IT IS ALWAYS SPRING FOR A CHILD - UNLESS THEY ARE EXPLOITED

VULNERABLE, EXPLOITED

ORPHANED

(robs a child of their springtime)

WE HAVE WATCHED AS HER SPRING HAS RETURNED
SHE IS LOVED, CHERISHED AND PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT

We have been serving children and families for most all our lives in one way or another.  Yet for the past years, as part of the LAMb International team, we have focused on training and equipping those working directly with vulnerable and exploited children – as well as with families who are in crisis. We have been active in:

¨ Training Trainers

¨ Equipping Practitioners

¨ Encouraging Champions

¨ Finding Advocates

¨ And doing direct services where emergencies surface for help and more. 

We have seen amazing returns where children have been able to stay in their families, returned to birth families, been adopted and where workers have changed their old practices to ensure quality care for children who have been ROBBED OF THEIR SPRING due to neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

Yet the problem is so big –so many things are needed to prevent children from being ROBBED OF THEIR SPRING and sometimes it feels overwhelming.  

Then out of the blue something wonderful happens to remind us that it is all about that ONE!  

• The one robbed that is now successful, 
• the one robbed that is about to get out of prison and has hope once again and a commitment to do things differently, 
• the one that was robbed and walks forever with a limp – but can walk and mother her child, 
• the one that was robbed of his nine family members (murdered) and still sees hope in his future, 
• the one that was robbed when no one believed the horrific abuse she was experiencing by her uncle and today is married and happy, 
• the one that was robbed of her spring when she was abandoned at a garbage dump and is now doing well in University, 
• the one that was robbed ….
• .yes the stories continue in our minds – forever burned deep into our hearts. 

We have seen the pain, sorrow, hopelessness.  AND we have witnessed the return from the frozenness to the hope and acknowledgment that a child has had their SPRING RETURNED..... when they come to know their HEAVENLY FATHER and to know and understand that they are a precious son or daughter of the King of Kings.  Yes, we have seen both sides – the Spring and the Fall.  

The most important is the Spring that is returned in a way that only He Can Return.  A SPRING ETERNAL… A HOPE ETERNAL.

Why do we do what we do?  Why do we train tirelessly to help others carry forth new knowledge and skills to work with vulnerable, orphaned and exploited children? 

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE AND WE HAVE SEEN!  

THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING WITH US.

We are heading to Kyrygzstan tomorrow morning – pouring into many youth whom we have watched their SPRING RETURN.  What a blessing.

JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR MORE SPRING TO RETURN!

KYRGYZSTAN - PROTECTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN FROM TRAFFICKING

MANY KYRGYZSTAN CHILDREN

 ARE VULNERABLE

AND ALL TOO 

OFTEN 

EXPLOITED by TRAFFICKERS

We are pleased to see so many youth interested in knowing more about trafficking.  Children in institutions are often targets for traffickers.  This week our team was able to conduct a comprehensive training event for two different groups - one group of girls and another with boys.  

LIFE SKILL TRAINING IN ACTION 

"How to Keep Safe From Traffickers" 

being taught by Sondra Adams (Ruby's sister who is serving and learning in Kyrgyzstan!)

Boys group

Girls Group

Sondra conducted the events

Keep praying for our youth in the Jeremiah 29:11 program and beyond - those in residence and those we come in contact with through our education teams and leaders we are training.

We will be conducting trauma training for leaders in two weeks in Bishkek.  We started with these leaders back in 2018 at the end of the year with Kathy Hallick there to serve our leaders.  

Lynn and Ruby will be working with them again - continuing to build their skills.

In addition, we will be restructuring our Jeremiah 29:11 outreach programs to better serve youth who are transitioning.  Excited to see how it is all moving forward and serving youth across the region and beyond.  Also will be doing a full revisit of all the youth who have been part of our Jeremiah/Dayspring program - update to follow in April.

WAR is BEING WAGED IN BOTSWANA

WAR

WOMEN AGAINST RAPE

No matter where we work, we see the violation of children.  Child sexual abuse is a serious issue.  Having just been in the village here in Botswana, we were once again reminded of how abuse can become a norm when there are few to no resources to help.

