Congo Blog: Sponsorship Update From GlobalFingerprints

1,019 Sponsored Orphans!

The goal of 1,000 sponsored orphans by January 1, 2010 was reached! Thank you for listening and responding to God. He tells us over and over in His Word that He loves, defends, and provides for the orphan. He asks us to do the same. That is what GlobalFingerprints is all about!

We are presently at 1,019 sponsored orphans and we are praying to have 1500 orphans sponsored by 6/30/2010. We believe that God has called specific people to sponsor each child, pray that God will provide sponsors who will love them, pray for them, and encourage them throughout the coming years. Would you be the link to tell others about GlobalFingerprints?

Update on Unrest in the Ubangi

Many of you have prayed for the situation in the area of Congo where GlobalFingerprints operates. Thank God the fighting has stopped. However, life is far from normal there.   As of last week, there are still 100,000 refugees that have crossed the border and are living in the neighboring country Congo Brazzaville. Pray that the Congolese Free Church could be a source of hope and life as the people return.

Our Congolese accountant for GlobalFingerprints sent this message last week:
   “Thanks to God that the war here is ending, because of God’s grace. We have heard from the Supervisor in the Dongo Region, who told us that there is much instability in the lives of the orphans. For some of the orphans, their caregiver has died. As children fled from the war, they were so afraid of soldiers and guns. For sure, many of our orphans have much more fear in their minds today. In Dongo, the Supervisor is still trying to find all of the orphans in GlobalFingerprints. It is the same in the Imesse Region, though that Supervisor has not yet been able to come to our office to give us a report. I ask myself, If it has been hard for children who have their parents, how hard must it be for our orphans? And for sure, once people return home, there will be even more orphans. In Mark 10, we see that Jesus loves the little ones. And they are an example of faith to us. Jesus said that He gives us peace. It is not like the world gives. That is my prayer for our orphans, that they would have peace that comes from Jesus.”

Schools right in Gemena have opened, and life is returning to normal. But all along the road, many people are still in hiding, fearing their own soldiers. There is also vandalism happening by groups of young people. As we receive detailed news about certain orphans that cannot be located, we will notify the sponsors.

How can you pray?
1.   Pray for all the orphans to be located and accounted for.
2.   Pray for emotional healing as many have faced much trauma.
3.   Pray for the safety of Program Manager, Lopango and Communications Director, Mandaba as they travel to the different regions to meet with supervisors and as many orphans as possible.
4.   Pray for more sponsors!

Valentine's Day Project

Visit our website and check out the project for Valentine’s Day – “Love Kits” - for the orphans. (These can be done anytime, not just on Valentine’s Day.) There is a flyer and a PowerPoint under “Resources” at www.globalfingerprints.org . This is a great project for families and children!