(be in on it): GO

There are approximately 8,871 miles between Denver, Colorado and Nairobi, Kenya. Yet when the wheels of our plane touched down in Africa for the first time on in December, 2011, we didn’t feel like we were on the other side of the world. We felt like we were home.

Throughout our Visiting Orphans trip to Kenya and Uganda, God took us on a journey of amazing highs and difficult lows. We heard the heart-breaking stories of children who had been left on doorsteps, orphaned after losing both parents to AIDS, or turned into a children’s prison because their parents knew they would at least be fed there – an impossibility at home.

We met a 6-year-old boy whose only possessions were his one, ragged t-shirt and his little, plastic, spinning top. We met a 10-year-old girl who took care of her three siblings because her mother was too sick to do so herself. We met an 8-year-old girl who was convinced her mother was coming back to get her from the orphanage soon, even though it had been over a year since she had seen her.

Yet despite the pain we encountered, we saw far more joy during our time in Africa. Joy in the form of a 14-year-old orphan boldly preaching the Gospel. Joy in the form of 6-year-olds helping to feed 3-year-olds. Joy in the form of 50 children gladly sharing 1 soccer ball and destitute women who were more thankful to receive a donation of Bibles than money or food. 

Each and every day, we saw God using our 24-person Visiting Orphans team to touch lives in amazing ways. By the time we left Uganda to return to the U.S., we had donated hundreds of pounds of food, dozens of Bibles, countless school supplies and soccer balls, and thousands of dollars raised by our team to children and ministries in need.

But while all of these donations were important, what we all came to realize was that the only truly valuable thing we had to offer these children and people was Jesus Christ. When the truth and love of Christ is offered to a broken world, the hopeless find hope, the homeless find a home and the orphan finds a Father. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”

Visiting Orphans provides an incredible opportunity to do just that. We would encourage anyone who seeks to share the love of Christ with a broken world to consider taking a step of faith to "go." God will use you in powerful ways... and your life will never be the same! 

- Jeff and Becca Dillon 

For more information on how you can "go" on a trip through Visiting Orphans, click here. 

 

Touching the Heart of God

As I was basking before the Lord this morning, watching my children sleep peacefully... I thought to myself... Lord I am so unworthy to be caring for your children. Thank you for living in me and allowing me to be YOU to these children. 

Can you imagine what God sees on a daily basis? All the young girls being sold into slavery, the children who are murdered in their mother's womb. The children who die daily due to starvation. The children who will die today because they were abandoned and no one found them. Can you imagine the tears God must of cried when he saw the orphan jewish children being murdered in the concentration camps? I wonder what God's heart feels for the starving orphans in Syria and all over the world who many of us can't even get to, due to massacres and war. Can you imagine what the heart of God must be like...he knows all his children's stories. 

May we all touch the heart of GOD today...and awaken ourselves for what HIS heart feels for his children. May we be so intimate with Jesus that we feel his heart beat for them... may our hearts be burdened to pray for the ones who are without a family today. 

Dear God, I specifically pray for all the million's of orphans out there in this world. May we feel your heart beating for them. May we catch your tears and cry with you for your hurting abandoned children. May we be the father to the fatherless. Let our hearts break for the things that break your heart. Take our hearts that are burdened deeply for the vulnerable and pour us out. May our hearts be so burdened that we are moved to action. May we rise up and defend the unwanted, the ones who are weak, the ones who have no voice. May we lay down our lives for the least of these. Wrap your blanket of grace around the cold forgotten children of this world. May your spirit fill the bellies of those children who are without food. May your arms embrace those who are without a family today. Catch your children's tears. Heal their bodies. They may not even know who you are Oh God, but meet them where they are at. Breathe life into their very being. Holy Spirit sweep in like a cool breeze and reassure their hearts. May the body of Christ be awakened to hear your heart for these children who you have numbered. May we be moved to action.

- Heather Elyse

(be in on it): SPONSOR

One of the ways His Little Feet encourages you to impact the lives of orphans around the world is to consider sponsoring through Compassion International. 

When you sponsor a child, their life is transformed in an amazing way. Through the sponsorship, the child is provided with food, clean water, medical care and more. And most of all, sponsoring through Compassion gives that child the opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ.

Below is a powerful story of how lives were changed through child sponsorship.

