GLOBAL CONNECTIONSRethinking Humanitar ian Aid

Fall 2013

2 | Global Connections Update3 | Mississippi Team4 | Summer Projects5 | LCC Caregivers6 | Godparent Program7 | LCC Baby Home8 | Pat’s Feeding Program9 | Tigoni Scholarship Program10 | Reflections11 | Gift of Hope

In This Issue

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‘No one has ever become poor by giving. ‘ Anne Frank

Global Connections has a new look!

www.globalconnectionsonline.us

Global Connections Team

Jessica Reese — Linda Holden — Anna & Al Puckett Linda Mitchell — AB Puckett — Laura Schulenberg Rachel Thomas — Kate Brown — Katie McCrary

We hope this newsletter finds you doing well. At Global Connections, the past few months have been eventful

and rewarding. First, Global Connections has a new look! We hope you like it! Since we received non-profit status in January of 2007, we have had the opportunity to participate in projects around the world including Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Haiti, Domini-can Republic, Czech Republic and Ecuador. As time passes, so do people, organizations, websites and graphics; however, the values and passion that founded our organization remain the same: To serve and learn from the widowed, orphaned, poor and oppressed as well as providing an opportunity for West-erners to build relationships with the less fortunate. Since our inception, Global Connections has always maintained an inti-mate relationship with the Limuru Children’s Centre and Pat Dixson. These relationships will continue. Visit our new web-site – www.globalconnectionsonline.us. As always, an incredible team of volunteers here in the U.S. helps insure that 100% of all donations Global Connections re-ceives are given to the projects for which they are designated. Some funds are given for the direct purpose of printing news-

letters and buying stamps, but Global Connections does not keep a per-centage of general donations to help cover administra-tive costs. I want to especially thank Linda Mitchell, Jessica Huffman Reese and Katie Rose McCrary for

the tremendous amount of work they have done over the past few months to make this newsletter possible, create our new website and graphics, keep our Facebook page active and maintain our child sponsorship program. As you will see throughout the newsletter, a team of 20 people visited Kenya this summer. Thank you all for your willingness to go and serve, for the time you spent building relationships with our kids, buying them shoes, pouring concrete and the

countless other acts of kindness you provided to them and our other partners in Kenya. I also want to thank the Limuru Children’s Centre board and our other volunteers in Kenya. Our board in Kenya is chaired by Linda Richman who moved to Kenya twenty years ago from London, England. Without Linda Richman, Joe Dowd, Alan Dixson and our other board members in Kenya; the financial accountability, capital projects, and our work with children in Kenya would not be possible. I especially want to thank Ian Hedderly and the other financial partners in the United King-dom. Without their financial support our children would not have a new home to sleep in or security from the fence Ian has helped provide. In 2011, the United Nations estimated that there are 2,600,000 orphans in Kenya. 2.6 MILLION!!! in an area a lit-tle smaller than Texas! Tesni Anderson and her husband Sean moved to Kenya in 2005. They have established a successful logistics and travel agency that specializes in volunteerism. Tesni has always been a part of the Limuru Children’s Centre family, but in 2012 she partnered with the LCC to begin caring for abandoned babies. As you will see in the LCC Baby Home Update, there are currently 12 babies at the Centre. I want to thank Tesni for all she is doing to care for ‘the least of these’. If you are able, we would sincerely appreciate your help in pro-viding for them. Sincerely,

A.B. Puckett

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS UPDATE

A.B., Jessica and Dan Alan

Although all members of the original Mississippi Team were Missis-sippians, we are now a group of individuals without borders. We

are the Mississippi Team, and while the children at LCC understand that we are from different places all over the world, it makes it hard to change the name. This year, our team was made up of 20 individu-als from Hawaii, Texas and Mississippi and ranged in age from 16 to 70. All of who were very instrumental in many of our projects on the ground in Kenya. We truly had an awesome team, and it was spectac-ular to see what a group of diverse gifts and talents can accomplish when all working toward the same goal. As one team member said — ‘we did not hit the ground running – we hit the ground in a sprint’. This team truly worked! Our first weekend, we held the children’s annual birthday party complete with a large cake and gallon zip-lock bags stuffed to the brims with birthday presents for each child from their Godparents. The children were most excit-ed about receiving pictures and reading their letters! They are always anxious to hear from those they have grown to know and love, and our team certainly appreciates all of the love that you provide to them.

