M AY 20 17
PARTNER NEWSLETTER Dear Friends, I am excited about God’s plan for the UK and it’s part in what He is doing in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. I have been privileged to sit on the front lines of this miraculous work, and when you choose to partner with Orphan’s Promise, you will join me and witness lives being transformed by the power of love. In the weeks and months ahead, you’ll be hearing more about the work of Orphan’s Promise around the world, and we eagerly anticipate God opening doors for our work to expand and reach children and families in need in the United Kingdom. When we serve children with a message of hope and love, we become part of something greater than ourselves the heroes of a grand narrative unfolding throughout the world. I look forward to sharing more with you as we prayerfully pursue every opportunity the Lord presents to us. Thank you again for your kindness and compassion for those less fortunate, and for your trust in the mission and work of Orphan’s Promise. Blessings, Terry
Terry Meeuwsen, Executive Director GET IN TOUCH
We would love to hear from you! Send us an email to contact@ orphanspromise.org.uk or call us on 0300 561 0100 (UK) / +44 (0) 20 3011 5528. PO Box 700, Hereford UK, HR1 9EW. orphanspromise.org.uk /OrphansPromiseUK
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We want to thank you so much for your ongoing support and generosity. It is truly transforming the lives of so many children around the world. To keep up to date with all that is happening around the world, I invite you to have a look on our website and read more stories: www.orphanspromise.org.uk. You can also find us on Facebook as Orphan’s Promise UK.
THE POWER OF FAMILY A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing. Psalm 68:5-6 This verse reveals God’s heart for the lonely and broken. It also gives some insight into His design and intent for family to be a place of love and nurture for children, and a place of forgiveness and belonging for those who choose to be adopted into His spiritual family. However, sometimes tragedies happen and families come under enormous amounts of pressure and children need our help. Practically, this can be by stepping in and providing a safe place to stay, food on the table or a place to go to school. Sometimes it means offering a little help and support to Keep Families Together (KFT) so children can grow up in the place that God intended for them. This is what we strive for with Orphan’s Promise, offering help to take children from that position where they are at risk into a place where they thrive; giving them and their families the support they need.
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KEEPING FAMILES TOGETHER IN THAILAND Orphan’s Promise began its first KFT project in Thailand in 2009. Since that time, 75 families have benefited from the programme which has now extended beyond the borders of Thailand. The KFT programme has a vision to see every orphaned or vulnerable child become part of a safe, loving and sustainable family, that has been empowered and strengthened through the local church. To achieve this, the KFT programme mobilises the local church and community to strengthen families through holistic development training, income generation assistance, education, psychosocial support, health care, and spiritual nurture. OP staff had the privilege of attending a KFT graduation camp in Chiangmai. Quality time was spent celebrating the achievements of each family, which included worshipping and praying together, and thanking God for his many blessings. Each family shared
their testimonies and celebrated. Four people who previously did not know Jesus were celebrating being adopted into His loving family and finding friendship and support through their new church family. Another lady shared how she was assisted to start a successful shop and has paid off all her debt. Another told us how she had sent her daughter away to live in an orphanage but after learning the importance of keeping children in a family, she had her child return and has seen such an improvement in her daughter’s social and emotional wellbeing, as they keep their family together. Praise God! God is using the KFT program to fulfil his plan to set the lonely into strong, loving families. As new families start the programme they will have the same opportunity to make God the centre of their home, and to help their family become a safe, loving and supportive place to nurture children.
PART N E R N E WSLE T T E R
We serve orphans and other vulnerable children around the world, taking them from at-risk to thriving, through the transforming power of GodĘźs love.
BOTSWANA BABIES RETURNING HOME Botswana is a beautiful country in Southern Africa. Khwai is a village of about 700 people. The village has a very large population of teenage mothers. They are often struggling to raise their babies and provide for them, so they often send them to the city to be cared for by relatives or friends. Orphans Promise wanted to see this changed and see these precious children grow up with their mothers by their side. So we partnered with local women who have a heart for their community and started Life Skills classes for these vulnerable women. They are learning how to thrive as mothers, taking care of their little ones. On top of that, we are helping these mothers provide an income through micro-enterprise, and by selling beautiful native baskets to safari tourist groups. After this training the team is also setting up an action plan to see babies and school children return to their families in the village. This programme is already making a huge difference to over 70 children in this village alone, and we know it has the potential to help so many more.
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To donate, visit orphanspromise.org.uk or call 0300 561 0100.