“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” John 14:18

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Orphanage In Comayagua, Honduras January 16-24 trip

We are collecting the following items which will be put in Ziploc bags to hand out to the poor people who live in the hills in Honduras:
  • travel-size toothbrushes
  • travel-size toothpaste (no mouthwash because they drink it)
  • small combs/brushes
  • travel shampoos (or travel size empty bottles we can fill)
  • travel-size bar soap
  • washcloths
  • bandaids
  • small tubes of neosporin/antibiotic ointment
You may drop any of these donated items off in the church office. Please mark them for the Honduras Trip.

Also, please pray for the following people from our church as they prepare to go on this trip: Christina, Erik, Brenda, Ross, MaryKate, Jan, Alex. Also pray for Jill (optomestrist), Cory (Jill's husband) and Jill's assistant as they will also be joining the trip to do eye exams on the 240 orphans.

Links Of Love Project Collected $400!

The Kids Konnections kids (Kindergarten to 4th graders) raised about $400 for the "Links of Love" project, which we are using to purchase shoes for the orphans and Spanish/English books for the children. WAY TO GO, KIDS!!

Blanketing Them In Love

The 2nd and 3rd grade girls of our GEMS girls club made some wonderful fleece tie blankets and a few ladies crocheted some beautiful blankets; all to be brought down to the babies and children in Honduras in January.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

HHH Sunday & International Dinner

Sunday, November 2, 2008
Well, we have officially launched our new orphan ministry here at Orland Park Church. During the morning services Johnny Carr, who works for Bethany Christian Services, talked about his call to help orphans. Also, Carla Lindemulder shared her story about her volunteer work at orphanages in Honduras.
During our dinner we continued to build on the awareness of the needs out there for kids all over who have had a loss in their life. We had about 175 people come to the dinner and showed interest in being involved in this ministry.

Below are the ways we are hoping to help:
IN THE CHURCH
  • Develop a list of people who are willing to be available to single moms to field questions (i.e. automotive questions, household issues, pinewood derby cars)
  • Provide opportunities for single parents to gather socially (i.e. game night, ice cream social) to connect with those who are in similar situations
  • Help families interested in adopting domestically or international
IN THE COMMUNITY
  • Promote and assist families interested in foster care
  • Help local organizations with events (i.e. backpack drives, picnics, collecting specific items)
IN THE WORLD
  • Provide opportunities through All God's Children and Bethany Christian Services to sponsor a child in another country with a one-time gift or monthly support
  • Offer trips to visit orphanages and enable professionals to travel to help with specific needs (i.e. vision problems)
  • Collect various items (toys, blankets, books, clothing, etc.) to distribute in needy countries
  • Support and encourage families with internationally adopted children
We trust that the Lord will use this ministry to do His work.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

VBS Kids --- Orphange Kids Connection












This summer our VBS (Vacation Bible School) kids joined in the effort to bring smiles to the kids in Honduras. The decorated in their own creative ways, pencil cases that were taken down to the orphange with Carla.

Monday, October 6, 2008

New Dresses!













These little girls were so proud of the new dresses they received! Linda Hoekstra made these dresses for the orphans in Honduras.

Friday, August 8, 2008

His Heart And Hands Sunday & International Dinner

Coming on November 2, 2008 we will be formally introducing our new ministry with a His Heart and Hands Sunday, and hosting an informational dinner. The international dinner will be at Orland Park Church at 12:00 noon.
At this dinner we will share with those attending the visions of our ministry. Johnny Carr will be our main guest speaker. He will share his passion for the need for adoption.
There will be opportunities for those interested in sponsoring children in a Honduras orphanage to sign up for one or more children in need of sponsors. You will also have the opportunity to support this ministry with prayers and financially. God has called us to be His heart and hands to those who need us. So let's open our hearts and hands. More details and information on this event will be available later.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

54 Backpacks For Foster Kids!





How awesome! The response was GREAT! With only a few weeks notice and the generosity of so many of Orland Park Church members, we were able to put together 54 backpacks of school supplies together for the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Lutheran Social Services of Illinois each year, for the past several years, has handed out free backpacks to foster kids at their Heath and Education Expo.
It was exciting to see the bin set aside for dropping off school supplies fill so quickly each Sunday! Our task force had so much fun getting together on Sunday night, August 3rd, to fill each of these backpacks not only with school supplies, but all passing on the caring hearts of all those who had a part in our "Backpacks for foster kids" event.