Welcome to the Project Orphans Blog

We’re a non-profit organization on a mission to build homes for orphans and provide orphan care around the world. Join us! Learn more at www.ProjectOrphans.org

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Bringing His Freedom

My name is Madison Toney! For my second year in a row, I got to travel to Zacapa, Guatemala, with my church on a Project Orphans missions trip. Guatemala 2016 was incredible. I could share about everything God did in me over the week, but that would end up being a whole novel. So I'm just going to share the moment that had the biggest impact on my life. 

A couple days before we made our way to Guatemala, I was in my living room talking to my dad about the trip. We had been praying super heavily for our team and all the people we were going to come in contact with for a long time. That morning, my dad said something that caught my attention. He talked about how he heard the Holy Spirit say that he was going to use my team and I to physically heal people in Guatemala. Of course it stuck out to me and got me super excited, but I didn't think too much about it. But sure enough, our loving Father fulfilled that promise. 

Our second day in Guatemala we traveled to a village to share the love of God. We got most of the people from the village to all meet up in one place, so that we could provide a ministry time. Brittany Stokes, Founder of Project Orphans, shared to everyone about what God has personally been doing in her life and how good He has been to her and her family. She talked about who God is and what He has done for every single person there, then she asked if anyone there had physical pain or illness. As people were raising their hands, she asked my team to just spread out, lay our hands on those with their hands raised and pray for healing. As soon as she said that... It clicked. That was exactly what God told my dad we would be doing. I immediately jumped up, knowing that God was going to bring healing because that was His promise, and singled out one woman who had her hand raised. We asked her where she was hurting and she pointed to her foot. We laid our hands on her foot and began praying. We prayed for the pain to leave and we demanded for God's love to cancel out the pain. 

As we finished praying we asked if she was feeling better and she just said a little bit. So we took her down to the front so that we could have more people lay their hands on her and praying healing over her. We started battling in prayer a second time, this time with more people and more desperation for God. As I was praying I could hear that lady whispering her own prayer in Spanish. That was a really cool moment because as we were praying over her in English, she was praying in Spanish and our hearts immediately connected because, despite our language difference, that barrier was broke all because we were praying to the same God. 

After the second time praying over her, we asked again if she was feeling better. She looked up at us with her eyes sparkling and the biggest, most beautiful smile I had ever seen and shook her head yes. That day, we had 7 people confirm that they had been healed by the love of God. 

God fulfilled His promise and used my team and I to set people free in the name of Jesus. We, as followers of God, are called to do exactly that, obey God, heal the sick, and set people free!

- Madison

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Why We Should Care

What does God say about orphan care? He says a lot, actually! He cares deeply for them, and mentions orphans several times throughout scripture.

God says that HE is the father to the fatherless (Ps. 68:5), that He sustains the fatherless (Ps. 146:9), and that looking after orphans in their time of distress is religion that is pure and faultless (James 1:27).

So those are a few things that God has said about orphans, but what is our responsibility in the matter?

He calls us to care for and protect them. In Psalm 82:3 it says, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.”

Let’s also take a look at what Jesus says in Matthew 25:36-37 & 40.

“I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?    And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Matthew 25:40 goes on to say the opposite, when they didn’t do these things for those in need, it was as if they didn’t do these things for Jesus in His time of need.

Taking these verses into consideration, when we are caring for orphans we are being God’s hands and feet. When we care for these children, it’s as though we are doing those things unto Jesus himself! How amazing is that?

I think it’s important to see orphan care not just as a duty or responsibility to check off the list, but a privilege. By providing hope for these children, we are not only helping feed their bellies and giving them a bed to sleep on, but we are also intervening on their behalf so they can lead a promising future! This isn’t just about meeting their needs, it’s about giving them hope for a future that they might not have otherwise!

Orphan care is something that is beautiful in the sight of God and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

- Christine Flores

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Meet Christine Flores, Project Orphans Newest Team Member & Blogger

When I was 17 years old, God put a burning desire in my heart to help those who could not help themselves. This dream of mine came at a perfect time- right before picking a major for college!

I completed my bachelors and masters degrees in Social Work several years later with future hopes of working with a non-profit that shared my faith and passion for helping the oppressed.

