Life is PRECIOUS

This has been a hard, sad week for my family and friends. I've never fully grasped or understood why children die, or why wonderful, kind, good people go to be with Jesus. I hate to think about it, to be honest. I know God has a plan and time for each of us to go home, but it seems like those amazing people who die young could have been used so much more in this crazy world.

I am encouraged that the Lord has it under control and I don't have a say in it anyhow so I shouldn't worry about it, right?! Well, easier said than done. When my sweet husband got a text message from a wonderful friend in Mozambique, I thought something very tragic had happened to his mother or one of his siblings. He has a sister in Nigeria who would be considered high risk in her pregnancy, and a sister-in-law in Chicago who is almost 35 weeks pregnant. I was certain either someone was in labor or something really awful had happened. I was right something awful had happened, just not what either of us would have expected.

Our dear friend Mike, in Mozambique, lost his little boy on Tuesday. He was somewhere around 4 years old. We never got to meet Saulomon. But from what Mike had told us, he was perfect.

Now that I'm a momma myself , it's really hard for me to stay emotionally calm. I'm crying as I write this. I've had to walk away and come back a few times. I just don't know how to make sense of what has gone on this week. I trust God with my finances, my own family and my own protection, but death and why it happens to a child is something I don't understand. I know we don't need to understand but we do have to grieve.

When we found out Mike had lost his son, only a few hours later, we found out that an amazing man, Dave, that had been missing had been found, lifeless. He was a part of our family for many years and we had lost touch for a few years. He had been a part of my church as a teenager, and he helped teach me and my best friend how to ski! He was an awesome guy who taught me a lot about life and what it meant to love God with all your being.

Dave let us subject him to torture when we would go to summer camp. We gave him a mohawk and dressed him up like a girl one year. He never stopped laughing, and he never stopped serving. He really was the picture of what God meant when He said to be His hands and feet.

I have to admit, I'm VERY emotional. I cry at commercials! But I have been so busy this week that each time I got heart breaking news, I had to pull myself together and figure out when to grieve, but later, not now. I'm finally home from Albuquerque (I had a training for my internship), I finished my class for the day, and I have some time to be by myself and reflect. The tears won't stop.

In the midst of all the saddness, I'm reminded that life is PRECIOUS. Period. End of story! We can not take each day as if we have hundreds more because it simply isn't true! And, don't forget to grieve. It's cleansing, healing, and it provides some kind of closure.

My contacts keep coming out and the tears won't seem to stop, so I'll end here. Just remember, nothing is guaranteed. Do what God has called you to do TODAY; forgive someone, rebuild a relationship, or for crying out loud, move to AFRICA ALREADY!! (We're working on it!)

Preparing our minds

What a crazy week it has been. Pure. Exhaustion. School is now in full swing for all, which doesn't leave a lot of time for much else! But what I'm learning in school is making  us ready to get to Mozambique in a hurry.

Philemon is working on his degree for safety management and I'm working on my Masters in clinical social work. I'm interning for the Children, Youth and Families Department here in Farmington, NM. I must say that this internship has already made me think twice and even three times about moving to Moazambique and working with children that have been traumatized SO severally.

The stories here that involve children and sexual abuse make me gag. My stomach turns to a pile of giant knots that continue to get tighter and tighter as I hear of the trauma some have survived. The extreme situations are even worse. Some parents have prostituted out their children for drugs. Some have sexually abused their children and violently caused physical harm as well. Some parents have left their toddlers alone to fend for themselves, in disgusting environments; many times, children are part of drug operations. And some have even killed their children.

I'm shocked at the things that go on in this area. Shock isn't really even the word. Disgusted. Horrified. Sickened. Outraged. The hate that I feel towards the things I have heard so far is great. But it is the need for change that motivates Philemon and I. If these things can be happening here, these things can happen anywhere. But the difference is that there aren't enough people in certain places to help. We know there are hundreds of thousands of organizations that have committed themselves to caring for hurting and abandoned adults and children. While the intentions are good, what is it doing?

