Cambridge Times July 26th, 2007, by Melissa Hancock Times Staff
A local woman's dream will come true next month as she heads to Peru for four weeks of missionary work.
"I'd probably give someone the shirt off my back ...my mother always told me I'm too generous," said Cambridge resident Alexis Bennett.
Bennett said while in Peru she will help with whatever she can. In Manchay, it small village just outside Lima the country's capital - she will help at the Manchay Care Centre construction site. The centre opened in 2003 as a safe place for mothers going to work to leave their children for the play.
"I just support it 100 per cent," she said.
The centre in Manchay is expanding to include a dining hall and additional washrooms.
Bennett will leave on Aug. 10 with a team from Cedar Creek Community Church, working through Kids Alive an international organization that focuses on helping street children, abandoned children and victims of abuse, war, disease and poverty. The
care centre can currently accommodate 20 to 25 children.
"People are living in cardboard boxes," said Margaret Christy, board
member and sponsorship coordinator with Kids Alive at the Cambridge office on Fleming Drive.
Peru's population is nearly 30 million. In - Lima where about a third of the population lives - more than 10,000 children die every year.
Christy described an experience she had at a local grocery store where she overheard a woman complaining because the brand of black forest ham she prefers was not in stock and she wanted to speak with the manager.
"That's how ridiculous we can get," said Christy, who has been on numerous trips to Third World countries. "I feel that every Canadian should have the opportunity to go to a Third World country."
Every day, families in areas of Peru have to purchase clean drinking water, Bennett said, and it can cost about $15 a day for one family's supply.
"If they've got any money at all,they buy whatever they can," said Christy.
After Bennett's first two weeks conclude with the local church team she will stay an additional two weeks, still working through Kids Alive.
"I have a passion for kids," she said.
One of the goal statements of Kids Alive is to provide "Christian care for children at risk".
Bennett said she recently went through a process and said, "I gave myself back to the Lord".
She said she aims to bring hope to Peruvians through prayer. About 90 per cent of Peru's population is Roman Catholic.
Through speaking with people who have been to other countries for missionary-type work, Bennett said, "They felt God working with them."
Bennett is currently raising funds for the trip which costs more than
$3,000 per person. She will also accept donations of items, such as craft-making materials, socks and underwear for children aged four to seven years, vitamin C pills and adult vitamins, peanut butter and cake mixes.
Bennett said another one of her main goals while in Peru is to make daily journal entries of experiences and sites she sees in order to compile information to present in Canada and promote Kids Alive projects and sponsorship opportunities in Peru.
To get in touch with Bennett, send an email to peru2007@sympatico.ca or call her 622-4176.
For more information about Kids Alive, visit www.kidsalive.ca.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
20 Days and counting
Well folks there is only 20 days left till I am off to Peru and then I will be sharing with you live as often as I can. I will share photo's, stories and what God is doing, in Peru, with the children, with the staff, with the people in and around Kids Alive organization, and what God is doing for the team and myself.
Tody I would ask for prayer for two of my family members, my cousin Chris and his wife. Chris has cancer and he has just undergone a week of very heavy kemo and is not doing very well with the after effects. Secondly my father is going to see one of his cancer doctors today and also his myiagravis disease is really effecting his one side of his body right now. He is in a lot of pain.
My parents and I are going to go and tryout the Peruvian resturant in London for lunch today. We all are very excited to go and try it out.
More once I return tonight as to what we ate and how it was.
God Bless to you all
Tody I would ask for prayer for two of my family members, my cousin Chris and his wife. Chris has cancer and he has just undergone a week of very heavy kemo and is not doing very well with the after effects. Secondly my father is going to see one of his cancer doctors today and also his myiagravis disease is really effecting his one side of his body right now. He is in a lot of pain.
My parents and I are going to go and tryout the Peruvian resturant in London for lunch today. We all are very excited to go and try it out.
More once I return tonight as to what we ate and how it was.
God Bless to you all
Monday, July 16, 2007
Count down---25 days to we leave
Well the count down is on for Peru 2007, 25 days until we leave. It has seemed like a life time from the time I decide to see if I could go on this trip till now. I think I started the whole process around October/November of this year and now.