When children are not valued -  they are subject to become victims again and again.  The stories just break our hearts.  We have heard many while here.  As we come behind our different partners and colleagues here that are serving, we ask you to join the fight.  

Watch this video and if you feel inclined - step into the battle and WAR with us.  This team, we have worked with for several years and they are making a difference.  

Join us in Botswana in late November - early December.  GO TO WAR WITH US!

EXPERIENCING THE OPEN HEAVEN

EXPERIENCING THE OPEN HEAVEN

Seeing God's Hand at Work

"...let the little children come unto me..."

We just spent a week out in the village of Khwai, Botswana.  This village of around 450 persons is one that has shown us clearly how by pouring love into the darkness  - offering hope - helping others see their worth and being consistent and unwavering  - 

THE HEAVENS ARE OPENING AND BLESSINGS ARE POURING OUT IN THIS LITTLE VILLAGE

Check this out:

• Education Center has opened officially for the Pre-School AND other education projects - we had an opening session - 35 children are enrolled at this time - 17 more want to enroll.  This project took just 14 months from the time we envisioned this in October 2017 - to the completion of the rebuilding of the vacant building.  We stepped into this with our partners in Botswana - Bushways Foundation and Netlasana Charity Organization with help in funding from our partner Orphan's Promise!

JUST A LITTLE GATHERING TO SAY HELLO

CAN YOU TELL THEY ARE HAPPY

• Spent the week working with the teachers on Trauma Informed Care and Sensory Integration Strategies for little ones who have suffered from Neglect, Abuse, Domestic Violence, Parental Alcoholism, etc.

PHETSO - A QUALIFIED TEACHER
IN CHARGE AND NOW LIVING IN THE VILLAGE

TEACHERS ARE READY

• Lynn worked with a group of 22 young men who want a church or a dependable time to come together to learn, pray and grow spiritually.  One young man - asked Lynn - "Please help me become a pastor!"

HOME SWEET HOME - GREAT THATCHED ROOF!

VILLAGE RAIN -UNDERCOVER WITH A NICE FIRE

• Met with the leadership of the village - about getting all the Primary School children back into the village as soon as possible and into the Primary School that was built this year - now being held "hostage" by a government standoff.  The leadership of the village is ready to take charge and push this opening.

the EDUCATION CENTER FOR THE PRE-SCHOOL

ALL EARS TO LYNN AS HE STARTED SOME EXERCISES
OF WELCOME

SO READY TO START  CLASSES - EVEN CAME TO THE OPENING
WITH HIS BACKPACK!

• Engaged a team of the spiritual leaders in the village for a time of prayer and to make a plan for regular prayer times - something they desperately want.

GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH NETLASANA CHARITY
ORGANIZATION AND BUSHWAYS FOUNDATION

TEACHER TRAINING

• Met with a group of managers from several of the Khwai lodges - conducting training on Trauma and other leadership areas - to help the leaders better understand how to work with those persons they employ who come from the village where they have experienced abuse and other traumatic events.

LOVE ME MOMENT

WE ARE THE HOPE AND PROMISE HE SPOKE OF
IN
JEREMIAH 29:11

YOU CAN JOIN THE ONGOING WORK OF THE PROJECT

PRAY

AND

GO TO THE DONATE BUTTON

(We need $10,000 next month for this and other specific immediate needs related to Kyrgyzstan, India, and Botswana)

WALKING UNDER AN OPEN HEAVEN

WALKING UNDER AN OPEN HEAVEN

Blessed at His Attention to Details

Here in Botswana - we see His Grace and Mercy!

We arrived here in Gaborone, Botswana to conduct an intensive Training of Trainers in the area of Trauma Informed Care, at the Invitation of Aglow International, Botswana.  

The week has been just that - intensive - with the week ending up with 11 new trainers who are eager and ready to carry the "healing message" out to those work are working tirelessly with Orphans and Vulnerable Children - as well as families who are in crisis.

