END OF JUNE UPDATE:

We are 48% of our way to our goal.  Here is a list of the gender/shoe sizes that we still need.  THANK YOU all so much for contributing to our new school of orphans….

ORIGINAL POST:

Are you ready for this all of you “ZoeForKids honorary moms and dads”?

Congratulations on your new ‘babies’!!!  Not one… not two… but you are the proud parents of an additional 72 girls and 91 boys!  ZoeForKids is adopting ANOTHER group of orphans and vulnerable children… at the Maboloka School!

As you know, for this Christmas 2014, we plan to give each of the 300 orphans at the Majakeneng village school a Wildlife Bible StoryTeller… a stuffed critter (lions, elephants, and bears… OH MY!) with about 15 hours of Bible stories recorded inside.  That donation drive is still ongoing, but we are getting closer to our targeted amount needed…. Thanks to YOUR generosity!!!

BUT, what are we going to do for our new wee ones at the Maboloka school… well, we are going to begin at the beginning, of course…  with CHRISTMAS SHOES!!!

Starting today, we are asking that the Lord will provide through you, 163 pairs of shoes.  I need to have them by October 1 to ensure their delivery to South Africa.  Remember that South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere and is entering winter… so we will be needing sturdy, warm shoes, like sneakers… no flip flops please!  Here is a list of the sizes we need by gender…

If you purchase shoes, they should be sent to Sally Herman 4932 East Colby St, Mesa, Az 85205  ALSO, please let Betty know the size and gender of the shoes by emailing her at blynn1@optonline.net… she will update and repost the current needs list.

If you prefer to make a cash donation, you can find use this link: http://zoeforkids.com/donate/  I will then send my ‘secret shoppers’ out to get the best shoe value for your donated dollars.

ZoeForKids donors are the best!  I can’t thank you all enough for your continued generosity.  100% of your donations directly improve the lives of now… 463 orphans who are loved by God and us.  Thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to be your eyes and ears during our parties with these dear ones… I wish you could all be there to experience their excitement.  While I get to play the role of ‘gift giver’ at these parties … I know, and I make sure our kids know, that YOU are the ones making the financial sacrifice for them, YOU are the great givers of these gifts!

 “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little”  —Edmund Burke

P.S.  Go to Collection Drives > 2014 May: The Great Pajama Drive! to see a longer version.

I write to you all, with great joy in my heart!!!  I just got back from South Africa this week… where we held the most amazing PJ party a child could ever dream of!

After many months and hours of preparation our PJ party was a big success!!  It’s always sooo exciting the morning our kiddie clan arrives for ‘their’ day.  To be honest, I get twisted up in knots… good and bad… when I hear the buses arrive with excited kiddies… peering out the windows… yelling and screaming, “Sister Sally!!!”  A tide of raw emotions wash over my soul… as I know the day will roll in with squeals of elated joy… and roll out with a feeling of great helplessness.

Hearing the jubilant voices from down the road and seeing them cheer as they pull into the dirt parking lot sounds a lot like angels to me.

In their small worlds full of tragedy, coldness and fear—here, they are given a moment of time just to be kids.  They walk into the warm and loving atmosphere of the church and feel… not only the bigness of God’s love—but, our smallness in human love as well.

Before I forget to mention it… in the wee hours of ‘preparation morning’… prior to every event, we have our precious Go-Go’s (grannies) marching around the entire church interceding for us!

They tell me, “My sister, we can’t have a gathering in the church, without prayers covering every corner!”  After an hour or so of prayer they go and start the cooking to feed the 300 orphans!

Only in Africa…..  will you find precious old grannies treating  the power of prayer as the mainstay of protection.  To see them march around the entire church clapping their hands interceding, asking for God to come… is like watching the walls of Jericho fall down at the commanding power of their prayers!!!

 After the kids arrived, they sat down to a program of singing, dancing and bible stories!  The program was led by the faithful youth of Flames Church, and it was quite “African”… exciting as only the African way can be!  They even included singing and dancing competitions… to which the kids responded with out of control laughter… till their stomachs hurt!

We then presented Certificates of Service awards to our three cooks.  These dear ladies cook for three hundred orphans every day at school.

Their look of humble gratitude as the children clapped…and gave them a standing ovation… stirred my heart to tears.

Life in Africa is not easy.  Cooking for our orphans is not easy labor.  Yet, everyday these three ladies cook ‘al fresco’… in the ‘all outdoors’… in huge pots on a cement floor…with no modern conveniences… in order to serve our children.

I am in awe at their dedication, hard work and compassion for our orphans.

After this, Sister Sharon gave the children a Gospel Magic Show which captivated the attention of all 300 kids!

This would never happen where we come from.  Technology today has robbed American children of their God given attention span and social skills… and yet, our orphans, void of technology, are so thirsty to learn… sooo open to being loved!

A simple magic show which teaches a simple Gospel lesson is enough to hold them captive!  For this moment of time, they are someone’s number-one priority.  That someone being, us… you… and, everyone who supports ZoeForKids!

After the ‘fun’ part of the party…   the children feasted on mountains of beef, pap, and cabbage.

Our dear African sister, Lorraine, presented 6 huge frosted cakes that she had made just for this party!!

Each child ate until their bellies were beyond full.  Even better than that, I could tell the hunger that groaned in their bellies in the past, is no longer preoccupying them… they look happier and healthier each time we visit them.

Lest I forget, the kids ate EVERY crumb of EVERY cake that Lorraine made… and like every child around the world— each one ‘needed’ one frosted candy to be placed on top of their piece of cake!

Kids being Kids—they are all the same, everywhere!

I often marvel at the fact that kids are just kids in every country of the world that you go!

I think…every child wants sugar and every child wants love.  Sugar and love go together like a big piece of frosted cake!   The reality is… the worst disease in the entire world is the disease of being ‘unwanted’… and that, my friends, is being cured in our small corner of the world with your and God’s help!

After the big meal, every child got in line.

We had gift bags prepared with several pairs of warm PJ’s, scarves, and toys in every bag!

Each child received a bag filled with treasures… fit for the royalty they are!

Can I also mention—the handwritten cards that you donated, got precious treatment… tucked away safely in their pockets and book bags after they read them!!  They held great meaning to them… you could tell by the width of their smiles and the way they carefully put them back into the respected envelopes and tried to reseal each one.

Every child hugged us and told us, ‘THANK YOU!!!’   This, to me, is treasure directly from heaven….   But, I don’t stop there.  I tell them about all of YOU.  They then tell me to give to you—THEIR LOVE AND HUGS.  I tell them that, without their family all over the world, this day would never have been made possible. …   .

