Special Agent Update #4 - Shannin in Kyrgyzstan

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. 
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.

Special Agent Update #5 - Ted & Jo in Mexico

Special Agent Skinny Santa:
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.

Special Agent Update #3 - Ted & Jo in Mexico

A Fairy Tale Of a Different Kind::
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,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.

Special Agent Update #2 - Ted & Jo in Mexico

The Three Amigos:
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.

Special Agent Update #1 - Ted & Jo in Mexico

Shop Shop Til You Drop
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 last year and they stole our hearts right away.

A Little Princess (3 Little Princesses)

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.

A word of thanks

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)

Becoming a Mother to the "Motherless"

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.

A moment forever etched in my heart

From our Dream Agent, Michelle Desaulniers:

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.

A Place at the Table

Posted by: Rick & Lisa Bursey, Mexico 

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.  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.  Those who know me know that politics and Rick don’t mix too well.  There was a whole lot of people schmoozing and kissing-up and making sure they were being seen by all the right people. 

Normally I can put up with this kind of thing and find something redeeming about the event… not this time… I was not happy.  This is Saturday morning after all!!

The hands that weave

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.

Keep going ladies!

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.

The Simple Things Can Mean the Most

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*... :-) 

What it is all About!

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.

Donation to "Power of Hope"

A few months back Vee and I were at a networking function representing PI.  While there, we had a wonderful conversation with Penny Jamieson who is the Director of an organization called "Power of Hope". 

A Tale of an Everyday Philanthropist!

Steve and Judy Blockeel are PI's agent in Guyana.  We have a child sponsorship/food hamper program that they oversee there.  While visiting this past January-April, both Steve and Judy were involved in a trade school directed by a local church there in Herstelling, Guyana.

Random acts of kindness on a rainy day in Kyrgyzstan

On rainy days like today, they have a Russian saying for " черный день" which means a dark day... but when you add a little hope into the day, life feels a lot brighter...and that is what happened for 20 students today.

Bringing Light to Darkness

From Bekah Wright, Dream Agent in Kyrgyzstan...
 I still think of the first time we visited the Men’s Home in Iskra.. What a dark place. Our friend Dan Referred to it as a glimpse of Hell. Now I was 14 years old when I went to it for the first time and I can honestly say that I didn't go back for about 6 months while my parents tried to help little by little with Larissa because I couldn't handle what I had seen and couldn't imagine ever going back. It wasn't just what I had seen but it was the smells and sounds that I heard that scared me.

Home again - Home again...an update from Ghana

Sometimes I feel a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz as I am walking in the streets here in Osu. I see signs and billboards that make me think I must be somewhere else!! I am sure I am not in Halifax but I wonder who has been, to come up with this name for their Pharmacy?

A Day out with the Men!

Today we took 16 men from the Men's home into Bishkek! They had a day on the town!