tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13774632238337969732024-03-14T13:44:34.232-05:00One Body One HopeNicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-80147651554963439722014-01-14T16:40:00.001-06:002014-01-14T17:15:28.127-06:00The beginning...<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Exactly <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2013/01/liberian-christmas_6318.html" target="_blank">a year ago today</a>, a team of six individuals from the United States was celebrating a late Christmas in Liberia. Packages from sponsor families had just been passed out to the kids at Christ Our Hope, and the mood was festive and light. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and we were relishing the simple joy of being together. Only one thing tarnished the mood: one of the girls at Christ Our Hope was very, very sick. We were in Liberia to be with our friends, but we were also there to find a way to bring Eve home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Maybe you remember <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2012/11/update-on-eve.html" target="_blank">Eve’s story</a> and the unfolding drama of her lingering illness due to caustic ingestion in 2010. Maybe you cried with us when her <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2013/01/visa-appointment-news.html" target="_blank">medical visa was denied</a>, or prayed fervently as we asked God to open another door. Whether you have been thinking about and praying for Eve or not, we are sorry if we have left you wondering what happened in the months after our failed attempt to bring Eve to the US on a medical visa. The truth was, God showed us a way that we could have never anticipated, and as that path required wisdom, diligence, and a level of confidentiality, we had to stop sharing Eve’s story. But that is no longer the case.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">On June 27, little Eve Zeambo officially became Eve Baart. And though we weren’t able to travel to bring her home until late November, Eve has been the daughter of our hearts since the day we said “yes” less than a year ago.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Eve has been home with us now for six weeks and she is exceeding our every hope and expectation. She is happy and tenacious and sweet. She loves to cuddle and kiss and tell us how much she loves us--and hear how very much we love her, too. Eve is also passionate, brave, and strong, and we believe it is those characteristics that helped her to overcome so many obstacles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There are more obstacles yet to face. Eve still suffers from caustic ingestion syndrome, but her medical needs are now being met at a top-notch hospital. Her team of doctors, nurses, and surgeons is dedicated to her health and wellbeing, and we have already experienced the depth of their care and compassion for our little girl. In the beginning of February, Eve will undergo the first of several medical procedures and surgeries that will hopefully restore her damaged esophagus and stomach.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and even gifts as we struggled this past year to bring Eve home. We could never have imagined a year ago today that Eve would now be nestled in our arms or rough-housing with her brothers or pirouetting around our kitchen in her pretty skirts. We are so overwhelmed with love for this girl, and gratitude to you for the role that you played in bringing her home. From the bottom of our hearts and forever: <i>thank you</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">With love,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The Baart Family</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">PS - Before we traveled to Liberia to bring Eve home, we designed a book titled "Eve's Story." It outlines her life from birth to the day that she joined our family. But, of course, the last page of the book doesn't say, "The end." Instead, we've written, "The beginning." We believe that it is.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">One of the first photos we have of Eve. This was taken in 2010, a couple of months before she swallowed battery acid.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here is Eve on the beach in January of 2013. That knowing smile on her face is because she believed (we all did) that she would be coming to the US with the team of people from OBOH. As you know, the medical visa failed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Eve with her daddy only days before we left for home.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Eve and her mommy in the US, pointing back to where it all began.</span></div>
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-80390678486097831772013-03-18T14:08:00.000-05:002013-03-18T14:08:00.557-05:00Our Farm Needs Tools!<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">As you already know, <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2013/03/we-bought-farm.html" target="_blank">we bought a farm</a>! We are so excited about this new endeavor and thrilled to report that progress is already underway. Our friends in Harbel have cleared and prepared the “upland” and the “lowland,” and the cultivation of both sites is ongoing. It is their hope to plant rice and vegetables for now, but in order to do so they are in need of both seeds and tools to farm the land.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">(Here are several of the workers and their families with the land waiting to be cleared behind them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">You'll recognize Emmanuel in the center in a bright orange shirt, </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">and Abraham, the pastor of the Harbel church third from the left in a yellow shirt.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Emmanuel shared a wish list with us, and we would like to invite you to participate in this exciting project! <strike>As the weather warms</strike> Okay, it’s not warming yet, but as our hearts long for spring, we dream about planting our own gardens and watching the trees and fields around us blossom with new life. How appropriate that our brothers and sisters in Liberia are experiencing the same joy and anticipation as they plant their own ground this spring! We may not get to work side by side, but as they work their soil and we till ours, we are participating in the same in-breaking of the kingdom of God in our own communities. This is inspirational, incarnational work, everyone. What a blessing to be a part of it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">We invite you to share with us in this exciting new endeavor. The Harbel church is in need of many supplies, from seeds to wheelbarrows to pinkerlins (don’t ask me what a pinkerlin is, I haven’t got a clue!). Please take a moment to peruse the list and see if there is anything that you would like to contribute to the Harbel farm. Every gift counts! $10 will buy two calculators and $150 will buy rain boots for all the workers. A small gift is just as much of a blessing as a large one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">You may mail your donation to us at:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">One Body One Hope</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">c/o The Baarts</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">589 13th St. Cir. SE</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sioux Center, Iowa 51250</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">You may also hand in your donation to any of our OBOH board members (Brent De Jong, Grant De Vries, Julie Bajema, or Aaron and Nicole Baart). Or you may donate online by going to our Facebook page and clicking DONATE. If you would like to earmark your gift for a specific purchase, please do so by writing the item in the memo line of your check or including a note with your donation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your support and prayers!</span></span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seed rice - 3 50kg bags 95.00USD for each bag. <b>285.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tools - 15 shovels 8.00USD. <b>120.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pinkerlin - 5 pcs 20.00USD. <b>100.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twine rope - 12 pcs 5.00USD. <b>60.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cutlasses - 12 pcs 5.00USD. <b>6o.00 total </b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wheelbarrow - 10 pcs 40.ooUSD. <b>400.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tape rule - 100m 2 pcs 45.00USD. <b>90.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Calculator - 2 pcs 5.00USD. <b>10.00 total </b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Shaping file - 6 pcs 5.00USD. <b>30.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rain boot - 10 pcs 15.00USD. <b>150.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hand-glove - 10 dozens. <b>48.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tub - 10 pcs 10.00USD. <b>100.00 total</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Weighing scale - 1 pc. <b>75.00 total</b></span></li>
</ol>