We, of course, spent as much time as possible rekindling relationships with the children and the staff at the LCC. We spent many hours playing with and loving on the children. We did everything from painting fin-gernails, playing football, crocheting, having bible stories and helping them with their chores, to simply having talks with the older girls and boys, singing with the guitar and having devotionals (and, of course, letting them play with our cameras). Several of our female trip-goers spent many an hour each day cooking the Kenyan way as they bonded with the staff while others helped paint colorful fun art on the walls of the new dorms to liven the new residence up. Another group of wom-

en made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a fun meal while some others were preparing for our first career day with the older children. Several ladies from the team also offered to prepare for a church service to be held at the centre on Sunday, as others spent the wak-ing hours of a small baby’s day just holding, rocking and loving them.

The men had their work cut out for themselves, too. They stayed busy building a large woodshed (for wood to cook with), installing new met-al post clotheslines, checking on the chicken farm, laying blocks and pouring a lot of concrete (the Kenyan way). They did an awesome job and slept well to boot!

We had our first staff appreciation dinner at Brackenhurst for 23 staff members and their spouses. They enjoyed white table cloths and a delicious meal, and while it was such a treat for them, it was an even bigger treat for us to watch them enjoy being appreciated. The staff members are so important to us and the children at the LCC, and while they remain underpaid and struggle to meet the needs of their own children, they continue to love and support the children at the orphan-age in ways that many of us would not be able to do otherwise. Hats off to each one of them as they do such an awesome and thankless job! We so appreciate everyone that gave items for the babies and chil-dren in Limuru. It was all put to good use! And thanks to everyone who helped raise money for all of our projects. You were truly a big part of this trip and the work we did.

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ROW 1 — Grace Cartwright — Eben Thomas — Louise Powers — Hannah Kimbrough — Betsy Reed — Cassie Sprouse — Katie McCrary ROW 2 — Lu McCrary — Linda Holden — Allegra Brigham — Al Puckett — Nancy Camp — Joann Forbus — Judy Coleman — Brenda Boyd — Margaret Ann Schmitt — Anna Puckett

“We are home now with the children of the Limuru Children’s Centre in our memory, I know that I will always regard Kenya

and its people with love and respect. Love because I have been privileged to witness the beauty of their souls. And respect be-cause I have never before seen people who love God and follow His commandment to care for others who cannot care of them-selves as the people of Kenya.” — Jo Anne Forbus

MISSISSIPPI TEAM TO KENYA — JULY 2013

House Mom — Jane Wambui

‘I cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters and to create many ripples.‘

Mother Teresa

SUMMER PROJECTS

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LIMURU CHILDRENS CENTRE, K-BRANCH (PRESCHOOL) AND LCC BABY HOME CENTRE:

Besides playing and working, we were able to take care of several of their phys-

ical needs. We brought school supplies, clothes and vitamins to the LCC for the year. We were able to give the children a chicken feast one night and team members quietly played Santa Claus and purchased items on the Centre’s wish list, when we saw ‘buckets for washing clothes’ on their wish list, it be-came apparent what we all take for granted. The team was able to purchase most of what was needed at the K-Branch (also left paint and money for labor to finish that request) and left 76 pairs of new school shoes and socks and a warm handmade toboggan for each child. We were also able to take care of many of the needs at the Baby Centre: medical supplies, bibs, cloth diapers, rub-ber pants and money for sheets and towels.

Most of these projects would not have been possible without the help of so many of you giving to the cause – Thank You!

On our last day we were able to leave a new rain jacket, backpack, school shoes, socks and underwear, handmade toboggan or ear warmers, and either a soccer ball or a small purse with fingernail polish for the children that live at the LCC or away at boarding school. While it is such great fun to see the children so happy with their gifts from Mississippi, the mood changes with the exchange of goodbyes. There are simply no words to explain this experience. Children and adults alike are all crying as we know it will be at least a year until we meet again. Even those of us who have been going for nine years and know what to expect cannot prepare for or control these emotions. We just know that we will be back again and pray that the Lord will watch over all of us while we are absent, one from the other.

FIELD TRIP!!!

