School Supplies Change the
Lives and Futures of
Children in Guatemala
The little girl's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands with excitement when she saw what the woman brought into the classroom. She could hardly stay in her seat as she waited for the announcement to be made. Mrs. Patty Arzu, wife of the mayor of Guatemala City, shared with the children in the classroom that they were receiving a very special gift. That gift had come from hundreds of people in the United States who wanted them to each have their own school supplies.
"For most of these children, it is the first and only school supplies they have ever owned," says Amy Nortorn, director of programs for Orphan Outreach. "These are children who live each night on the street. They come to Mrs. Arzu's schools from all over the city, where they are fed and can enjoy a homelike environment while receiving an education. So, it is no surprise that these children could not believe they were each receiving their very own school supplies."
As the sixty mothers and daughters passed out the supplies to each child, they gave each girl a hug.
"They could not stop staring and holding the school supplies," said Melinda Schmidt, Midday Connection co-host. "Brand new packages of crayons, glue, pencils and spiral notebooks were given to each child. They were so excited when they realized that they were their very own. There were enough school supplies to last each child an entire school year."
Join Orphan Outreach in distributing much-needed backpacks and school supplies to orphans and other children affected by poverty in India. The ministry team, led by Orphan Outreach staff, will travel to orphanages and Christian schools in various parts of India. The team will work together to present a bible story, craft, and time of fun for the many children they will encounter.
"We love when the pastor from the church prays with us at the end of the lesson," said the assistant director of the orphanage in Luga, Russia.
This caregiver and others like her, are joining the children in the orphanages at Luga and Nikolsky for Orphan Outreach's weekly small group Bible studies led by Orphan Outreach staff and members of the local church.
An Orphan Outreach team recently distributed bandana “buddies” that had been created by children from Prosper United Methodist church in Prosper, Texas as part of our partnership with Mission Possible Kids.
Mission Possible Kids (MPKids) is a ministry dedicated to providing kids the opportunity to change the world by helping others because they are “Special Agents doing God’s work.”
In 2008, MPKids chapters throughout the US are creating bandana buddies and collecting Mission Backpacks to be distributed by Orphan Outreach teams around the world.
Making A Difference
The best playground in Honduras and a lot more.
Thirty WaYfm listeners and staff traveled to Honduras in June and returned utterly changed by what God allowed them to be a part of in Tegucigalpa. The delivery and installation of a playground at a school in the slum of Nueva Suyapa was a huge undertaking for a 10 day mission trip but it was also just part of the blessing the team brought to the country.
In addition, a medical team saw more than 700 children and adults. Other parts of the team ministered in Christian day cares and schools teaching art classes, presenting puppet shows and sharing Christ’s joy through carnivals. The team passed out vitamins, bibles, craft supplies, backpacks and much needed clothes. Over 1,000 children received their very own lamb provided by Family Christian bookstores. Trip members were moved by all their experiences, especially the visit to the Tegucigalpa dump where they ministered to over 100 children that live and work off the trash in the dump.
Children Share Christ's Love
with other Children in Need
Orphan Outreach supports a group home in Pune, India for HIV-positive children . Dr Edwards, the Director of the home, recently sent us this report on one of the newest children to be served by the home.
“I admitted a new boy from Mumbai [pictured above in on the right] named Pradeep. He is HIV positive, as his widow mother. Pradeep came to the home addicted to tobacco, and since the mother is working, Pradeeo had spent his time with boys of the streets receiving money from them for getting alcohol for them. He has been giving a lot of trouble to the care takers and other children in the home. Last night, little Kundan [pictured above on the left] took out the Bible and told Pradeep the story of the cross and told him Jesus will hear his prayers. Pradeep had been asking to go back to his mother because his withdrawal is severe. After hearing about Jesus, Pradeep tore the picture of his god that he had brought along with him and said "I will now only believe in Jesus". So my little Kundan [well not so little] led him to Christ. Thanks for your prayers and support.”
Orphan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization Orphan Outreach • 7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 560 • Dallas, TX 76227 • 972.726.6200