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-70109045533235420182013-03-08T10:42:00.002-06:002013-03-08T10:42:40.737-06:00We bought a farm!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some people buy zoos (did you see that movie?)... We buy farms. Well, we bought one farm. Well, our friends in Liberia bought a farm and we were able to participate in their new ministry enterprise by providing the funding for 8 acres of land near Harbel. Woo-hoo!</span><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As you may remember, One Body One Hope dreams of partnering with all of the sister churches of Abide in the Vine Disciples Church. One of those churches is in Harbel, near the Firestone plantation south of Monrovia. Pastor Abraham is the shepherd of that amazing congregation, and one of their dreams is to become self-sufficient by living off the fertile land that surrounds their village. While we were in-country several weeks ago, four members of our team were able to visit the land and survey the potential in the soil, nearby water sources, etc. The land looks excellent and it's a done deal! The congregation of the Harbel branch of Abide in the Vine Disciples church is now the proud owner of a nice chunk of farmland. Let the plowing begin!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here Emmanuel (in the orange shirt) is presenting David Bweh, the owner of the land, with the first check. (Also pictured are Emmanuel Sumo, the art teacher at the Vine School System of Christ, and Prince, a friend and member of the church).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">From left to right: Abraham (the pastor of the Harbel church), David Bweh, and Emmanuel.</span></div>
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-36535884249057311242013-02-04T14:22:00.000-06:002013-02-04T14:22:01.852-06:00Deacon Bundor<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It is with a heavy heart that I post today. This morning we received news from Emmanuel that Deacon Bundor passed away on Saturday. Taken from Aaron's email to the board:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Deacon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> suffered from a bowel obstruction and could not get surgical help from the hospital in time. It ended up costing him his life. I am reminded again how incredibly fortunate we are to have the access to medical care that we do. Bundor was 53. He leaves behind a wife and kids. Emmanuel was very saddened by this due to the HUGE role that Deacon Bundor played at Christ Our Hope and at Dumbar Farm Church. Emmanuel said he was his right-hand man the past number of years and every time he left for missions or traveling to the other congregations, that Bundor was always in charge and never failed to provide for all the children’s needs in his absence. He administered the financial goings on of that whole congregation and worked there nearly full-time with little other means of income the past several years."</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">(Deacon and his dear friend Elijah. Deacon is on the right.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Those of us who had the pleasure to meet and work with Deacon will remember a quiet, humble man who was quick to help and passionately dedicated to the children of Christ Our Hope, the Dumbar Farm church, and the Lord. He was slow to speak but steeped in wisdom, a rock in his community. He was a fervent disciple and a genuine servant. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">We ask that you remember Deacon's family in your prayers, as well as the community as a whole. Deacon's loss will be greatly felt, and our hearts go out to our friends who are grieving so deeply right now. We mourn with them and pray that God will comfort them in this time. We also pray that God will raise up leaders to help fill the gaping hole that Deacon leaves behind.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Thanks for praying.</span></span>Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-88143206017624143422013-02-01T10:21:00.000-06:002013-02-01T10:21:50.958-06:00The next chapter in Eve's story... (A letter from board member Julie Bajema)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dear donors, supporters, and friends,<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It has been a couple of weeks now since our meeting at the US Embassy in Liberia when Eve’s Medical Visa was denied. We have been quite vague about our options from there. Please know that this was not intended to offend anyone or to hide anything. It was a matter that needed to be bathed in prayer, more information gathered, and discussed by the entire Board prior to going public. So here is the whole story…</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When the medical needs of Eve became evident, we discovered we had 3 options for Eve: 1.) medical refugee status (which we found out she would not qualify for); 2.) medical adoption (which we were told that her grandmother, legal guardian yet at that time, would not approve of); and 3.) medical visa (which we knew was a long shot). Since Eve has always lived at the orphanage and Emmanuel understood her medical condition and means for treatment, her grandmother had relinquished guardianship verbally to Emmanuel prior to our arrival in Liberia. We helped them get this handed over legally in the court system in preparation for leaving on the medical visa. During this time I was able to have several candid and honest conversations with Emmanuel and Eve’s grandmother about what her course of treatment would look like if she would return temporarily with us to the States and the fact that as she grew, she will more than likely need more procedures than just this one. They did both tell me, prior to the Embassy appointment, that it would please them if Eve would be placed in the US permanently. This was discussed with Nicole and we decided that we would continue with the medical visa as it seemed that is where God was pointing us and that Emmanuel would prefer that if possible.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I walked out of the Embassy appointment with Eve and was telling everyone else that the non-immigrant visa was denied, right there on the bench overhearing our conversation was a Liberian adoption social worker who was at the Embassy with an adopting family and a little Liberian girl with medical needs. They were working on the immigrant visa so this girl would be able to be adopted to a family in the US and receive the medical care she needed! He seemed to be planted there by God for an obvious reason. Although we were disappointed with the denial, we were so happy that this option was waiting so quickly for us. It is so evident that God has Eve in his hands!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While we were in country, Nicole and I (as the only Board members present), as well as Emmanuel, the social worker, and his supervisor met to discuss the process and how it would all work. We were told that the Ministry of Health and Social Services would need to approve Eve for a medical-needs adoption. We were also told that if we had a picture of one of the adopting family members with this little girl, the process would be expedited since we were proving that the family is invested in Eve and her medical situation, and Liberia in general. Nicole and I both took a picture with Eve just in case it was needed. Emmanuel also told us that it would be his, Fatu’s and Eve’s grandmother’s request that Eve be placed in a Christian family, first and foremost, and that it be a family that he knows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Since coming home, a lot of research and prayer has gone into the thought of adopting Eve. What would be the best for Eve as there does not seem to be any other options for her care? What would that look like for the rest of the kids at the orphanage? How can we help to expedite the process for Eve’s sake and abide by Emmanuel’s requests when One Body One Hope is not an adoption agency? How would this affect Eve’s sponsor family and the rest of our supporters? How would this affect the families that applied to be potential host families for Eve? What would this mean down the road if this would happen again or if adoption would open to all the orphans in Liberia? </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As we knew we needed professional direction, we have been working with Acres of Hope/Angel’s Haven adoption agencies who we met in Liberia. We have found out the following: Liberian medical adoption usually takes 4-6 months on the Liberian side of things, plus a home study, dossier, and USCIS approval on the US side of things. In total, the process is between 6-8 months and requires a 2-3 week stay in-county. If this family would be the Bajemas or the Baarts with ties to Liberia, and specifically, to Eve, the 4-6 month wait time in Liberia can be shortened to as little as 30 days. Either one of these families would have to prepare a home study, dossier, and wait for USCIS approval (most likely a 2 1/2 month process), but because of the situation we can also request that everything be expedited. If approved, the US side of things could also take as little as 30 days. So for the Bajemas or the Baarts to adopt Eve, it would likely be a 2-4 month process with a 1 week stay in-country. For anyone else, it would take 4-8 months or longer, depending on where they are at in the process. Considering Eve's medical needs, this timeframe and the belief of the Board, the adoption agency and Emmanuel that it really would be best for Eve and everyone involved if she was placed in a family that has close ties with Emmanuel and Liberia in general. