serving orphans in South Africa April, 2010
The men on our team were able to attend the final Might Men's Conference at Shalom Farm. I was blown away by Angus Buchan and the consistency in his message. What a truly humble man. He makes no bones about being a normal guy, which I greatly appreciate since I am normal also. He really makes you realize that God can use anyone. To quote Angus, "God used a donkey. Why couldn't He use me?" God has called us all. He has given us all a plan and a purpose. I find myself being too caught up in everyday life that I don't spend time with Him. Another thing Angus said was that you can't really get to know someone by spending five minutes a day with them. Sometimes doing a good thing isn't a God thing. These are things that really rang true with me. Those are the things that changed me this week and make me want to be a different and better version of myself - a better husband to my wife and a better father to my kids. Daryl Hauck
We knew our time was coming to a close and we had to find a way to say good-bye to these remarkable people of God. Our team debriefed every night, but the last night was a very sensitive time for we had grown so close to the children of Shalom Farms, each one of us with a favorite. We shared how we had seen God every day in our visit. The country was incredibly beautiful and the people warm and caring. We get so wound up in our daily tasks, projects, families, business, etc, and I am one of the worst. But I'm telling you, our God is HUGE! He is perfectly capable of handling our issues. This group of people at Shalom Farms taught us by their daily example that EVERYTHING YOU DO, DO FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD. We cannot separate our business from our spiritual lives. God is there to weave them all together into a wonderful, colorful tapestry of amazing stories and testimonies of HOW GREAT HE IS! Faith comes from spending time with God, no matter what. If we are too busy for Godtime, then we are too busy. Millie Langham
Our Team Steve Biondo
Sr. VP of Human Resources
Kathy Williams
Store Manager - 101
Craig Klamer
Sr VP of Merchandise
Alex Mosoiu
Sr. Book Buyer
Robert Sweesy
Store Manager - 21
Lesly Golioth
Store Manager - 110
Mark Holdsworth
Accounting Supervisor
Millie Langham
District Manager, D4
Kerrie Vujnovich
Store Manager - 26
Rachel Nevils
Sales Associate - 65
Christie Conrad
Store Manager - 359
Norma Nunez
Store Manager - 452
Daryl Hauck II Store Manager - 132 Rich Peluso
VP, Affirm Films - Sony Pictures
Beth-Hatlaim Children’s Home Ashleigh & Fergus Buchan Ampie & Bev Vermeulen Aunty Bogisile Aunty Alice Aunty Mirriam Aunty Busisiwe Levit Phungula - 20 years old Kumbalani Sithole - 16 years old Fanelesibonge Gumede - 15 years old Bheki Mtembu (Liam) - 12 years old Siphesiswe Nene - 14 years old Malcolm Malusi Cele - 13 years old Jabulani Majola - 13 years old Lungisani Ndlovu - 18 years old Jabula Nene - 12 years old Moses Dlamini - 13 years old Bongane Masikane - 15 years old Mancane Ngcobo - 15 years old Sipho George Mkhize - 15 years old Vincent Umlimi Benghu - 15 years old Velaphi Mkize - 12 years old Sthembile Nokuthaba Masondo - 14 years old
Zanele Mkhize - 14 years old Sithandiwe Evangline Khumalo - 10 years old Mfanafuthi Hlatshwayo - 8 years old Bephela Mazibuko - 8 years old Slindile Innocentia Khoza - 10 years old Sfanelo Khuzwavo - 3 years old Mpulo Hulumeni (Thabo) - 13 years old Ntokoza Ngubane - 15 years old Zakahle Ngubane - 3 years old Minenhle Xaba - 3 years old Sanelisiswe Dube - 4 years old Sindisiwe Khize - 6 months old
That God is God of the universe and of people everywhere was clearly reinforced during this trip. We were in awe of the grand display of stars on the clear nights. None remembered seeing so many stars with such clarity. The vastness of the Milky Way, star formations, and the night sky helped us realize how big God is and how small we each are. We were in awe of the groups of people with whom we worshipped. The Zulu Aunties worshipped with beautify song and prayer. They were so aware of their dependence on God for their work and lives. I could not understand the words of their prayers and songs, but there was no mistaking the depth of their passion. The children of the home displayed a spiritual maturity that was lovely to see. That came from the faith and devotion of their caretakers and leaders. It was thrilling to worship with the thousands of men at the conference. Our lives are lived thousands of miles apart but we sang some of the same songs, read the same scriptures, prayed to same God, and were challenged to follow the same teachings of our Lord. Mark Holdsworth
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress‌ James 1:27 NIV
The James Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Family Christian Stores to meet the needs of orphans and widows in the communities it serves and around the world. Family Christian Stores, through The James Fund, partners with their customers in a shared mission; reaching out to orphans and widows, showing them the love of our Heavenly Father. Through the Foundation, Family Christian Stores’ customers participate in various in-store promotions. The James Fund serves orphans and widows in four primary ways: • • • •
adoption assistance programs hands-on orphan and widow care work quality of life improvements for orphans and widows encourage the Church to fulfill God’s commitments to orphans and widows