I humbly say, “Thank you”

I have no words.

 Well, yes, I do….ONE MORE THING!

 Many of you have been following the story of little Aida.  Her granny is a Sangoma (witch doctor) and threw away everything Aida received from us.  On a prior trip, while visiting Aida at her shack, the granny threw me out.  Aida cried on my shoulders and I cried too.  She didn’t show up at our 2013 Christmas Party and I figured I would never see her again.  I believed mixing with Christians would be prohibited by her granny.

BUT, by the good grace of God and much prayer I am sure… she came to the PJ party!  I was over the moon in happiness!!!   Of course I loaded her bag full of great things and a few pair of warm PJ’s.  When I asked her how it was at home, her eyes just filled with gigantic tears…

I think this is the greatest ache in my soul:  …  “to be so close to this precious child that I can hold her and comfort her for a moment… and yet, so far away in the relieving of her continual pain.”

It may not seem like much is being done in our little corner of South Africa.  In the scheme of “mission greatness”—we are quite small.  There are over 1-billion children in the world who are deprived of shelter, food, safe water, sanitation, health care and education.  When I hear of such statistics I become ill inside.  The task before us is huge, never ending, and very daunting.

For my own sanity I have to scale the billion down to a city… and even the city… down to a few.  If every one of us prayerfully provides for ‘the few’ that God has placed under our care, we can grow to a point where He will entrust many more to our care.

If we just focus on the ocean of orphans in the world we will be unequipped, overwhelmed and paralyzed from action.  We cannot allow ourselves to be paralyzed into inaction.  That is why, for us not to act for the ‘few’, because we can’t help them all, is heresy.  If we all assisted just the ones we have been given, we will eventually be challenged to accomplish this work for many more… BUT one step at a time, as God lights our footsteps.

 Once again, God is our Banner, “Jehovah Nissi”.

He goes before us… he stays with us… and now He stays behind, watching over our wee orphans when we cannot.  He opened the way that not one gift was stolen through customs and our orphans were served as royal Kings and Queens—now, we trust Him to stay with them as we leave.

There are no words that can fully express my feelings right now.  Just know, I love you all… from the depths of my heart, and I thank you strongly for looking beyond the borders of your heart and expanding those borders to cover them.

Together, we did it.

I love you so very much

Sally

“The more often we feel without acting, the less we will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less we will be able to feel.” 

–C.S. Lewis

Our ZoeForKids Family has been watching our new “kid-eo” about the Bible StoryTellers.

In addition to wanting to donate to help ZoeForKids purchase these gifts for our South African orphans for Christmas 2014… MOST… if not ALL… have been saying, “These are GREAT… can I get these for my own family?”  After talking to the distributor, the answer is YES!

You can purchase these great gifts directly for your children… or grandchildren… or nieces and nephews… or little friends… of all ages!!!

To make a direct, personal purchase, send an email to Deborah Templeton (debtempleton@megavoice.com) and she will place the order for you.  She will collect specifics from you about the type of animal(s) you want, the quantity, the Bible Story language, and other key bits of information.  Mention that you are part of the ZoeForKids Family and you will get the discounted price of $30 each including shipping in the 48 contiguous states (there will be additional shipping charges for shipping elsewhere.)

So let’s spread the Bible’s Good News to South Africa and to the far flung reaches of our ZoeForKids Family!!!

P.S. To donate to ZoeForKids’ Christmas 2014 StoryTeller Drive, go to: http://zoeforkids.com/donate/

Come and watch our new “Director’s Cut” of our Christmas 2014 Kid-eo.

This new Kid-eo release contains an English audio sample of the Bible stories spoken through the Wildlife StoryTellers.

We need your help… our ZoeForKids Family… to help us raise the funds to provide these dear gifts of knowledge and faith to our wee South African orphans.

Patrick T. is showing this video to his church to generate interest and support for this drive.  If you want to make handouts for your church, here is a printable picture file that you can use… http://zoeforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Story-Tellers-Handout-Version-1A.jpg

On February 9th, Sally, Director of ZoeForKids, spoke at the River of Life Church in the state of Washington.  In this video, Sally describes the work of ZoeForKids in South Africa.

Click on this link to see her heartfelt presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_mhsj6H83c

We hope you enjoy it!

In early to mid April, I am going to South Africa and I NEED YOUR PRAYERS. 

The purpose for my visit is to find a plot of land where we can plant our first ‘ZoeSeeds’. 

Our vision is to buy some land… then plant a ZoeSeed that will become an indoor Zoe kitchen and dining room for our orphans.  On that same land we will continue to plant ZoeSeeds, this time, for a common room…  initially, for after-school tutoring, but could grow into a church.  We will then plant a  ZoeSeed that will grow into ZoeHouse… a temporary safe house… open 24/7… for emergent sheltering of at-risk kids and unwanted infants until longer term placement can be arranged. 

Lord willing, I want to start our building projects in Majakaneng Village… and use what we learn to bring this model to other villages in the area.

You see that to take on this ambitious project, I REALLY need God’s direction and blessing, and  I REALLY need your prayers to help us accomplish this.   

So here is my prayer request list (so far… heehee!) :

• I will be meeting with the mayor of Majakaneng Village!  Pray that the Spirit of God goes before me and inclines his heart to our cause and shows him ways to help facilitate and quicken our land acquisition, planning and building.  I pray that God will give him scissors to help us cut through any red tape.
• Pray that the Lord will show Pastor Alcy and I His perfect way to call up and inspire local men and women who are both trustworthy and committed  to lead the way for ZoeForKids. 
• We need the Lord to provide
  • a SA ZoeForKids leader who has a heart and passion for the Lord AND for these children, just like Pastor Martin did; someone who can inspire others, someone who can manage and coordinate all the ZoeForKids project teams. 
  • a skilled and knowledgeable person who is gifted with land acquisition and construction to see our building efforts from dreams to reality. 
  • the needed  staff with their various skills… cooks, kitchen workers, tutors, pastors, foster parents, maintenance workers… all who love the Lord, walk in His ways, and with hearts who truly care for our orphans.
• Pray that the Lord will lead Pastor Alcy and I to the perfect plot of land that He has chosen.  Pray that He makes His choice so abundantly obvious to us… that we CAN’T make the wrong decision.  We want to see Your Hand in this, Oh Lord!
• ALSO, pray for a great spiritual revival starting in Majakaneng Village!!!

I am counting on you to cover us with your prayers!!!  