This is how Heart for the Needy is different. It is not about having good intentions or wanting to help. The reason this organization exists is to change the future of the lives we come into contact with, and stop putting a band aide on the problems that we see and experience. I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, think we have all of the answers. But at the same time, I can't help but take notes from the few things I have seen that don't work.

I'm sure as the semester rolls on, I will learn how to help and understand the problems that plague our area. In essence, I'll be preparing for the rest of our lives. There's no time to waste! We both have so much to do, so much to learn, and so much to understand.  But then again, we were made for such a time as this!

Blessings,
Phil & Laura

P.S. By the way - if anyone would like to join our Board of Directors, let us know at heartfortheneedy@gmail.com.www.facebook.com/laura.olaniyi

The End of Another Summer!

I honestly can NOT believe it's the first day of September! How is this even possible?! We had a fabulous summer, full of different surprises in so many different ways. We started out our summer with the Taste of Durango; we painted faces with the First Baptist Church here in Durango. From about 12pm-3pm on that Sunday afternoon, my mom and I didn't MOVE out of our face paintin' chairs! Our booties were glued to the seats! It was a ton of work but seeing those sweet kiddos leave with fun creations on their cheeks was so worth every minute!

We spent some time in June in the Grand Junciton area, participating in the River Run for Orphans. There are now many differtent races all over the country and we were really blessed by our time in Grand Junction. Talking about this project gives us such joy and excitement! We really are 'people people,' and love meeting and hearing the stories of others that have similar hearts to ours.

June was also very exciting as I had decided through lots of prayer and conversations with my hubby that I really want to go back to school to persue my Masters in clincial social work, in order to prepare for many similar situations we will see in Mozambique. I found a very affordable program through New Mexico Highlands University, with a branch right in good ol' Farmington! I also found out the end of June that I had been selected for a scholarship through the CYFD (Children, Youth, and Family Department) office of San Juan County! They pay for school, books, transportation, daycare and many other things. We are so inredibly grateful that God showed us why we are in Farmington, especially for me. It made me realize how many resources I have at my fingertips, and that I can really prepare for what Mozambique will have in store for us. I've also learned that God's promise is to direct our paths. If we ask where He wants us to go, He will figure out the 'how' and the 'when' logistics.

We spent most of July trying to beat the heat and enjoying some AMAZING peaches from our tree in  the back yard. Philemon worked an average of 70 hours per week and managed to keep up with his school work! He's currently working on his safety management degree so we can transfer with his company to Africa. I'm so thankful for the opportunities we both have received this year! We really 
are exactly where we need to be and our doubts about what our purpose is in Farmington have slowly subsided.

August was a very busy month and it seemed to fly right passed us. We both started our classes and  also have an internship 2 days a week. My job wasn't able to accommodate such a busy schedule so I'm no longer working. At first I was worried about our financial stability, but after only one week of being at home part time with Jadon, God clearly knew that I would worry. He showed me this scripture:

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3: 5 - 6.

I have always loved Proverbs. It's an amazing book of life advice! I almost feel like I'm having a conversation with Jesus when I study Proverbs. This verse has popped up several times over the last few days and each time, I was thinking about things that were slowly turning into worries. But God knows exactly what our family needs! He knows the path and the plans he has for us so I have to rest in His peace and love.
There is a lot stirring within us right now. We are so anxious to start making physical improvements on this project but we also know God has a way - He has a plan! Philemon is going to Mozambique in October to pave the way, so to speak. There are many specific things he must put in place and he only has a limited amount of time to do them. Please pray with us as we begin to ask God to reveal the best way to get paperwork rushed so that we can begin building.

