Day 471: 16 New Orphanages

This is not happening in Ktown...it is happening across the country to impact kids in India, Haiti, South Africa and Rwanda. We are supporting more homes and you can be a part of the change. Get involved now->
Learn more and follow the cause->

Rice Bowls in Relevant

Visit Revelant Magazine's "Reject Apathy" section for a great look at Rice Bowls! Thanks Relevant for helping us "Collect Change. Fill Bowl. Fight Hunger."

Read it here->

Diversion: Chocolate Butterbean

One of my new favorite things...
I have been following Chocolate Butterbean for a while now. Founder, Joni is THE emerging belle of the custom stationary ball. The look is sweet, southern, gracious, and personal. So, nothing could be more exciting than a partnership between Chocolate Butterbean and Rice Bowls! Check it out here->

Photo Credit

Diversion: Baby Haven & Child Haven

Wednesday I was in Spartanburg for lunch with David Webb. David and his wife, Caroline, direct Baby Haven and Child Haven. These are 2 Rice Bowls Orphanage Partners in South Africa. They are also ministers in South Africa and involved in a variety of other ministries.

David always has incredible stories about he Lord's faithfulness, grace, and calling.

Here are 2 recent stories.

BABY HAVEN COUSINS
"Last month we told you about the Child Placed in Record Time a little boy whose adoptive parents gained custody 4 hours after the child arrived at Baby Haven. That
adoptive father told his friends about adoption and shortly afterwards, two brothers came with their wives and adopted Baby M, a boy and Baby R, a girl. We welcome them as our first “Baby Haven Cousins.” We have several “Baby Haven Siblings,” children who are not biologically related but who were adopted by the same parents after a season in Baby Haven. But Baby Haven cousins? Definitely a first!"

CHILD HAVEN’S FIRST ADOPTION
"We are pleased to report on the progress of Child Haven’s first adoption. The Child “A” is ten years old. She had a stormy history as she came to us two years ago, was returned to her mother, but was rediscovered on the streets shortly thereafter. Returned to Child Haven, she is now in the process of adoption by a couple who have served at the home in the past. Please pray that the adoption process is smooth. She is presently in “foster placement” with her new parents. All 13 children are looking forward to a beautiful Christmas thanks to a generous gift from Grace Covenant Church in Virginia."

More news from Baby Haven->

Photo Credit and Website

Diversion: Walls

Thursday I headed to South Carolina for Walls: A Haiti Relief Concert. This event was put together by Rice Bowls' own Dodd, with help from several others. We raised funds, hearts, and voices for the cause of Haiti. Specifically, our heart is with Rescue Children (please see earlier blog post).
Worship was lead by 3 incredible bands.

Josh Ridings Band www.joshridingsband.com



David Walker www.davidwalkeronline.com



Lee McDermot www.newspring.cc

And yes, that's the same Josh Ridings who will be singing at our wedding!


I also got to spend the night with the WoCo girls. Fun on the futon! Then, way home included a drama of wintry weather, which seems to appear every time I travel over the mountains. Here's to life to the full!

Day 105: KidzServe

. . . And the King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”-Matthew 25:34-40

Sunday morning, we kicked off a Rice Bowls campaign at our church! I got to join Stacey, Heidi and the kids in "KidzServe" during both services. "The purpose of KidzServe is to give the children at Second Presbyterian a hands on look at mission. By using music, a message, offering, prayer and a project that will impact the community and/or world." This week, we talked about Rice Bowls! It was so fun to share the cause with my new congregation! Meanwhile, during both services, as the church discussed the response to the earthquake in Haiti during an impactful stewardship service, Rice Bowls orphanage partner, Rescue Children, was highlighted! There are so many exciting things at 2nd! So glad to be a part of what the Lord is doing!

Quote and Photo Credit

The Rescue Children Blog

Here's a new blog from Rescue Children, Rice Bowls orphanage partner in Haiti. There is backdated information so you can read how things have developed. Also, regular updates will be posted.
http://rescuechildrenorphanage.blogspot.com/

* All children have been relocated to another home where they have adequate shelter and provisions for the time being.
* A clinic has been set up at the orphanage site, caring for 70 people per day, I think.
* Two relief teams from Life Church in PA (who supports Rescue Children) are there assisting.
* Please continue to pray.

You can also see information about Rice Bowls, the Walls benefit concert, and updates at ricebowls.org

Praying for Hope

Friends,
Today, I am overwhelmed - overwhelmed by my lack of ability to help. Overwhelmed by a disaster that has killed hundreds of thousands. Overwhelmed by a Lord who saved all the precious children at Rescue Children, a Rice Bowls orphanage. Overwhelmed to think about a 5 year old girl at an orphanage supported by a one of my office mates - this little girl did not survive. Overwhelmed by how much we still do not know.
Below is the story on Rice Bowls website. Please read, if you wish. Above all, I am asking you to pray today - that we would all know the power of our God. That we would not be scared of the issues of Haiti or this disaster.
Friends, pray with me that we will find hope, that we will bring hope.
KTL

As hundreds of thousands of lives where reportedly lost in Haiti's earthquake, the children of Rescue Children are safe because of compassionate supporters and a Rice Bowls church. Rescue Children was founded in 2005 through the vision of Linda Morrison. Through Rice Bowls, she and the leadership of Rescue Children connected with Life Church in Allentown, PA. Life Church came alongside this orphanage and moved them to a new facility late last year. Thankfully, this new facility was strong enough to withstand yesterday's earthquake. All the children and staff of Rescue Children are safe.