It also seems like there will never be enough time in a day to get everything done and ready before I leave for Peru.
It is actually feeling like it is really going to happen. I have my extra suitcase all packed and ready with the items that are on a wish list from Peru. It is overwhelming in the generosity of family, friends, businesses all over Cambridge and the Gross family for the donation of all the clothes.
I would like to take this time to personally extend my heart felt appreciation to all those whom sponsored me, to the businesses that have donated products or gift certificates to me. Giant Tiger, Wal-Mart, McDonalds Hespeler Rd. for allowing us to run a toll booth at their location twice, Blessings Christian Book Store and all those whom gave generously at my garage sale so I could purchase things for the children. Without God and you none of this would be possible. Thank you so very much and God Bless you all.
Since there are 13 of us going on this venture I am sure that there are many others whom have been supporting this whole project all over the community and each member like me probably has had many generous donors and support as well.
So thank you to all of you as well.
It also seems like there will never be enough time in a day to get everything done and ready before I leave for Peru.
It is actually feeling like it is really going to happen. I have my extra suitcase all packed and ready with the items that are on a wish list from Peru. It is overwhelming in the generosity of family, friends, businesses all over Cambridge and the Gross family for the donation of all the clothes.
I would like to take this time to personally extend my heart felt appreciation to all those whom sponsored me, to the businesses that have donated products or gift certificates to me. Giant Tiger, Wal-Mart, McDonalds Hespeler Rd. for allowing us to run a toll booth at their location twice, Blessings Christian Book Store and all those whom gave generously at my garage sale so I could purchase things for the children. Without God and you none of this would be possible. Thank you so very much and God Bless you all.
Since there are 13 of us going on this venture I am sure that there are many others whom have been supporting this whole project all over the community and each member like me probably has had many generous donors and support as well.
So thank you to all of you as well.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sonsorship continuation
Well I think most people can relate to how I feel every time I see a World Vision commercial on television. My heart breaks each time I see the commercials. The innocence of the children’s faces, their cute smiles is just plan gut retching. I would sponsor and bring every child to Canada if I could afford to. For many years I wanted to call and sponsor a child and never did, simply because I felt I could not afford to.
2 years ago I started adopting a World Vision Child from Africa. I have been finding it to expensive these days and felt that the admin. Fees were way too high for my liking.
After many weeks of prayer, and struggling whether to cancel with World Vision and go with Kidsalive the decision became clear to me. When I inquired how much it would be a month to sponsor, did they have children in Peru to sponsor, specifically a little girl. They had no girls the day I inquired and 2 days later a girl became available and therefore I felt the decision was to switch.
What is exciting about switching I will get the opportunity to hug, and love up my new sponsored child? I will be able to do something special with her and her sister.
This opportunity of sponsoring this child is more exciting than ever now because it is just not a picture and name it is a reality. I get meet the child and see for myself that she really does exist.
My child’s name is Mercedes and she is 3 yrs old. Mercedes also has a sister Esther in the same care centre who is 11 months old. Here is a picture of my little girl.
They tell me that Mercedes has asthma, but other that is in good health. When Mercedes came to the Kidsalive Centre she was reunited with her baby sister. She immediately recognized her sister and loves to give her kisses. They say Mercedes has adapted well and has won the hearts of all the staff and kids with her cute little curls and big smile.
I think we can all see what they mean by the picture they have sent me of her.
I look forward to meeting Mercedes and Esther when I get to Peru and to the years to come as her sponsor.
God Bless you Mercedes.
2 years ago I started adopting a World Vision Child from Africa. I have been finding it to expensive these days and felt that the admin. Fees were way too high for my liking.
After many weeks of prayer, and struggling whether to cancel with World Vision and go with Kidsalive the decision became clear to me. When I inquired how much it would be a month to sponsor, did they have children in Peru to sponsor, specifically a little girl. They had no girls the day I inquired and 2 days later a girl became available and therefore I felt the decision was to switch.
What is exciting about switching I will get the opportunity to hug, and love up my new sponsored child? I will be able to do something special with her and her sister.