"Return to Sender"
By Janet Root | Photos by Chuck Bigger

For more than 20 years, Wolly Towoliu prayed for a miracle — to reconnect with Bob and JoAnne Cottone, his former sponsors in the United States, and give them a thank-you letter returned to him in 1989, unopened. When Compassion photographer Chuck Bigger met Wolly in Indonesia recently, the miracle was set in motion. Chuck hand-delivered Wolly’s letter to the Cottones and reunited them on Skype, an Internet communications program.

“I was in shock!” says JoAnne Cottone, recalling the day last spring when she and her husband, Bob, received a phone call from Compassion. Chuck Bigger had just interviewed their first sponsored child, Wolly Towoliu, whom they hadn’t heard from since the Compassion-assisted child development center he attended closed in 1983.

Now a successful businessman and happily married father of two, 42-year-old Wolly tears up when describing how the Cottones changed his life. “I got one letter every month from them,” he says. “They asked me to study hard, obey my mother, and never give up. And they told me to keep my faith in Jesus.” One letter that Wolly says he will never forget helped him keep hope during difficult times in his life. It said, “Wolly, please do not lose your hope for your future; please be faithful and pray to the Lord, because one day God will open the door for you and you will reach your dream.”

Returned Letter, Warm Reminder

 
Wolly showed Chuck a carefully folded thank-you letter for the family that he had mailed to Compassion’s former Chicago headquarters in 1989. Because the organization had moved its offices to Colorado, it came back to him stamped, “Return to Sender.”

Although disappointed, Wolly saved the letter as a reminder of the many “returns” he’d received from his sponsorship. Wolly’s prayer for 20 years was that one day he would be able to tell Bob and JoAnne in person how much their sponsorship meant to him.

Fond Memories

 
When Wolly’s center closed in the early ’80s due to violence in Indonesia, “It was devastating,” JoAnne says. “It felt like we’d lost one of our boys.” The Cottones still fondly remember Wolly’s engaging letters. “We always wondered what had happened to Wolly and had often thought of him,” Bob says. Both soon learned just how much Wolly had thought of them, too.

Virtual Reunion

On April 10, 2009, Good Friday, Wolly and the Cottones experienced their own Easter miracle. Chuck Bigger delivered Wolly’s thank-you letter to them. He also helped set up a reunion via Skype. From their kitchen in Raleigh, N.C., Bob and JoAnne spoke with Wolly in Indonesia through a Compassion translator. Wolly’s wife, Ike Ingkiriwang, son, Winston, 9, and daughter, Kezia, 7, also were there. For more than an hour the families laughed and cried together. Wolly expressed his deep gratitude to the Cottone family. He also told them of God’s faithfulness over the years.

God’s Faithfulness

After his Compassion center closed, Wolly’s widowed mother found work as a seamstress, helping to pay for her only child’s high school, and later, his law school tuition. When she died in 1996, the young lawyer returned from Jakarta to the family home in Manado, began his own business, and met his future wife.Today Wolly runs a thriving agribusiness, which has more than 30 employees and sells 30,000 chicken eggs a week to local shops. He also owns a prosperous coconut oil production plant.

But more important, Wolly says, “I have a fear of the Lord, and I am bringing up my children to attend church.” He credits the Cottones’ letters for his remaining steadfast in his faith.

Wolly’s remarkable story, JoAnne says, underscores what she’s always believed: “The Lord has confirmed how great He is. Even though we were concerned, He was taking care of Wolly. The Lord was with him. We’re just little link in the chain … all of this, God has done.”

As God continues to work miracles in the lives of Wolly and the Cottones, “Lord willing,” JoAnne says, “we hope to visit Wolly and his family in Indonesia next year.”

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International. Click here to change a child's life today. And if you already sponsor a child through Compassion International, join us by being a voice for the voiceless,and send this blog link onto a friend or family member, inviting them to sponsor a child today!

(be in on it): GIVE

As the His Little Feet Children's Choir travels the US, we invite people nationwide to join us on the (be in on it) campaign.

By taking a step to GIVE, SPONSOR, GO or ADOPT, anyone can make a practical and life-changing impact on a child in need around the world.

When you choose to give to His Little Feet, you are supporting the ministry's efforts to help, love and train orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide.

