Fabulous Friday!

A lot of rain makes you grateful for every day that the sun shines!

It’s a Fabulous Friday and I want to remind you to visit my shop; Butterflies & Bumble Bees!

By doing so you bump me up on the search engines….and don’t forget that all of my proceeds…yes, all….go to supporting women’s coops in India to raise them out of poverty and give them hope for a new life.

GRACE

Finding Grace

Grace is what we all need. Love is what we all crave.

Not to be judged, but to be offered grace. With grace comes love.

Since stepping outside the box of organized religion some years ago, I have been more keenly aware of grace and love.

I didn’t always do it right back then. And I still don’t.

But, I am showered daily in my Father’s love and want nothing more than to be His child of grace.

When we get finished with performance, we are much more capable of seeing the needs of others.

We take our eyes off of us and they fall on others.

WITHOUT LOVE I AM NOTHING

80 Million

THERE CAN BE NO KEENER REVELATION OF A SOCIETY’S SOUL THAN THE WAY IN WHICH IT TREATS ITS CHILDREN.

Nelson Mandela

80 MILLION is the number of orphaned children in India. I don’t think we can ever wrap our minds around numbers that large. But when you go and you see the countless orphanages then you know this is a problem the size that only God can solve through you and me.

I call them Throw Away Children. Two year olds on the street begging for food. Twelve year old girls sold into prostitution slavery.

When I go, I can’t help but weep. These children crave love and attention just like any child does. The difficult part is that there’s just not enough of you to go around.

CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCE

Herbert Hoover

I never learned this little fellas name, I called him “Baby”. He was only 2 yrs old and his father died. His mother came to the orphanage asking if she could work and if her child could live there. He was the youngest child and at the bottom of the pecking order. He had great needs to be held and loved, just like any child. There were many days when he sat on my lap while I’d swing on the swing set. He loved it. So did I. He was extremely easy to get attached to and I often said that the airline wouldn’t notice him if he just sat on my lap. When I said my good byes, his mother had him dressed so nicely in a little suit. She kept pushing him to me. She wanted me to take him to America. It broke my heart. I’ll never forget that day as long as I live.

I’ll never forget these children. These Throw Away Children.

I’m trying to make connections to return to India. My heart just yearns to be there. Honey said he wouldn’t mind if I went for 1, 2 or even 3 months. I’m trying to get there this spring. And then possibly I can go back when the cows dry up in the winter months. That would work out perfectly. But we will see. If Papa wants me to go then I’ll go. If not than I’ll wait. My visa is good for 6 more yrs. My health is almost perfect except for a few little hiccups. So we’ll see. Hey if you want to go, just let me know.

I’m trying to convince Honey that we could live there and be “house parents”. He’s not too keen on the idea. For now we will continue to support children all over the world. We have one in Rwanda, one in Guatemala, and one in Peru. And we had one of our sponsored children graduate in Indonesia. We also support two women missionaries in India. And then I have My Shop, Butterflies & Bumble Bees where I donate my proceeds to buying sewing machines for women in India.

Jesus said, “where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”

There are many organizations that you can partner with. Gospel For Asia is one that gives 100% of the funds to the child or missionary. Compassion International is another that we have been sponsors with for 15 yrs. Then there are orphanages that you can directly sponsor a child through. Children’s Fellowship of India, Boys and Girls Christian Home, Crosspoint of India are just a few that I am aware of.

It doesn’t take much to provide food, shelter and clothing for a child in the 2/3 World (yeah, it’s no longer the 1/3 World, more than 2/3 of the world live in extreme poverty). For less than $30 a month you can support a child in India. That’s 6 Starbuck coffees! Most of us spend that just eating out 1 time.

You will be glad you did.

I really hated wearing a Sari.  This was a special occasion when one of the buildings was being dedicated.  It was around 100* and under the Sari is a petticoat.  You talk about hot, I had puddles around my feet!

Walking 1 mile to the local public school.

The big boys really look after the little guys. They’re just like brothers.

Most prefer not wearing shoes. Yeah, that’s dung….that’s another reason for the parasites the children have.

Meal time is always orderly and the boys wait while everyone is served and then they pray. It’s truly an amazing sight.

I called this guy “little old man”. He was always soooooo serious and had hair everywhere! Boy could he pitch a ball!

This is Raj. He spoke very good English and was such a good boy who needed lots of attention and love.

How do children spell LOVE?

TIME

Won’t you consider sponsoring a child or visiting an orphanage in India. You’re life will never be the same.

You will be the one who is blessed.

“As you’ve done to the least of these you’ve done it unto me.”

Jesus Christ