tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14643186986687637912024-03-13T04:10:41.005-07:00iam1ruThis blog follows a group of "everyday philanthropists" that are doing their best to impact the hurting, helpless and hopeless with hope! We are looking to build a nation of like-minded people that understand we can do far more together than we could ever do alone. We hope this blog inspires you to join us!sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-85210846347114076512017-02-17T01:36:00.000-08:002017-02-17T13:37:04.333-08:00Re:Vee<br> <a href="http://birthdaychoice.com/GtgYNv4V/ng1i3do.5">http://birthdaychoice.com/GtgYNv4V/ng1i3do.5</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> 2/17/2017 10:36:44 PM <br> sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-86954857964165296542017-02-08T17:38:00.000-08:002017-02-08T17:40:55.185-08:00To:andreyggtorres<br> <a href="http://biblioteca.comune.porcari.lu.it/VZw1/f9b27nep7cz.j7">http://biblioteca.comune.porcari.lu.it/VZw1/f9b27nep7cz.j7</a> <br><br> 2/9/2017 2:35:20 AM <br><br> sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-47092294601732166242014-12-28T00:52:00.000-08:002014-12-27T23:52:40.077-08:00To:12/28/2014 8:52:33 AM i<br><br> <a href="http://apple35.info/zle/ofnahhnh.btyofrfodqtdoeerhlfsnuluqplygexp">http://apple35.info/zle/ofnahhnh.btyofrfodqtdoeerhlfsnuluqplygexp</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> Veesammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-73387332705974523112014-12-19T00:12:00.000-08:002014-12-18T23:12:45.118-08:00Re:rsinha 0<a href="http://architectsforhealth.com/tqrjnkle/thmfwdrryayapzg.iykihvemnniprxskcwjmxvqefcqmwluiialafp">http://architectsforhealth.com/tqrjnkle/thmfwdrryayapzg.iykihvemnniprxskcwjmxvqefcqmwluiialafp</a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> Vee <br> sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-1888220164155018562014-07-15T05:33:00.000-07:002014-07-14T16:33:40.054-07:00Vee - 7/15/2014 12:33:35 AMhttp://barrelbbq.nl/uxidwen/jdjdfjxateeeedqsmvctrkm.olwydwsuvrbbtpkdilasammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-62928305277249411012014-06-30T05:36:00.000-07:002014-06-30T04:37:03.778-07:00http://cinarkokorec.com/fwlody/ptscafhvk.uydtrpsammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-3818929475104800322014-03-21T10:27:00.000-07:002014-03-21T10:30:45.321-07:00Important Document<div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div id="yiv8923629907"><div><div class="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395422011630_6887" style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:12pt;"><div id="yiv8923629907yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1395422011630_12"> </div><font id="yiv8923629907yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395422011630_2857" color="black" face="arial" size="2"><font id="yiv8923629907yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395422011630_2856" color="black" face="arial" size="2">Hi,<br> <br> I just uploaded a file for you to view using the Google Docs Apps, <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.jordvernforeningen.no/doc/">CLICK HERE</a> to view.<br> <br> It's <span><span class="yiv8923629907il">Important</span></span>.<br> <br> Thank You<br><br></font></font>Vee<br> </div></div></div></div>sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-88511508675855358862014-02-03T21:51:00.001-08:002014-02-03T21:51:32.276-08:00Veehttp://lolacapkinkiz.com/kuv/sjfprzwbutbf.jmfxbbahcouaqwwssihbqtmsammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-16962582897263632002014-01-09T08:38:00.001-08:002014-01-09T08:38:34.439-08:00Special Agent Update #4 - Shannin in Kyrgyzstan <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today at 4 we will be throwing a party for the nurses and some doctors. The ones working in the baby hospital and orphanages. We have 90+ scrubs for them and we made up little gift bags with a notepad, pen and either a flashlight or watch.. and some vitamins. I’m looking forward to seeing their reaction and to appreciate them for all the work they do here. <br />I’m so thankful that I get to be apart of this team, to see the work God has done and is doing through John and Julie. <br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-79704281308994373262014-01-03T09:02:00.000-08:002014-01-03T09:02:19.597-08:00Special Agent Update #5 - Ted & Jo in Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">Special Agent Skinny Santa:<br /> Well
there have been a number of Skinny Santa sightings in the Linares area
of Mexico these days. On Christmas eve day he was seen riding thru town
with his team of dream agent elves and making stops in the river
district causing quite a stir with the kids who live there. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a>There are
reports of him walking randomly through the streets this week with bags
of candy and toys while he continues yelling "YEAH BABY!!" which seems
to be the signature cry of this peculiar character. It is a sight to see
how kids seem to emerge from the shadows as he walks down the street
and altho he seems to have a mission, he never passes up an opportunity
to be led by some random kid who wants to take him to see their parents
or grandparents. There are also reports of this group showing up in the
poorer districts of the city and distributing food hampers to the
families that live there. He also made some stops to fulfill dreams on