By bus and boat ride we arrived at a walking safari for 50+ children. They had an awe-

some experience!! Then, we each had a bag lunch with 2 ham sandwiches and lots more (what a treat for a stomach that never gets any meat!). Needless to say, we had as much fun as they did just watching them have such an excit-ing day away from their compound.

PAT’S FEEDING PROGRAM:

Pat Dixson allowed us to help her distribute food to 400 elderly and single moms with

AIDS. What a morning it was as we all realized and remembered how truly blessed we are! Pat does an amazing job and is an inspiration to us all. We also carried supplies and visited a two-room, 60 student preschool that she is support-ing and The Body of Christ Orphanage.

LCC Boarders

Belinda—Grace—John—Mary Hannah—John—Anna—Simon George & Betsy

Eben —Patrick—Robert Christine—Ann—Margaret—Lucy

This is just one example of why we honored the care-givers with an appreciation dinner. They are living

an example of what the hands and feet of Jesus repre-sent. The servitude they feel toward these children is such a blessing. To have found such caring and gener-ous hearts is an answered prayer.

Read more:www.LimuruChildrensCentre.com

LCC CAREGIVERS

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LCC BUILDING UPDATE

The dorms are completed and the children love being in their new family style living quarters. The current building projects include

a new security fence around the property and a new roof over the kitchen and dining area. Much of the funding for this project has been provided by Ian Hedderly from England. Patrick will also be tearing out the old toilets at the front gate en-trance and will be replacing them with ‘Western’ toilets and wash-room for preschoolers, guests and staff. Funding for this project has been donated by a generous member of the 2013 Mississippi Team…THANK YOU!!. Lu McCrary and Al Puckett poured a new concrete pad in front of the main entrance of the LCC. They enjoyed involv-ing several of the older boys that grew up in the orphanage in the forming, pouring, and mixing of the concrete. We were also able to challenge the boys by implementing their math skills and showing them each step of the process from start to finish. Forming a relationship with the boys through teaching them a skill was priceless. We appreciated their willingness to learn and their attention to detail on the task at hand.

Back: Eunice—Jane—Marion—Monica—Julia—HezronFront: Sarah—TesniNot in picture: John—Esther—Anna

LCC STATS

Gladys and Allegra

Hannah—Simon—JessicaJohn and Anna

Becky—Louise—Joyce

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GODPARENT PROGRAM

The Godparent Program at the Lim-uru Children’s Centre is better than

ever—we now have 32 full time boarders and ALL 32 are now fully sponsored with Godparents! There are an additional 15 children (usually ones who have gotten older) who live part time at the LCC and attend boarding school away or are living at home but still are supported by God-parents through Global Connections!

The Mississippi Team visited the LCC in Kenya again this summer for about 4 weeks spending much of their time con-centrating on the children at the Centre. Shortly after they arrived they gathered all the children and held the annual birth-day party—enjoying birthday cake and a zip lock bag full of gifts from each of their Godparents! You just don’t know how much these gifts mean to the children—

they all appreciate any and everything the Godparents do for them.

The children were also thrilled to read the letters and see the pictures their Godpar-ents sent just for them! It is so exciting to see the love and happiness on these children’s faces as they read these special letters from their special Godparents!

During one of the many visits from the Mississippi Team someone sat down with each child to talk about each of their God-parents—explaining their relationship and looking at their pictures and those of their family and who each one is and how they are related.

— Linda Mitchell Godparent Program Coordinator

Those of us who are fortunate enough to visit the LCC during our summer

months get to take part in handing out presents to the children from their God-parents. In some cases Godparents have more than one Godchild. For examples, Anna has Belinda and John. On the day the gifts were passed out Anna had mis-placed her gift for John but Little Belinda was delighted to receive her sweet baby doll. John was content to know his gift was coming.

A week later, Belinda came in from school to find John wearing his Godparent gift - new roller skates. Anna was patiently

teaching him to skate in the common area. I watched as Belinda began to cry and seek comfort for her bout with jeal-ousy. Mum Jennifer turned to Belinda, bent down and began speaking in a calm voice explaining to Belinda that what she was feeling was jealousy. She reminded Belinda she received a doll and what if John had been jealous of her gift? Then she explained jealousy was an emotion of Satan. Mum Jennifer looked at Belin-da and asked, “Are you a child of God or of Satan?” Belinda wailed and respond-ed, “A childdddddddd of Godddddd.”

