November 2019
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Greetings!

It's been said that 95% of what you do today will be good and right.
 
Congratulations! Now, what can you do to fix the other 5%?
 
That may seem a little harsh to some of you. After all, anyone who is getting it right 95% of the time is beyond successful! But this statement is not about  achievement , it is about  improvement  and  growth . A person who not only wants to succeed but also wants to be their very best can never rest on prior accomplishments. There is always another mountain to climb or sea to cross.
 
We are called to grow in our faith, and while our works can't save us, we understand that what we accomplish in our works subtly corresponds to the level of our faith. The greater the faith, the more we should be able to accomplish through it. As we grow in our faith, our faith should be more and more evident through our works.  And so we strive to accomplish more, to get better at what we do, to improve, not for the sake of our own glory or fame, but because our growing faith demands it.

At ECM, we are incredibly grateful to God for a successful year, but we look ahead now to even greater accomplishments in 2019-20. We are not content to rest on any laurels, but are motivated to  improve  and to  grow . There is too much need, too much pain, too many hardships out there for us to pull back or get lazy now. Your partnership allows us to move ahead with confidence, not in our own accomplishments or strength, but in the knowledge that only together, with God's help, can we move forward the mission of ECM to bring hope, help, and dignity to African children.
 
When things are going well and 95% of the time we do the right thing, we will be tempted to congratulate ourselves and take a break. As followers of Christ, we can't give in to that temptation. ECM is committed to focusing on what we can do better, not out of pride or a desire to impress others, but out of a burning desire to use the resources God provides to the fullest for his glory and the growth of His Kingdom.

For Kids and Kingdom,
Your Impact
Because of YOUR gifts this quarter, here are some examples of amazing things that happened!

  • You provided a Gospel Proclamation Center in the very rural village of Naigobya, Uganda! When children and adults go to the well for water, they can hear Christian radio broadcasts, pre-programmed music, or podcasts from the Gospel Proclamation Center attached to the lamppost at the well!

  • You helped begin the construction of an area at Haven of Hope Children's Home in Ghana for the teachers to relax, grade papers, fellowship, etc.!

  • You were part of a pastors' training in Biriwa, Ghana! The training shared the traits of a Christian leader and how to use them in their ministries, propelling the Gospel forward in Ghana!

Thank YOU for continuing to sew into the Kingdom in these tangible ways! YOU are making such a difference!!
Did You Know...

U.S. staff gather every morning to pray &
want to bring your needs before God?

Congo Impact Report--
From Lonely Congo Orphan to Orphanage Director
Because of Sunday School

One of Lorella’s great privileges this summer was meeting and learning more of the story of Zabulon Esekwen.

When he was only three, his mother died.  His father, unable to care for the young boy on his own, sent him to a Christian orphanage at Intshueme . He was warmly received and well cared for by the missionary Geneva Haller, but he felt the lack of a father’s love.  When Zabulon was nine , his father finished theological school and got a job teaching at the Bible school at Nkara Ewa. It was 1982, and the Rousters were in their second year at the mission there.  He began attending Sunday school . At Christmas time, Lorella taught. Zabulon remembers her emphasizing John 3:16, and he realized that his heavenly Father truly loved him.  He received Christ as his Savior at that time .

As he looks back now, he considers the teaching he received there as foundational in his life . Eventually, Zabulon also completed theological training. He worked for a time at the high-class Intercontinental Hotel in Kinshasa. Then when Gary Haller from the orphanage asked him to consider becoming the director, he realized that reaching children was really his heart’s desire.  Now Zabulon is loving on other orphans and guiding an effort to bring the Sunday school program not only to Intshueme, but to six other surrounding villages . Last summer, he asked Lorella to meet with him to more thoroughly explain the teachers’ guides provided by ECM’s Mwinda Project in his own Kituba language. Zabulon’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23:6, which he also learned in Sunday school. He has truly seen God’s goodness and mercy following him in his life.
Ghana Impact Report--
From Street Child to Auto Mechanic



Charles Appiah became a street child when he was eight years old . He came from Kukurantumi, about a thirty minute drive from Koforidua, Ghana.
 
Charles, the second of seven children, left home when his father died and his mother abandoned the children.  His grandmother had been taking care of all seven children but there wasn’t enough food, so he made the decision to go to the street as a load porter (someone that carries other’s items) so that he could get food to eat.
One day Charles met an ECM staff member (also named Charles) on the road during the night and was scared when the man called out to him.  Charles approached the man, and the man started asking questions.  The conversation ended with the man asking Charles to meet him on Sunday at the main lorry (motor truck) station in Koforidua (where our ECM worker Charles holds a church service every Sunday for street boys and load porters).
 