We don’t want to labor in vain… we want the Lord to effortlessly pour out His blessings upon us… so we can care for his ‘gifts’… the orphan children in Majakaneng Village!!!

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

“On the Road Again”.

Zorro and Patrick are heading from Washington to Arizona so we can video a ‘kid’-mercial for our Christmas 2014 ZoeForKids Donation Drive. 

Zorro, Zoelle, and a new stuffed friend, Teddy, will be the stars.  With God’s blessing, we want to give our precious South African orphans these TALKING Bible story telling animals for Christmas 2014… but we will need your help and continued generocity.

YES, these stuffed toys not only are huggable, but they TALK!  15 HOURS of Bible stories… in Tswana… the heart language of our orphans!

Our “Wildlife Bible StoryTellers” ‘kid’-mercial will be ready for ‘primetime’ in April – stay tuned!

FEEDING PROGRAM UPDATE

This is a thank you from the school of Majakaneng where we fed 1500 children for the last 2 weeks of school when they had no food to feed the kids..   The kids would not have done well on their finals had their tummies not been full.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN for your support.  Because YOU gave, we could.  Thank you!!!

Our kids are back in school now… summer vacation is over.   So now we are restarting their daily feeding program.

KITCHEN PROJECT UPDATE

When I visit in March, I pray we can find a convenient, special place on which we can build a kitchen… with room for future expansion of services in the future, should God allow!  I can’t wait to check it all out!  Please, please keep us in your prayers as we seek God’s direction and provision for which services are most important to our wee ones.

WINTER PAJAMA DRIVE UPDATE

The first sets of winter PJs are trickling in.  I would love to take the first shipment of warm PJ’s over during my March visit and then any remaining ones during my visit in May.  We will again celebrate with our precious ones, and distribute your PJs just prior to their COLD winter!

• So, you early birds… please send your PJ donations to me by MARCH 1 and they will be hand carried to SA that same month!
• And for the rest of us… final donations should be in my mailman’s hands no later than MAY 1 for my duffle bag caravan to SA.

ATTENTION ZOEFORKIDS SHOPPERS:  Be on the look out for end of winter sales going on NOW.  We still need all sizes (S M, L) for boys AND girls. (Remember South African seasons are the opposite of the northern  hemisphere… which allows us to bargain shop the seasonal racks just before our kids will be needing them.)

This past May, we warmed those little hearts with new and handmade blankets.  This year we want to wrap them in another layer of warmth… toasty PJ’s/ Long Underwear/ Sweatshirt and pant sets… whatever the Lord leads you to.

As most of us are in the northern hemisphere, we are grimacing over our heating bills, pulling our blankets a little more snuggly around our necks, and layer-layer-layering against the brutal cold… please use each of those events as a reminder to pray that our Father will provide for the little ones through their coming winter!!!

Thank you soooo much for your ongoing support, for your expressions of love, and for your faithfulness to our Zoe Kids… stay WARM!

“Praise Jesus !” As we Move into 2014 !   from Bruce Marchiano   January 24, 2014

157 Babies Taken by Abortion Every Single Hour

This is the headline of a LifeNews article (edited to remove graphic details) reads:

“This week our nation marks 41 years of legalized abortion. For most Americans, this anniversary is a day to mourn – a day to mourn the loss of tens of millions of unborn children – sons and daughters, brothers and sisters… Since that fateful day abortion was made legal in 1973 there have been an estimated 56,662,169 lives “taken,” each a tiny baby… If you run the math, the numbers are chilling: 1.382 million every year; 115,167 every month; 26,577 every week; 3,786 every day… 157 babies every hour; more than 2 every minute.”

This is why I’m prioritizing the film, Alison’s Choice

High on my list this year is the production of a new Encounter-type film wherein Jesus reveals Himself to a young woman having an abortion, trying to save her baby’s life. Words can’t describe this film’s importance as it will save many unborn lives. I can only humbly ask you to join me through your much-needed support. We are filming in the spring so that doesn’t give us much time. Please, I need you to join me with even a small donation. Lives will be saved. www.AlisonsChoice.com. Thank you!

The NewJesusMovie inches forward

If you follow on Facebook you know that we are hard at work in Israel identifying shooting locations. It’s extremely difficult to shoot in Israel (which is why Jesus movies are almost always shot in Morocco), but to me it’s a matter of obedience. As we lock in these locations the budget is being re-written and so far it seems we’ll be able to shoot NJM for much less than we first thought. We praise Jesus!

South Africa brings us new opportunities and new challenges in 2014

I consider my outreach work to the villages of the NorthWest Province of SA to be non-negotiable. Several times a week I text Pastor Martin’s wife, Alcy, with the words, “I stand with you all the way.” But the challenges in any African setting are never-ending. Just this past week, one of the churches we built was broken into, sound equipment and more stolen. Alcy was in an auto accident that put her in the hospital, though she’s out now and doing fine.

Martin would always say to me, “Life, my brother, is all in how you meet the challenges.” And so we press forward with 1) three crusades in the planning; 2) we need to build a kitchen for the AIDS orphans; and 3) I have it in my head to purchase a bus for the churches since 60% of our budget goes to hiring buses for the people. So lots to do and we’re on our way!

Speaking of South Africa…

Do you remember that we fed a primary school of 1500 students for the month of December? I just received this letter from the principal, Eunice Mathasedi… “Thank you so much for the food during the time of need. We are without words. I am proud to tell you that the school was able to meet the standard of “pass percentage” with your help, for these learners cannot write final exams with empty stomachs. On behalf of the school governing body, the principal, staff and the 1540 orphans and vulnerable children that you feed, thank you…

All this… and the Gospel too. All this… because of you who give/pray. I thank God for you even as I hear the Lord’s whisper to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Well done, precious MarchMin friend. Well done. We press forward! Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

We are off and running on our Winter PJ Drive… we have 10 already and we just started!!!

We plan on gifting our little sweethearts in South Africa with winter pajama sets to keep them warm and snug.   Our PJ’s will arrive in SA in May, just when the weather is beginning to turn cold and Jack Frost starts nipping their wee noses.

Our target is to collect and distribute 350 PJ sets.  Flannel or fleece, night gown or PJ sets, one piece footies or union suits… or two piece sweatshirt/pant sets, insulated underwear… as long as they are warm, they will be treasured.

Here is our tally sheet showing how many PJ’s we need by gender and size (sorry it’s so fuzzy):

As we enter the spring (hee hee) warm PJ’s are going to be quickly disappearing from the store shelves… so, GAME ON!!!