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With the recommendations from the adoption agency that it be one of the families that was in Liberia, the Board decided to give the Tim and I the time to pray about Eve being in our family as I have done so much leg work and understand Eve’s medical needs very well. Although we do hope to adopt in the future, we do not feel like we would be able to give Eve the attention that she would need as our daughters are young and Eve would fall right in the middle of our two oldest children. Even though Eve is not coming to our family, I promised to give which ever family brings Eve into their home all of the stories of Eve’s Grandmother, her family and the picture of Eve’s Mom that I received in Liberia.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So from there the Board decided to ask the Baarts to bathe the situation in prayer to see if they felt Eve would fit into their family. They, too, have been praying for God to make clear when adoption would be right for their family again. They have felt that their family needed another child from Africa, and did long for a girl. Aaron and Nicole have asked for God’s guidance and talked extensively with Emmanuel and the adoption agency. They do feel called to pursue adopting Eve and making her part of their forever family! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am so happy to be able to be the one to give that announcement! It does seem to be laid out as not only a great family fit for Eve, but also the fastest way to get Eve the medical care that she needs. Eve has such a great connection with a young boy at the orphanage and will be blessed to have brothers to watch out for her! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is new territory for One Body One Hope and the children at Christ Our Hope Orphanage. This is not something that has been taken lightly or postured for a certain outcome. Thank you for your support in this. It has been a long, emotional process for everyone involved. We know that so many have offered their support in so many ways. We are so blessed to be part of a ministry that has supporters that love these children, the people who care for them in Liberia and who trust those of us who are on the Board seeking God’s guidance as we need to make some difficult decisions. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your support!!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God Bless!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Julie Bajema</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On behalf of the Board of One Body One Hope</span></span></div>
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-23185178989373923052013-01-24T14:10:00.000-06:002013-01-24T14:10:26.125-06:00Trip Photos<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I feel like you must be sick to death of my long-winded posts, so I won't write much today... I'll just share some photos of our trip. We've been home for several days now, but I think I must have left my heart in Liberia because I'm still not back to "normal." Loving and missing our friends across the ocean!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some of the boys reading letters from their sponsor families in front of the boys' dorm.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love their smiles!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Emmanuel and Fatu's three week old baby girl.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Isn't she sweet?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Darling girls.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jana with one of the caretaker's kids.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grandma Carol with her sponsor son.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The teachers at Vine School System of Christ after the two-day teachers' conference.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What an amazing group of people!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sound asleep. Sweet boy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Brian and Jana hanging out with the kids in front of the kitchen.</span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-39383143304616457612013-01-17T16:08:00.000-06:002013-01-17T16:08:04.915-06:00Visa Appointment News<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m not going to lie. Today was bittersweet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It started off early with a tour of Paynesville (one of the suburbs of Monrovia). Emmanuel and Henry (our driver) picked us up and took us on a mini-tour to see the Apostle (Emmanuel’s father) and Bishop Clayee (a good friend, fellow pastor, and another orphanage director). Then we were off on a wild ride through the city and beyond to Bomi County, a place where none of our intrepid teams have gone before! How exciting. ;-) We had to pass through a security checkpoint and travel for three hours over some of the most pot-holed, congested roads imaginable. We all emerged a little sick, rather sore, and even a bit confused about why Emmanuel had taken us on such a grueling trek... And then we met the congregation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A couple years ago, Fatu (the pastor of the Bomi church), was converted to Christianity by a series of dreams. She was disowned by her Muslim family, and regarded with suspicion by a Christian church that doesn’t really believe in female pastors. But when Emmanuel met her he knew that the Lord had touched her, and entered into partnership with her. In his words, “The Lord called her. What can I say to that?” Not surprisingly, the Bomi church continues to grow, and we were blessed to see the newly purchased land that will someday be home to a church, school, parsonage, and guest house. Emmanuel and Pastor Fatu are already thinking ahead for our teams and creating a space for us when we visit. It was absolute joy to stand on the land that had been recently burned and cleared (some stumps were still smoking) and imagine all that is to come. We were also able to meet several members of the congregation. They sang over us and we prayed over them. It really defies explanation--it was just so wonderful to be there with them. Emmanuel told us on the way home, “I am sorry about the long trip, but I think that seeing is believing, and I wanted you to see.” We saw. We understood. We believed. Wow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because the trip to Bomi took so long, we had to race back to the city for Eve’s embassy appointment. Deacon brought Eve in a cab and met us at the consulate. We were the first people there for the 2:00 office opening, and therefore the first in line for an appointment. It didn’t take too long, but in the end, our request for Eve’s medical visa was denied. The officer who heard our case could barely look at Julie and Allen by the end of the interview, he felt so bad for Eve and the entire situation. But he assured us that the only way her visa could be granted would be if we could present compelling proof that Eve would return to Liberia after treatment. As a five-year-old orphan, there simply is no compelling proof.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Honestly, we were all a little numb. We’ve worked so hard on this, prayed unceasingly, and tried to do everything in a good and godly and loving manner. And yet, God is full of surprises, and as we were leaving the consulate, we ran into the one man in Liberia who could still help us. Talk about a God appointment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don’t mean to be cryptic, but I do believe that this curve in the road of Eve’s story needs to be talked about and prayed over by the board of One Body One Hope before we share the possibilities for the next chapter. And yet, I didn’t want to leave you without hope. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. That is still true, even in the aftermath of a denied visa request.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sending love and hugs from Liberia.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole</span></span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-41689383327418019042013-01-17T15:26:00.003-06:002013-01-17T15:26:56.918-06:00Wednesday, January 16<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today was another exhausting, amazing, powerful day. Carol and Nicole hosted the second day of the teachers’ conference with a focus on story. What is life if not one big, beautiful narrative? We talked about the importance of using story in the classroom and how it can be integrated across the curriculum. I particularly enjoyed playing the part of teacher and reading one of my favorite books to my “students”: <i>Henry’s Freedom Box</i>. They were riveted! In the afternoon, Carol took over the kindergarten class and Nicole taught the 5th graders. Such fun!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While the teachers’ conference was going strong, Julie and Allan spent the day working on Eve’s visa. They started off at the lawyer’s office, moved on to the American embassy, found out they needed to fill out one more document, and ended up spending several hours at Samaritan’s Purse headquarters borrowing a spare office and a fast internet connection. They got it all done! Praise the Lord for continuing to smooth the path ahead of us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Back at the orphanage, Brian spent the day on maintenance and repairs. His white t-shirt was brown by the end of the day, but it was fun to hear the generator running in the background and the sound of drills and laughter. The men at the compound love to run power tools! Jana stayed busy helping Nurse Sarah with the boys’ eye exams. As the grandmother of five little boys, she says she choked back tears the whole day. There is something about those tough little guys that melt your heart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A long, wonderful swim in the ocean capped off our hot day. We love the beach! Liberia really is one of the world’s best kept secrets, and the beach rivals any exotic destination you can imagine. Best of all, when we were exhausted from the waves, we went back to the guesthouse and had an absolute feast. Lucia (a dear friend and the wife of a pastor we know) had cooked us a banquet. Liberian chicken in a spicy sauce with peas and onions, rice, papaya, pineapple, plantains, and her homemade banana cake. Bananas in Liberia taste like banana concentrate. Nothing compares. If only they’d let us carry them home on the plane!