$10,000 Friends of Mercy Grant to Support the Meeker's Service: Kenyan Lutherans Say, "Thanks"

Pastor and Dcns. Meeker say "Thanks!"

In an e-mail exchange with Pastor Meeker, he and Dcns. Lorna expressed their gratitude to the many Lutherans in the States who have shared their blessings with Friends of Mercy to support their service in Kenya. A key component of your gifts is the education of orphans. The Meekers explained that it was time to pay "school fees" so that the many children they support could get back into school. Another aspect of their work is to help sick widows and their children move into acceptable and safe housing. Sadly, in too many circumstances, the wife, now widow, has several children and has AIDS. They need the help with the children, medicine, food, and housing. Recently, the Meekers needed to move a family into another neighborhood for the safety of the children.

$10,000 Grant to Help Widows & Orphans and Springs of Life Lutheran Church, Kibera

In January, Friends of Mercy, thanks to Lutherans who are making a difference, sent another check for $10,000 to Compassionate Social Care, the NGO (non governmental organization), that receives funds to support the work of the Meekers. $2,000 went to support orphans through our Adopt an Orphan program; 4,000 went to support widows with orphans; 4000 went to support the ministry of Pastor and Dcns. Meeker.

It is helpful to remember that the Meekers receive no salary for their work in Kenya. They rely on faithful Lutherans in the U.S. to live and serve in Kenya.

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!

August 1st -- Friends of Mercy to Launch New Web Site to Help AIDS Orphans and Battle FGM

By August 1st, Friends of Mercy's new web site will provide more information to help AIDS Orphans and girls fleeing female genital mutilation. This link:

Friends of Mercy - New Web Site - Field Test

gives you a peek into our new web site in the midst of construction. It is functional right now, but is not in its final form, thus it is not found at TheFriendsOfMercy.org.

The new web site will not only offer mountains of more information, but will also provide opportunities for visitors to the site to download brochures, forms, documents, papers, power point presentations, and much more.

Other information will also be available about our organization. Learn about the members of our board of directors, our other projects to serve Christ's saints facing terminal illnesses and minister to those who choose to participate in hospice programs.

Pray for wisdom as you might consider sharing your blessings with the children of Kenya who are in need and most of whom have no parents.

WELCOME to the Friends of Mercy Blog. Here you will find information and commentary about the work of Friends of Mercy. I expect to post at least once a week. Feel free to comment and look us up for other information at Friends of Mercy our web page.

Friends of Mercy has two international projects and one domestic project.

Our international projects are in Kenya. In partnership with LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Our domestic program is to raise the awareness of Hospice and provide materials and help from a distinctly Lutheran perspective.

• AIDS orphanages in Kenya
• Sanctuary Homes for girls fleeing Female Genital Cutting (Mutilation, Female Circumcision)
• COMING 2007 Lutheran Cancer and Hospice Society