Thank you ALL for your loving support of our wee ones in South Africa!!  Let’s warm their little frames with toasty PJ’s and continue to warm their hearts with our love.  They sooo appreciate your gifts from the heart and your love.  I can see it in their eyes and their squeals of joy.   I SOOO APPRECIATE YOUR LOVE!!!

ZoeForKids donors are the most loving donors on the planet… the love of Jesus shines through you every day!!!!

Well! Happy Monday Morning! zoeforkids.com was just awarded $1000.00 from CWAM’s Super Service Challenge Contest!

This video by Patrick and an explanation of what we do got us this award!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/qTqZUHucfDc

We will use the money for building a proper kitchen and our ongoing feeding program!

Praise to Jesus!

I returned from South Africa last week, and not only did I hit the ground running with all our other projects, but amazement at all God did in SA continues to send me to my knees.  Glory to Jesus!

 The Crusade Services

The atmosphere of the entire crusade was joyousness in coming to Jesus.  The groundwork laid in breathtaking worship, all I had to do was share Jesus then “stand back and be utterly amazed.”  In fact, in our first service the buses came so late, we didn’t begin until after 10.  So my message was maybe 15 minutes max.  I called the people to Jesus and they literally streamed forward, meeting Him in salvation, redemption, healing…  It was simply amazing to watch Him do what only He can do – praise Jesus!

A New Church Dedicated: Lethabong Village

It was maybe 7 years ago that the people of a village named Lethabong came to us asking for a church.  We began building that church as funds and volunteer man-power permitted, and I am beyond humbled to tell you… the church opened its doors this past Sunday as we dedicated it December 7.  Thank you, for every brick laid was paid for by your giving. Glory to Jesus!

The Orphans

One of our rapidly growing outreaches is to AIDS orphans in SA.  Right now we feed about 300/day.

In October, Sharon and Sally worked with them for an entire week, bringing the Gospel, giving them Bibles, etc.  During the crusade, we held a Christmas party for them, providing a feast, new clothes, and more of Jesus.  And as we seek the Lord, He’s given us exciting new ideas to serve these kids even better in 2014. [ZoeNote: Please pray that we are given God’s wisdom and have His blessing in all that we seek to do!!]

Evidence of Effectiveness

It’s one of the most exciting things I’ve witnessed.  I apologize that I don’t have a photo of him but in every crusade service there was this little boy, maybe 4 to 6, obviously very poor.

[ZoeNote: we found pictures of him, below!]

He came from a far village, getting on the bus… by himself, riding it back every night and then walking to his shack, probably getting in after midnight – all by himself.  I didn’t recognize him right away, but he was one of our orphans.

In other words, this little boy’s life has been so deeply touched by God that he’s going through all this – the Gospel having been presented to him through God’s Word and through loving care, primarily via Sally and Sharon, through whom he has so obviously realized the love that Jesus has for him… [ZoeNote: please pray for this little one… we suspect God is calling him and drawing him for a ‘special purpose’]

You’ll hear more about this little treasure of a boy, but all to say to you who have prayed and given support, “Behold the fruit of your sacrifice.”  Glory to Jesus!

Alison’s Choice & the NewJesusMovie

All while in SA I was receiving photos from the NJM [NewJesusMovie] location scout in Israel.  We’re now busy matching scenes with locations as we take steps toward production.  Meanwhile, as you can see from the tally on AlisonsChoice.com word is spreading and God’s children are giving – the key to this film and also NJM as we strive to produce them free of commercial influence.  I hope you don’t me being bold as I ask you to “not grow weary” in doing your part to advance these projects.  Unborn lives will be saved through Alison’s Choice!  Salvations will flow through NJM!  What would the Lord have you do?  Glory to Jesus!

We Break for Christmas

With all this going on, I don’t get a break – but I trust you will.  “Tis’ the season”… to draw close to Jesus and to the family and friends He’s given us; to quiet the soul and thank God for all He’s done.

He loves you, precious one… just like He loves that little boy who came to the services and all those precious Africans who were born again in the crusade… just like He loves all those babies in the wombs of moms who don’t want them… just like He loves the throngs for whom we labor that they may know Jesus.

He loves you, precious one.  He loves you.  Have a wonderful Christmas!  Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

If you want to share your love for Marchiano Ministries with others this Christmas…. the link below will take you to another FREE Christmas Card for you to print.  This one features a picture of Bruce Marchiano playing the role of Jesus in the MATTHEW movie.  This great picture has the message… Jesus Lives Forever…. praise God for the truth of that message!!! 

WARNING, WARNING!!!:  Let not your heart be troubled when you see some of the text is upside down… that is all part of the miracle of folded card making

CLICK ME… HERE>>>  FREE Marchiano Ministries Christmas Card for you!

The above PDF document contains two pages that are intended to print on the front and back of the same sheet of paper and folded in the middle:

• IF you can figure out how to make your printer do two-sided printing (‘duplex printing’ for you Techies!), then print both pages on the same sheet, fold it in the middle, sign it… and be very proud of your skills.
• IF you are more like me, and can’t figure out how to print front and back… you can just print out Page 1, fold it in half, and write your own message inside… and pretend it was always supposed to be that way… easily printed and highly personalized!!!  Then be very proud of your ability to turn obstacles into opportunities!

Enjoy sharing the love with your friends and family!!!

Bruce Marchiano    November 30, 2013

Final SA Crusade of 2013
Glory to Jesus! This year’s SA crusades have been astonishing as the Lord exploded in grace like never before with many coming to Jesus, many lives touched/healed… Our churches all report packed houses and new souls. And following Sharon/Sally’s October SA trip to reach out to AIDS orphans and kiddies, so many of them are now coming to church that our challenge is hiring more buses to get them there safely. Now our final crusade begins Dec. 6; general services, a youth meeting, and a Christmas event for the AIDS orphans. Please, we sure could use your financial support because we just had an extraordinary SA expense pop up (see below). So I invite your consideration. Glory to Jesus!

We’re Feeding 1500 SA Kids a Day
Recently I received the most heart-rending letter from the school our orphans attend. In the rural SA school system, the government supplies one meal/day for the kids (but if you saw that meal you would cry tears). For a vast number of kids this is their only food each day. So the principal writes, “Our school has 1540 learners, all classified in the last census as “the poorest of the poor.” They all depend on the school meals. For November we did not receive anything from the Department of Education and our learners are without food. It is up to the school to feed these hungry stomachs especially in this time of the year when they are taking final exams…” I could share more, but you get the idea. I hope you don’t mind, but we couldn’t just not do anything. The kids will all be fed.