— Louise Powers

“ The Lord has truly blessed each of your children with your love, concern, prayers and hope for each

one of them! I think we all saw the evidence of how much they love and treasure our attention and oh how they need to have some unconditional love in their lives!!! Thanks to all of you for making such a commitment to the Godparent Program of the LCC—you won’t be sorry!” — Linda Holden

“ I just want to say thank you for spending your time with us and even coming here because of us. The main reason for writing this letter is to say that you have

a helping heart—all of you. When I see you I always see my parents and some of my sisters and brothers. I love every one of you be-cause you always take care of each and every one of us. I love you all and even my fellow children at the Centre. I love you all and I always feel shy and I can’t stand in front of all those eyes. But I know I will stop being shy.” — Love, Joyce Selina from LCC

TO ALL THE MISSISSIPPI TEAM AND GODPARENTS OF THE CHILDREN OF THE LCC

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The last few months have been packed with much excitement and joy, but also many tears

and sadness...

We were blessed to get our 13th baby in June, who was abandoned in a plot of land shortly af-ter being born. She was found naked and crying with an uncut umbilical cord. This little angel is a miracle baby as she survived such a traumatic start to her life — God must have a special plan for her. She is doing very well now and is grow-ing and developing normally. She has been a joy to welcome to our home.

Over the last few weeks we have also had to say good bye to some of our very precious babies as they were united with their ‘forever family’. As wonderful as it has been to see families made, it has been hard on our hearts letting them go after having cared for them for almost a year.

But God is good and comforts us through these times. We are so thankful for the amazing fam-ilies He has provided for our babies. All our babies have been locally adopted but we have two international adoptions coming up in Sep-tember.

The rest of the babies are doing beautifully and are making great progress developmentally. It is such a joy to see them growing into healthy and secure little people and we are so grateful to God for bringing them into our care and equip-ping us to love and nurture them.

Our two special needs babies are doing well. Our little sweetheart with spina bifida was admitted to hospital for a week with several infections and it is great to have him home and to see him smile and laugh again. He is making progress in his growth and development, although it is slow, he

is a different baby than when he first came to us. Our little one who is HIV positive is also doing great. He is putting on weight and filling out and is full of smiles. We continue to pray for them, especially for God to touch their bodies and to provide them with a loving family.

We are now down to 10 babies (which is officially our maximum – we only have 10 cots), but I can see the staff (and myself) are itching to start tak-ing in more babies that have been abandoned and that need a loving and caring home. We are praying for God to provide what we need to do so. We are hoping to get 5 more cots made soon, so that we will be able to take up to 15 babies, which will also mean hiring more staff. God has been so faithful and we are so thankful for how He has provided for ALL of our needs.

LCC BABY HOME

BOYS ON BIKES FOR BABIES

By the time of this newsletter we will have held the big fundraiser on September 20

with three courageous men who undertook the Rift Valley Odyssey Mountain Bike Race to raise funds for the babies. It was a 3 day race, covering 240km with a 5000m ascent, on unprepared tracks – which were mostly donkey trails. Visit riftvalleyodyssey.com for more information.

You can support them through www.globalcon-nectionsonline.us - click on Donate Now and al-locate to LCC Baby Home.

You can also find out more on our Facebook page: facebook.com/BoysOnBikesForBabies.

We are also praying for friends and supporters of the Baby Home to ‘Adopt-a-Cot’ or become a Godparent of one of our babies.

For more information on Adopt-a-Cot please

contact Anna Puckett annapuckett@gmail.com. Thank you for your prayers, love and support. We couldn’t do it without you! Sincerely, Tesni Anderson

Noah and Tesni House Mom Julia and Jabali

“ The Baby Centre is so dear to my heart. Holding beautiful little Ethan

who is much smaller than his age brings tears to my eyes. Infected by AIDS at birth, Ethan certainly has an uphill battle for survival. Hopefully a compassionate person will adopt him.” — Jo Anne ForbusWe are one world, and these children are our children.

