Sunday, December 30, 2007

Africa Expat Wives Club: A morning in Kibera slum (part 1)

As I was reading about the recent elections in Kenya on the web, I came across this ladie's blog. She does a great job of describing life in the Kibera Slums. Her school took Christmas presents to the AIDS Orphanage in the slums. For some of our readers who have been to Kibera with Friends of Mercy, you will appreciate her articles on the slums.

Africa Expat Wives Club: A morning in Kibera slum (part 1)

Africa Expat Wives Club: Visit to Kibera slum (part 2)

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Concorida University, Chicago Set for Kenya Trip to Assist AIDS Widows and Orphans

The planning began last summer when Pastor Sell communicate with Ben Parviz, a student at Concordia University, Chicago. Ben e-mailed me for some info on our Faith & Mercy Expedition, an example of "Lutherans Making A Difference!" Then in Oct (07), I met with Ben, several other students and some staff members of the University who were interested in the mercy trip.

The students and staff of Concordia University - Chicago have done a great job of pulling this mercy event together. They set out to raise funds to attend our Faith & Mercy Expedition last fall already. At this time there are 11 total students and staff who are committed to attending the May trip to Kenya.

Keep coming back to follow us on our journey to learn, to mature spiritually, and to serve those in need.

For more info, check out our web site:

Partnering with LCMS World Relief to bring mercy to the world!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Lutheran Cancer & Hospcie Society Welcomes New Partners - Biblical Charity Institute

Lutheran Cancer & Hospice Society recently began publishing booklets for Christians who are facing a terminal illness. This was made possible by a grant from our new partners, Biblical Charity Intstitute (BCI). BCI funds and partners with Biblical Charities Continuing Education (BCCE) a continuing education program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Lutheran Cancer & Hospice Society will publish six booklets thanks to BCCE's grant. (Three are currently available here.) It is our goal to fill a gap in Lutheran pastoral resources when it comes to terminal illness and hospice. Pastors, deaconesses, teachers, and other members of the church do a great job of caring for those who suffer from diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, AIDS, and others. We hope that this series of booklets will be a tool for all involved in the care of the terminally ill - the spiritual caregiver, the family, and the patient.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Friends of Mercy News! Sign up now!

Friends of Mercy has reorganized its newsletter. Friends of Mercy News! is published once a month. It will keep you in touch with the work we do in Kenya and with Lutheran Cancer & Hospice Society.

Sign up to receive

Friends of Mercy News!

Click on the link above and it will take you to our sign up page. Thanks!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

More Lutheran Churches Supporting AIDS Orphans and Girls in Kenya:

Every time I go Kenya and come home with more pictures and opportunities for Lutherans to make a difference, I'm thankful for the gracious and loving support of LCMS congregations. Since our October Faith & Mercy Expedition with St. John, Rochester, MI, I've been blessed to preach at several congregations who are working hard to support the expression of their faith in acts of mercy.

As soon as I get time, I'm going to add three more congregations who have put Friends of Mercy in their annual budget to support our ministry of mercy. Please consider us for those end of the year gifts as a way to share your blessings with those in need.

When you support Friends of Mercy, your gifts bring Christ and hope to the people of Kenya through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya. This is why all of "our work is connected to an altar." The picture above is of a teenager and an orphan whose parents died and is suffering from AIDS. I took the picture in the church where the children were gathered to learn bible lessons and sing hymns. (Using CPH visuals!) When local churches in the U.S. support us, their shared blessings go from their altar to the altar of a local church that assists AIDS Orphans and the villages that work to care for the millions of parentless children. Thankfully, this child began his treatment and is gaining weight. But, you can see that he still doesn't feel well. His expression didn't change the entire time we were at the Kawangware orphanage.

Lutherans are making a difference. Your gifts will support these children. Thanks and please keep us in your prayers.