I had been familiar with Project Orphans since it started, but it wasn’t until the Fall of 2014 that I felt the call to be a part of this great organization. It was at this point that God told me he wanted us to sponsor a child starting that spring, and eventually start to work with the organization. The timing of this calling couldn’t have been worse in my opinion. I had just married my husband, David, and we were broke newlyweds in graduate school who were dipping into savings each month. I trusted that God had a plan and that he would provide for us! It’s always been a desire of mine to be generous, no matter what our financial state was, and I did not want this to be an exception.

In the months following this, God provided in some big ways! My husband was promoted and started earning a much better salary, and I got a job that would pay the rest of my graduate school and provide a small stipend. This helped us get back on track financially, and helped make sure that sponsoring a child would not put us in the hole each month.

At the time, Uganda was in need of sponsors, so we chose to sponsor a girl named Sharon - from that country.  Since we began sponsoring our child, God has also provided an amazing career for me, where I have the flexibility to work from home on my own schedule. I honestly thought it would be at least five years before I would be able to help out with Project Orphans and fulfill that calling, but God has provided in amazing ways, and revealed to me in recent weeks that the time for that is now!

What the last few months have taught me is that even though certain dreams or desires might not make sense to others, or maybe you even doubt that you can accomplish them, God is bigger than those obstacles that might stand in your way! I had always wanted to do social work for a non-profit for free, but everyone always thought I was crazy. When I got into the real world, I realized that was a crazy dream and that would probably never happen… but God.

God has opened these doors for me to be able to use my skills and talents (writing and social work) to benefit his Kingdom and get to help kids in other countries in direct and indirect ways through Project Orphans!

I’m really excited for this journey and to be able to offer my time to this amazing organization that is providing change in the lives of children all across the world. It still feels surreal to me, and I’m so thankful to be able to work with a cause that is so dear to my heart!

All the best,

Christine

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A Christmas Celebration In Uganda

An early Christmas celebration, for the most amazing children in Uganda, was a must when the Project Orphans team went to visit and see the final construction of the children's cluster home in Kiwenda, Uganda. 

Many of the children who live in the home are orphaned due to casualties of disease. Others were poverty-stricken because their parents were ill or unemployed.

We started our day by heading to church and then stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) for buckets of delicious fried chicken and loads of french fries (a.k.a. chips in Uganda). After, filling 25+ tummies we headed back to Graceland, where the children's homes are located. The kids were told to go to their rooms because a special surprise was coming. It was funny because you could hear them screaming in the room - anxiously anticipating the surprise.

Prior to our visit - we had asked the intern staying at the home, Kelsey, to nonchalantly ask the kids what one special gift they would want if they could pick from anything in the world. Kelsey was a huge help in making the celebration a success. She was able to gather the list just in time for Project Orphans to spread the word to our local donors and support team. People from everywhere got behind the cause and helped donate the items the kids were wishing for!

The Project Orphans team and Mamas of the home helped set up Christmas in the living room and then the kids were called to join us. All of them came running into the living room... and you could see their eyes grow bigger and bigger and smiles filled all their faces! IT WAS TIME TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN UGANDA!

Nourish Drink Cafe Donated Water Bottles For Each Of The Kids & Tulsa House of Prayer Donated Bibles For Each Of Them.

Bena got her doll.

Henry got soccer gear and a new watch for church!

Joseph got a new outfit for church!

The three older girls (Ester, Eron and Mercy) who are in high school all got school supplies and a new teen Bible! 

Teddy got a new doll!

Margret and Vicky got new dresses for church!

Shafiga and Ann Grace both got their ballet outfits! They put them on right away to perform the dances they had choreographed!

Peter (who wants to be a famous soccer player) got a new jersey and cleats - donated by ORU SOCCER!  

Carol got a new pair of shoes - specifically she asked for fancy sandals!

               Charles was making fun of Santa so we had him practice sitting on Santa's lap! Charles got a new watch and school supplies.

Lawrence got a new soccer jersey and watch!

Sharon got a new blouse for church!

After unwrapping all the gifts, we topped off the Christmas party with a special surprise for all the boys! The cluster home had literally just been finished, prior to our arrival, so once we arrived our team and the girls decorated the boys home and made the boys beds with their brand new bedding! 

We asked all the boys to come see their new home! They ran down the stairs and threw open the door. The boys were so excited to have their own space. The home has allowed our ministry partner the ability to take in about 3 more orphaned boys and 5 orphaned girls! But most importantly - it allows the boys to have their own space as well as the girls. Something Project Orphans feels is important as the children grow!