Each of us can make a difference in their destiny. ‘ - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

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A life not lived for others is not a life.‘‘ Mother Teresa

Aside from running the feeding program for 400 elderly and advanced AIDS patients, Pat Dixson provides three

preschools with varying levels of support. In the future, the Global Connections Mississippi Team wants to partner with her by spending some of their time encouraging the staff and children of Hope School. Hope School provides preschool for 65 eager students, ages 3 - 11, in two small classrooms on a 30 by 30 plot. Francis Ageve, the wonderful night guard at the LCC, has been volunteering and supporting this small school for years - just as he did at the LCC for years before that. We are so thankful for the dedication of the people of Kenya and the Mississippi Team who faithfully endeavor to bring hope to the children of the Limuru area.

HOPE SCHOOL

PAT’S FEEDING PROGRAM

Meeting Pat Dixon was one of the highlights of my trip. Realizing the total reach of ‘Pat

Dixon’ was overwhelming. Pat is a common thread in many successful humanitarian aid programs in Limuru. She is one amazing lady. She currently feeds at least 400 people which include approximately 70 HIV positive patients.

Her other projects include: 4 preschools— The

Body of Christ, Hope School, St Joseph and Limuru Children’s Centre. She also commits her-self to 6 staff salaries plus food: maize, beans, vegetables and cooking fat. She also supports 3 teachers at Hope School plus their rent. She is also involved in St. Joseph School, the LCC, and has implemented bowling training for children at the LCC with the Kenya Bowling Champi-on every Sunday. She is also very active in the Cheshire Girls Home for the disabled.

Spending time with Pat was a true gift. When I think, “I don’t have time, or money, or energy..” I think of Pat. She is such a relational being. Sup-ply Pat with a need and she will find a way. Pat is a true ‘ask and you shall receive’ type of lady. She has an amazing talent for creatively providing funding while building a relationship between the need and the funder. I’ve never met such a driven woman. She has a true heart for Kenya and the people there. Pat sees a school and chil-dren that are in need and she fills it. There is no question of how or when, she just does. She is a powerful motivator. I sat in Pat’s living room drinking tea and thinking...whatever Pat is sell-ing, I want some. What a powerful advocate she is for Kenya!

But, deep down I was envious of Pat. She will tell you her life is divided into twenties...First she was a safari guide for twenty years. Then she ran a Kenyan farm with her husband for twenty years. And now, she is an amazing advocate for the elderly, the HIV positive and the children of Kenya. I dare say this woman has more success-ful humanitarian aid in her pinky finger than we have ever dreamt of. She is a bit of a bulldog, but in a diplomatic way. Pat is 80 years old. Archiving her story was of the utmost importance to me. Sharing her success was equally as important. I think Pat’s message resonates in my head over and over. Whether it be for my everyday life or my motives for Kenya... don’t think—just do...get up and do! When one door closes...open anoth-er until the need is filled. I am so thankful for Pat and her desire to provide for the needs that ex-ist. I am in hopes that I could be more like her... I hope that I learn to just do and learn to always be softened by needs as Pat is. May we all have the drive of Pat, even into our eighties!

— Katie McCrary

“Mrs. Pat! There are no words to de-scribe her, a stately woman who gets

down and dirty. Strong but physically fragile from age but has the spirit of a young woman who was brought up in Africa in the 1930’s. Her heart is so big it shames me.” — Judy Coleman

Katie and Pat

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It always seems impossible until it‘is done. - Nelson Mandela

Global Connections is estimating that the LCC will need funding for approxi-

mately 30 children attending High School next year. Sponsors are greatly needed and the cost of one year’s educational fee is $750 - $1,200 per child (depending on which boarding school they attend). While the average income in Kenya is $1-$2 per day and the per capita income averages $360 US dollars per year.

Global Connections has 17 secondary school scholars, including two poly tech-nical students. There are 7 LCC family boarders in secondary boarding school, two poly technical students being sent to school by their Godparents and two pri-mary school students being sent to school by their Godparents. LCC/GC Scholarship Program was approximately $15,000 this year and we do have new scholars

each year, so the cost is ever growing. Education is the best means to help these orphaned and at risk children become self-supporting.

Kenya has an 8-4-4 Education System — 8 years primary, 4 years secondary and 4 years of university education. Progression through the system is through selection on the basis of performance in the Nation-al Examinations.

