For the Kids

“He who stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
Will himself cry out,
And will not be heard. Proverbs 21:13

I’m writing this rather humbling letter to request help. Not for me, but for some kids in Africa. These kids live in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

A couple of years ago, I felt the Lord encouraging me to develop a heart for the poor, a heart that not only hurts, but acts. I’m trying to obey. With the help of a friend, we’ve taken on the $15,000 task of building an boys dorm for an orphanage in Goma. Today, these children sleep eight to a mat on a concrete floor. They bathe in a small, outside bowl. They survive by selling the vegetables they grow on donated land. They are doing everything they can to survive.

These kids are victims of the African Civil war, (both in Rwanda, and of the DRC) of aids, of severe poverty – even of nature (recently, a volcanic eruption destroyed parts of Goma). Nearly three hundred have been taken in by Mama Jeanne and her husband, a pastor living in rural DRC. Mama Jeanne seeks to reunite displaced children with their parents, and to provide care, education and training for the orphans who stay.

We became connected with them through Be A Hero, an international agency who connects willing givers with indigenous projects being run by well respected and highly accountable agencies all over the world. You can check out Be A Hero at

www.beahearo.org

At the website you’ll get to see pictures of the kids and their current living conditions. You can check out our website at
www.4the orphans.org


We have two major plans for this coming year. Starting tomorrow, we’re bicycling part of the Oregon Coast in an effort to raise funds and awareness for these kids. The second project involves a benefit concert featuring Rising Violet, which will be held in February 2008. In the process, we hope to find matching donors, individual donors and even children who would help us meet this critical need.

On our own, we’ve saved more nearly six thousand dollars for this project. I’m committed to using my writing money for this project. If you’d like to help, we’d appreciate it. We’re asking God to give us the funds to finish the dorm and supply the linens and beds. You can send a check to Be A Hero, in care of Kerrie Hubbard at PO Box 2873, Clackamas OR 97015. All donations are tax-deductable. Be a Hero will provide a receipt.

If you’re getting this note, it’s because I trust you, and because I know that you know me well enough to trust that I have pure motives and a willing heart. I’d love it if you asked God about your part in this small project for the kids. Bette