After all the fun... we finished the day by doing devotions by the bonfire - along with 6 large bags of marshmallows, loads of chocolate and 5 boxes of graham crackers - a.k.a. SMORES! The children's fingers and faces speak for themselves...

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#MEDSFORORPHANS

Project Orphans needs your help on December 2, 2014, also known as Giving Tuesday to give meds to orphans around the world! 

We've celebrated Black Friday and saved a little on Cyber Monday - but now it is time to give back on Giving Tuesday!

Whenever you do choose to buy your presents,  Project Orphans asks you to consider buying a gift for an orphan who desperately needs medicine, vitamins or other antibiotics.

On Giving Tuesday, which follows Cyber Monday, you can do just that!  This year Project Orphans has joined with Blessings International to create the Medicines for Orphans campaign for #GivingTuesday!

A gift of as little as:

 $5 will supply one child with eight months of vitamins

 $10 will give ten children a complete course of antibiotics

 $20 will treat 15 children for malaria. 

You can show your care for young, orphaned children around the world by making a donation through the MedicinesForOrphans.org website or by texting MEDS to 41444.

Please consider giving to Medicines For Orphans!  And tell others about this campaign, especially on #GivingTuesday

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Nourish 17 Orphans for 7 Months

Two years ago, we could not fathom that vulnerable children slept on the streets at night. We couldn’t begin to comprehend the loneliness, neglect, and hurt in their lives. Knowing children didn’t even have a bed while we had an entire home left us sleepless and determined to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.

Two years ago, it was just a dream to start an organization to build homes for orphaned children, but in the past two years, through the love and support of local businesses and giving individuals and families, our Project Orphans family has grown far greater than we could have ever imagined.

Project Orphans has been able to build two homes, one in Uganda and the other in Guatemala. We have started a new Project in Brazil and plan to expand further in the years to come. The homes serve as a safe and loving environment where once neglected children are able to have a family, nurturing parents, and a healing place to grow.

We are always blown away by the people that God continues to put into our lives with the same passion to change the lives of others, like our friends at Nourish Drink Cafe. When NOURISH’s owners, Piper and Amy heard it was Orphan Awareness Month, they wanted to use their drink cafe to help spread the word with us! We are proud to partner with Tulsa’s premier drink cafe for the month of November (located at 1717 East 17th Street).

All November long, NOURISH Drink Cafe will be partnering with Project Orphans to Nourish the 17 children living in our homes and we want to invite you to join. They will be providing healthcare, daily meals, and education needs for all of the children. If you haven’t made it over to Nourish to try their all natural, organic, and deliciously juiced drinks, you should stop by and join us this month and be a part of NOURISHing our children.

We would also love if you would join us for our two year anniversary party at NOURISH on November 19, 2014, from 7:00am - 2:30pm! We will spend the day celebrating the impact that has been made through everyone that has given to the vision and mission of Project Orphans!

xoxo,

The Project Orphans Team

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“Genuine Faith Shelters the Orphan” - Russell Moore

Too often, we hear of a fact and statistic that sounds so large that we feel anyway we help would be irrelevant to helping fight the problem; and unfortunately we indirectly let the truth go in one ear and out of the other. Then, we are reminded, that this isn’t just a number or statistic; it’s a real person in need, and the number of lives in need is so large that we can’t help but do something to fight against the odds.

In the past few months, the Project Orphans team became aware of a truth that we could not grasp. We learned that there are 370,000 children orphaned in Guatemala and that over half of the Guatemalan children under 5 years old are chronically malnourished. As an organization that strives to build family style orphan homes for vulnerable children, we knew we had to step in and help.

Brittany, Christina, and I spent Valentine’s Day weekend traveling to a mountainside village in Zacappa, Guatemala on a vision trip. Our goal was to get a better understanding of the culture and the needs of the children that were already being cared for through the organization we were looking to potentially partner with.

Although, our time in country was brief - it was the time we needed for the most beautiful, brown-eyed, Spanish speaking children to capture our hearts. We were able to minister to dozens of sickly and malnourished children in the village hospital, hold little infants that had been abandoned, and love on babies with special needs who were left orphaned. 

It was overwhelming to see the poverty, sickness, and help needed in Guatemala, but one thing we have learned is: where the need is great, the opportunity is greater.