behalf of PI helping to deliver fridges and tamale dinners to a number
of families in the projects and other areas of town. This is the second
year that he has been seen in town during the Christmas season and we
are wondering if this is something that will be a regular occurrence in
the years to come. Many of the local people are talking about this new
phenomenon, some laughing as they share, others in awe and yet others
(mainly kids) speak with giddy glee brought on by the sugar overload
from all the treats he hands out. In any case, he continues to cause
quite a stir as he interacts with local people and rarely rolls through
without many smiles, giggles and looks of awe, wonder and maybe a little
confused disbelief.........not to mention possibly a few cases of
whiplash as people spin their heads around quickly to catch a glimpse of
this new person in town. TED & JO<br />
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sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-30468564102594613152013-12-30T07:02:00.000-08:002013-12-30T07:02:14.196-08:00Special Agent Update #3 - Ted & Jo in Mexico <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent">A Fairy Tale Of a Different Kind::<br /> Once
Upon a time, in a land of survival, there lived a man named Francisco.
We came across him one day as he was busy building a castle for his
queen. With many hours of scrounging and sheer determination,<span class="text_exposed_show">his
labor of love began to take shape but construction came to a halt when
it came to pouring the concrete floor. He had overcome incredible odds,
but one thing he couldn't conquer was the few pesos it would take to buy
the supplies for this phase of his dream. </span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a>This man had instantly earned
my respect, for on the outside we saw a simple man living in humble
circumstances, but inside I saw the heart of a king. When we heard their
story of where they had come from and what they had been through, the
depth of his character began to be revealed. I could see that this man
understood that even tho they lived in a rough part of town and his
palace would be built with the discards of others, (not to mention that
when completed, his castle would consist of a single room that measured a
mere 12 ft. x 15 ft), a home to call her own where she felt safe secure
and loved,is where a woman becomes a queen. So for a few pesos we
purchased some plastic pipe and some concrete mix for him so that he
could continue in his pursuit and conquer his dream. I would love to say
that they lived happily ever after but I am just not naive enough to
believe that is possible in this harsh world they live in. But as I
ponder Francisco's situation, I find something much more precious than a
fantasy of happily ever after. True love and unstoppable joy in the
midst of trials is greater by far. Most of us would pass by this place
with little more than a glance,but I've met the people and seen the
inside of the story and I can testify that tho the world continues to
pass by this place, few realize that here lives a king who is building a
castle for his love where she will feel like a queen. TED & JO<br />
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sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-55979633013808671812013-12-30T07:00:00.000-08:002013-12-30T07:00:01.431-08:00Special Agent Update #2 - Ted & Jo in Mexico <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">The Three Amigos:<br /> Meet Francisco,
Edwardo, and Giovanni.These 3 guys had recently 'aged-out' of one of the
local orphanages and are trying to carve out a life for themselves with
not much more than the clothes they are wearing. Rick & Lisa have
begun to take them under their wing and try to mentor them in this part
of their journey. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a>They understand that once kids leave the orphanage,
they often lose their family support which is something we often take
for granted. How often have you relied on family after you moved out on
your own...imagine how different your life would be if you hadn't had
that. One of the sad truths here is that the 'institutional orphanages'
meet a specific need but often at age 18 kids are sent out to fend for
themselves, many times ending up back in dire straits and this is one
reason Rick and Lisa want to change the model in their orphanage and
break the cycle instead just of meeting the need. Well we wanted to
help these guys out as they strive to move ahead in life so we blessed
them with some new threads for Christmas. We honestly believe that if
you are feeling good & looking sharp, and you know that there are
people that care about you, it can mean the difference between life
running you over and you grabbing it by the horns. One of the comments
made were "Thank you for giving me a Christmas". Life is short my
friends .....make it count! TED & JO<br />
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sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-68853740758982814442013-12-30T06:56:00.001-08:002013-12-30T06:56:18.604-08:00Special Agent Update #1 - Ted & Jo in Mexico <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent">Shop Shop Til You Drop<br /> Well today we
loaded up a family of kids from the poor section of town, took them to
the local department store and gave them each a specific amount of pesos
to spend and then turned them loose! We met these kids las<span class="text_exposed_show">t
