorities told everyone. We are back in Kyrgyzstan now and once again connected.

However, GREAT SUCCESS  while in Tajikistan -  FIVE AMAZING TRAINERS are well into the journey of being developed to do some great training and consulting.  Great times and so exciting to see the results.   Please pray for this beautiful country, their people and their children.  So much we would like to say and share.  





Thursday, October 2, 2014

NICARAGUA REPORT - FROM GLEN



CHURCH #6 - MAKING A DIFFERENCE
IN 
NICARAGUA

Some pictures of the new church in Nicaragua (led by Pastor Alex) just completed and dedicated for God's service on Friday, September 12.  Glenn had the privilege of speaking at their Dedication Service.  This is the sixth church The Barnabas Group has built over the past two years.  The first five are in remote regions of NE Nicaragua where there has been little Gospel influence or impact.  Two of the churches are accessible by inland waterways only.  Please pray for these growing pockets of influence and light in this region that God would use them to build HIS church. 

Imagine being able to build a church for around $4,000.  This is an awesome and much valued use of your support for Nicaragua.  

Next in Nicaragua?  A conference on Trauma!  Helping those who work directly with children - gain knowledge and skills in working with children who have experienced trauma.  Stay tuned for the details.







Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Tajikistan - TRAINING TRAINERS - BUILDING CAPACITY

TAJIKISTAN
TRAINING OF TRAINERS 
To Help Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

Serving and Blessing - all Wrapped up in One


We had the amazing opportunity to serve in Tajikistan - training a team of trainers.
The group represented four different agencies/organizations.  Powerful feedback
at the end of the three days.  ("from sand in our hands to gold in our hearts!"
WOW!

Three groups were given the challenge to summarize our three
days together - very exciting to see what was important to them!
This Dr. is in awe of what she can take back into her work and
to train her team.


Our next group - tomorrow we will begin work with intensity with a group
of trainers - preparing them to conduct three different Trauma Training programs.

Phase l:  Becoming Trauma Informed for Workers and Parent (3 days)
(LAMb Curriculum, written by our team - David, Jayne and Ruby)

3 Hour session:  Training of Parents - Trauma Informed 
(IHS Curriculum - written by Kelly Gruber)

3 Hour session:  Training of Workers - Trauma Informed 
(IHS Curriculum -written by Kelly Gruber)

FACTS ABOUT TAJIKISTAN
93% Mountains
99% Sunni Muslim
8.2 Million Population
Capital - Dushanbe
Language:  Tajik, Russian, Persian
Borders:  China, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan
Poorest of the 15 post-Soviet nations
47% of Tajiks live below the poverty line
Average wage is $135.00 USD

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 
TO SERVE IN THIS CENTRAL ASIAN 
COUNTRY!


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