It didn’t take long for our vision trip to turn into a partnership and long-term commitment. Today, we could not be more excited to let you know that Project Orphans is expanding our organization to Guatemala. We will be working alongside our new friends, Matt and Jessica, who will be leading Project Orphan's new home in Safe Haven Village. (Project Orphans team pictured with Matt and Jessica below.)

At Project Orphans, it is our ultimate goal to help children off of the streets and into a home with a family. It is our mission to see the lives of vulnerable children changed, healed, and restored. Today, we are so grateful for everyone who has supported and given to Project Orphans. We rejoice with you that there are eight less children abandoned on the streets because they will now be going to be live in our new home!

With Love and Gratefulness,

Tiffany

www.ProjectOrphans.org

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Starting 2014 With A Bang

This year, Project Orphans has several exciting opportunities, events and announcements! During 2013, Project Orphans focused on the words, "Love Never Fails." These words brought us around the world and allowed us to meet children who have forever changed our lives. The three words also kept us pushing forward - no matter what obstacle we faced. 

Last year, we broke ground on our orphan home in Uganda... In the upcoming months - the home will be completed and eight children, who were formerly homeless, will be snuggled up in their own bed with a roof protecting their life, dreams and heart. We cannot wait to meet these kids and see how much they flourish and grow to be young leaders of their country! 

Other exciting news... because of the huge support from local businesses and families in the Tulsa community - the Homes of Hope Orphan Gala raised over $60,000 to help build and maintain Project Orphan Children Homes. (Below are photos captured by Artworks Photography in Tulsa, Oklahoma)

With all the support in 2013 - it has allowed Project Orphans to begin seeking new locations for us to build our next orphan home in 2014. After much prayer, thought and discussion - we felt called to begin searching for a location closer to the USA. This led us to zone in on Central and South America! Recently, we have began discussion with a possible ministry partner located in - DRUMROLL PLEASE... Guatemala!

Before making the decision about breaking ground on our next home, the Founders of Project Orphans will be flying to Guatemala to meet with the couple who would be overseeing the children's home, visit the location where the home will be built and if all goes well - break ground on our first Project Orphans Guatemala Orphan Home. 

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and make decisions that will impact children's futures. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on our travels and upcoming events!

We look forward to partnering with you in 2014, and continuing our mission to build homes of hope for orphans around the world.

Best,

Brittany Stokes, Founder of Project Orphans

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The Name Behind The Face

“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes…” – David Platt, “Radical”

This quote is beyond true. Overwhelming statistics can be thrown our way and we still somehow overlook the problem or don't do anything about the need. I am going to be real honest... even being a founder of Project Orphans and having this overwhelming passion to build homes of hope for orphans - I had a wall built to protect me from actually connecting with the kids we might be reaching.

Why? Maybe because it made me more responsible for their future or their stories were so horrific I didn't want to know the truth. 

Recently, I went to Uganda and that wall of protection came crashing down. I wasn't just meeting kids who are now being raised in a home that offers love, education and care. I was meeting girls like Sharon who at the age of 10 had never spent a day in school. She was to live with a “family” as a maid at a very young age and was ordered to take care of the younger children, cook and clean the home. Her hands were so rough and aged from all the work she had to endure. She finally ran away from the abusive situation and lived at the police station for 3 weeks until she became a part of our ministry partners home.

Now Sharon is a bundle of life. She is very conscientious and protective of the other children's feelings. I love watching her read her Bible and write notes and words she hears from her Daddy Jesus! 

I met Henry, Shafiga, George, Mercy, Vicki and the list goes on. They all had stories filled with details that can make anyone cringe. But they don't live in those stories anymore. They have life and they want to use everyday they can to make a difference in their school, community, country and this world. 

These kids come from complete poverty but if a homeless man on the street asked for their shirt on their back they wouldn't think twice about giving it away. Many people who come from circumstances of poverty and lack hold onto their possessions because they are afraid of not having anything again. Well it's crazy cool to see 8 to 14-year-olds not afraid about how much they lose but more concerned about how much they can give!

These are the type of kids were building homes for. They aren't just beings living in a home going through the motions of life. These kids are world changers who take full-advantage of the life they have been given. 

Project Orphans is getting ready to host our First Annual Orphan Gala! It's pretty incredible to see all that God has done in such a short amount of time. Many of the things Project Orphans has done would not have been possible without the support of businesses and families that have partnered with our vision/ mission.  But the gala is not just a "pretty" event to recognize the accomplishments our organization has achieved. We are hosting this gala to introduce the names of children whose lives have been changed and now recognizing that there are more faces who have names that are waiting for our help!