Gabarone, Botswana - Intensive week of Training the Trainers

Trainers in ACTION

We finished this week training 1 1/2 days with 47 persons in the area of Leadership - at the invitation of Lighthouse Jesus Ministries.  Pastors, Bishops, Lay Leaders coming together to expand their understanding of Leadership in their areas of influence. 

In addition - we were very excited to sign an agreement with Botswana Without Orphans to be the delivery system to send for the Trauma-Informed Series of training across the country of Botswana.  BOWO (Botswana Without Orphans) is moving on and forward. 

Signing the Agreement

A celebration of our Agreement

The paradigm is here - it is real and it has been birthed in the hearts of many leaders through this organization - BOWO. We have been blessed to be a small catalyst to strengthen and help build the capacity of this mighty team!

Next stop - Khwai, Botswana - to work and see the newly renovated Education Center we have been working on - as well as working within the village and planning for our next interventions with them.  Working with Bushways Foundation and Naletsana Charity Organization. 

Roof Done

Art Done

Inside Inviting

So Blessed - Expect to see Youth, Children and Young Adults Here Next!!!

Then Maun, Botswana to see the progress of the senior center being  built and sponsored by LAMb International - working with Tower of Refuge Church.  We will also conduct training of trainers in the Module 4 of the Trauma Series:  Adolescents and Psychological Trauma, coordinated by Solid Rock Consulting.

Structure almost completed in Maun for the Seniors

Hope to see GREAT PROGRESS THERE AS WE ARRIVE ON SUNDAY!!!!

Imagine - a Botswana Without Orphans - we can!
People Valued in the Village of Khwai - we believe!
Seniors Served in Maun - we trust!  

ONE CHILD AT A TIME!
One Service at a TIME!

JOIN THE JOURNEY

PRAY, DONATE, INVEST

WHEN THE WORLD COMES CRASHING DOWN ON YOU

STAND UP AND BE BOLD...

REFUSE 

TO BE INTERMITTENT

LAST WEEK - I woke up to feelings that just overwhelmed me. So many needs, so much chaos, and a sense of being so inadequate to walk forward and fight the fight.  It really became about me for a short period of time - I am sorry to say:

I don't have the skills to help

People don't understand how hard this is

Most people don't understand the hurts out there

I am not able to communicate our needs

I cannot raise the needed funds as I am not a skilled fundraiser

On and on......

THEN I PRAYED EVEN HARDER - Lord, help me to be fully compassionately involved in what you have called us to do, what you have skilled us to do.  Take the worry, the stress, the moments of doubt and bury them forever.

THEN I BEGAN TO PONDER THE WORD - INTERMITTENT - and came to understand that many who are not in full-time ministry are "INTERMITTENT" in their involvement with those who are.  They sometimes pray for us, support us and remember to send us a word of encouragement. We need them!  We want them!  And we appreciate them.

AND THEN I RECALLED THOSE WE KNOW THAT ARE "COMMITTED" - who are prayer warriors, faithful in giving, regular in encouraging emails:  just dependable. I was reminded that how in those many dark moments in the mission field, that we would wake up feeling so alone and in those dark moments, our Heavenly Father reminded us of those who did care - remembered and were there daily praying, supporting the work and were encouraging.

YOU SEE - IT IS NOT REALLY ABOUT ME OR US - IT IS ABOUT THEM - THOSE WE SERVE, THEIR NEEDS, THEIR CRISIS AND CHAOS and it is about caring deeply enough  to become involved to care for those situations that breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father-  so -  many times we have prayed about each of these needs, etc - knowing the needs are great, the hurts beyond imagination and we have prayed - "Lord, break our hearts for what breaks yours."  Well the reality is we are not strong enough to handle this!  We cannot take on the HURTS OR THE CRASHING DOWN OF THE WORLD alone.   

We need YOU!  We can only intermittently experience such feelings of being overwhelmed by the needs - or we ourselves will crash.  It is each of you that gives us the courage to 

STAND UP AND BE BOLD - AND REFUSE TO BE INTERMITTENT!