Of course, as always, traveling half way around the world is costly but we don't worry about the cost because we know God has ALWAYS provided. We have spent too much time on this Earth worrying and not enough time doing. It is a lesson we have learned and now it is time to trust!
We will be praying and fasting every Friday before Philemon's trip to Mozambique. We are praying that God will reveal Himself and His will in this project. We would love any support, so feel free to join in the prayers or fasting or both as we seek God.

Blessings!

Phil & Laura

Blessings Blessings and More Blessings

What an AMAZING Easter we had!! I hope you all did as well. We had a great day, starting with an amazing message from an awesome friend and pastor at The River Church in Durango, CO. That powerful message was followed by beautiful weather, delicious food (If any of you even kind of know my mom, you understand!) and a relaxed afternoon with wonderful family.

Even though Easter has passed by and yet another year is almost half over, I am humbled and amazed by God's blessings and provisions. To be completely honest, this is the first time in a long time that our family as a whole is celebrating God's provisions and being obedient in tithing. Tithing could be a whole blog post in itself, however, that's not really the point! The point is that God spoke to both Philemon's heart and mine last year about being obedient. Just like we are being obedient in moving to Mozambique to open a children's home, we must first be obedient here, right where we are. Part of that obedience is listening to God's word and what asks of us. And honestly, my new scripture that I have memorized is Malachi 3:10 -

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'"

This verse has taught our family so much. It has taught us most of all to TRUST GOD in all situations, in all problems, and to rejoice in Him with all of our joy and blessings. In times that we don't know what direction to take with Project Little Feet, or we start to feel discouraged, God always has a way of putting someone in our lives and providing scriptures that comfort us and lead us in the right direction.

I'm sure many of you know as well that "financial mountains" stand in our way of getting this project really going. We first must get our personal finances in order because we don't want to get to Mozambique and become destitute as well. We want to help, and by helping, we must be prepared physically, spiritually and financially. We must make sacrifices in order to get where we want to go. But these sacrficies are NOTHING compared to the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

We know that God can do anything in our lives. He has already brought us through so much. And over the last few months, we have been praying as a family for many needs that we've had. For instance, we've needed a logo, to update our website, to get printed materials put together, etc. The list could go on and on and on. But each time something new comes up, God takes care of it in a matter of days! How amazing is that! The GOD of the UNIVERSE cares about this project!!

God put this project on our hearts and has instructed us to go. The God of the UNIVERSE cares about those children that don't eat every day. God - the Creator of Life - cares about those children that have nothing and no one to call home. God - the Alpha and Omega - cares for those children that have been abused and tormented and hated EVERY day of their lives. The GOD of the UNIVERSE cares!! He CARES!!

God also humbles us in this process as well. I have the most wonderful, hard working husband around - a garage with 2 cars in it - money in my purse - food in my fridge - a beautiful, healthy, happy little boy - a job waiting for me tomorrow morning - wonderful parents that love my family - siblings that would lay down their own lives for me - friends that would give me the shirt of their own back. I could go on for days and days and days with all the blessings that we have!

By the standards of the world, we may not be anything but a middle class family that fights to move forward in their dreams, but to those children we long to love and care for, we are wealthy. We are BLESSED beyond what we could ever deserve. Most importantly, we are wealthy in the eyes of God. We are the children of THE KING!

Often times, we have been asked that if life is so wonderful here and we are so blessed, why would we 'give it all up' to move to Mozambique? The only answer I can ever muster, with a lump in the back of my throat - trying not to cry, is 'if we don't go, who will?'

God clearly knows what he is doing. We are so energized by telling people about what God is doing with us in Mozambique that I often times feel my face get bright red with excitement! What we must realize is that God's timing is perfect - we will do as God has asked us to do, but we will only do it His way. God has instructed us every step, and we must be obedient. And, really, if we don't go, who will? Quite honestly, I don't want to find out the answer to that question, ever.

His name is "Provider - Duh!"

So I had a great God moment the other day that I just can't get out of my head! I posted a quick note on Facebook that we needed some help with creating a logo and not 20 minutes later I jumped on the computer to get some info on taxes I had been working on.