You know, we’re often seeking, “What’s God’s will for my life?” But I’m learning more and more that God’s will is actually easy to discern. And the “big picture” is actually comprised of living in day-to-day faithfulness to what He’s put before you; daily living in His ways – giving of self; humble execution of responsibility; regarding others as you would have them regard you; truthfulness and graciousness; kindness, modesty, care; shelving my want for what HE wants – which, again, is actually very obvious.

So I want to stop for a moment and encourage you as I know you seek God’s best and want to please Him… Simply be faithful to what’s before you today, one day at a time. Take the hard steps of clearing away things that make your life less than what He desires for you (we are often our own worst enemies so be honest with yourself). And just walk forward in His ways that will always challenge our personal want and presumption of need. He loves you, precious one. He wants the best for you. And I have a feeling that’s right in front of our noses. And for me and MarchMin this past week, that means not turning those kids away. Glory to Jesus!

AlisonsChoice.com is Live!
Please go to www.alisonschoice.com. It is our new film undertaking under our new vision to save unborn lives. Please spread the word on Facebook and beyond. We film in the spring! [Go to http://alisonschoice.com/   for more details about this Marchiano Ministries project]

NewJesusMovie Locations Are Being Scouted in Israel
Our Israeli production designer and manager undertake a preliminary scouting trip Nov. 26 for five days. [Go to http://newjesusmovie.com/   for more details about this Marchiano Ministries project]

I Praise Jesus for You!
Pretty cool to see all this spelled out, isn’t it? You know, we’re just a handful of volunteers, each working out of home offices. It can make it feel like MarchMin isn’t such a big deal. But then you sit back and take an overall look, and it hits you that the Lord is extremely busy here, doing things that no man can do, reaching precious lives on many levels… And I’m just so thankful for you because it is only through your prayer, support, encouragement… that His fruitfulness flows. I praise Jesus for you, even as I head off to SA. Sharon will keep you informed until I return. May souls find Jesus! Glory to Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano

  You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you—
John Bunyan

October 2013 Majakeneng Village Outreach

How these words ring true! How I hope your feeling the blessing I pray on your life! I pray the blessing comes back to YOU because of how and what YOU gave in prayer, support and resources to God’s little ones. These little ones will never be able to repay you and may never ever see you-but what you have done will last forever.  We pray you feel the lasting blessing that springs from their hope!

We started our outreach on Friday Oct 18th with an all night prayer. The youth of Flames Church gathered for their monthly all-night prayer and we were able to be a part. Imagine this if you will, 100 or more teens-on a Friday night, beckoning the heavens for His Presence! How remarkable! All night long till early morning they prayed, worshipped and get this, I never saw one cell phone! That was a miracle in itself. I was blown away by! I believe our week’s success was birthed from your prayers at home and followed up from here!

Saturday, Sister Sharon met with the Sunday School Teachers/Leaders to empower their teaching of the Flames Church youth! Flames church is exploding with youth, coming from everywhere! Sister Sharon engraved the heart of a child’s most important spiritual needs onto these leaders/teachers. She followed it up with offerings of tools and ideas they can use through this next year: 2014. It was then/there right in that place I sensed God was going to move big in the youth coming from all ends of every village to be nurtured and given hope. Oh! How it is so necessary to fill these leaders with tools and the ‘mind workings’ of a child to foster this coming-up generation! A generation, we pray that just might be angry enough and hungry enough to change the junk that has been handed down to them!

Revival! That was the word I was left with in my Spirit after the afternoon workshop. Unknown to me then, those Spirit spoken words—came alive. I can’t even sit right now, its that exciting!

Sunday, we had a gogo event and teen event. (Now, a gogo is anyone who is a grandmaJ.)   Sister Sharon gave those sweet precious ladies an empowering message on not ‘stopping’ until you’re dead and then they all enjoyed a big feast (from you) along with a gift of a beautiful purse from one of our committed donor’s!

I took the teens and we had a message on forgiveness and getting ‘unstuck’. They were given books and solar radios with messages from Charles Stanley. It was a great turnout and as a surprise to both of us, Sister Sharon and I were ‘dressed’ by our African family. It was such a grand privilege, my eyes water talking about it…..

Can I add that our outfits are from Martin’s tribe: Tsonga?

Yes, of course I cried. What a privilege to be dressed in his tribe!   I plan on walking into heaven and meeting Jesus and my Pastor Martin with his outfit on!

Monday, was quite the surprise! !! You know how it is. You plan and plan but reality doesn’t always look like the best thought–out plan. As Pastor Bruce always say’s “TIA” that is African for: This is Africa! We had planned to visit every classroom everyday with a single message that followed the 1600+ bracelets message with certain colored beads made by some awesome volunteers in Indiana!

The first color: black-meaning we all sinned. The second color: red-meaning those sins were taken care of by Jesus blood. The third color: white-meaning we are made clean. The fourth color:   green– meaning we need to grow in our love for Jesus. The fifth color: yellow-meaning we will get to see the gold of heaven!

However, on Monday, it soon became obvious that Sister Sharon, Lorraine, Fatima and a few other Flames volunteers could not share a lesson with every group of kids…  We quickly learned the new ‘teaching math’… we multiplied the minutes spent with each group by the number of groups and tried to divide it into the minutes of the day! IMPOSSIBLE.

So we improvised … and by week’s end we were so organized  it was scary. PLEASE pray that we continue to have access to our kids, because without it, the orphan’s needs cannot be reached!!! (I will tell you why, later)

As Sister Sharon, Lorraine, Fatima met with the childrens groups, I went to seek the little orphans we are targeting to assist. The ones without any relatives but are just living as sibling families. My goal was to get to know each one and start a deeper level of care. There are about 20 such sibling raised families among the 300 orphans who live with a granny or auntie or uncle. Thanks to you, we are feeding the 300+ but desire to do even more for the 20!

If I shared the stories I heard that week, surely your heart would break at the evil and slimy predators that are surrounding our kids, daily. As the week ended I didn’t want to hear anymore stories; I didn’t want to see any more shacks. I became more overwhelmed and felt like I was sinking in the absolute valley of impossibleness (if you will). How do you come against such horrible things; including witchcraft?  How do we keep these kids safely cared for outside of their sheltered school day? If you let me be human for a moment, I wanted to slice and dice every evil thing coming against the innocent little ones!!!

