Sponsors Needed! Please Help.

Can you sense it? GlobalFingerprints really needs more sponsors for orphans in the Congo. They are praying for 40 churches to commit to sponsoring 10 children each, increasing the GlobalFingerprints program by another 400 children in the next few months!

They are asking us if Elim would be interested in committing to 10 orphans? Our entire congregation, a small group, boy scout troop, youth group, Sunday school class, or even one person can sponsor an orphan! E-mail globalfingerprints@efca.org if you or a group you know of might be interested. Together we can bring hope to 1500 orphans this year. We can do it!

Many of you have received the GlobalFingerprints DVD. If you have already viewed it, please pass it on to someone who would be interested in the program. How have you spread the word about GlobalFingerprints to your friends, co-workers, or church? Email globalfingerprints@efca.org and share your stories and ideas.

Thank you for your continued support!

- Written by Jenn Castro, sponsorship program manager

'Without Jesus' Compassion, Expressed Through GlobalFingerprints, I Almost Lost My Eye!'

Yudonago Ngotiango, an orphan from the Bokuda region, had a serious problem. A thin sliver of sharp metal flew into his eye while he was watching a man sharpen his machete. Hear in Yudonago's own words what happened next:

"My mom took me to the nearest clinic, but they could not remove the metal from my eye. She took me to Gemena Hospital next. I thought there was no hope for my eye because the Gemena doctor said, "We cannot remove what is on your eye." But then my mom decided to bring me to the GlobalFingerprints office, and Pastor Deolo sent me to Tandala Hospital. There I could find help, and the Tandala doctor removed the metal piece from my eye. I could see. Praise the Lord! This is why I said without the Lord's compassion through GlobalFingerprints, I would have lost my eye!"

This child and his mom brought us the piece of metal that had pierced his eye. We praised the Lord together that Yudonago received the necessary medical care to save his eyesight.

News From the Congo

by Rachel Martin

The last 2 weeks in Congo have been wonderful, as we spent time with approximately 200 of the orphans sponsored by GlobalFingerprints. A very touching visit for me was to see Mohamed (the young boy who spent 5-8 months at Tandala with a broken femur) smile shyly and thank Dr. Zach, the Congolese doctor who treated him.

I had a team of six nursing students and their professor travel with me to Tandala Hospital as well as three regions, to work in the hospital and do annual physicals for children in the GlobalFingerprints program. (Dr. Zach also traveled with us.) We did Bible stories and visual aid teaching on HIV/AIDS.

This has been a very emotional time, as I realize what a difference we are making for these dear, precious children. We visited children who one year ago were in very poor health - but now, look healthy! I received lots of big smiles, hugs and even prayers of thanks from children. They were thanking God for the fact that someone cares enough to send them to class.

I was in Gemena when Eyenga, the star of our GlobalFingerprints video, graduated from second grade. He came to the Congolese director and said, "Can you come to my school? They want a parent to sign our report cards, and GlobalFingerprints is my parent." This brought tears to the Congolese staff ... as they realized the importance of their work!

Eyenga and his older sister recently had their house fall down. With the help of the nursing team, a new mud hut with two bedrooms was built. As I saw the joy in the Congolese brothers who assisted with the project, I was reminded again of what a blessing it is to be able to give. Even for them, in their extreme poverty, they were so happy to give of their time to build the house.

I thank all of you who pray for and support this wonderful program! I wish you could see in person the difference GlobalFingerprints is making. This is a wonderful picture of the Body of Christ working together to represent Jesus and bring Him all the glory.

-Rachel Martin, EFCA Touchglobal HIV/AIDS ministry director

Hope at Elikya Project

A few weeks ago, a team of nurses visited from the US. The team had a wonderful time interacting with the orphans and visiting Tandala Hospital. I personally was very happy with what they were doing and their kindness. At any time if there was an urgent case at the hospital, they were ready to help.

The second team arrived two weeks after the first. Many on the team raised money to buy things such as sewing machines for the Elikya project. We went with them to visit Elikya, and they were very happy to visit what was going on there. We had a chance to talk with some orphans and widows who are already being trained. All of them were very happy that Elikya has been created. "We had nothing and life was very difficult after both parents died; now we are here and we are learning many things such as sewing different clothes" said Mamie.

A few machines have arrived and are very helpful to the center. Not only sewing by machine, but there are different kinds of skills being learned such as making local soap, fruit juice, body lotion, carpeting, etc. According to some leaders of our local church, this center will be "so helpful to our church members." Some widows have started to learn different skills that will be helpful for them in the future.

The center has started with a few people, but there will be many people coming. The difficulties the center has are materials and a training house. We hope that God will help to solve all these problems.

-Mandaba, GlobalFingerprints Congo communications

If you or your church would like to help with the ongoing needs of the Elikya project, please contact touchglobal@efca.org. Thank you.