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for continuing to remember us in your prayers!</span></span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-81597143919015055062013-01-17T14:58:00.001-06:002013-01-17T14:59:32.493-06:00Tuesday, January 15<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*We've been without internet access for a couple of days, so here is the lowdown from Tuesday...*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What an awesome day! God continues to surprise and amaze us...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Emmanuel picked us up this morning (on time!) shortly after 8:30. We headed to the orphanage and enjoyed morning hugs and kisses from all the kids. Julie settled down with Sarah, our new nurse, while Carol and Nicole hauled suitcases of teaching supplies to the school for our two-day teachers’ conference. Allan, Brian and Jana accompanied Emmanuel to Harbel, a sister congregation on the Firestone plantation. A brief rundown...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">According to the Harbel team, they had an amazing day. Abraham, the pastor of the church, is a brilliant, committed man who is passionate about his community. They have a small school that currently meets in the church, and a makeshift foster-care system of families in the church who have taken in eighteen orphans. However, the need is much greater than the congregation can support and the families who have taken in children are stretched very thin. Abraham is also a farmer, and he desperately wants to make his small plot of land fruitful and sustainable. Lots of brainstorming took place, and Brian and Allan (both midwestern farmers at different points in their lives) loved the ensuing dialogue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Julie reports that Nurse Sarah is AH-MAZE-ING. A wonderful woman with a solid understanding of health care and a deep love for the kids, she is the perfect fit for our Christ Our Hope nurse. Julie was also thrilled that they seem to have much in common and shared a vision for the children’s medical files and long-term care. They were able to check the vision of all the girls at the orphanage, and tomorrow Jana will take over the role of recorder as Sarah tests the boys while Julie attends an embassy appointment. Apparently the children loved having their vision tested and were great “helpers” for Julie and Sarah. Wonderful stuff!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As for the teachers’ conference, thank you so much for the prayers! It so far exceeded my hopes and expectations! The twelve teachers at Vine School System of Christ are every synonym for fantastic you could possibly imagine. Funny and sensitive, compassionate and dedicated to their craft, they are an absolute dream team. Carol and I have no doubt that the children are receiving an excellent education, and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing with them today. We covered ethics and learning styles, and also learned much about the teachers individually. I can’t tell you how much I love these people. So looking forward to spending more time with them tomorrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">After a long day we took an hour and a half break and escaped to the Golden Key for some air-conditioning and food we recognize (i.e. burgers and pizza and shwarmas, oh my!). Then it was back to the compound for the evangelism service where we were blown away by the worship and Emmanuel’s heart-stopping sermon. The man can bring it. Goosebumps in 90 degree weather, people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thanks for praying! I’ll close with a few lines of encouragement that Emmanuel kept coming back to in his message this evening. I wish you could have heard it all, but I hope even this small portion translates: You were created for a purpose. You know the One who has sent you and you know what He is asking you to do. Do not allow yourself to be tempted by food, money, power, anything! Be steadfast in your resolve, and focus your eyes on the Sender. Do not compromise your mission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I think that might be my personal motto this year: Do not compromise your mission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nicole</span></div>
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-82960575313188315562013-01-14T15:43:00.001-06:002013-01-14T15:43:00.270-06:00Liberian "Christmas"<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today was a busy day--though I have a feeling I’ll write that every day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Emmanuel picked us up in the morning and drove us straight to the orphanage. Our “plan” was to celebrate the kids (their birthdays, Christmas, and just being together again) and I’d say we were very successful. After a short program of welcome, we distributed packages to the kids from their sponsor families. Such fun! Most of the children know their sponsor families by name, and were excited to see updated pictures and read their letters. The children who were “meeting” their sponsor families for the first time were full of questions and seemed slightly befuddled that there was a family across the ocean that loves them and prays for them. So fun!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This afternoon, Julie accompanied Emmanuel downtown to the Echo Bank where they had to withdraw money for Eve’s visa. We keep getting closer and closer! While they were gone, Brian and Allan worked on the generator and did some basic maintenance, Carol spent a lot of time with the teachers, and Jana and Nicole updated child profiles for the sponsorship program. It was a bit like herding cats, and very difficult to have a steady hand for taking pictures when there were a dozen kids hanging on the photographer (I know from experience--sorry if the new photos of your sponsor kids are blurry!). The rest of the time was spent playing and cuddling, wading in the ocean and just enjoying each other’s company. Beyond wonderful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few miscellaneous prayer requests...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Tomorrow Carol and Nicole kick off the two-day teachers’ conference. We are very excited, but a little nervous, too. The twelve teachers at the Vine School System of Christ (yes, the school underwent a recent name change) are beyond competent teachers--they’re brilliant, articulate, well-rounded people. Carol and I are hoping that we have something worthwhile to offer them. We want to bless them so much! But it’s so hard to know what to do when we’re (quite literally) half a world apart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Brian, Jana, and Allan will be heading to Harbel (a sister church) with Emmanuel tomorrow. Pray for safety and for the Lord to reveal what he wants for this amazing church! We love Harbel and Abraham (the pastor) and we are praying that God will show us the perfect partner congregation for Harbel in the US.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Julie’s day tomorrow will consist of getting the new medical program off the ground. We’ve all met Sarah, the amazing nurse who will be working with the kids, and we’re so excited to watch this continue to progress.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Of course, Eve’s situation requires constant prayer. She seems to be doing very well right now--she’s happy and spirited and she runs around and plays with the other kids--but she also has long periods of lethargy and loves to be carried and held. Nothing about her situation has changed (she still can’t swallow), but for now the little nutrition she’s getting is sustaining her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Pray for our health and well-being! We all feel great so far, but we’d like to keep it that way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading! Sending love and hugs from Liberia!</span></span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-75522995327965832342013-01-13T16:01:00.005-06:002013-01-13T16:07:50.467-06:00We're in Liberia!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We made it! Praise the Lord.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I lost track of how long we traveled, but somewhere in there I know we lost a day. Exhausting. And yet, after long hours trying to get comfortable on three different airplanes, trekking through airports on three different continents, and throwing ourselves into the melee that is the baggage claim at Monrovia International airport, everything faded away the moment we stepped through the doors and saw our Liberian friends. What joy! What uncontainable delight to see them after an entire year with only telephone calls and emails to sustain us. We are weary but happy, laughing as we eat granola bars and lounge in Brian and Jana’s air-conditioned bedroom. Ah, bliss.