Each year, His Little Feet brings children from all over the world to participate in the His Little Feet International Children's Choir. The choir travels the U.S., serving as the voice for millions of voiceless children.

In 2011-2012, His Little Feet Children's Choir visited over 75 churches, sharing with over 40,000 people.

The choir participants don't just perform, they lead others in worship of our great God. They also take part in the His Little Feet Life Training Academy. The children receive training in academics (English, Mathematics, Language Arts and Physical Education), performing arts (Music, Choreography and Drama) and life skills (Leadership Development, Team Building and Social Skills). His Little Feet's Life Training Academy provides a holistic approach over a short season of time, providing the children with experiences that change their lives forever.

Most importantly, His Little Feet choir children have the opportunity to hear and learn more about Jesus. Through daily discipleship and mentoring, each of these kids grows to have a deep understanding of God's love for them and His work in their lives.

But when you give to His Little Feet, you're not only supporting the work of the current choir. In fact, every gift to His Little Feet creates ripples in the water that can impact children millions of miles away and choirs who will come years down the road.

For example, during the 2011-2012 tour, those in attendance at His Little Feet concerts sponsored more than 1,000 children in over 20 countries worldwide.

If you currently support His Little Feet financially, thank you for partnering with us in this important way. We truly could not have the impact we do without your help!

And if you would like to give to His Little Feet, you can make a one-time donation or set up recurring monthly donations at www.hislittlefeet.org.

Walking With a Purpose

Exercise is a good thing. The Bible says our bodies are a "temple of the Holy Spirit," (1 Corinthians 6:19), and when we take care of it, we honor and glorify the Creator.

But God wants us to exercise our faith, too. As 1 Timothy 4:8 says, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

In other words, walking around your local park is great for your earthly body, but walking in step with the Holy Spirit and God's commands has eternal value. 

His Little Feet invites you to do a little bit of both, as we present the fourth annual Step Up! 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, August 18th at Boardwalk Community Park in Windsor, Colorado. This event, hosted by Ellerslie, will benefit His Little Feet in preparation of the upcoming 2012-2013 international children’s choir tour. 

You can take part by running or walking the beautiful course, with spectacular views of Windsor Lake and the Front Range. And if you live out of state or can't make it to the event, you can sponsor a walker/runner instead. 

It’s easy to get involved! Follow this link to register to run/walk online. Or, if you'd like to sponsor a walker/runner and help us reach our fundraising goal, please contact us at info@hislittlefeet.org. 

During the 2011-2012 "Reaching For You" Tour, His Little Feet Children's Choir performed at over 75 churches nationwide. Through God's provisions, thousands of children around the world were impacted, and our goals are even higher for the coming year!

Beginning this fall, His Little Feet will again be touring nationally, serving as the voice for voiceless children around the world. Praise God for the work He is doing and continues to do. 

Now is your opportunity to partner with His Little Feet and Ellerslie in reaching out to some of the millions of orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide – and have fun while doing it! Go ahead, get a little heart and soul exercise this week along with His Little Feet!

Details: His Little Feet Step Up! 5K Saturday, August 18th, 2012, 9:00 a.m., Boardwalk Community Park at Windsor Lake, 100 North 5th Street Windsor, CO 80550. For more information on the 2011 His Little Feet Step Up! Run/Walk Fundraiser, visit www.hislittlefeet.org, email info@hislittlefeet.org or call 866-252-3988.

Receiving Jesus

Below is an excerpt from Dr. K.P. Yohannan's latest book, "No Longer a Slumdog." Dr. Yohannan is the founder and international director of Gospel for Asia.

"In Mark 9:37 (NKJV), Jesus said "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me." What does His statement mean to us?

Imagine that you have worked all day and are finally sitting down to dinner with your family. Suddenly, you hear a knock on the door. You aren't expecting anyone, so you look through the peephole thinking you will maybe see a salesman or someone who wants to mow your law. Instead, you see the King of the universe. 

You would break down your front door to welcome Him in!

But what if you see a starving child, half-naked, with more holes than cloth in the rags she is wearing? Her hair is unkempt and filled with lice; her face is covered with dirt and sweat. Would you break down your door to welcome her in?