In 2014, our goal is to build another home on our ministry partner's property in Uganda before looking at other locations for our next Project Orphans home. We aren't taking a break and putting our feet on the desk to relax. Now is the time to work harder and build more homes for these kids who undoubtedly will change others world. 

It's not to late to purchase a ticket to this years Homes of Hope Gala! Head on over to our website today or click the link below to grab a ticket and be a part of this life-changing evening.

With Love,

Brittany Stokes

http://www.projectorphans.org/#!events/cjn1

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Empowering & Supporting the Women of Acholi Quarters

  On our visit to Uganda, we were able to visit Acholi Quarters, where we took part in medical missions. Walking through the slums of Acholi we came across many women making paper beads and were amazed at the process.

The women of Acholi Quarters were introduced to making jewelry from paper, by an Irish missionary who brought the technique from others in Kenya. The Acholi women have made it their own and created new designs that set them apart from the others.

The women of Acholi make and sell these beads in order to sustain themselves and their families. The beads are also often traded for food, or charcoal.

The beads get their color, from the variety of paper that is used. They purchase “reject” paper from a local printing press in Kampala and also use scrap paper from local papers, or calendars. The paper is rolled into beads, and the color simply comes from the paper being used; they are in no way dyed to get their vibrant color. Once the paper is rolled into beads, they are then dipped into varnish giving it its sheen. This also contributes to its durability. The beads are strung together often with other glass beads to create various types of jewelry.

We are excited to be able to share with you in our online store, paper bead necklaces purchased directly from these women in Acholi. By purchasing these necklaces you are not only assisting and empowering these women, but also furthering the mission of Project Orphans  to build homes of hope.

  Head on over to our website at www.projectorphans.org to make a purchase that makes a difference. 

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A Home is Not a Home, without Furnishings!

Project Orphans mission is to build homes of hope. But we also understand that a lot more goes into starting a home. It’s not just the 4 walls, and bedrooms and bathrooms. Many items are needed for inside the home, to make it a home. This summer as we prepare to build our Children’s Home in Uganda, we also want to assist our ministry partners with furnishing this home with as many items as needed. If you would like to be a part of furnishing this home, please hop on over to our website, and specify what you would like to donate towards.  You can donate one item, an entire room, or a portion, large, or small, we appreciate any donation given.

Visit http://www.projectorphans.org/#!shop/cu1r to shop online and see a list of the items needed. Also feel free to message us if you have any questions at [email protected].

In this together,

Christina

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PO Intern Goodbye!

To say these past few months interning with Project Orphans was amazing would be an understatement. Being a part of this wonderful organization, meeting these beautiful people with such exuberant hearts for God and for helping those in need, and to be given the opportunity to be a part of such awesome changes and developments within Project Orphans has been the biggest blessing God has ever given me.

  This summer life threw me some serious curve balls.

  I struggled to keep up with life in general, aside from work, this internship, and summer classes but Tiffany, Christina, and Brittany endlessly supported me and cheered me on through out it all.  Working on different programs, sending emails, making calls, and posting to Project Orphans blogs and social networks was the most wonderful break away from life. I could sit back, talk to God, and focus my mind on more important things.

  Every day, I was constantly reminded of those beautiful babies in Uganda and Jamaica who are living on the streets, sick, alone, and scared. And suddenly my problems seemed a hundred miles away. My heart would turn from my own selfish ache to ache for these children of God who needed my attention right at this moment.

  This internship was so much more than work experience. This internship changed my life, it strengthened my relationship with God in ways I never imagined, and it completely transformed my entire outlook and strategy on life.  

  Besides gaining the necessary skills and experience to continue working with non-for profits like Project Orphans after I graduate and begin my big girl life out there in the real world, I gained a much more beautiful understanding of my place in this world.

  God has positioned us all in specific places for a reason. He puts us through things and brings us together so that in everything we experience we are ultimately bringing Him all the glory.

  This internship was so much more than an internship for me. This experience changed my life. The people, the timing, the work, all of it was just a part of a bigger plan God had for my life and I cant express how incredibly blessed I feel that God chose to use me in these ways this summer.

