Fall 2019
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Greetings!

Sometimes, no matter how hard I try to make sense of what I am looking at, I simply can't connect the dots.

That's how I felt recently as I stood in the dimly lit home of a courageous mother and her disabled son in a village near Tororo, Uganda. The two were sprawled on a small bed, with the mother gently cradling her son's head while spoon-feeding him some mashed-up food.  I guessed that he was about 10 years old, but found out later that he was 26. As I stood there, questions filled my mind…. How is it that this young man is not able to sit up or even chew his own food? How is that his body has been allowed to shrivel up, with no therapy and no chance for an existence beyond being fed by his mother in a bed inside a dark room?
 
As I stood there, I honestly had no idea what to do. I only knew that God was clearly saying "you need to do something." I left the home confused, wondering if there was really anything we could do. But then God gently reminded me that I only needed to be faithful to his call on my life and our ministry. He would take care of the rest.

And so we now boldly move forward, preparing to expand our ministry to bring hope, help, and dignity to more disabled children. As I write, God is already bringing together the pieces that will be necessary to accomplish this goal. I'm excited to be a part of what he is doing, and I invite you to join with us as we serve these beautiful children and families, bringing them the Great News of Jesus.
  
In the coming months you will be hearing more about our expanded ministry to children with disabilities as well as our desire to help more children with life-changing surgeries. Won’t you partner with us to bring hope in seemingly hopeless situations? Together we can make a difference!

For Kids and Kingdom,
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Congo Impact Report--
ECM Reaching Outcast Pygmies

On two occasions, ECM had trained a pygmy as a ‘Master Trainer ’ at Mission Garizim, but since they went back to their homes in the rain forest, we had not heard from them. Last year, we sent Pastor Munguba to look for them and find out whether our investment with them was bearing fruit. He was unable to reach the older trainer due to the high number of logs blocking the road, but he heard that he was unwell and near death.

He was able, however, to find the younger trainer, Elanga . Elanga made the very difficult trip to the reunion/training held with the Rousters in July.  He is actively teaching two Sunday schools —one at Oshwe town, and one in the rain forest.  He has trained three others who are now working alongside him.
Each Sunday school Lorella adds to her “Master List” is special, but Sunday schools #3953 and 3954 warmed her heart in a special way. She remembered when ECM workers first contacted the forest pygmies, how amazed and deeply touched they were to learn the simple truth that God loves them . Outcast all their lives because of their short stature and misunderstood culture, they welcomed the Good News gladly. Elanga, your Sunday schools are only two out of a list that now numbers 4,199, but those two are very important to us, and to God.
Ghana Impact Report--
Raising Leaders

Emmanuel Kwesi Darfour was a five year old orphan when he was brought to Haven of Hope. He had lived with his grandmother for a short time, and then became homeless since she was no longer able to care for him. Emmanuel was a child of the streets, with no hope and no future.

He then started his formal education at Haven of Hope Academy and continued at Nsawam Senior High. He became a young man of admirable character and eventually took the position of the boy's school prefect (leader) . Most of his fellow students admire him and emulate his character. Because of his influence many of his friends and school mates are now going to university and behaving with excellence as they contribute to society. Due to Emmanuel's diligence in secondary school he performed extremely well, receiving high grades on his final exams.

He is still performing at that level now that he is at the University of Ghana . He is currently in his final year studying agricultural science . After he graduates and completes his required year of National Service, Emmanuel intends to enter into the immigration service . ECM provided the right environment for him to make strides in his mental, physical, and spiritual development so that he could be empowered to live a successful life. Holistic education has been provided to many children like Emmanuel, causing them to discover the inner treasure of their God-given gifts with which they can bless the world.
Uganda Impact Report--
Hadijja: Overcoming Adversity & Illness

Hadijja Mamudhali was born in 2002 with the HIV/AIDs virus . She is one of the first six children ECM took responsibility for under the Gayaza Hope Center, outside the capital of Kampala, Uganda. Four years after her birth, both her parents passed on , leaving her in the hands of her paternal Aunt, Salama Nagujja.
 
She was enrolled into the ECM Child Sponsorship Program in 2008 . However, due to her poor health condition, she could not fully focus at school as she was often sickly . After completing Primary Seven, Hadijja’s Aunt and ECM felt it was best for her to join a vocational training institute to acquire hands-on training. Hadijja chose to undertake training in hairdressing.

She enrolled in the one-year course in November 2015 but could not complete it within stipulated timelines as she was always battling with sickness.

In July 2017, Hadijja fell critically ill and was bedridden with wounds identified in her stomach . “When I reached the hospital where she was admitted, she held my hand and said bye bye Aunt Allen. She had a very bad odor and had lost too much weight” said Ms. Allen Mungoma, the Gayaza Hope Center Coordinator.

Allen and other ECM staff constantly encouraged Hadijja and her Aunt not to lose hope and trust in the Lord , for He had better plans for her. In addition to physical support, the ECM staff usually gathered Hadijja’s friends for chain prayers.
In November 2017, Hadijja recovered and was healthy again. In the same month, she completed her training in hairdressing and was recommended to commence practice. 
In less than 2 years, Hadijja has mastered the art of hairdressing and her clientele has grown tremendously . On average, she earns about $66 per month and lives happily with her elder sister.
Prayer Points
  • Pray for Mark and Jeff who left August 31 for Ghana. Pray for their health and safety, and that they would accomplish all that God has for them on this trip.

  • Pray for children in our child sponsorship program, that teachers would be equipped to teach them well, and that the kids would have time, resources and motivation to study and do the best they can with the education being provided for them.
Consider this...
If a donor gives $1,000 in a year by credit card and doesn’t cover the processing fee, ECM receives $970. If they give by ACH (also known as EFT or draft), or check, ECM receives the full amount. Over time, even this small amount really adds up! For example, if credit card donations total $120,000 for the year, ECM receives only $116,400, a loss of $3,600 that could be used for programs in Africa.
 
Here are some things we could do with $3,600…
  • Pay school fees for an entire year for 10 children!
  • Provide meals at a Saturday Club for well over a year!
  • Pay staff salaries for African staff for one of our Hope Centers for a year!
 
Would you consider either covering the processing fee on your credit card donations OR giving by ACH, check, or Bill Pay? No matter how you give, your gift is much appreciated!
Fundraisers
Our spring garage sale brought in $2,215. Thank you so much to our volunteers for their hard work to make our garage sales successful, and to all those who donate items so faithfully!
Save the date
Fall garage sale - set up Sept. 17 starting at 4:30
Sale Sept. 18-20, 9:00 to 3:00
Tear down Sept. 20 starting around 2:00.

Indiana Banquet - Oct. 12, 4:30 pm, Lake County Fairgrounds 4H Building
RSVP or give a donation here
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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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Godsway was born Nov. 12, 2005. After the death of both his mother and father, he and his sister were left in the care of an older sister and her husband. They couldn’t support them, and the children came to Haven of Hope. Godsway is part of a singing group at Haven of Hope.

Ghana Haven of Hope
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Kwesi was born Nov. 6, 2006 to a family of seven. His father is a fisherman and his mother is a fishmonger (sells fish). The family of seven (4 adults, 3 children) lives in one room. At the time kids in this Hope Center were selected, Kwesi was one of the neediest.

Ghana Biriwa
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Robert is an orphan. He lives with his aunt after losing his father, and his mother getting remarried and leaving Robert behind. His aunt grows crops to provide for the family, Robert and two siblings. Robert had to drop out of school because there weren’t enough funds.

Uganda Naigobya
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