Touch one life eternally.

globalfingerprints.org - Sponsor children left behind by tragedies such as AIDS

WILL YOUR CHURCH BE PART OF THE 40?

Last month, I shared that we need 400 new sponsors by the end of the year. Our plan for accomplishing this goal is to find 40 churches that will support 10 orphans each. Will your church be one of the 40? It could be your youth group, women's group, men's group or college group. Maybe you have a better idea! Please email globalfingerprints@efca.org if you would like information on this campaign. We really must meet this goal and your help is needed!  If you are not yet a sponsor, now is the time to give hope to an orphan. Simply visit http://www.globalfingerprints.org to get started. Thank you for your ongoing prayer and support of GlobalFingerprints!

-Jenn Castro, program manager

IOWA YOUTH HOST GARAGE SALE

Jill, an inspired student who attended the EFCA Challenge 08 conference in Salt Lake, returned home to Iowa and hosted a benefit garage sale raising funds for GlobalFingerprints. Below, Jill tells her story:

"The speaker on the first night was talking about the glory of God, and how we all take Him for granted. All I could think of was how selfish I had been, and how God loves me so much, listens to my prayers, answers my prayers, and is always an arm to steady me when I fall from Him. I decided one night later, that I really wanted to make a difference for God--affect people and show them His glory, but I have never felt confident witnessing to random people in a Subway restaurant, or a gas station, or the library. That night I prayed that God would show me something I could do for Him. But, I also prayed that it not be my idea at all. I let my heart open up to Him, and finally completely trusted my Creator. The next night, an idea came to me. I would be leaving for college in two months, and I had so much stuff that I never used. God gave me the idea to hold a garage sale involving my entire youth group, and giving all the money to the children in Congo. What was cool was, I didn't know about GlobalFingerprints until the session after God gave me the idea. The plan started falling into place. It was completely God-given. Within a week, five churches in the area all had the information, and people began finishing what they had signed up for--flyers, signs, refreshments, donations. The church donated so many items for the sale that the whole gym was full. God really responded. The sale was priced so cheap it worried me. I was tempted to change the prices. But in the end, we made over $1,158 dollars! God really worked, and I am grateful that God used me to do His will."


 

SHORT TERM MEDICAL TEAM HELPS WITH ORPHAN PHYSICALS

Last month, I was able to visit Congo with a team of nursing students who helped with physicals for the orphans.  I was thrilled about this experience. We were able to medically examine, interact, teach, play, and love on over 200 orphans while we were in Congo. We did physical examinations on many of the children to help mark their growth and make sure nothing was wrong physically. Specifically, I was able to teach the children stories about AIDS prevention, Bible lessons, and the wonderful news of God's saving grace.

My experience with the orphans in the GlobalFingerprints program was nothing like I expected. I was prepared for the sadness and malnutrition of the orphans who were not sponsored. I was not prepared, however, for the absolute joy, health, and hope that was in the lives of the sponsored children. As one boy came to me with a huge smile and proudly showed me a picture of his sponsor family, I couldn't think of a single thing that $25 a month could be better used for!

- Julie Laybourne, nursing student

 

 

THE HOPE IS REAL

In the last three days, I visited a sponsored orphan whose name is Koyala Yimale. This 9 year old girl lost her father when she was one, and then her mother when she was three. At that time, her aunt took her in but a few years later her uncle died leaving the aunt with no means to support Yimale.

When she became sponsored by GlobalFingerprints, this program gave her another hope in life because things had become so complicated for her. She received all the benefits of the program such as school supplies, clinic care, a uniform, and she's able to go to school. When I spoke with Yimale's guardian, she was so thankful to our program. It is very difficult for them to afford many things in their daily life including paying for Yimale & her siblings' education. The members of this family are catholic believers, and they are so thankful that our program sponsors children from different churches. They asked God to bless our program, and that it would continue to grow and sponsor more children here in Congo.

Yimale is so thankful to her sponsors in the United States for choosing her as their child!

- Mandaba, GlobalFingerprints Congo communications

What if? GlobalFingerprints is a ministry of EFCA TouchGlobal. Visit TouchGlobal at www.touchglobal.org for information on how lives are touched and hope is found, across the country, around the world, every day.