Archive for the ‘Updates’ Category

Every child looks forward to Christmas morning. Even those living in extreme poverty. Like your children and grandchildren, the orphans and abandoned children at Victorious Faith Refuge Home, find it hard to go to sleep on Christmas Eve. The kind of Christmas morning they have depends on us…on a “Christmas Blessing” from Esther’s Hope.  That’s why, each year we take up a special “Christmas Blessing” offering.

Unless you’ve been there, it’s difficult to comprehend the unending struggle of life in the west African nation of Liberia. Unemployment and illiteracy top 80%. The lingering effects of past corrupt dictators and devastating civil war make Liberia a very somber place. And, yet, the children are hopeful.

The thirty children of Esther’s Hope are looking forward to Christmas. Our Christmas Blessing (above and beyond our normal, monthly support) enables Bishop Gombay to stock up on food staples, provide a special Christmas meal with extraordinary delicacies – like a little fruit and some candy. It might even mean new shoes or some needed item of clothing for the children and, if funds allow, Bishop Gombay likes to give a small gift to the caregivers, as well.

As you prepare for your own family’s Christmas celebration, please consider how you might be a blessing to the less fortunate in Liberia. The children have so little, they don’t expect much. The little we send brings them great joy. Just look at the photo from their Christmas celebration last year.  No expensive gifts, but plenty of smiles.

Even a few dollars makes a huge difference in the lives of these precious children. Your donation is tax-deductible and every penny we receive for the children’s Christmas Blessing goes to them. We never deduct “administrative costs” for any Esther’s Hope donations.

Donations can easily be made online by clicking the “Donate” button. You could also send a check by mail to Esther’s Hope, 219 State Street, Algoma, WI, 54201.

If you’d like to be a part of the Esther’s Hope Christmas Blessing, act quickly because funds will be transferred to Liberia around December 20th.

Please, help us spread the word and share this website with your friends.

If you’d like to be a blessing year round, an Esther’s Hope Child Sponsorship is only $30 a month. Check out our Sponsor A Child page. All contributions to Esther’s Hope are tax-deductible. Giving is very easy – simply click on our Donate button.

The children of Esther’s Hope and our friends and partners in Liberia could use your prayers.

I spoke with Bishop Andrew Gombay a week ago and he mentioned the atmosphere in Liberia was tense.  The Liberian voters will head to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday, November 8, 2011) to cast their ballots in the presidential runoff election.

Bishop Gombay told me there were several reported, election related incidents in the last few weeks. Today a bloody riot broke out in Monrovia at the headquarters of current President’s political rival.

Here’s a report I found on YouTube.

I’ve heard from Bishop Andrew Gombay, the founder and director of Victorious Faith Refuge Home – the home of Esther’s Hope.  I’m grateful for the contact because my recent efforts to reach Bishop Andrew by phone have been fruitless. I’m hoping the communication issues get cleared up soon. Email is what’s working at the moment, even though it can be difficult and costly for him to get time on the internet.

He has assured me that the children are doing well.  However, there are concerns that we ask you to pray about.

Here’s his latest message…

Dear Rev. Pevlor,

How is the work out there in Algoma? I strongly believe that the Lord is in control.

Well we are moving on here one step at a time by the grace of God. Only that we need your prayers as regards the forth coming election, which is few weeks away. There is so much tension looming in some corners. In fact, one of the presidential candidates, who was a former war-lord, warned that everyone should store up enough food in their houses till after the election. Please pray, as the scripture states that the Lord knows his own.

Another prayer point is for my health for I’m strong by the grace of God, for even if you call me on phone now you will hear the crack in my voice at the moment.

The Kids have started school, though without uniform and other necessaries. Plus there is a huge balance to clear up their school fees. All the same, praise the Lord that they are in school now.

Please extend my regards to your wife, Kids, the entire Victorious Faith Family and Esther’s Hope supporters in the USA.

Bishop Andrew

It would be tragic if the elections brought about renewed  fighting.  Liberia has barely begun to recover from the last civil war.

Please join us in prayer for peace and order for the nation and safety and good health for the children and caregivers of Esther’s Hope.  Please also pray for Bishop Andrews health and strength and for his family.

And finally, please pray about becoming an Esther’s Hope sponsor – either monthly or with occasional gifts as the Lord enables.