Those precious eyes look up at you so expectant, so alive and so wanting to be loved, held, mentored, given attention and respected. What I saw and heard was that the children really do fend for themselves; regardless if there is an auntie or granny or sibling there. They are coerced to bring money home in obvious evil ways; they are not encouraged to do homework; they are manipulated and not given attention to. Health needs go unmet; referrals to clinics/doctors never get done and things we give them-get taken away.

For example, little Aida… she lives with her granny who is part of a ZedC cult. She was forced to take off her bracelet and was hiding her bible we gave her otherwise it would get burned. She hung on me all week; just wanting to be near me. She was so proud when she took me to her shack! However, I was met by a irrate granny who yelled and screamed at us and so we had to leave. I had Aida in the car with me and she just started crying.   Here is a picture (un-posed I might add) of her reading her bible before putting it in hiding.

On a positive note; however……   I met with a white-South African nurse who came to the school for immunizations and she shared all her concerns with me and what does/doesn’t get done for the kids she has an ‘eye’ on health-wise.   She mentioned that there are fewer and fewer children who are falling off the curve of the national weight graph! So, this is a big credit-due you! Feeding these children for almost a year has been more than fruitful! When a child’s brain has proper protein life begins to make sense and they can think and reason as God had designed !!

On Thursday, of our week-it was very exciting. The truck hauled in over 1400+ bibles for the kids. We had the lesson with the green bead: growing in love with Jesus, going to church, and learning about Him in His Word. After every child got the lesson and they received their very own bible!!   What fantastic fun it was to pass them out! You cannot describe the privilege or the fun, we as children of the living God have when participating in a work like this! To everyone ‘out there’ it’s the farthest idea of a good time! But to us ‘in’ here YOU know, it is fun- a fun that lasts forever. It’s the only thing that will remain standing and alive after the dust settles here on our earth!       That, what we did together here with these three: Faith…Hope…Love.

The greatest of all these three is the Love!

because

IT LASTS FOREVER

Where do we go from here? In light of what we discovered this week .. …. What’s the plan?   The plan has always been and will never change: to love, nurture, feed and give proper attention to these precious children forgotten by everyone else. That stays the same.   But, three weeks after we left our week in Majakaneng a text I received from Pastor Alcy reads like this:

Hi my dear sister. I love you. We are fine but it’s just a bit hectic from my side. The kids are coming in huge numbers to church and now the challenge is transport because I have to now add a bus and buy more bread. But praise God we manage to assist. I love you more, sister.

As God leads us and provides we will trump the evil with good in Majakaneng. We will raise the children with proper love, food, mentoring and seek to tutor them when possible. There is some concern now that those who are living with ‘our’ kids may resist what we are doing as we are becoming more involved. They may choose to not let the children come to functions. But, they can’t stop us feeding and loving them. Please pray with us that our Father will restrain all evil and He will allow us to continue ministering to all our children.

We feel the need to build a proper kitchen for our kids and that will help the cooks. We want to bless our kids; bless the faithful cooking staff and keep an ever-present outpouring to the future children of Majakaneng Village.  There are a few different directions we could pursue… so pray that we be given wisdom to do what is best for the kids on a sustainable basis.

Our long range goal: to set up a safe house for the emergencies that our children experience on a daily basis–that we are missing. I have a letter from such a little one, right now. I will share at a later time. Then, the possibility to further the dream of Pastor Martin—He wanted to birth a church centered right here in this village-one of the least in South Africa NW Brits.

We are a long way off from such things… but, right before us are hungry, attention-starved and un-nurtured children.   We are slowly making a start, God-willing.  How do we make the group smaller that we are serving?  It’s impossible as the stories continue to speak to the need of the 40 most vulnerable, of the 300 orphans, of the 1500 village children.  I don’t know. And, this will hopefully pave our path, somehow…someway.

WE will have our Christmas Party December 7^th! Every child (300+) will receive an outfit and a bag to carry it home with, from you . There will be cards from you. And, a feast of food! Flames Youth will provide the Christmas Story and that will complete a very busy but fruitful year 2013.

I humbly thank each and everyone who has prayed, supported and resourced ‘our’ kids… God’s least.

If I was a rich girl, I would bless you back 100000% more than you gave. But, since I am not a rich girl I am asking God to do the 10000000% blessing each morning and each time I pray of ‘our’ kids.

I love you-each one,

Sally Herman

Original Link: October 2013 Zoe News
FB Album:       October 2013 Facebook Album

“I’d rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I’d rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might-have-been has never been, but a has was once an are.”

    ~Working together to shape the world of children who are considered cannot be’s to become could-be’s!~

Hello my family!  …   Well, July is over and guess what?  We are already rocking and rolling, full throttle toward Christmas!   Our Tigger Drive is far exceeding my dream!  We are almost at 350 completed outfit sets for each of our orphans to bless them at Christmas!  I tell you, my heart leaps as I get the cutest outfits shipped to my door!  I can feel the love…. I can.  Pastor Martin always wanted these kids to receive clothes for Christmas, as this is the culture thing.  A child in a South African family always gets clothes for Christmas.

Well, these children are our ‘family’ and what we are saying to them by this gift is deeper than any words.   They are wanted and they are loved!

Out of our goal of 350 sets here is all we have left to get!  Please email Betty  Lynn if you are planning on shipping any outfits to me.  Let her know what sizes etc so she can graph them accordingly to make sure no child is missed!!   blynn1@optonline.net,

 19 Boys sets sized between 8 and 10

13 Boys sets sized between 5 and 7

8 Girls sets sized between 8 and 10

 These outfits will be wrapped like Christmas Gifts with a few added toys, purses etc.  So truly, our 350 kids will feel the love from you, in December!  We are looking for ‘notes’ again to tag onto each gift!  So if you feel inspired, send me some love-notes!

LET it be said—if we exceed our goal in outfits, we will be giving the other outfits to orphans in the Flames Church.  So if we go over—then, to God be the Glory!

We are also working on children’s bibles.  I have not found the ‘one’ the hits my heart yet, but still looking.  I am so open to suggestions!  I would like each child to receive a bible and inside a note from you.

For all who don’t shop we have shopped for you with the beautiful resources that have been sent in.  I can’t even say thank-you enough.  Words escape me…  Thank you.

Look for more ‘happenings’ as we continue to visit the school in September and October and proceed with financing the building of our kitchen!  We would love to see a kitchen built for the hard working momma’s that are cooking  meals at the school every day for the kids.    Again, this would not be possible without your continued prayer and support.  Thank you!  Thank you for the monthly provision to provide a wage for our hard-working momma’s.   Thank you!