  If I can leave all of you Project Orphan followers with anything I would suggest you allow God to use you in both the best and most difficult points in your life. If you just allow Him to use you He will show you that you can become so much more than you ever dreamed you could be.

  If any of you feel like interning with Project Orphans might be for you I really encourage you to look into it! Talk to Brittany, Tiffany, or Christina and apply for the position, because if this internship can have this kind of an impact on my life I can guarantee it will on yours as well. You will be given the opportunity to be apart of such beautiful change in the lives of orphaned children as well as change within yourself.

  It saddens me to say goodbye as Project Orphans summer intern but I am leaving a changed woman, a better woman, and I can promise you I am nowhere near finished being a part of the change Project Orphans is making. This opportunity has changed my life and I will continue to support Project Orphans and do whatever I can to watch this organization provide homes of hope and a future for even more of Gods beautiful little children.

  With much love,

  Amanda Furtaw (Project Orphans Summer Communications Intern)

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Change For Orphans is Here!

Change for Orphans Program is upon us. The school year is about to begin for many, and we are so excited to launch this awesome program.

EVERY PENNY MAKES A DIFFERENCE. 

What the program is?

  The Change for Orphans Program allows students and educators a like to come together and learn about what these orphaned children experience on a day to day basis as well as work together to make a REAL difference in the lives of orphaned children in the world today by raising funds to provide them with a loving and safe-home.

  Most children today don’t have to worry about what they are going to eat when they get home that night, who is going to bandage their boo boos, or where they are going to sleep that night. Orphaned children live with this reality daily.

  When most children in the United States can at least look forward to school where they will receive at least one filling meal 5 days a week, children in places like Uganda and Jamaica can never even imagine affording an education much less one that meant they could look forward to a meal each day.

  Its easy for children today to go on about their lives playing, learning, and giggling without really ever knowing that kids just like themselves are alone, hungry, and scared. Never knowing what love or having a home really means. 

  This program gives children the opportunity to develop empathy, compassion, love, and leadership skills that allow them to grow up into individuals who will continue to work on bettering the lives of those around them through out the rest of their lives. It gives them the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of others, even children just like themselves.

  It’s clear the children will benefit from Change for Orphans but the educators and the adults around them will as well.

  Many adults have never known about or had the opportunity to change the lives of orphaned children.  Most people think that they need to go on expensive mission trips or donate large sums of money out of their pockets to even be able to make a dent in the need these orphans have. But this program provides them with an opportunity to raise funds and make a difference that they would not have been able to make otherwise.

How it works?

  Change for Orphans works like this.

The class will work together to raise funds to bring orphans homes of hope where they can experience love, education, and healthcare for the first time in their lives. The more the class collects the greater their reward!

  1.      First begin by setting a goal.

For example:

- $500 wins a pizza party for your class and the class gets featured on the Project Orphans social media sites.

- $750 wins a pizza party and a sweet treat for your class, while also being featured on our social media sites, and blog. 

- $1000 goal for the end of the semester wins a pizza party and the class gets featured not only on the Project Orphans social media sites, and blog, but also on our main website!

- If your class is that incredible that they exceed the $1000 goal Project Orphans will decide your ultimate reward on top of the pizza party and being featured on our web pages based on how much you earned above the $1000 (We promise you will not be disappointed!)

  2.      Find an empty milk jug, condiment jar, mason jar or whatever kind of container your class can come up with (feel free to be creative!) to collect your donations in.

  3.      Brainstorm some ideas on how to stir up awareness in school, at home, and in the community in order to raise funds!

For example:

-          A bake sale

-          Car wash

-          Going door-to-door

-          Save your change day to day after lunch

  4.      Now that you’re all ready to get started, there is no wrong way to raise funds. Encourage the kids to get creative and most importantly, have fun with it!

  Throughout your Change for Orphans program we will send you bi-monthly stories of orphaned children at our home. That way the class can connect to who they are helping and put faces and names to the lives that they are actively working to change.

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or to get started.  Also if you know a school or teacher that would be interested in getting involved, pass it along. We are all in this together.

Let's be the change,

The Project Orphans Team

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Now That I Have Seen, I Am Responsible

These past couple weeks after being back from Uganda has not been the easiest for Brittany and I.  We both had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We formed relationships with 17 children, who left a lasting impact on our lives.These children are unlike any other children we have met, and this is without exaggeration. We had a time where we were able to have one on ones with some of the children, and their answers were not those you would expect of 8-10 year olds. "I want to make disciples of Christ, I want to be an accountant so that I can help the poor, I want to be a teacher, I want to be an artist."