This opportunity of sponsoring this child is more exciting than ever now because it is just not a picture and name it is a reality. I get meet the child and see for myself that she really does exist.
My child’s name is Mercedes and she is 3 yrs old. Mercedes also has a sister Esther in the same care centre who is 11 months old. Here is a picture of my little girl.
They tell me that Mercedes has asthma, but other that is in good health. When Mercedes came to the Kidsalive Centre she was reunited with her baby sister. She immediately recognized her sister and loves to give her kisses. They say Mercedes has adapted well and has won the hearts of all the staff and kids with her cute little curls and big smile.
I think we can all see what they mean by the picture they have sent me of her.
I look forward to meeting Mercedes and Esther when I get to Peru and to the years to come as her sponsor.
God Bless you Mercedes.
Sponsorship
Like any other humanitarian organization Kids Alive International has a child sponsorship programme. Kids Alive provides Christian care for children at risk.
Kids Alive vision is that they will reflect the love of Christ by rescuing children in crisis. There Mission is to reflect this love of Christ by nurturing their children with quality, holistic care, educating them to their full potential and introducing them to the transforming power of Jesus Christ so they will become followers of Christ and effective citizens in their national cultures.
Kids Alive International was founded in China in 1916 by evangelistic missionaries Reverend and Mrs. Leslie Anglin. They felt compelled by God to open the home for the homeless children they saw in various communities around their city. In 1949 they began relief work in Hong Kong and then later a school and home were started. Over the past 50 years they have expanded to include work in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Pacific Rim.
Presently they care for over 3000 children in 12 developing countries throughout the world. their offices in USA., U.K., Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong work to rescue and nurture as many children as possible.
Here are the places they serve:
Latin America: Peru, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala
Africa: Kenya, Zambia
Middle East: Lebanon
Eastern Europe: Romania
Pacific Rim: Papua New Guinea
Asia: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Myanmar
There Goals are as follows as well:
Children's Homes Millions of children throughout the world have lost parents as a result of poverty, war, and HIV/AIDS. In Response, Kids Alive establishes homes to care for the Children. The home is designed to be as much like a real family as possible. The staff and missionaries give love, spiritual care, and individual attention, just as parents would do.
Schools They have started several schools where both missionaries and nationals serve as teachers. When possible, computer education, English as a second language and technical skills are provided. The main objective is to prepare the children and youth to be productive citizens in their own country.
Care Centres In some circumstances, Homes and schools are not the most needed type of care for children. In these cases, Kids Alive determines the need of the children within the community and develops a ministry to meet the need, such as medical care centre or a day program.
So here is your opportunity to make a difference.
Give:
* Partner with Kids Alive by giving monthly
* Sponsor a child in one of their homes
* Sponsor a home with family/friends
* Provide a one-time financial "project" gift
* Donate items for their homes and schools
* Organize fund-raising events in your community
* Invite a Kids Alive representative to present the ministry to your church or group
* Tell your family/friends about Kids Alive and encourage them to get involved
Pray:
* For their leadership
* For their missionaries
* For the parents of each home
* For the children in their homes
* For their schools
GO:
They need workteams and individuals to help with building projects and short-term children's ministries
Share your building, caring, teaching or healthcare skills
You can do any of the above by contacting Kidsalive International at the following:
55 Fleming Drive, Unit 2
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
N1T 2A9
Phone: 519-624-9406
Fax: 519-624-5253
Toll-free: 1-866-839-5437
www.kidsalive.ca
Kids Alive vision is that they will reflect the love of Christ by rescuing children in crisis. There Mission is to reflect this love of Christ by nurturing their children with quality, holistic care, educating them to their full potential and introducing them to the transforming power of Jesus Christ so they will become followers of Christ and effective citizens in their national cultures.
Kids Alive International was founded in China in 1916 by evangelistic missionaries Reverend and Mrs. Leslie Anglin. They felt compelled by God to open the home for the homeless children they saw in various communities around their city. In 1949 they began relief work in Hong Kong and then later a school and home were started. Over the past 50 years they have expanded to include work in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Pacific Rim.