Jesus tells us that anyone who embraces little children, who loves them and who gives them dignity and value in His name is actually doing these same things for Jesus Himself (see Matthew 18:5). But there's more to it than that. Jesus is so happy with anyone who cares for children in His name, that He will come and be with them in a special way. He tell us further in Mark 9:37 that we receive not only the Son, but God the Father also. So there is a special blessing for those who share the heart of the Eternal for His children." ("No Longer a Slumdog," pages 67-68)

To respond to the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide, we encourage you to visit www.hislittlefeet.org to find out how you can "be in on it."

With Outstretched Arms

His Little Feet children's choir spent Father's Day sharing in fellowship with two northern Colorado churches.

During the Sunday morning service at First Assembly of God in Greeley, a young boy approached Christa Hahn - one of the Founders and Directors of His Little Feet. You could tell by the sheepish grin on his face that he had a special surprise awaiting her.

When he reached Christa he held out his hands. Within his palms was a handful of change - quarters, dimes and nickels - which he handed to Christa joyfully.

This donation was a gentle reminder that God uses each of us exactly where we are in order to bring His light and love to a broken world. This little boy happily handed over what was likely the majority (if not all) of the money he owned. And he did so with a joyful heart!

In Luke 21, the Bible tells us of the widow who placed two small, copper coins in an offering at the temple. While the rich members of the church put large gifts in before and after her, Jesus tells his disciples that this woman's gift was greater, because she gave "all she had." (Luke 21:4, NIV)

Jesus doesn't ask for just a little bit of us. He doesn't ask for all of us half of the time. He asks for ALL of us ALL of the time.

And if you feel like you don't have anything of worth to offer, just remember that Jesus used five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21). Don't be afraid, God will take whatever you give and multiply it exponentially!

One small gift, just like that of the little boy on Sunday, can truly change the life of a child in need. Your support of His Little Feet's work during the 2011-2012 Tour has resulted in thousands of children being impacted in Jesus' name around the world.

Our prayer is that God continues to teach us to give like that young boy on Sunday morning - generously, with outstretched arms and a smile on our faces.

Ice Skating & the Zamboni

After nine months of being here in the States, today the children and staff went ice skating for the first time. They all bundled up with warm clothes, did their best balancing on the skates and skated across the ice as best as they could. The His Little Feet choir happened to be some of the only skaters on the ice, so the rink manager played the His Little Feet CD all throughout the session. It was precious watching the children skate by singing praises to the Lord! 

At the end of the session, many of the children watched the Zamboni resurface the ice. The children were in awe of how clean and fresh the ice became as the Zamboni resurfaced the ice one section at a time. The children asked why the Zamboni was resurfacing the ice. We told them that the ice was being prepared for a hockey practice. The children were so intrigued and thought that was so cool. It is amazing to see how the simple things in life can be so entertaining for children.  

Grand Canyon

Today the His Little Feet team went to the Grand Canyon.  It was a beautiful day full of fun, excitement and awe as the children experienced the views of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim.

As soon as the team pulled into the park, a map was handed to each of them.  The children went right to the animal pictures on the map and they began to talk to one another about if there were going to see mountain lions.

One of the first questions the children had was, “Which is deeper: the Grand Canyon or the Pacific Ocean?” They learned that the Pacific Ocean is deeper than the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon has a depth of 1,800 meters and the Pacific Ocean has a depth of 10,911 meters. They couldn’t believe that the ocean was so deep.

The entire team hiked down the Grand Canyon trail for about an hour. It was an unforgettable hike. Inside the Grand Canyon the children sang out at the top of their lungs, “The heavens declare Your greatness, the oceans cry out to You, the mountains they bow down before You, so I’ll join with the earth and I’ll give my praise to You!”

As Tariku looked out over the Grand Canyon he asked, “God made that?”

Tsion exclaimed “It is so beautiful, but actually no words can even explain it.”

Sea World

Today the His Little Feet team went to Sea World.  The children absolutely loved their time at the park. They saw orca whales, dolphins, birds, sharks and more!

When Shamu jumped up out of the pool for the first time Detcho exclaimed, “Wow, God is amazing!”

All throughout the day, they would turn to the staff and say, “Did God make that too?” Every experience in the park unveiled more and more of God’s creation to the children. This special day will not long be forgotten.  

Everyone soaking wet but happy after the Shamu Show!