year and they stole our hearts right away.</span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a> As we visited their place I
noticed that even with so many kids around, we saw no toys, the reality
hit us that in this type of poverty, toys are simply not a luxury that
is possible and I'm pretty sure they have never had the opportunity to
roll thru a store to buy their own presents for Christmas. WELL THAT IT
IS UNTIL NOW!!!!!!!!! These kids were somewhere between ecstatic and
overwhelmed! We were moved more than once as the day progressed when we
heard kids saying things like "can I give up this sweater to buy a vest
for my sister?" and "can I buy a cake so we can divide it up and give
some to Ma and Pa". I find it interesting that in a world of such
extreme poverty that it is here that I experience the deepest and truest
form of generosity. The truth is that generosity has nothing to do with
what you have to give but rather what you possess in your heart.
<br /> Ted & Jo<br />
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sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-84171488321830344382013-11-27T12:06:00.000-08:002013-11-27T12:06:29.108-08:00A Little Princess (3 Little Princesses)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just the other day we had the privilege to be part of something very special. Ken was asked to walk a little girl down the aisle for her graduation. Now this little girl is named Dayanara. She is very special to us. Dayanara’s schooling this year was sponsored by someone very wonderful through Possibilities International. <br />
<a name='more'></a>It is a very big thing down here when the children graduate from “Prepa” (SK) to Grade 1. The parents walk the children down the aisle. The little girls are walked down by their daddy’s and since Dayanara's daddy is not in the picture her mom called us to see if Ken would like to walk her down the aisle. Such a privilege. We arrived and Dayanara was so beautiful – dressed up like a little princess. Please see the attached photos – Ken walking down the aisle with Daya – Leslie with her diploma, Daya with her Mother and her diploma and Ken with all 3 girls Katty, Leslie, and Daya.<br /><br />We are truly blessed to be working on your behalf down here in El Salvador.<br /><br />We just wanted to share an update with you on the 3 girls that were sponsored – Katty, Dayanara, and Leslie. All three girls moved up a grade – yeah! Thanks to you!! ☺ Due to the “lack” of education in the public school system Katty and Dayanara are still a little behind but they are working hard to get level with their classmates. Both Katty and Dayanara will be staying in school an extra month. Leslie is doing wonderful in school and is right where she should be academically. Please look for upcoming dreams for schooling for the 3 girls and consider how you may help them out. By the way - The school they are enrolled in is wonderful<br /><br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-13201466962790921822013-11-20T08:16:00.001-08:002013-11-20T08:16:09.069-08:00A word of thanks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We just wanted to take a quick moment to thank all of you everyday philanthropists for taking your time to volunteer at the Road2Hope Weekend. Without knowing it, those of you who worked in the food booth raised almost enough to help us buy a new fridge. Thank you so much. (Ours kicked the bucket this morning… RIP) <br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />It takes so many of us working together to be able to accomplish what we do. So if for a moment you think that what you do back in Canada is not as big or as important as what we do in Ghana, think again…We appreciate you all..<br />Remember one of Sam's favourite quotes, "We can do far more together than we could ever do alone"<br /><br />Dream Agents,<br />Sherry and Mike<br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-57054142365442568862013-11-08T13:24:00.001-08:002013-11-08T13:24:54.235-08:00Reflection (from Sherry Tamakloe) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am just sitting here tonight writing up Dreams to be posted, some for Christmas and others just everyday dreams. I am going through pictures to find ones to use for the dreams and I started looking at the Team pictures from August and start feeling a little homesick.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />As Christmas approaches I find myself feeling a little lonely for MY friends and family back home. Thinking of Christmas gatherings, carol singing, TURKEY and more TURKEY I wish I could hop on a plane and be there for the festivities. And then I start writing Dreams for Christmas parties, Christmas meals and gatherings that will take place here in Ghana over the holidays, I realize that without your help, your sponsorship and Mike and I being here in Ghana at this time of year, many would not know that Christmas means very much at all.<br /><br />Mike talks of his childhood Christmases as knowing that this time of year it means that you get more food, a bigger piece of chicken, a little more rice and maybe just maybe you get to eat twice a day for a couple of days.<br /><br />Then I am reminded that as much as I begin to miss my family and friends, we are making new family right here with every dream that's fulfilled.<br /><br />So my early Christmas Wish this year is that each of you will go to the iam1ru website, go to Ghana Dreams and help us, help others this Christmas season..<br />Merry Early Christmas from our Family to Yours!<br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-85886074119738770142013-10-18T11:59:00.000-07:002013-11-27T12:01:06.620-08:00Becoming a Mother to the "Motherless"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tuesday's are crazy in my house. That is the day we feed the homeless. I start early in the morning preparing food for 30 of my favourite homeless people. These people have become like family for me. I've always had a heart for the underdogs in life and the people that frequent El Faro (the lighthouse ministry of YWAM) are definitely underdogs.<br />
