More Loving, More Serving

 

Question: Do you ever feel a personal conviction to do more? Do you ever look around at all of the terrible problems in the world and wonder what you can do to help? Are you short on money, time, and other resources that you think are needed in order for you to be able to make a difference? Do you have too many mouths to feed, rooms to clean, and errands to run?? Yeah... me too.

 

But nonetheless, we have been called to love and serve. In recent years, I have dreamed about being able to serve others in better ways. I've wanted to be the one who does the helping. So many people have been there for me, and helped me in my life. I'm so grateful to every one of them. It is a blessing to know that you're loved by God and that other's are working for God to show you his love and their love. 

 

Having a large family with small children is something that most people in America either never experience or forget soon after their season is over. I vow to never forget. I will remember the many days when lonely hopelessness filled my heart. The times that I struggled to just keep everyone alive and fed and sort-of clean. The times when it was all I could do to pray, let alone dress everyone and make it to church.

 

But that's not even what today's post is about. Today I'd like to share about "more". Doing more to serve as the hands and feet of God. I've spent many many days and nights thinking and praying about the needs all around me and what ways I can show others the love that God has for them. What loves and talents do I have that I could use? Well, I have a serious love for children that I feel is something like a gift. My entire life I've had a special interest in the poor and needy. And most of all, the helpless. There is a place in my heart for the helpless that I think can only be filled by helping.

 

Soooo.....I'm going to help now. 

 

How am I going to help, you ask?

 

Well....... I'm going to do something. Yep. Something.

 

I'm going to start by writing this. And hopefully encourage you to do something too. For years I've been following different non-profits, researching charity groups and companies, asking questions, and searching for whatever it is that I could/should be doing. My favorite website/instagram/facebook page is without a doubt Neema House - Geita, where some of the greatest work in the world is being done. I could write about it all day.

It's basically an orphanage in East Africa, Tanzania. They not only care for orphans but also for children in broken families who need care and they care for and protect albino children from witch doctors who kidnap and dismember them because they believe their bones have magic powers.

Can you imagine having to bring your child to an orphanage just because he/she was albino and needed to be protected from being murdered? Heartbreaking to think about, isn't it? Neema House - Geita is so good about updating their Facebook page and sharing progress on their children and their families if they have any, and also on projects and goals they're working on.

 

These are from their Facebook page :)

 

A local family threw a birthday party for all of the kids.

They have to shave their heads. I'm not sure if it's a certain times or all the time.



Thomas, Gloria, and Agnes in their new cribs.

The girls' bedroom makeover this month :)

Charity visiting with her mom for the first time in 10 months.

 

 

Here is their mission:

 

Neema (pronounced Nāma) is the Swahili word for “grace” or “abundance.”  

 

Located in the Geita District of Northern Tanzania, Neema House is the only organization in the region supporting at-risk, abandoned, and orphaned children ages five years and younger.  Neema House has been developed as one of the ministries of the mission team in Geita. It is currently set up as an interim care facility to serve up to 25 children and is designed with the purpose that people from the Geita community will experience the grace and abundance of God through tangible acts of love and service. 

Neema House works in connection with the local hospital and government social welfare offices to identify children in need and ensure their care and safety.  While at Neema House, children are provided food, clothing, shelter, medical care and love.  Day to day care of the children is provided by Tanzanian "mamas" to help ensure that they are raised in their Tanzanian culture as much as possible and therefore more easily reintegrate into homes in the community.

Though many children are orphaned due to AIDS, malaria, other diseases, or abandonment, some children may have extended family in the area.  Neema House is committed to maintaining and developing a relationship with any extended family these children may have in the hope that as many children has possible may return to their homes in the future.  Children who do not have additional known family will remain in the care of Neema House until further long-term plans can be arranged to ensure the child's care and safety, whether through local adoption, possible fostering, or other future arrangements.

 

 

If any of you are looking for an opportunity to help the helpless, this is a great one. You can meet these sweet babies HERE!

 

These little angels is where I'll be donating 10% of ALL sales from Journey's Creations and Photography. All photography sessions and craft sales included.

 

I don't know how much of a difference it will make but it will be a little "more" than they had before. Go check out Neema House and you'll quickly see the amazing work going on there.

 

Money isn't always the best way to help. I'm still praying about what I can do more locally. But this has been on my heart for  many months and it feels good to finally commit to it.