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few quick highlights before I take a shower and collapse.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-We traveled home from the airport in a mini-van with 21 people. No joke. We had children on our laps, on the floor, and layered in the back storage area. An hour later we emerged, a little stiff but no worse for the wear... In fact, I’d say much improved. We were snuggled, kissed, and coddled every moment of the squishy trip.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Our itinerary meets Emmanuel’s approval. We don’t have much time, but we have lots to do. Beyond lots. It looks like our team will be splitting up and spreading our time between the orphanage, the satellite churches, and the US Embassy. Which leads me to...</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-An update about Eve. Julie and Emmanuel are working their tails off to get her a medical visa. And, believe it or not, Emmanuel seems to think that it is a real possibility. We have a laundry list of notarized documents that need to be procured, and it didn’t faze him at all. Keep praying! We want so badly to follow God’s will in this situation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That’s it for now! Please keep us in your prayers! We are thrilled to be here after such a grueling journey, and hoping that jet lag does not catch up to us tomorrow. There’s no time for jet-lag!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sending lots of love and hugs from Liberia,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole </span></span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-569487768544452822013-01-07T14:07:00.001-06:002013-01-07T14:07:06.676-06:00Important Announcement<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Hi, everyone. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is so much going on I hardly know where to begin! Our team leaves for Liberia in less than a week and we are busy putting the finishing touches on our trip. Oh, who am I kidding? We're frantically running around like chickens with their heads cut off. At least, I am. But I'm very excited, too, and looking forward to seeing the kids, meeting Emmanuel and Fatu's new baby, delivering all your packages (don't forget to turn them in, sponsor families!) and more. It's an exciting week! Please keep us in your prayers. (I will try to blog while we are in Liberia, so stay tuned!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Also, we wanted to update you about Eve. As we continue to assess her situation and try to come up with the best course of action for her care, it looks as if we will be pursuing a medical visa. We cannot guarantee anything, but if this works, Eve will be coming to the US for treatment, specifically to the Tri-state, Sioux County area as the hospitals who are considering her case are local. During her stay in the US, Eve will need to be placed in a foster home. One Body One Hope is not a foster care or adoption agency, so we worked with a local agency to come up with a list of requirements for prospective host families so that Eve and our organization will be protected. If you or a family you know are interested in being considered for Eve's host family, please send me an email at: <a href="mailto:onebodyonehope@gmail.com">onebodyonehope@gmail.com</a>. I will send you the pdf file containing our requirements. You may then read through them, prayerfully consider whether or not you are being called to apply, complete the application if you feel so led, and send it to OBOH at 589 13th St. Cir. SE, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250. You may also hand your application to an OBOH board member (Grant DeVries, Brent DeJong, Julie Bajema, Aaron or Nicole Baart). Feel free to share this link with other families who may be a good fit. At this time we do not have a deadline for applications, but as the situation may develop quickly and require a fast decision we suggest "the sooner the better." Only serious applications will be considered, and only families with a current home study (foster, domestic, or international) need apply.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for your continued prayer and support!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Nicole</span><br />
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-26054206278469627892013-01-02T14:39:00.000-06:002013-01-02T14:49:53.743-06:00Medical Sponsorship Program<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Dear Sponsors and Friends of One Body One Hope,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">As you may remember, on January 12 a small team of OBOH board members and sponsors will be traveling to Liberia. Part of our trip is going to be dedicated to kicking off our new Medical Program. A portion of your Child Sponsorship donation has always gone to cover some basic health care needs such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, first aid supplies and some malaria medications. However, since our trip in January of 2012, God has made it quite evident that we need to do more for some of these children. A few of the kids have sickle cell anemia, eye problems, or, like Eve, other serious ailments. Preventative care is something that Emmanuel and Julie have been working on over the last year. Emmanuel has said that: “We can work to educate these orphans to be Christian leaders for Liberia, but if they cannot grow to be healthy adults, it is all in vain.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Through God's leading, we are hoping hire a nurse named Sarah who will go to the orphanage once a week to check on the children, especially those with medical conditions. She will make sure the daily vitamins and supplements are given, and that fevers, diarrhea, cuts, malaria and anything else that comes up will be promptly addressed so that the children do not get too sick. In a country where there are few health care professionals and education is limited, it is truly by the grace of God that we have found a nurse who already knows these children and is willing to fill this position. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">We are excited to announce that we are starting a Medical Sponsorship Program much like our Educational Sponsorship Program to cover our costs for employing a nurse and the greater medical expenses of some of these children. Our goal is to raise $200/month. We are asking for Medical Sponsors to step forward and give what they can: $20/month, $50/month, or whatever God lays on your heart. If this is something that you are interested in, please shoot us an email (onebodyonehope@gmail.com). We will send you an automatic withdrawal form to make the donation process as simple as possible.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Thank you for your continued prayers and support.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Sincerely,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">Julie Bajema</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">on behalf of the board of One Body One Hope</span></span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-86382808537728473352012-12-17T16:54:00.002-06:002012-12-17T16:54:56.966-06:00Educational Supplies Needed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQI3XIuHm5QIYRvNHIsyVtWwDRXcRd2H4u-usrbB7HxZEeXEDrX26lV9eED2KAFDx6Uk0RtUXp0JB5tyKPOf5pxqVNQJ6B03SflWwKkKoeXH4ROKGJ1RRtZWF4-1oUJhPqFtq91G7kuk/s1600/DSC09173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQI3XIuHm5QIYRvNHIsyVtWwDRXcRd2H4u-usrbB7HxZEeXEDrX26lV9eED2KAFDx6Uk0RtUXp0JB5tyKPOf5pxqVNQJ6B03SflWwKkKoeXH4ROKGJ1RRtZWF4-1oUJhPqFtq91G7kuk/s640/DSC09173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We're on our way to Liberia! On January 12 a small team of six people, including two sponsor families and two board members, will travel to Monrovia for a whirlwind week. One of the things we will be doing in-country is hosting a two-day teacher's conference. And we would love to bless the teachers at Abide in the Vine School system by leaving them with some much needed tools and educational supplies.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are several different ways to respond to this particular need at Christ Our Hope. Maybe you have some of these supplies collecting dust in your home or school. We'd love to repurpose them for our friends in Liberia. Or, you may purchase an item or two (or more!) and drop it off or send it to the One Body One Hope mailing address. Of course, you could give a monetary donation and earmark it: School Drive. Finally, feel free to shoot us an email (<a href="mailto:onebodyonehope@gmail.com"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #1022a3; text-decoration: underline;">onebodyonehope@gmail.com</span></a>) and request an Amazon link to some of the materials on our “Wish List.” You can then purchase items directly from Amazon and have them sent to OBOH. Thank you for your prayerful support of education in Liberia!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The items specifically requested by Darric and the teachers are:</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">FLASH CARDS for math with two-digit numbers for addition and subtraction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">POSTERS with animals and fruits images.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">ENGLISH BOOKS for all elementary and junior classes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">SCIENCE and POETRY books for all classes including</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">READING BOOKS.