Charles was told to invite some of his colleagues.   During the meeting he was told about ECM, and eventually came to know the Lord.  Now 24 years old, he has been supported by ECM in Vocational Training as an Auto Mechanic.  He will finish up his apprenticeship at Apaak Mechanics in December. He will then will work at Apaak for 6-12 months before hopefully starting his own workshop.  Charles sends a big “Thank You” and “God Bless You” all for all that has been provided to him!
Uganda Impact Report--
No Longer a "Ghost"


Ten years ago when Madina Mutesi joined the ECM child sponsorship program in Uganda, she had no idea that her first job would be with the same organization. Her light hair, eyebrows and eyelashes set her apart, but to the majority her uniqueness was an item of ridicule. “I grew up in a home with five aunties, who had several other children to take care of. It was not easy to have me in school, a situation worsened by the fact that I was a child with albinism”, says Madina.

Now 19 years old, Madina was born in the slums, where people live by “survival of the fittest.” “People often called me a ghost,” she says. Despite discrimination, Medina would always stand her ground, displaying confidence in herself. Growing up in a world where persons with albinism are considered to be ghosts and viewed by others as either curses or demi-gods that bring wealth, did not make it easy to thrive, but also did not deter her from pursuing her goals in life.

After completing high school, Madina enrolled in a 6-month confectionary course under the “Skilling the Youth” initiative. Because of her outstanding performance, the manager for the initiative chose her to give a speech before the President of Uganda on behalf of over 8,000 other graduates. The presidential handshake that followed is one Madina says she will remember for life.

On her employment with ECM, Madina says, “I didn’t expect this. I never thought that ECM could employ me some day, but it’s now my opportunity to give back”. Madina will be working under the Special Needs and Albinism Program, the same program under which she was identified and given a future ten years ago. We are proud of her accomplishments and her courage!
Prayer Points
  • Pray that those that may have fallen behind in giving because of busy summer schedules will get back on track. Pray that sponsors would be able to keep up their commitments. Pray for those that sponsor older children, that the increased cost of sending a child to University or Skills Training would be possible.

  • Pray that the work of all ECM staff in the U.S., D.R. Congo, Ghana, and Uganda would bring glory to God. Pray that no matter the task, and in spite of the struggles, we would always walk in His will, and remember that this is His ministry, and that we are privileged to serve Him. Pray that we would focus on remembering that He will continue to bring the harvest in His timing.
2019-2020 ECM Initiatives
We continue to strive to be in God’s will. For 2019-2020, God has laid on our hearts some new areas of ministry:

·          Sun Shield fund—Sunscreen for Kids with Albinism
·          Next Step Scholarship fund
·          Next Step Curriculum Development fund
·          Medical Outreach fund
·          His-Ability—Hope for Children with Disabilities fund
·          Garizim (D.R. Congo) Training Center Repairs fund
·          New Congo Vehicle fund
·          Congo Sunday School Training fund

If you would like information on one or more of these funds, click here to read more or to give!
Fundraisers
Our fall garage sale brought in $1,365! We are praising God for all our donors and volunteers that make this fundraiser happen. The kids in Africa are very blessed!

The fall Banquet total including a $7,500 matching gift, was just shy of $22,000!! Thank you Jesus and everyone that gave, donated items, and volunteered in any way. This total includes the African Market, the silent auction, the live dessert auction, the offering and pledges that night, gifts sent to the office, and the matching gift!
Save the date
November 18, 2019, 4 to 8 pm.
Fundraiser at Panera Bread in Valparaiso.
ECM receives 20% of your order total!
Flyers were emailed to our local group,
but if you didn't get yours, click here !
Flyers must be presented for ECM to receive funds.
Flyers cannot be passed out at the event.
 
3rd Bunco Fundraiser—Tentatively set for February 15, 2020 at Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton, IN. Watch for registration info!
Child Sponsorship
Above you've seen some of the ways you've helped. Now, won't you pray about the opportunity to help one or more specific children who are in need of sponsorship? Simply contact our office for more information, or visit our website to search for one of many other children needing sponsorship.
Sponsor Me!
$37/month
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Prince was abandoned & found loitering around the train station, where he was sleeping at night. Since being brought to Haven of Hope, by the Dept. of Social Welfare, Prince has greatly improved, but he needs sponsors to cover the cost of living at Haven of Hope. Prince is in Kindergarten two at Haven of Hope Academy.
 

Ghana Haven of Hope
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Mummy came to Haven of Hope when she was 5 years old. She struggled with some physical issues, but the Ghana staff are working with her to resolve them. She currently cannot attend school, but when she is able, she will be in Kindergarten one at Haven of Hope Academy. Mummy needs sponsorship to continue to live at Haven of Hope.

Ghana Haven of Hope
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At 6 years old, Kelvin was helpless & stranded. Brought to Haven of Hope by the Dept. of Social Welfare, Kelvin is described as brilliant academically. Kelvin is enrolled at Haven of Hope Academy in Basic 3. Kelvin currently needs sponsors to provide for him financially to live at Haven of Hope.

Ghana Haven of Hope
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