Trees of Glory Update

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27

Have you ever considered what this might mean to your family? God tells each us without exception to care for the orphans. He is not calling each of us to adopt, but we are all called to do SOMETHING to help care for an orphan.

Please take a minute to read this e-mail we received earlier today. If you have ever thought about helping an orphan or wondered how you could answer God's call, maybe this is the way. Maybe today is the day.

Dear Sponsor families - Ginia with Children's Hopechest was in Ethiopia last week and spent the day Thursday, with the kids and staff at "Trees of Glory" care-point. The team took bread and bananas to the kids and were able to meet many of the care-givers as well. Ginia explained to me that the situation here is pretty desperate. Most of the kids are orphans, and have been taken in by a guardian or family member that is barely able to provide for them. Many of these kids are being "sold" for $12 a year (like an indentured servant) to local livestock owners - and they work day and night herding cattle. These kids never would have had the opportunity to go to school and she said many of them are starving! The government has actually intervened on behalf of the kids, and is requiring the guardians to bring the kids to the care-point where they will be provided for. Because of the sponsor program - these kids will have opportunities they NEVER would have had without YOU! Not only basic necessities like food, clothing and medical care - but the director at Trees of Glory is hoping to be able to hire teachers and start a school by September. It's a lofty goal in a short time period - but together and with prayer, we can make this happen for these kids! In addition, there are no Christians living in this area of Ethiopia, so the kids are hearing the true Gospel for the very first time. The dominant religion in the area is Orthodox, which has a Christian influence but includes much supersticion and "witchcraft" as well. The director is a Christian woman and is planning to use one of the buildings on the property as a church, not only for the kids, but also for the community. There are many kids still in need of a sponsor. Please visit www.family-from-afar.blogspot.com or e-mail Karen Wistrom at kjwistrom@yahoo.com to find out more information on how you can get involved!

Trees of Glory kids and their guardians