<a name='more'></a> There are people who come and go and then there are the people that have been there since I started helping out. People like Rosie (in the photo). She is the one who started to call me "Mami". At first i wondered if it is because she thinks I'm old enough to be her Mami - but she's in her 30s so that is just not possible. So i started to ask around as to why she calls me that. It's a sign of respect. She knows that I care. She can feel the love. I always have a hug for her (and everyone else who wants a hug). I am now cooking for them. I play dominoes with them. I've taken time out of my life to be with them. I have become their spiritual Mother. I am a mother to the "motherless".<br />
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Michelle Desaulniers <br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-65459490606779852202013-09-18T11:54:00.003-07:002013-09-18T11:54:49.758-07:00A moment forever etched in my heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From our Dream Agent, Michelle Desaulniers:<br />
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Awhile back, I went with my friends to one of the local children’s hospital here in San Salvador. We were there to hand out “scripture bears” which is a part of their ministry here in El Salvador. This ministry was birthed when my friend was going through chemo in the US while her family was all here in El Salvador. <br />
<a name='more'></a>One day during her chemo session, someone gave her a teddy bear and the scripture bear ministry was birthed. That teddy bear meant a lot to her during a really difficult time in her life. It is her goal to have the same impact on the children that she meets and blesses with these teddy bears. We met so many children that day. Children in body casts, leg casts, waiting for operations, waiting in waiting rooms, waiting in the emergency room. Tons of children all in need of a smile – something to brighten their day and there we were. The child that touched my heart the most was a little girl that was in one of the waiting rooms. She saw us with all the bears and she didn’t want to miss out on getting one. She was a sweetest little girl in her best dress and she hobbled to see us, the closer she got to us the faster she got – which is saying something. When I say she hobbled – I mean hobbled - kind of like a penguin. She had some sort of abnormality in her legs. But that didn’t stop her! And now she is forever etched in my heart. Moments like this don’t happen too often but they are the ones that keep you going when the going gets tough!<br /><br />No matter where we are in the world we can make the world brighter for someone with just a smile. ☺<br /><br />I love what we do here in El Salvador!<br /><br />We>I<br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-74102387022236581012013-09-03T10:33:00.000-07:002013-09-03T10:33:32.012-07:00A Place at the Table
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Posted by: Rick & Lisa Bursey, Mexico </div>
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So this past week Lisa and I got invited to attend a
hoity-toity political event given by the current party in power in our
city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being as the people who invited us
went to a lot of trouble to get us on the list, we were obligated to be
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who know me know that
politics and Rick don’t mix too well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a whole lot of people schmoozing and kissing-up and making
sure they were being seen by all the right people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Normally I can put up with this kind of thing and find
something redeeming about the event… not this time… I was not happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Saturday morning after all!! </div>
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And then it happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In walks Miguel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a
ten-year-old boy who politely asked if a seat across the table from me was
taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat and appeared to be waiting for someone
or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So of course we struck up
a bit of a conversation with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
asked who he was with and he just flatly said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oh… I’m here alone. “<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when
asked about his parents… “They’re at home, I come here because I like the
air-conditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I come to weddings
here all the time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miguel is a bonafide