Presently they care for over 3000 children in 12 developing countries throughout the world. their offices in USA., U.K., Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong work to rescue and nurture as many children as possible.
Here are the places they serve:
Latin America: Peru, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala
Africa: Kenya, Zambia
Middle East: Lebanon
Eastern Europe: Romania
Pacific Rim: Papua New Guinea
Asia: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Myanmar
There Goals are as follows as well:
Children's Homes Millions of children throughout the world have lost parents as a result of poverty, war, and HIV/AIDS. In Response, Kids Alive establishes homes to care for the Children. The home is designed to be as much like a real family as possible. The staff and missionaries give love, spiritual care, and individual attention, just as parents would do.
Schools They have started several schools where both missionaries and nationals serve as teachers. When possible, computer education, English as a second language and technical skills are provided. The main objective is to prepare the children and youth to be productive citizens in their own country.
Care Centres In some circumstances, Homes and schools are not the most needed type of care for children. In these cases, Kids Alive determines the need of the children within the community and develops a ministry to meet the need, such as medical care centre or a day program.
So here is your opportunity to make a difference.
Give:
* Partner with Kids Alive by giving monthly
* Sponsor a child in one of their homes
* Sponsor a home with family/friends
* Provide a one-time financial "project" gift
* Donate items for their homes and schools
* Organize fund-raising events in your community
* Invite a Kids Alive representative to present the ministry to your church or group
* Tell your family/friends about Kids Alive and encourage them to get involved
Pray:
* For their leadership
* For their missionaries
* For the parents of each home
* For the children in their homes
* For their schools
GO:
They need workteams and individuals to help with building projects and short-term children's ministries
Share your building, caring, teaching or healthcare skills
You can do any of the above by contacting Kidsalive International at the following:
55 Fleming Drive, Unit 2
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
N1T 2A9
Phone: 519-624-9406
Fax: 519-624-5253
Toll-free: 1-866-839-5437
www.kidsalive.ca
Sometimes Confession is good for the soul
Well folks I guess it is time to come clean. It has been a while since I have posted to this site. I was struggling and working through some issues and there fore felt I could not post here unless I could be 100% positive.
I was strugging with trust and having faith that the finantial part of this trip was going to pull its self together. Well with a lot of prayer and talking with good friends it has all come together and my finances have all come together the way they needed to. This sure has been a testing of my faith and satan really had fun with it and ran rampote in my head. Well he was winning for a while but, after fully turning back over to God it all took care of itself.
Patience is also not one of my strong points and I never pray for it because I have been warned that he might just test you and push you to the limit. This whole process has been testing my patience and once again satan took hold of this and had some fun with me. Once again when I let go and let God things came together in this area as well.
Thus far this adventure sure has been widening my territory and broadening my horizons and it sure has become a real learning process for me. God is good but I seem to forget sometimes to get out of his way. When I do this things all seem to come together. I need to have a hammer that hits me on the head when my thinking goes astray.
Any ways I am glad to say I am loads less stressed over this whole process and HGod has Blessed me through out the whole process.
I am so very grateful for that and look forward to what is about to come in the days ahead.
Please pray for me and everyone on the team.
I was strugging with trust and having faith that the finantial part of this trip was going to pull its self together. Well with a lot of prayer and talking with good friends it has all come together and my finances have all come together the way they needed to. This sure has been a testing of my faith and satan really had fun with it and ran rampote in my head. Well he was winning for a while but, after fully turning back over to God it all took care of itself.
Patience is also not one of my strong points and I never pray for it because I have been warned that he might just test you and push you to the limit. This whole process has been testing my patience and once again satan took hold of this and had some fun with me. Once again when I let go and let God things came together in this area as well.
Thus far this adventure sure has been widening my territory and broadening my horizons and it sure has become a real learning process for me. God is good but I seem to forget sometimes to get out of his way. When I do this things all seem to come together. I need to have a hammer that hits me on the head when my thinking goes astray.
Any ways I am glad to say I am loads less stressed over this whole process and HGod has Blessed me through out the whole process.
I am so very grateful for that and look forward to what is about to come in the days ahead.
Please pray for me and everyone on the team.
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