40% of Kenya’s population is underage and a large share of it is below 15 (one of the reasons completion is so difficult). Only 24% of Kenyan children attend even one year of secondary school and approxi-mately 2% attend higher education insti-tutions. Thank you to all who have given in the name of education. Please continue to support these children to fight against these statistics.

This summer we got to spend

some time with Anne. She is one of the 4 children who were being fed in the dirt floor facility in Misri Village that later became the LCC. Her story is inspiring. Anne is 19 years old, a freshman in high school.

She could not afford to start school at the appropriate time. Patrick and the staff of LCC worked diligently with Anne and she was very motivated. She worked her way to the top of her class quickly and stayed there throughout primary school. As she considered the possibility of high school it was her dream to go to one of the best boarding schools she could imagine. Of course, fees were another issue altogether.

One day, Anne came to Patrick and said, “I want to go to high school—can you help me?” He told her he didn’t have funds for high school for day students and that the school she wanted to go to would not offer a place to any but the highest achievers on the all important 8th grade national exam. Anne had not gone to a great school and while she was exceptional in her class she had not received the teaching needed to succeed in such a school. Patrick felt there was no way she could get this offer. She left his office.

About a week later Anne went back to Patrick with her offer of acceptance in hand. She had gone to the school headmaster and pled her case. She convinced them she was worth a shot and she also convinced Patrick. Anne was one of the children beginning high school because of your generosity in our Janu-ary fund drive for the Tigoni Scholarship Fund.

Anne begins her day at 4am with fetching water for her bath and ends the day after 10 hours of class and another two hours of chores and studies. On Sunday they get to go to church and have about a half day of free time before they are back to work in study hall and preparing for the week.

Anne is an exceptional person; disciplined and hungry to suc-ceed. She plans to be a lawyer - but realizing how difficult it will be to afford a college education she has chosen a technical field as an alternative. But make no mistake. She will not give up on her dreams.

TIGONI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Lydia and Cassie trying on new shoes

SHOELESS IN KENYA

Shoeless in Kenya is an ongoing fundraiser to raise money to put

shoes on the feet of our Kenyan chil-dren. We estimate that children in Limuru walk as much as 3 miles to school each way every day. This year we purchased more than 111 pairs of quality school shoes and socks for chil-dren ages 4 -19. It is said that shoes are a Kenyan’s most prized possession. Thank you for continuing to support this important project.

Poly Technical Scholars:Geoffrey—Francis—Daniel

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‘You help the poor, you are lending to the Lord ‘ and He will repay you.‘ Proverbs 19:17

Our first full day in Limuru is hard to put into words for many reasons. One be-

ing that I experienced something that I can only merely try to explain. We loaded up late morning and headed into town to grocery shop for necessities that could not travel over with us. The town of Limuru is one word, pov-erty. With children running down the street alone and mere metal coverings for homes, I was seeing things you only hear about on TV and read about in books.

After we shopped and returned to our lodg-ing the team split into two groups. One group would go to the Limuru Children’s Centre and the other would go to the Baby Home. I was lucky enough to be chosen for the Baby Home. I didn’t know what to expect but I knew beautiful babies awaited me! A short 5 minute drive on bumpy roads and children running home from school, we made it to the gate where we would beep the horn to be let in. When we drove up I saw one building. One building that houses 12 babies ranging from one month to almost two years old.

Tesni, the lady who runs the Baby Home, was outside with another lady when we arrived. Another worker was holding a child who looked to be around a year and half old. He had most beautiful big brown eyes and the chubbiest cheeks I’ve ever seen. I immedi-ately asked the worker to hold him not know-ing his name or anything about him. The worker willingly handed him to me and from that moment on, I was in love. He was very shy and didn’t talk and wouldn’t smile. I car-ried him inside and sat down with him in my lap. I thought maybe he would want down so I sat him beside me. As soon as he realized what I was doing he climbed right back in my lap. The baby who wouldn’t talk or smile had stolen my heart. His name is Ben, he’s

one year and 10 months and has been at the orphanage most of his life. He doesn’t talk but he can tell you a million things through his eyes and the most breathe taking smile I’ve ever seen. As I sat and held him I fought tears thinking why? Why Ben? Why would someone choose to give him up? Why would he have to live with being abandoned? Why does he have to grow up never knowing a mother’s love?