Again, just popping in to let you know what is happening !  I ask for continued prayers.  This project cannot continue forward without the prayer of all of you.  It seems we take one step forward in helping our children and the devil advances his tactics.  We are tromping on his territory, but we know WHO wins!  Thank you sooooo much.  I love you more than I could ever tell you.

Love, Sally

Original Link: August 2013 Zoe News

That mother whose heart is bound to her child’s – doesn’t compare to how your Father’s heart is bound to you. {Isa 49:15}

CAN I JUST SAY IT AGAIN?? GOD DID IT!

GOD SHOWED US JUST HOW MUCH HE LOVES!

May 2^nd we made it through South Africa Customs without any question! Just imagine for a moment, if you will…   Imagine one rather small (but I do have muscles!) blonde girl unloading (12)-50lb duffels off the baggage ramp: all filled with blankets, scarves and hats! Now imagine me, loading them on three very small rolling carts. … The weight and height was way over the top of me.

And, no one had yet showed up to help me.

“Father I know you have a plan. I know you love these precious children more than me. I also know I am very imperfect; fall short so many times; but please don’t count that against blessing these precious little ones. I know I don’t deserve such mercy and a free ride; but they do. Please… show up and show me how to get out of here unharmed and all these giftss untouched by greedy hands. Thank you, Jesus.”

I know, that little prayer sounds a bit odd. But, when you’re in a crisis mode-you know the only thing that can hinder God’s power is maybe something not right in yourself. So, you repent of everything you can think of really fast and hope…. (smile) and pray.

Of course, during my dialogue with God I saw a young boy watching me curiously. He had a Custom vest on. Should I? I was standing alone in the entire area. He was ready to get off shift. I went up to him and did it. I explained about ‘our’ children–so in need. I told him I was in need of some help to get out of the baggage claim area. ……

Of Course God Did It!

Mercy! He took off his Custom vest and helped me push my carts past Customs and out to meet our Pastor Alcy and Pastor Bruce. ……   “Thank you, Father….. Thanks for Your Love and Compassion that holds no limit even when You are forced to work with cracked vessels!”

Our Weekend Started on Friday

Here we started our morning with meetings with the principal and teachers of Majakaneng School.   It is through this precious relationship that we work with the 300 orphans. Eunice the principal updated us on the feeding program. We heard success story after another! Not only are we able to feed the extra 300 orphan– daily but the hot meal (Tender Mercies from Midwest Food Bank) feeds the other children living in each of their homes—because, they take the extra left over hot food home with them. None is ever wasted!

See these two?

One small story….   These two were coming to school and eating ravenously for over two months. Finally, it was noted by their teachers that these siblings were not being washed; their uniforms were dirty and shoes were in need of great repair. Since it is pretty much culture driven to keep quiet-the teachers sat them both down and begged them to speak about things going on at home. With much reluctance they proceeded to spill out the details. Their mother had run off with their government ID’s and papers. They were alone. Without papers there was no money to help feed and clothe them. They found their grandmother but their grandmother did not have the finances to support them—however, she did the best she could.   I tell you, tears… Tears. ……..

Their mother may have abandoned them and took from them; but God didn’t. God showed up in their time of need.

HIS HEART IS BOUND TO THEM  Is. 49:15

Mama Fatima

Here, we have Mama Fatima! We met with her on Friday, also. She is a member of the Flames Church and lovely gifted woman of God who has been heading up the cooking for our 300! She is amazing! We love her! It was quite a surprise to Eunice and the rest of us when Mama Fatima told us that the two kids she cared for at her home were not her own—but were orphans from the school! We fell back in shock!   We have our key Mama! She has a heart for orphans because her parents were not there for her when she was young. Her passion has her growing peanuts, vegetables and cooking food for our kids—everyday. She showed us her shack by the school.   She showed us how she made peanut butter and how she roasted peanuts to give to the kids and sell for an income! She is a one amazing gift to our children!

Again…monthly support from YOU keeps her alive in her work for HIM!

PLEASE PUT MAMA FATIMA IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS! SHE WILL BE OUR KEY TO GROWING IN OUR CARE FOR THESE CHILDREN!

Saturday could not come fast enough! We gathered the Flames Church youth and gogo’s and set up our event! You see, the Flames Church also made 200 blankets alongside us for our kids; some are orphans of the church themselves… not some, but I should say most are.

Can you imagine—orphans making blankets for orphans?

We had an outpouring of blessings and God’s nearness as the 350 little ones walked into our tent church of Elandstrand…   There was something different about this group. They were different than when we gathered at Christmas…….. (I will touch on this in a moment)!

Of course once again Byron our lovely Cheetah came to our party! Many did not get to pet him the last time so we had him come and bless our kids, again! He is a perfect gentleman and the kids are in such awe of him! (ok, me too!)

Then.. we had the Flames Youth present a program of dance, love, worship and fun! IT was fantastic! The orphans were smiling ear-to-ear; clapping and laughing! I tell you, I was placed on another level of joy! I can’t tell you or even explain it! I felt God wrapping His big Arms around our little tent and pulling us in– tight into His bosom! I did not want to leave-ever!

After this program our kids got to have another meal-just like at Christmas. Food was piled high on plates that consisted of chunks of good meat, vegetables and pap  Set up for Kings and Queens! But, at this point here it was ‘different’.

Bruce and I both noticed it. There was not that desperate look when the food came out. The children ate, talked and looked around while eating. It wasn’t like in December where total concentration was on eating; putting food as quickly as they could into their growling tummies. They were having fun eating and their eyes were bright!! They were enjoying us and each other while eating. In other words eating wasn’t that BIG of a deal!

WE CAN ONLY CONTRIBUTE THIS TO OUR FEEDING PROGRAM!

Our Father continues to be bound to our kids! He is filling them in the places where there is the greatest void! Is 49:15

After everyone was full they lined up to receive a gift of warmth from You! Even if you personally did not make a blanket -the resources given bought material for others to make warm blankets! We had blankets for every child along with scarves, hats and gloves! We got them set for their winter! They even got special notes of love from you!

I wish you could have seen their eyes! They were so excited to receive such beautiful and warm blankets! They lit up with all the bright colors and child prints! They wrapped themselves in them!

If you want to see the total event in pictures here is a link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.520225308014103.1073741827.151982811505023&type=1

I promise you will look at these pictures and a smile will slowly spread across your face!

What can I say? The weekend was filled with God spilling out His Amazing Love in so many different and big ways! Lives were touched! Important connections were made to take our care of these precious orphans to another level! God is putting out the plan before us-we simply are walking through each open door! That is really how it works!