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">FLASH CARDS WITH SPELLING WORDS.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">ADVANCED DICTIONARY, WORLD GEOGRAPHY,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">WORLD HISTORY, WORLD ATLAS, VISUAL AIDS, and SOCIAL STUDIES MATERIALS.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thank you for your prayerful consideration!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Peace,</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Nicole</span></span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-55600257481259020162012-12-14T10:10:00.000-06:002012-12-14T11:18:18.518-06:00Little Miracles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>(Eve is in the center, the little girl with her finger in her mouth.)</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hi, everyone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sorry it has been a while since our last update about Eve. The truth is, there's not much to report. We are waiting, waiting, waiting. Waiting for a medical report from the doctor who examined Eve in Monrovia. Waiting for the right door to open. Waiting for God's perfect timing. We had hoped that a little chutzpah and some hard work would result in a triumphant (dare I say, miraculous?) solution to this grave problem. But I think we are learning that miracles don't always happen the way we expect. Why? Because from a distance it doesn't look like much is happening. But up close, God is moving in powerful ways.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First, and most importantly, Eve is doing okay. She continues to drink water and eat cornmeal gruel by using her hand to force food down her throat. Is this ideal? Of course not. But she's still eating, and that's huge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Second, a small army of people are praying, connecting, and working their tails off to do everything in their power to help Eve. It's beautiful to see.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Third, doors continue to open and close. The Mercy Ship is a closed door, but a hospital in Kenya is another open door. We have also received word from two different hospitals in the US that they would be willing to handle Eve's case. A huge praise!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally, as we wait on the Lord, we are reminded that his will be done, not ours. It's easy to imagine that we know the best way to care for Eve, but the truth is, we don't. God is writing her story, and we are learning to marvel at the way he chooses to reveal his perfect plan--for Eve and for all of us.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for continuing to pray! And thank you for your generous gifts on Eve's behalf. We have a small fund that will allow us to move quickly if and when something does develop, and in the meantime it is helping us pay for doctor's bills in Liberia and the necessary paperwork to make Eve mobile.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blessings to you all! Please stay tuned for some updates about other things that are happening at OBOH. We have some great stuff going on this Christmas season and we'd love to get you involved! Of course, we will also keep you up-to-date on Eve's situation as it develops.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole</span><br />
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-39305064350329557152012-12-05T09:45:00.000-06:002012-12-05T09:45:26.986-06:00Closed Doors & Open Windows<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, we've been praying that God would open and close doors as he sees fit, and he is answering our prayers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, Emmanuel spoke to the doctors at Firestone Hospital where we had high hopes that Eve would be able to get the surgeries she requires. Emmanuel was told that the program has been shut down and the surgeon cannot help Eve. We had one more contact at another hospital, but when Emmanuel reached out to him, he was told that they would only perform surgery on Eve if she was dying.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Two doors quite decidedly closed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Right now it seems that Eve's short-term care cannot be handled in Liberia. Of course, we are hoping this may change, but there are no guarantees. We already knew she couldn't stay in West Africa in the long-term, but we had hoped that we could buy ourselves some time with in-country care as we pursued other options. Well, they say that when God closes a door he opens a window, and we still have several wide open windows that we are trying to climb through. From medical visas to refugee status and beyond, we are leaving no stone unturned as we tenaciously continue to fight for Eve.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What can you do? <b>Pray</b> like crazy. <b>Donate</b> if you can spare even a small amount this holiday season. Right now we are not considering the cost in getting Eve the care she needs, but there will come a day when bills become a very stark reality. <b>Share</b> Eve's story. All of the important connections we have made have been because a friend of a friend told another friend about Eve.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for your continued prayer and support.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole</span><br />
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<br />Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-83217726324239797692012-12-03T14:36:00.000-06:002012-12-03T14:37:03.691-06:00More Eve<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and donations on behalf of Eve! We have seen God fling open doors before us and create some unexpected but very profound contacts both in the States and beyond. Let me catch you up a bit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eve remains the same, but our options for her care continue to unfold. Right now it seems as though we will be able to help provide for her short-term needs right in Liberia--a huge blessing since traveling with a sick five-year-old is hardly ideal. Hopefully Eve will have an appointment with the surgeon this week, after which we will have a better understanding of what exactly her needs are and whether or not she will require surgery. Many, many things had to fall into place for this to happen, and we feel like God made the impossible happen. Especially since the contacts that made this potential care plan possible were brought about by our blog and Facebook posts! I guess the Internet is good for something after all. ;-)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For now, please continue to keep Eve in your prayers. She is still a very, very sick little girl. And while we're happy to have taken a few steps in the right direction, we (and Eve) have a very long way to go. We will keep you updated as things progress.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for praying!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole</span>Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-88191460541291681322012-11-30T09:43:00.002-06:002012-11-30T16:43:45.713-06:00Update on Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Read the first part of Eve's story here: <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2012/11/pray-for-eve.html" target="_blank">Pray for Eve!</a></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It breaks my heart to write this post.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eve is not doing well. After many phone calls back and forth, as well as much discussion with doctors and specialists here, Julie has learned that the sort of chemical poisoning that Eve is suffering from is rather prevalent in the Third World. And often fatal. Because of improper storage techniques, lye and other harsh household chemicals are sometimes left in the reach of small children. And since the liquid is usually clear, it can be mistaken for water.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We've known for a long time that Eve drank something when she was a toddler. We were told battery acid, and have heard everything from "it was just in her mouth" to "she drank a lot of it." We'll probably never know exactly what happened, but the end result is clear: Eve's esophagus and stomach have suffered chemical burns. And it seems that the scar tissue that has built up over the years is now causing her serious pain and preventing her from eating and drinking.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Though the injection and medications helped somewhat, Eve is still unable to eat or drink anything other than water and cornmeal. She cannot swallow rice. If the doctors in the US are correct in their long-distance diagnosis, there will be no recovery from this without serious medical intervention. Eve needs a scope of her throat and stomach to determine the extent of the damage, and possibly a procedure to stretch her esophagus or even a transplant.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please pray for Eve! And please pray for her caretakers and the board of One Body One Hope as we proceed from here. We are exploring every possibility from sending Eve to the nearest Mercy Ship (it's anchored in Nigeria) to trying to obtain a medical visa so we can bring her to the US for treatment. Please especially keep Julie Bajema in your prayers as she shoulders the brunt of this responsibility and coordinates communication and medical care efforts from thousands of miles away.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Emmanuel has asked us to continue in prayer, and has reminded us continually of their simple but steadfast belief: "We do not believe in the medications, but we do believe in God." Eve certainly needs the Great Physician right now. Please join us in petitioning him on her sweet behalf.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One last thing. Whatever doors the Lord opens for Eve, her journey will be costly. If you feel led to support her financially, we would love any help you can give. Donations can be sent to the address below. Please mark "Eve" in the memo line.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One Body One Hope</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">c/o The Baarts</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">589 13th St. Cir. SE</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sioux Center, Iowa 51250</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can also give online via our <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/464617-one-body-one-hope/actions/1710260" target="_blank">Facebook Causes Page</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole</span><br />
