Shield of Faith

I don't know about you guys, but I am BUSY this time of year! I've travelled the last 2 weekends and will be gone this weekend....that, on top of getting ready for Christmas, parenting 3 preschoolers and oh yeah, moving across the country in 3 weeks has made my head spin this week. When that happens, sometimes I tend to forget. My mind races so fast, that my times of focus can be fleeting.

This week, what the Lord has impressed on me as I have struggled to maintain focus on the truth is to remember. Remember what He's already taught me. I forget so quickly. In fact, a friend lovingly told me today "didn't He already teach you this? Why are you struggling again so quickly? You need to let it be a finished work" ouch. (in a good way) It reminded me of the scripture I had just read this morning. Ephesians 6 goes through putting on the armor of God. It says in 6:16 "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Above that verse I had written in my Bible "If you let down your shield you WILL be vulnerable to attack." ahhh, the pieces fell together for me. My focus shifts to me, I begin to tailspin. It's not life that had gotten out of order....the chaos can't be blamed...what was to blame is that I had lost sight of faith. I had let down my shield and was open to attack.

So today, I choose to put up my shield of faith. Being SURE of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1). I will have faith, a strong faith in the God I serve. In His promises. In HIS mighty plan. There, I can rest...there I will be protected from the evil one.

I pray the same for each of you. This work is hard. This stand you are taking, to draw near to the battle. To war on behalf of the poor, hungry and oppressed. The enemy doesn't like it and he IS going to be looking for every opportunity to throw those flaming arrows. Put up your shield of faith, warriors. He is using you in mighty ways across this world. This is part of the reason why we feel so strongly that this movement include praying for "those that serve them". Our prayer is the that iFast team will be those that can hold up your arms and help hold up the shields around you as you serve the least and are therefore a threat the the enemy.

Liberian Education Project
We have a new organization joining us this week! They'd have requests in, but I neglected to email Jacob back and tell him to email me on Tuesdays. But, iFasters, please lift up www.liberiaeducationproject.org and check them out!

Orphan Relief and Rescue

Matt Le Page received his American VISA today! This has been a long and frustrating process, now that it is completed more doors are opened for Matt and Mariel in the future. While this brings a huge relief for them it also means they need wisdom and guidance for what their next steps will be.

Elena Pellizzaris (a fellow ifaster) joined our field team in Liberia this week. She will be here until June working with our Child Development program. Please pray for a quick adjustment to life on the field, a new job and foreign culture.

This week there are some big donors considering helping out our programs. We ask for generous hearts and favor.

Our VP is in Liberia this week and some hard decisions regarding our involvement with certain homes need to be made.

Global Orphan Outreach

I am writting to you about a little boy named Bryant and the need to get the word out about the work Global is doing with the Forget-Me-Not Childrens Homes for special needs kids in Liberia. A month ago or so, his father asked FMN if we would take him into the program. His mother had already abandon him due to his disability and his father said he would do the same if we didnt take him. He said he would allow him to die and he didnt care what happened as he was a burden. We told our FMN nurse to take him in immediately. She thought it best to wait a couple of days to arrange his caregiver first. We were anxious to give him the love and support that he deserved. He even had a wonderful family here in the states to sponsor him. By then the father disappeared into the bush with Bryant. After much searching over the past month- we were able to find his grandfather who told us this past week to dont bother looking for him anymore. He was dead. His father took him to the bush and starved him to death.
Words cannot begin to express how we felt. Devastated begins to describe it. How could anyone do this to any child? Yet- This is why we do what we do.
Bryant and children like him are precious and have immense potential. They need you and me to help. (I am sure the birth family felt too overwhelmed and had no options left-this does not excuse it)
We at Global are putting out a plea once again to everyone. Please get involved. These kids need you. And as you can see- many times it is a life or death situation that decides what their fate will be. We cant help them all but please help us to help some.
If anyone knows of another organization who feels they would be a good fit to partner with us in this week- please let us know. Time is of the essence.

HELP

1. We need to raise $1500 to fully fund our Chicken Project in Zimbabwe.

2. Pray for wisdom: we have a staffing decision to make.

3. Continue volunteer support.

4. Putting together a vision trip for 4-6 pastors who want to go. Pray that they ARE able to go.

5. Have some important meetings in Austin over the holidays that deal with funding issues.

Thanks for praying! Love it...means so much

HopeChest

1. For the Ngariam launch at Westmoore Church - lots of kids sponsored and a smooth service
2. For the Bukedea kids to get sponsored in Fargo
3. For the safe return of the Ethiopia vision trip and a great result in the heart of the team on on behalf of the children of Ethiopia
4. For our in country staff - Russia, Swazi, Ethiopia, Uganda
5. For our year-end campaign
6. For all of the children that we are reaching in each country - that this holiday season they would feel and know the love of the Father

Remember the Poor

Remember the Poor: We are continuing to come before the Lord asking for awakening in the western church--that He would awaken us from our slumber and our self-centeredness. We are praying that we would become like the Corinthian church, so eager, willing and zealous to give that there is not even a need for any of us to write about the work being done in order for funds to be procured; that the western church would be SO ready to help, that it would come spilling out. In 2 Cor 9, Paul tells the Corinthian church that he doesn't even need to write to them about the ministry/service to the saints. He knows of their eagerness to help and tells them that their zeal has stirred most everyone else to action. Lord, may it be SO!

Lemonade International

In conjunction with the Guatemala public school calendar, our schools in La Limonada will be closed for the month of December. During this time, please pray:

• For our team in Guatemala as they prepare for a new school year in January with more children than ever.
• Many of our team members will be traveling to visit family this month so please pray they will have a restful, relaxing and refreshing time with family and friends.
• For the children and families of La Limonada that this will be a time when they learn to trust in God and realize that it is He that is doing the work in their lives.... while at the same time may they grow in their appreciation of the beauty of the relationships that exist with them and the teachers and staff at the schools.
• For the plans and preparations for our first vocational training program for older students - a carpentry workshop at Escuelita Mandarina
• For the provision of shoes, backpacks, school supplies, scholarships and bonuses for teachers through our "Gifts Of Hope" Christmas Fundraising Program.

Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed! Wednesdays 9:30 AM at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101#

Thanks!

Brandi