10 year old WEDDING CRASHER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am loving
this kid right out of the gate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now my
day just got interesting! </div>
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Should be fun to watch him deal with the waiters when they
find out what he is doing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began
planning out how I would tell them that he was with us and he was welcome at
our table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was even thinking that if
they wouldn’t serve him I would give him my food and soda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not trying to be a hero… I just love kids
like him and he just seemed to be so happy to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Along comes waiter number one… spots him out of the corner
of his eye as he passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks back,
zeros in on him and immediately drops a coke in front of him with a big
wink!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miguel smiles and enjoys his first
coke of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses it to wash down
the 3 big spearmint candies he has stuffed in his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been munching on them since he sat
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon waiter number two… coke
number two. Then the food… he is served first each time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, one waiter ignored us
altogether and just served him the last coke on his tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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This kid is a king here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This kid must be the owner’s son! This kid must be somebody
connected!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out, this kid is from
the street, he shows up there to eat whenever there is a wedding or special
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wait staff not only let him
in for free, they treat him like a king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is Miguel the wedding crasher,
Miguel the street kid, Miguel the nobody… but for a short time he is Miguel the
King.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here he knows he is welcome. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moments like these give me hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot of crazy things that go on
here in México.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are amazing people here who know
the value of one little heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men who
would treat a child like a king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud
to serve here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will even sit through
torturous political events if it means I get to meet one Miguel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep crashing buddy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take your rightful place at the table!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-5867892184510776052013-08-20T09:55:00.001-07:002013-08-20T09:55:17.429-07:00Ghana & El Salvador Reports!Due to crazy circumstances beyond our control we are having difficulty updating the blog while away. So....all our updates from Ghana and El Salvador will be placed on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iam1ru" target="_blank">PI Facebook page</a>. You can click on the link. Then please "like" the page and then you will get notice every time the page is updated.sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-71687158417419250082013-08-17T15:47:00.001-07:002013-08-17T15:47:31.092-07:00Team iam1ru Ghana 2013The Internet has been 'patchy' here and it's been easier to update Facebook via iPhone (rather than this blog site). So, for trip updates please visit: www.facebook.com/iam1rusammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-55441820610197236712013-08-09T15:48:00.002-07:002013-08-09T15:48:53.381-07:00The hands that weave <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SazvKBY_3Co/UgVDJxG5EFI/AAAAAAAADfY/Jxfu462pTEw/s1600/372229853473137332_img_5891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SazvKBY_3Co/UgVDJxG5EFI/AAAAAAAADfY/Jxfu462pTEw/s200/372229853473137332_img_5891.jpg" width="200" /></a>Let me introduce Samuel. Samuel is 70 something years old and even though he has been affected by the dreaded disease of leprosy, he still has vision and passion to not let it break him. <br />
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Samuel and his friend spend countless hours sitting outside their one-room living space sharing many stories and, I would imagine, talking about life as it once was before the disease. <br />
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Whether good or bad they share their stories. And now, being cast into this village where there is no escape, he makes the best of what little life he has left.<br />
Samuel weaves coconut tree leaves together then turns his weaving into sun hats for young and old alike.<br />
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As I sit and talk to him, I am amazed to watch his hands work. They seem old and frail but work with an agility that can only come from HOPE. Samuel has such a great sense of humour. He's telling stories and jokes constantly as we sit there.<br />