<br />Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-58181085863168186152012-11-16T10:02:00.001-06:002012-11-30T09:57:46.310-06:00Pray for Eve!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good morning, everyone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although we hope that you remember our friends in Liberia in your prayers regularly, today we have a very specific prayer request. Yesterday we received word that one of the little girls in the orphanage is very sick. According to Emmanuel she has sores in her throat and stomach that are causing her pain and keeping her from eating or drinking. He took her to the clinic and they gave her an injection and some medication. She is not eating yet, but she has started to drink some.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eve is one of the "littles" at the orphanage, a quiet sweetheart who has battled chronic illness since the time she came into Emmanuel and Fatu's custody. We're not entirely sure what is wrong with her, partly because medical care is so limited in Liberia, and partly because we don't have the full story about what happened to her before she came to the orphanage. Whatever the cause, we ask that you join us in fervent prayer that Eve will be restored to health!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please keep all the children, their caretakers, and the people of Liberia in your prayers as they endure the tail end of the rainy season. Many of our friends have fallen sick in the last several months and weeks and could really use our prayers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nicole</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span>Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-58675283525127381852012-09-20T14:38:00.000-05:002012-11-30T12:44:41.184-06:00Uniforms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Well, the weather is cooler and our kids are hopefully getting used to the fall routine... Both in the US and in Liberia. As our kids (biological, adopted, and sponsored) hit the books, it has been a privilege to support them in any and every way we can: through prayer, encouragement, and by preparing them for the year to come.</span><br />
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A couple weeks ago we invited you to help us go back-to-school shopping with the kids at Christ Our Hope. Each child needed a donation of $40 to purchase a school uniform, shoes, a backpack, and school supplies for the year. Though we have not yet received the full amount, the board of OBOH went ahead and sent the funds. We believed that it was important for the children to go back to school with the supplies they needed to be successful. That means, we are trusting God to raise the rest of the money. If you would still like to contribute $40 to outfit a child for the 2012-2013 school year, it's not too late! You may give your donation to an OBOH board member or send it to:<br /><br />One Body One Hope<br />c/o The Baarts<br />589 13th St. Cir. SE<br />Sioux Center, Iowa 51250</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Thank you so much for your prayerful support! And check out these cutie-patooties in their brand-spankin' new uniforms. Aren't they sweet?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-76920939941243939962012-08-27T14:45:00.004-05:002012-11-30T12:45:05.497-06:00Back-to-School<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">On Saturday afternoon, we loaded up the car and made the one-hour trek to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for our annual school shopping trip. We had spent the morning going through our kids’ closets and taking stock of the things we needed to buy for the upcoming school year. Both the boys needed new shoes (boys are so hard on shoes), backpacks (ditto the shoes comment), and jeans (holes in the knees, anyone?). By the end of the day we had a car full of purchases including everything on our list, plus a couple of extra items that we simply couldn’t live without (a new pair of pajamas and a shirt with USA on the back in honor of the Olympics).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I won’t lie. It was a chaotic day. But what a joy to be able to provide for our children in this way! We capped off the fun with a fantastic supper out that included great conversation and even ice cream for dessert. As we drove home, I was torn between gratitude for all we have been given, and the conviction that not everyone gets to experience the sort of special day we enjoyed. Both locally and internationally, many families and children struggle to make ends meet, and the back- to-school rush only exacerbates the problem.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This year, we have a unique opportunity at One Body One Hope. As the children at the Abide in the Vine school system gear up for a new year of learning, we get to go school shopping with them! We may not be able to escort them through the market in Monrovia, but our gifts will enable them to start school off on the right foot. <b>Your one-time gift of $40 will provide a uniform, new shoes, books, and school supplies for one of the children at the orphanage. </b>Get your family and friends involved! Talk about it with your children as you take them school shopping, share the need with your children’s new teachers, and raise awareness in your community and beyond.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you would like to provide back-to-school supplies for one of the kids at Christ Our Hope, you can send your donation to:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Or, if you know an OBOH board member, simply give them your check. Finally, if you prefer to pay online, you can give a donation on our <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/464617-one-body-one-hope" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. Just click the link, and leave us a note earmarking the $40 for school supplies. THANK YOU!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here are a few of the kids in their uniforms. Don't they look great?</span></div>
Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-15581609819097986402012-08-08T16:32:00.000-05:002012-11-30T12:45:43.068-06:00RAGBRAI<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">For most Iowans, RAGBRAI (the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) is a fantastic excuse to meet some new friends, enjoy our beautiful state, and revel in one of Iowa’s biggest parties. But for One Body One Hope, the cause for celebration had an international flair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">This year, RAGBRAI began in Sioux Center, the town that OBOH calls home. And we weren’t about to miss out on such a great opportunity! On Saturday, July 21, One Body board members, supporters, and friends took to the streets of Sioux Center on two fully loaded Gators to sell water to RAGBRAI riders and visitors. As nearly 20,000 people flooded into Sioux Center, we were on hand with ice cold water and business cards that explained a bit about our ministry. It was great to connect with so many people from so many places--and especially to get the chance to share with them about our passion for the people of Liberia. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;">OBOH raised just over $3,000 at the RAGBRAI event, but we hope that the ripple effect continues. May God use the conversations, and the cold cup of water that we extended that day in ways that glorify his work and his kingdom. Thanks be to God!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: small;">OBOH SUPPORTERS JANELLE SWAGER AND JENNI BULLOCK SELLING WATER ON ONE OF TWO OBOH GATORS.</span></span></div>