Here are some ways to STAND WITH US:

1.  keep us on your prayer lists

2.  read our blogs, our FB and give us feedback, let us know you pray

3.  donate regularly or intermittently

4.  support one of our university students -$600 a year (we need support for 2)

5.  monthly support for our Kyrgyzstan University student outreach projects, the work with the graduating orphans, the ongoing humanitarian help for the youth and families we have helped return home

6.  help support one of our Dayspring girls into a special education program - $3000 a year

7.  mo.  support for the senior project in Maun, Botswana

8.  mo. support for the feeding program in Maun Botswana with the church - Tower of Refuge

9.  mo. support for the education program in Khwai, Botswana

10.  sponsor a training program materials - about $200 per training

Ask us what the present needs are - and pray for the provision to come forth.  Join us!

CHOOSING TO STAND UP AND BE BOLD

PROGESS - BOTSWANA EDUCATION CENTER ALMOST DONE

WHEN CHILDREN SUFFER

FROM LACK

OF

EDUCATION

We have been working in Khwai, Botswana for several years - a bush village of around 700 people.  We have noted their many struggles and have done what we could over the years to share His love.  

• helped establish an education program for teen moms - education, parenting classes and relationship building - with the goal of helping little children stay with their mothers in the village
• brought community activity resources - soccer uniforms, balls, to help the community play together and bring others out to support them
• replaced their destroyed drums to bring back the cultural activities and music missed in their village
• brought two teams from Samaritans Feet to deliver new shoes to everyone in the village, which involved in praying for each person while serving them directly
• put doors on different houses/huts to help keep the animals out of the home - and keep children safe

Each intervention has been to bring the community together, help them strengthen their future, build partnership and collaboration and to open the door for those wanting to help - have a voice within the village .  

It is a reality that ...

"PEOPLE DO NOT CARE WHAT YOU KNOW, UNTIL THEY KNOW THAT YOU CARE."

The village suffered a serious flood and lost many huts/home to the flooding.  Progress once on the go - slowed and survival became the focus of all work.  Then once again there were needs additional issues and needs to be met.  

• Children were being sent out of the village to a boarding school - coming back to the village only a couple of times a year.  There was little preparation for this and children were not finding education success
• Girls were dropping out of the school when puberty surfaced
• Young boys were not finding success and were dropping out as well coming back to the village 

THEN CHANGE CAME...a national funder stepped in and decided to build a school in the village - bringing education HOME! 

UPON WHICH A NEW NEED WAS IDENTIFIED - little children who are growing up in the village by the teen moms are not prepared for school -  the teen moms are those very girls who dropped out of school upon the advent of puberty.

CHILDREN NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR SCHOOL - TO LEARN THE BASICS AND 

this was not being done - not due to want - due to skill and knowledge.  

ENTER A NEW STRATEGY to renovate a vacant building in the village to start a pre-school and use for education for the children/youth who have not been able to complete their education from the boarding schools.

 

 

Then the PAINTING!  

NEXT?  INSIDE FURNISHINGS AND THEN THE CLASSES!

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!  

YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY INVESTING IN THIS VILLAGE.

Partnership Team:

LAMb INTERNATIONAL 

BUSHWAYS FOUNDATION

EARLY EDUCATION

NATURE ZONE 

NATLESANA CHARITY FUND AND 

ORPHAN'S PROMISE

We will be in Botswana in February and will witness the opening of the school - see the completed building, spend time with the children, the moms and bring Hope and Promise of His Blessing upon the village.  We praise Him for this progression of Hope and Promise so witnessed in the changes in the village.

Please pray for these moms, young boys and little children who will be coming together with their moms to prepare for success in their new village school!

THIS PROJECT IS FAR FROM COMPLETE AND YOU CAN STILL HELP - JUST INVEST BY USING THE DONATE BUTTONS HERE AND IDENTIFY THAT YOUR DESIRE IS TO INVEST IN THE ....Khwai Education Project!

THANK YOU!