Eventually, Ben warmed up and we began to explore the small room that was the dining hall, toy room and office for the workers. He gravitated to a small riding toy but would not get on it unless I was within reach. We played and laughed and played some more. I knew this was a short day and I wouldn’t have long so I soaked up every second I had with Ben. When it came closer to time to leave it also was supper time for the kids. I had the privi-lege of feeding him that night and watching as he patiently waited for the next bite never whining or getting upset if I didn’t go fast enough. Reluctantly, I had to tell him bye and fought tears the whole time as he followed me to the door.

That same day a friend had written me a let-ter to read and when I opened it later that night it was about love. How perfect for that day. I had seen love in a new way. Love that was not words, but touch and through eye contact. Love that day was not a new toy, love was being held for 3 hours when he probably hasn’t been held in 3 days. That day I felt love from a child I’d never met before and can only sit up at night and think about.

— Betsy Reed

REFLECTIONS

Ben

p11 | Fall 2013

We aren’t sure how you feel, but we’ve realized the excess of the Christmas shopping season has overwhelmed us. Having awakened our senses to

the needs in Kenya, the aftermath of the gift explosion has caused us to yearn for a new type of gift...

The Gift of Hope. This year we are offering a new type of gift for your family, friends, customers and employees. We are offering the op-portunity for you to gift a year of education to a child from the Limuru Children’s Centre. We are offering the chance for you to share in providing hope in that child’s life. To be able to give a gift like that, a gift that can change the future....that is a gift worth receiving. We can think of no better joy than the joy felt when opening a gift of that caliber.

Let’s get outside the box. Let’s quit shopping so hard for the perfect ‘thing’ to check off our Christmas list. Why don’t we stop filling our homes with things and start filling the future of these children with hope?

If you are interested in gifting hope this year, please complete the order form with your preferences. We’ll complete a per-fect note of recognition and mail it to you for hand delivery or we’ll mail it directly to your recipient. This is a gift that will

fill both your hearts with joy; the best gift ever...H O P E !

Gifts that change the future$25 donation – gives a gift of feeding an elderly person or

single mother with HIV/AIDS for two weeks through Pat’s Feeding Program

$50 donation – gives a gift to the Tigoni Scholarship Program for educating at risk children of Kenya

$75 donation – gives the gift of sponsoring a primary school day student (lunch included) for one year

$100 donation – gives the gift of sponsoring a cot at the LCC Baby Home for one month (food, clothing and provid-ing medical expenses)

$200 donation – gives the gift of sponsoring a class 6,7,8 (middle school) student with lunch included for one year

$750 donation – gives the gift of sponsoring a high school student (lunch included) for one year

$1,200 donation – gives the gift of sponsoring an orphan for one year (food, clothing, shelter and education)

GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE

Please send your order no later than December 7 to: Global ConnectionsPO Box 9630Columbus, MS 39705Fax: 662.327.4676Email: info@globalconnectionsonline.org

Order Form

Name:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Telephone number and email address:

Name as I/we would like it to appear on card:

Total Number of Gifts of Hope purchased

Amount Enclosed – check/cash

Amount by credit card

Card #: Exp. Date:

Name of Card Holder:

Billing Address: MC AMEX VISA Discover

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Global Connec t ions

PO Box 9630Columbus, MS 39705

GLOBAL CONNECTIONSRethink ing Humani tar ian Aid

Global Connections has a new look!

www.globalconnectionsonline.us

I n f o @ G l o b a l C o n n e c t i o n s O n l i n e . o r gw w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m /g l o b a l c o n n e c t i o n s . o r g

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To ensure that your Gifts of Hope are delivered to the honoree on time, please print legibly the name and address of each of your hon-orees, using additional sheets if necessary.

In Honor of Gift Preference/Cost

Address Mail to you

City, State, Zip Mail to recipient

In Honor of Gift Preference/Cost

Address Mail to you

City, State, Zip Mail to recipient

In Honor of Gift Preference/Cost

Address Mail to you

City, State, Zip Mail to recipient

NONPROFIT ORGU . S . P O S T A G E

PA I DColumbus, MSPermit #43