Their building and facilities have significant structural damage. The home is will be in great need of repair. Their wall and gate is no longer in place, making security a chief concern. Additionally, the impact on their community and access to food and supplies is unknown.

At this point, communication with Haiti is very limited. Life Church is hoping to send a team to Haiti as soon as possible to assist in the reconstruction. We are thankful to have received word from Rescue Children and are praying passionately for this nation.

To impact these efforts, please contact Life Church or Rice Bowls.

Day 65: Brooke

One thing that is really a blessing to my life in Knoxville is still in Spartanburg – Brooke! Brooke works with me at Rice Bowls and wow, she’s awesome. She’s creative, smart, fun, and great with people. Basically, she pumps people up all day and gets them really involved in the orphan crisis. There is something about talking to Brooke that honestly makes you believe that you can do anything! We are getting a busier than ever with Rice Bowls (see this post) and that means Brooke is busier than ever. But as always, Brooke rises to every challenge with excellence.
Happy Birthday Brooke! You are phenomenal!

Photo Credit

Rice Bowls, World AIDS Day, and a big November

What a statement to make today, December 1, World AIDS Day:
It's official - with 227 churches, schools, and community groups signing up, November 2009 is the biggest month Rice Bowls since our 2007 re-launch. We have more groups than ever before coming together to impact World Hunger, the orphan crisis, and the effects of HIV/AIDS on communities. So far this year, over 94,000+ people have joined in a Rice Bowls campaign. Keep 'em coming ya'll - we're making an impact!

Photo Credit

Day 43-45/Diversion: 1st Trip Back to Spartanburg

My first trip back to South Carolina. Honestly, I didn’t want to go. Finally starting to feel at home here in Tennessee, I thought it would be hard. But it was great. Here are some highlights….
…On the way over, I got a message from Bret, my old area director for Young Life, a great friend, and a fellow former Spartanburg resident. He mentioned how we are called to be grateful – for whatever the Lord gives us in whatever season. Grateful for time with people when we have it.
…Joseph Paul was visiting from El-Shadai, Rice Bowls first orphanage partner. It was wonderful to hear him speak and get a first hand update on Lydia (his sweet wife), Jecentha (a little girl I have adopted through prayer via Hope Point Church), and all the other children!
….I cried when I saw Lauren and Lea and almost when I saw Lanie. How I miss my favs.
…Broadway. Breakfast. Anna. Alex. Nothing better.
…Angie and Ben and Andy and M.E made me feel so at home in Pauline.
…Two Doors Down!
…JLS Santa Shoppe – thanks for the hugs and the free ticket! Great to see the new Mrs. Cromer!
…”Do you mind if we go to Venus Pie for dinner?” I said. “Oh yeah, we already knew that was where you would want to go,” Loring and Katrina.
…B&N for years Amanda and Emily and I have been going there for the best conversations and car trips. Now, it’s even better. Ellie was there!
…Kristen was in town from East St. Lewis, such a fun shower with her and Hope Point friends. Too many to even mention.
…Deb, I’ll be half way home!
…Irreplaceables.
…More Josh Ridings Band CD’s
…I took a back road, US 25, home. (Thank you road slide aka Day #). It was quicker than going through Johnson City. However, the winding mountain roads slowed me a little. So did the horse wandering in the middle of the road.
…All I was trying to do was get in one more visit with Joseph Paul, pray with him and Richard, and get in a little Sweet Pea and Powder. But then I was attacked. By ants. I didn’t know what was happening. I was talking, I was happy. Then, my foot was on fire. I ran and hopped like a crazy person. Hosed off my feet in the yard. Then, Richard was rubbing my feet with vinegar. Awkward. Very, very awkward.
…Grace Management kicked off their Rice Bowls campaign! Praying, praying big!!
...Coffee on a stool in Susan's kitchen. Where I've spent many a morning.
…So glad I stayed until Saturday. Action backed and productive, personally and professionally.

Day 14: The News Sentinel

The Knoxville News Sentinel has always kept me up to date on my hometown, even from Spartanburg. But I have to admit, I am extra pumped about Kate Heubach’s West Knoxville column today.

Loose change becomes a lifeline through charity
By Kate Heubach
Posted October 14, 2009 at midnight
"Last November, I started looking to women I admired and noticed they lived near their families," said Katie Landon, 29. "It got me thinking how I could do my job from any-where."
To Katie, "anywhere" really meant Farragut.
After having lived in South Carolina for almost 10 years, the Farragut native returned to West Knoxville on Oct. 1 as the director of program growth for Rice Bowls, a faith-based non-profit out of Spartanburg, S.C...
Read the rest here->

Day 5: ProVision

Monday I started at my new office! For the next few months, ProVision will be home to Rice Bowl’s office of Program Growth (a.k.a. my desk). This organization is home to a for-profit arm, a non-profit arm, and a non-profit incubator, as well as temporary work space suitable for a non-profit in transition (like me). In my first morning, I got to enjoy the every-other-Monday-devotional and prayer. Then, I shared with folks working with restaveks issue in Latin America, some other folks working in medical technology, a new friend opening ministry centers all over Haiti, another guy who is forming medical missions in Haiti and the DR, some people working with exploited children in Cambodia, a group opening the dialogue between religion and science….
Plus, I learned there are ice cream bars in the freezer.
Check back soon for more stories about my current office neighbors.
Who knew all this was in Knoxville!