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Watching him weave and sew gives Mike and I so much hope of being able to help this village with training skills. (Keep an eye out for future dreams on the website about skills training for this village). <br />
Then Samuel walks us from his friends' place to his humble abode where he gives us the privilege of buying two of his finished hats for only 3.50 cedis which is $1.91 Canadian. <br />
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Imagine what opportunities that we, as everyday philanthropists, have to help change the lives of so many hurting people in this village.<br />
As the team from Canada are preparing to come and host a party in the Leprosy Village, I ask that you would not think of it as just a party but truly as a way of giving hope to those who are not yet Samuel's age.<br />
<br />
Sherry<br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-27619345692315853292013-08-08T10:54:00.001-07:002013-08-09T15:50:01.344-07:00Keep going ladies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These ladies based in and around Petrolia, Ontario are making a huge difference in the lives of children and families in places like Guatemala and Kyrgyzstan. They are knitting and crocheting up a storm! PI will be taking blankets, baby hats, baby sweaters and more, with teams as we go. Ladies....I just want to say, "Well done! Keep up the great work. Everyday Philanthropy making a difference.sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-91584747433157323312013-07-24T11:57:00.001-07:002013-07-24T11:57:28.109-07:00The Simple Things Can Mean the Most <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We met with Rhoda from the AOH Children's Home last week after all the supplies for the renovation of the inside bathrooms were delivered to the home and she was so excited. And honestly I personally know what joy she truly feels*... :-) <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />Both bathrooms in the house were not functioning at all and the children were bathing outside and using little potties... <br />Firstly we had to call people to come and drain the septic tank. After this the real work began... It seemed like around every corner something else went wrong...<br /><br />Little by little the bathrooms are becoming like brand new.. Actually better than new! See the person that built the house didn't do a proper drainage for the toilets either,so now after much digging they have drains...<br /><br />Very shortly the children will now be able to go to the toilet and have a bath in the old bathroom that became new...<br />
<br />It's another exciting adventure.....<br />
<br />
Sherry & Mike <br />
<br />
(This was a dream on the website. A generous donor gave a donation toward AOH...and we only needed $224 more to finish this project - money well spent!!) <br />
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*<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Note: Sherry & Mike went nearly 2 years without a bathroom to call their own) </span>sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464318698668763791.post-66161754626821331192013-07-23T12:12:00.000-07:002013-07-23T12:23:08.871-07:00What it is all About! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I remember a few years ago, we had two young boys from the orphanage come to our house on a day out and for some reason that I don’t remember, we had an extra box of about 50 ice-cream cones at our house. We weren’t sure what we would do with them so we decided to get the boys to take them around our neighbourhood and give them to the kids around the block. <br />
<a name='more'></a>This little act of kindness was so amazing. The boys thrived on being able to give for once in their lives. The children that got the ice cream were in shock because some little boys with disabilities gave them ice cream for no apparent reason! Now this was about 3 years ago, but I still remember that shine, glowing from these two boys’ faces when they experienced the act of giving; the act of being a philanthropist! And you know, this has impacted me and the way that I work with dreams to this day. I love getting people that we have helped in the past to come and now help me, help others. For ones who have never been given the opportunity in life to help and for those who have never been given the opportunity to receive! So, recently on the Iam1ru dream site there was a simple dream to give out ice cream to the neighbourhood kids again, but this time we put a little twist to it... we stood in the middle of the busiest park on one of the hottest days with our three little helpers and 160 ice cream cones. They started giving them out and before long there was a multitude of children, children not only wanting ice cream but wanting to help give them out. We made a deal with the children... they had to find one other child to give an ice cream to before they could get one themselves. They just kept on coming and coming, 160 ice cream cones were not enough! So my father from Actofkindness went out and got 400 more ice cream cones and they were gone before long too. It was an amazing day and it was really an amazing testimony on how to be an everyday philanthropist... One ice cream cone, which is $0.08 gave a chance for a child to give and a chance for a child to receive!<br />
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<br />sammyweltenpihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13783084443402288123noreply@blogger.com0