The cost of a monthly sponsorship is only $30. It’s so affordable, some families sponsor two children. See our Sponsor A Child page for details on child sponsorship.  This is one of the most rewarding experiences you and your family can participate in. It can be a valuable teaching opportunity for your own children.

Along with monthly sponsors, we also need education donors.  We still have tuition costs of $175 per year that still must be paid for some of the children.  (Thank you to those who have already helped in this area.)

If you find it in your heart and budget to help in a financial way, you can easily and safe to contribute to Esther’s Hope using your credit or debit card by clicking our Donate button.

If you have any questions about any aspect of Esther’s Hope, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The school year is about to begin for the children of Esther’s Hope.  Many of the children will be attending a different school this year, since Bishop Gombay is scaling back Victorious Faith Academy to only teach up to second grade.  (See the previous post for details.)

As Bishop Gombay made us aware of the need for the upcoming tuition expenses, I shared it with the church and Esther’s Hope friends and supporters.  Last week we were delighted to send more than $1300.  That included our normal monthly support and a considerable amount to help with the needed tuition.

It’s a wonderful start, but still short of the total needed so please join us as we continue to pray for God’s provision. If you know if someone who has a heart for children and understands the critical need for education, please share the Esther’s Hope story with them.  Donations can easily be made using the “Donate” button in the right hand column of our website.

Communication with Liberia has been a real challenge lately.  I’ve not been able to speak with Bishop Gombay by phone for weeks.  We have communicated by email and he mentioned something about the phone companies going through some sort of transition and that’s making communications unreliable.

After receiving our last financial transfer, Bishop Andrew Gombay sent this short email…

God bless you Rev. Pevlor,

I received the money you sent today in its full sum but I had a hard time e-mailing you till now.

By the grace of God, I will start the process, come Monday, of registering the Kids first and foremost. And the remaining funds needed, I commit to the able hands of God who is the Great Provider.  The money might be insufficient but our God is All sufficient.

Please extend our gratitude to all who contributed to the ongoing education of these Kids, though you are the second person, after God, who deserves our gratitude at this moment.

Again, I say thank you and God bless your family and the church.

Bishop Andrew

Thank you for your prayer support and generous financial gifts.  Remember, every penny we receive for Esther’s Hope is sent directly to Liberia for their care and education. In most cases, your donations are tax deductible. (Consult with your tax professional for details.)

I received email from Pastor Andrew Gombay, the founder of Victorious Faith Refuge Home in Monrovia, Liberia.  This is the home of Esther’s Hope children.

Each year we try to send funds, above and beyond our monthly support, just before Christmas.  Our desire is to bless the children and staff with small gifts and some treats for Christmas.  This year, with the help of many, we were able to send $1,200.

I’ve been waiting for word from Pastor Andrew on how the funds were used – hoping for a photo or two, as he usually sends after Christmas.  Unfortunately, Pastor Andrew has been having a great deal of difficulty obtaining an internet connection.  He’s actually been attempting to send me other email for the last couple of months. Today his efforts were successful.  The photos he attached were very small (a result of his internet problems).  I enlarged and enhanced them as best I could.

Here’s the email and photos I received….

A Christmas Party for Esther's Hope

Dear Rev. Pevlor,

Wow, how is the snow?

We bless the Lord for you, your family, and the supporters of the Victorious Faith Refuge Home, Liberia. We wish you all a blessed New Year.

I have an overdue Christmas card for you and the friends of VFRH. The net has not been helping out with photo attachments but it’s better late than never. I could not send the well designed card I intended because the net refused to attach the design, but that’s where we are at the moment.

Esther's Hope Christmas - 2010

As for the funds you sent me, I wisely decided to buy the children school shoes because the second semester starts next week. Also, I took part of the funds to make them happy on that day as you can see from the attached photos to this mail. Though they wore the shoes for the occasion, they will also serve them for the second semester.I’m glad we finally entered the new year happy and healthy.

Pastor Andrew

Thank you for your help and prayers.  We still need more monthly supporters.  An Esther’s Hope Child Sponsorship is only $30 a month.  100% of all we receive is sent to Liberia for the care of the children. (The church covers any administrative costs.)  Your gifts are tax-deductible and we make it very easy to give – simply click on our Donate button.

For my friends with Liberian connections… If you know of any inexpensive, reliable solutions to Pastor Andrew’s email difficulties, please drop me a line.