I easily get distracted by other "stuff" on the computer - for example, I will read someone's blog or I will get back on Facebook or check my email or get on Ebay...the list could honestly go on and on. And for some reason, I felt like I needed to get back on Facebook AGAIN. I was thinking about a good friend that lives a long ways away - in Kenya! - and I wanted to drop her a quick message. As I finished up the message to her, I noticed that I had a message in my inbox.

I had sent a few notes out that day so I didn't really think anything of it. I clicked on the message and it was from an awesome friend I went to high school with. She explained to me that she was still living in Durango, and she is weeks away from opening her own graphic design studio in our very own Durango! I couldn't even begin to image what that meant.

This lovely lady is Lindsay Ellis and she has offered her services free of charge. I tried to bribe my Facebook friends with a gift card but she wasn't even close to interested! She wants to help and donate her time and talents! I was in awe of God;not 20 minutes before I was stressing about website design, our printed materials and our logos that need to be done before the end of April! Yikes!! And, for those of you that know me, computers and artistic design are certainly not some of my strong suits!! So needless to say this was an AMAZING blessing from God. How good is HE?!!

This is only one small example of the billions of little things that God has done for me in my life. He has moved many, many other mountains and has provided for me and my family in ways I never could understand or even begin to imagine! I am so grateful that God is the ultimate provider.

What about all of you? What is a great story about how God has provided for you in your life? Please share:)

What makes us different?

Our board of directors has been doing a phenomenal job over the last 2 - 3 months. I am continually blessed by how much effort each one of our board members puts into our meetings and retreats. We had our first official Heart for the Needy retreat in January. And let me tell you - it was awesome!!

The retreat especially reminded me that God has orchestrated this whole thing for us. We are always being "provided" for in every way, not just monetarily. God has given us some of the most amazing people I know on our board. He knew that we needed someone very organized, just as much as he knew that we needed someone with experience being board members for nonprofits. Honestly! One of these days I will introduce each of them to you and tell you how amazing they are! Without each of them we would have no board and definitely no orphanage.

The retreat also brought something else to light that I had never really thought of. One of our board members (I told you they are brilliant!!) was able to explain to anyone why we are doing what we are doing, and how we are going to make a real difference in Mozambique, and Africa. He said, "What makes us different is that we leave kids in their communities."

Now, that phrase will need a lot of explaining!! Because both Philemon and I are not natives to Mozambique, it will be very difficult for us to ever allow adoption from any orphanage we help in Mozambique. Locals will see it as us "selling" their kids so we can get rich. I KNOW how amazing adoption is, and trust me, there is nothing more God-spoken in the Bible than to care for orphans. But, because of our situation, this may never become a reality. I DO believe God can move mountains, and maybe after we have established ourselves in Mozambique the communities will see that we are only trying to give these children a better chance at life.

In the mean time, I think this factor actually really sets us apart. While a child needs ALL of the love and encouragement that he or she can get, we can use this set back to grow the communities that we will be working in. How amazing would it be to help kids learn life skills AND book knowledge AND God's word! They could change their countries! They could literally change the world!!! This "set back" is certainly NOT what I first thought. Just like many times before in my life, Romans 8:28 reminds me of who God is: "All things work together for good for those who love God."

I can't wait to get back to Mozambique! Both Philemon and I have been praying that God will give us the knowledge, wisdom and courage to follow through with this dream that He has put in our hearts. I know God will provide if we are willing to be obedient!

Speaking of missing Mozambique - I thought I would throw this out there! Philemon and I will be heading to Mozambique October 17th - 30th. If you would like to know more about this trip and what we'll be working on, stay tuned!! We will also let you know about our upcoming appearances in both the Farmington, NM, and Durango, CO, communities!! We can not wait to share with our communities what God had planned for us!

AND...well, I will save that for next time! Well, ok, I'll give you a little teaser...or maybe not:)

Be Blessed!