November

We have a very full update this month.  A lot of things have happened plus we are making plans for an exciting 2006 and we want to keep you informed.

Container - The State Department finances humanitarian aid to many countries around the world and Liberia is on their list.  We have used this program before to ship containers to Liberia.  Unhappily, the State Department has placed a freeze on all shipments except to Pakistan due to the recent earthquake there.  We are in the process of raising the estimated $5700 in private funds to ship one container from Tacoma before year end.  

Magical Night of Giving Fundraiser - We raised about $4,000 with this fundraiser at the Super Mall last weekend.  We will use it for salaries in Liberia.  

Liberia Update - The presidential election is over and we hope that this will be a new beginning for Liberia.  We are starting a new accelerated learning program with our children to help them complete their education faster.  We have a mission team scheduled to go to Liberia from June 19 ^th to July 6 ^th.  We will begin informational meetings right after Thanksgiving.  Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about going to Liberia. 

India - Our administrator in India (Kiron Gaikwad) reports that all the children of the Ankur Home are well. Children appeared for their 1st Semester examination. Four teachers conducted their coaching class daily from Monday to Saturday. Almost all the children performed well on their exams.  The children’s rally was held on 31st Oct to 2nd Nov. A team of children’s evangelists had come from outside to minister to the children. It was a blessed time for all the children. The whole program was very interesting. The word of God came to children through short messages and a story time. Many children surrendered their lives to Jesus. Various competitions like Bible quiz, memory verse, songs, debate, drawing, etc were conducted at this rally. The prizes were distributed to children who stood on 1st and 2nd place. Some families provided the sweets and refreshments in the break time. In the final session children shared their testimonies which were really heart touching. We praise the Lord that these children are growing in the Lord.  The monsoon is over and children have planted vegetables in their garden. All the children are in good health.    Doug Stave is planning to visit Ankur in January.  

Indonesia - We will be applying for a grant to ship vitamins (the children have scurvy) and educational materials to our orphanage located outside Jakarta.  We are planning a mission trip there in July.  We are looking for people trained in medical, educational and musical skills, handymen, etc. to help at the orphanage.  If you are interested in finding out more about this trip, contact us soon. 

We are also planning a dessert and auction in the spring in the Tacoma area to raise money for the mission teams.  If you would like to help with this, please send us an email and we will contact you.  Mission teams are expensive and we use fundraisers to help support team members with their expenses.  Team members make a huge impact in the lives of the people we serve. 

We have children to sponsor in India, Indonesia and Liberia!  Contact kara@gigharborcpa.com if you want more information about this ministry. 

Check out our web page at www.servethechildren.com.

  Thank you for your support.