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Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-50751161579834736412012-06-13T11:46:00.000-05:002012-11-30T12:46:22.425-06:00OBOH & RAGBRAI<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you live in Iowa, you already know what RAGBRAI stands for. But for those of you who don't, RAGBRAI is the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. It is the oldest, largest, and longest bicycle touring event in the world. Yup, you read that right: the <i>world</i>. How cool is that?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This year, Ragbrai is starting in Sioux Center, and our little hometown gets to play host to nearly (according to one source) 20,000 riders, support staff members, and onlookers on Saturday, July 21. We couldn't be more excited to participate in such a fabulous event... Especially because One Body One Hope will be right in the middle of all the festivities!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Keep your eyes open at the Sioux Center RAGBRAI event for the One Body One Hope Gators. We'll be shuttling around all day Saturday selling water! Every bottle of water you purchase will help fund the ministries of One Body One Hope. How cool (pun intended) is that? ;-)</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/37759034" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/37759034">Rice and Beans Video</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user7110069">Todd Montsma</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-76669016288592053402012-04-20T22:24:00.000-05:002012-04-25T22:27:42.516-05:00Spend Yourself: The Cookstoves<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week I spent a little time talking about our ministry and why we chose the tag line: <i>Spend Yourself</i>. You can read all about it on <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2012/04/spend-yourself-generator.html" target="_blank">Spend Yourself: The Generator</a>. Suffice it to say, in the next few weeks I'm going to highlight some very specific ways that you can help us out financially. Of course, we always covet your prayers, and we love the many other ways that our supporters and friends uplift our ministry, but we are also facing some very exciting opportunities that require a little fundraising. Today, the focus is the cookstoves.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are super-excited at OBOH to be a part of a new, cutting-edge project that is distributing bio-safe, fuel efficient cookstoves to families in the community surrounding Christ Our Hope orphanage. Want to know more about the project? You can read more about it in the <a href="http://onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/2012/02/cookstoves.html" target="_blank">Cookstoves</a> post. However, I'm going to turn it over to Peter Gbelia of SJEDI Green Energy to explain the project in detail...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The stoves cost $60, but we give a family a stove for $30 and 3 months to pay it off, so $10 per month (or more time if needed). We found the average cost to a family is $20 per month for charcoal fuel costs and this stove will save them 50% or $10 per month on average ($120 per year), not to mention saving on the other costs like not having to buy the local stove every few months because our charcoal stove lasts 5 years.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>The "community" formed a community bank account with our partner EcoBank or LBDI. Then 3 women project leaders were chosen by the community to run the program (and receive compensation). Every month the families with stoves give the leaders their payment and the leaders deposit into the community bank account. After the stoves are paid for, some communities agree to take part of the monthly savings and deposit into the community account to build assets to run community projects (because each family saves $10 per month, maybe they agree to contribute 50 cents or $1 dollar per month to the community fund, etc). Or payments can be made in LD if it is easier, which is usually the case.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>We call this the "micro-lease" program, so the chosen families get the stove right away and use the fuel savings to pay back the cost (of the subsidized cost hopefully), and its been a proven poverty alleviation program.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Once the students master making "green charcoal" from things like corn and rice husks or saw dust, etc., they can then sell this green charcoal to users of the cookstove for increased efficiencies and savings and a good little revenue stream for the orphanage, and of course it ties into the research the students will be conducting. Now they can learn about entrepreneurship as well, which SJEDI will gladly mentor them on.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sounds like an amazing project, doesn't it? Wondering where you come in? Well, did you catch that very first sentence? <i><b>The stoves cost $60, but we give a family a stove for $30 and 3 months to pay it off... </b></i>The math doesn't work, does it? That's because we're subsidizing half of the cost of the cookstove to make the purchase attainable for the average Liberian. So, do you love to cook? Are you grateful for your oven? Are you passionate about healthy living and taking care of the beautiful world we call home? We'd love to have you come alongside us and subsidize the purchase of a stove for a Liberian family. Just $30 will put a stove in the home of a family just like yours. Donate today.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can click on our <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/464617-one-body-one-hope" target="_blank">Facebook link</a> to give online, or you can mail your donation to:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One Body One Hope</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">c/o The Baarts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">589 13th St. Cir. SE</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sioux Center, Iowa 51250</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nicole</span></div>Nicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377463223833796973.post-15424647679818998152012-04-11T21:58:00.000-05:002012-04-25T21:59:37.523-05:00Spend Yourself: The GeneratorWhen One Body One Hope was formed, we chose the passage of Isaiah 58:6-12 as our "theme scripture." It summarizes our mission, gives us something positive to focus on, and serves as the inspiration for our tag line: <i>Spend Yourself</i>. We're passionate about people and relationships, about justice and mercy and the humble give and take that happens when people exist in true community. We're also passionate about giving ourselves... And that giving happens in a number of different ways.<br />
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Often when people consider the word <b>spend</b>, they automatically attach it to money. And it seems to carry a negative connotation. Even the dictionary agrees: To spend is to "dispose of one's money, wealth, and/or resources." Spending involves more or less throwing away a limited resource that is difficult to replace. It's a bit depressing, to be honest.<br />
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But we don't see it that way. According to Isaiah 58, the more you spend, the more you have to give. If you spend yourself, "your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday..." The Lord will "satisfy your needs" and "strengthen your frame." You will be like a "well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isn't it cool how God works in contradictions? Give of yourself and you will never run out of things to give...<br />
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One of the things that we love to do at OBOH is challenge people to join us on this exciting journey. Our lives have been forever changed, downright <i>transformed</i> by all that we have experienced -- particularly the way that as we continue to spend ourselves, we continue to be replenished, refreshed, and restored to give and give again. Often this giving is of a very personal nature: we pray, we fast, we sacrifice time and energy and resources as we endeavor to continue in relationship with our friends and family in Liberia. But sometimes our giving does come down to dollars. It has to.<br />
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In the next few weeks I'm going to highlight some very specific ways that you can help us out financially. Of course, we always covet your prayers, and we love the many other ways that our supporters and friends uplift our ministry, but we are also facing some very exciting opportunities that require a little fundraising. Today, the focus is the generator.<br />
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The only electricity at Christ Our Hope orphanage comes from a gas powered generator. They only run it a couple of hours a day, but even so the motor wears out quickly and needs regular maintenance. Sometimes, it just plain needs to be replaced. Now is one of those times.<br />
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A generator costs about $1500 in Liberia, and Christ Our Hope needs a new one! Are you an electrician? Do you have a heart for gears and motors and making things work? Or do you simply enjoy being able to turn on a light with the flick of a switch? If God is prompting you to help the kids at Christ Our Hope by donating toward a new generator, we invite you to join us and spend yourself! You can click through to our <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/464617-one-body-one-hope" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and donate online there, or you can send your donation to:<br />
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One Body One Hope<br />
c/o The Baarts<br />
589 13th St. Cir. SE<br />
Sioux Center, Iowa 51250<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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Warmly,<br />
NicoleNicole Baarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12126739050064302961noreply@blogger.com0