So many times, yes…me.  I want to run ahead and do this/do that… There are just so many needs! But, that is not how God works. He doesn’t ever want to overwhelm us with a list of to-do’s. No.   He quietly lays out the next step; when done, He opens the next step…

We just have to be faithful in the finishing of the next best thing-one step at a time.

HE LEADS—we follow!

If I thanked you from now until He comes back-that would not be enough to fully express my gratitude for your faithfulness. I am so humbled as I see God fully binding His heart to us through you!  Is 49:15.

I love you, my family. I love you so much-Sally Herman (did I say thank you?)

Original link: May 2013 Zoe News

Blessed are the merciful; blessed are the pure in heart; blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are the meek; blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; blessed are the peacemakers; blessed are the persecuted for My name sake.

Great is their reward

The Beatitudes simply put are described as an exclamation of the inner joy and peace that comes with being right with God. Together, they incorporate a set of Christian ideals that focus on love and humility rather than force and exaction. I believe they echo the highest ideals of the teachings of our Lord Jesus: teachings on mercy, spirituality, and compassion.

 My eyes shed a few tears when I opened up an email recently. It was sent from our family in South Africa and it contained this picture that I posted above. To me, it portrays everything. I don’t need to say another word. Take another look.

How does it make you feel?

 This is our Pastor Martin Siko from one of our village churches. It exemplifies everything. What kind of Pastor would sit with a bunch of ladies and patiently make 200 flannel blankets for destitute orphans?  And, what a warm contented smile! In fact, Hlayi and Lorraine who were the leaders in our Linus Project report to me that the men who participated did a better job on their blankets then the ladies!

Now, I don’t say this to discredit anyone. But face it, we who are women are more inclined to serve—it is ingrained in our DNA. But!! Oh, what it does to my heart to see a man so humbly sit down and serve! To me, that man has preached a sermon without speaking a word! His actions speak virtue. He exudes the ultimate Beatitude.

In fact, this picture makes me feel close (as I can on this earth) to our Pastor Martin in heaven because that—was who he was.

 Well, here we are. We are days away from another crusade and my heart is fluttering; my spirit soaring! Together we have once again fulfilled a worthy goal! Together, we alongside our family in South Africa have poured our resources and efforts together and created beautiful warm blankets for our orphans! Today, we have over 350 blankets!

Soon every orphan in Majakaneng and the few who are in the Flames churches will be wrapped in the warmth of our love!

 You gave up time and you gave up resources to make this happen. Blessed are you! Blessed are you! Thank you. It would not have happened without a strong family effort!

GREAT IS YOUR REWARD!

I promise you, your reward will be great! As great as you can imagine! Not only will you carry those virtues of joy and peace that comes from knowing you are fulfilling God’s great commission; but, one day I see that just about the time you are to walk into heaven a precious small brown child will burst out of the gates, find you… tightly grab your hand and so proudly escort you in-maybe even show you his room J.

To me, what more could we ever–ever desire?

 My original goal was 300 blankets; surely, I thought that would be enough!

However, as much as I would like to see the number of our orphans lowering (because a large number overwhelms me) —God keeps upping it!   We are going to gather our group of now, 350 together in the tent of Elandstrand. We will have a venue of fun, games, music, worship, dancing and…..of course, Byron ‘our cheetah’ will come to visit-again. (I think he likes our kidsJ!) There of course, will be a big meal and every child will receive a warm blanket, a warm scarf and a handwritten card from all of you!   

My heart can’t take much more anticipation!!! I so wish all of you could come and join with us! I know you are already here in a BIG way, but, oh how I would love for you to experience the explosion of joy in real-time.   I would love to share those few special moments when that little one you have been eyeing all day….. looks your way with those precious brown eyes…. and decides for himself that you are safe enough to go on and give you his heart.

What a privilege. Surely, I feel so guilty to be so fortunate.

 Building such relationships with these little ones who need so much would not be happening without you.

I cannot say thank you enough!

THANK YOU!

Please keep me in prayer as I once again have to walk by security and customs with this large load: (10) 50lb duffles!

Pray that nothing will be confiscated; pray that I will have help and not be questioned!

Please…

And…..

Thank you once again for living-out the Beatitudes of Jesus in the flesh!

 I love you all so much!

 Sister Sally

 P.S.S.

My friends I tell you, I just see our Precious Pastor Martin so proudly taking Jesus aside on our big day so that he and Jesus can African dance with us, too!

Pastor Martin would surely be teaching Jesus one of his favorite songs …

“No matter what the people say, Jesus is number one!”

(That was his song, we will need to teach the orphans this!)

2Chronicles 15:7

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Original Link: April 2013 Zoe News

As we are in the throes of winter…… our kids in South Africa are in the heat of summer!  BUT…. Not for long!  Soon, a few months will be gone by and we will be putting our snugly blankets away and unfortunately, most of our kids will be looking for blankets to pull out.  So…   not wanting to let one of the most basic needs pass us by, we are in the middle of Project Linus!

Already, I have had snugly flannel/fleece blankets come sit at my door—awaiting to snuggle an orphan in South Africa! I am soooo thankful!  And, soon they will be too!

We are aiming at buying or making 300 blankets as we want all the kids we serve at Majakeneng to have a blanket.  If I could get 150 blankets to take over in April and then with the help of our Flames Youth making 150 blankets more this would be the success that we are looking for!!   Then, every child will be warm in their shack, at night and snuggle in on the days it will be too cold to go out!

An added bonus, is…  they will be wrapped in love, snuggled in prayer by the work of your hands and the generosity of your heart!  I can’t think of anything more a child would need!

So included in this newsletter are ideas…  ideas for construction and ideas to buy..   We would take kid/teen snugglies, wraps or flannel/fleece blankets…  kid-designs preferred or kid colors…  and……..

 A WAY WE GO!

 Thank you sooo much everyone!!!!  Thank you and just know what is done for an orphan’s warmth will touch and warm this child’s heart…

HERE are the downloadable instructions if you choose to go the creative route…

No Sew Double Fleece Blanket

No Sew Fleece Blanket Instructions

Project Linus No Sew Blanket

 Thanks to Betty Lynne, if you have questions you can email her about the construction!!

blynn1@optonline.net

 My address I will give to you upon request!  ……

 I love you soooo much, all of you, everyone!!! Thank you!

 Sally Herman

www.zoeforkids.com

zoeyherman@aol.com

Original link: January 2013 Zoe News