That week in Uganda, wasn’t just another missions trip, or doing a ground breaking on a new home. It was far beyond what we ever thought or could imagine. We didn’t just go to build a home, and leave. We went to build relationships, and that we did. Each of these children has a name, and a story.

The nights leading up to our departure, the children started to lavish us with letters. We got one and then two so we replied. But it turned into dozens.The night before we left, there were letters coming from every direction. Brittany and I could not write fast enough to reply.

And these are just a few of what we received. Since we have been back, the most asked question has been, " Will you be going back?" Of course. How could we see what we have seen, and build these relationships and not go back? If we could go back today, we would. There is much more to be done in Uganda, more homes to be built, more lives to be transformed, more children to be taken off the streets and we are beyond thankful that we get to be a small part of that.

With love

Christina

[projectorphans]

Coffee, Music, and Homes of Hope

Hello there my dears!

A few weeks ago I hosted a Free Music Friday event at a local coffee shop in my home town of Bay City, MI. To raise awareness and funds for Project Orphans in order to bring Homes of Hope to more beautiful little children in need. 

Being able to speak about this beautiful organization with so many people within my own community was a blessing in and of itself. But even more touching was seeing people I didn't even know very well rally together to help me make this a successful night for Project Orphans! 

Wonderful local bands such as Oliver And The Attack of the Lovely played for FREE, and all of the bands who did so were brought there by my friend Alice Vanston. She and so many others really worked hard to make this night a successful one for Project Orphans and the children who benefitted from it. It was such a blessing to watch these people get passionate about something so near and dear to my heart.

Opportunities like this have given me the rare opportunity to really SEE the glow in peoples hearts. The glow that can only be emanated by such a loving, compassionate, and glorious God!

It was a beautiful night of music, laughter, friendship, and most importantly HOPE. 

Im sharing this with you because I want you guys to experience moments like these as well. Its a simple way to get involved and help those in need through an organization like Project Orphans. 

Please FEEL FREE to send me a message and ask for assistance in hosting an event just like this in your home town! You dont have to be a certain age, professional, or have a lot of money to make a difference. 

I can truly say hosting events like this for organizations like Project Orphans have been BY FAR the most rewarding experiences of my life. 

So I encourage you to take the opportunity to join us and experience this for yourself. 

Love and blessings always,

Amanda Furtaw (Project Orphans Summer Communications Intern)

[calm-mysoul]

[projectorphans]

Building Walls Of Peace

It's been very hard being away from our favorite kids in Uganda. Being around them restores our hope for such a dark world. Today, we were discussing the fact that when we showed up to stay with the children in an unfamiliar country and place - we were never scared or felt uneasy. 

Project Orphans receives multiple emails and requests from organizations who want us to build them homes or partner with them. Our team and board carefully decides and prays about who we should work with; because it is important that we have like minded beliefs, values and goals. 

When we spoke with our ministry partner in Uganda we immediately felt peace in our hearts and knew we had to build an additional home on their property - so that they could take in more children and show them love, joy and hope. At the time - we couldn't tell you why we had so much peace and wanted to work with them but once we arrived in Uganda it all made sense. We had never met the kids, house moms or those who oversee the organization - but something inside us told us to "build the home".

When we arrived in Uganda, around 11pm their time,  it was so dark and we drove about an hour on streets that were filled with very evil things. However, the moment we stepped into the home of our partner in Uganda - we knew this was the place we were called. It all makes sense now. Every night, our kids pray and worship the Lord. They have evening devotions and ask God to open their hearts to learn more about Him and make disciples for His name. The reason we felt so much peace was because of the children's prayers!

People will tell you how much darkness there is in Uganda. But we only saw light and experienced peace. We were never once scared, worried or uncomfortable. Many of the children who live in the orphan homes we build have experienced horrible, scary and deadly times. I believe that the moment they begin to have a relationship with God they know exactly what to pray for and learn to cast all those fears on the Lord. 

We cannot wait to return to Uganda soon. We have a few more homes to build on our ministry partner's land - plus we look forward to taking a few missions teams to meet the children, help finish building homes, minster to local villages and be encouraged by the movement of God that is happening in Uganda.

Best,

- Brittany Stokes

*More information will be posted soon on Summer 2014 trips to Uganda.