He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you
." -Matthew 17:20
|
|
|
|
In Memory of Mr. Harry Espy and Mr. Everett Kerr
|
|
"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."-2 Corinthians 5:6-9
It is with both sorrow and joy that we share the news of the passing of two of the beloved members of the Emmanuel family, Mr. Harry Espy and Mr. Everett Kerr. The sadness comes from mourning the loss of their earthly presence, but we are joyful because we know that they are in their eternal home with the Lord. Everett and Harry brought to their service hearts full of love, willingness, and strength, and we will all miss their visits to Emmanuel. Their lives and testimonies are proof that serving has no age limit. Thank you both for being the blessing that you were to Orphanage Emmanuel and for touching the lives of many.
|
|
Christmas Program and 2018 Size Chart
|
|
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." -Isaiah 7:14
Here at Emmanuel, we are already planning and preparing for Christmas time! There are really no words to describe the beauty of Christmas morning here. This year, we have many new kids and are working extra hard to make sure no child is left out or forgotten. There is no help that is too big or too little!
If you are interested in leading a group to participate in our Christmas Program or interested in any other way in being a part of Christmas at Orphanage Emmanuel, please email Sarah at emmanuelhonduras@gmail.com for necessary documents and information.
|
|
|
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3
During the months of June and July, we have received four newborn babies at Emmanuel. Three of those babies were born to young mothers who also live here, and one we received from outside. So many of you poured out so much love to these babies, even before they were born. Thank you for the donations, the baby showers, and the extra love and attention that teams and visitors have blessed these newborns and their mothers with. We feel honored that God has chosen the Emmanuel family to raise these little ones up. We also ask for your prayers for these babies and their mothers.
|
|
"
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
We have started a new initiative with the staff, junior staff, and volunteers at Emmanuel with the goal of strengthening communication and friendships through evenings of fellowship and activities. So far, we have had pizza and basketball, soccer and baleadas (a traditional Honduran meal of tortillas, eggs, and beans), volleyball and desserts, and dodgeball. Our sights are set on an evening of baseball and hot dogs for the next event. Our goal is to have a fellowship event at least once a month.
The response has been amazing! The activities have been a very encouraging and much-anticipated addition to our schedule. So much so that we have decided to try to extend the theme to the children and youth. We are thinking of both internal and external events that we could put together: from field trips to various attractions in Honduras to on-campus events and tournaments. If you have any ideas or suggestions or would like to support one of these events, please email Sarah at emmanuelhonduras@gmail.com.
|
|
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you." Deuteronomy 8:10
This year Emmanuel received a generous grant specifically to enhance our crops and farming operations, and the harvests have been plentiful. We have increased the overall number of raised beds and are bringing approximately 200 pounds of fresh vegetables and fruits into the dining room on a weekly basis. We expect to double that number within the next 6 months. The crops that are currently being harvested are sweet potatoes, radishes, beets, and cucumbers, and we are growing cassava and taro root.
|
|
The Young Men of Discipulados
|
|
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:2
Led by Alexander Banegas, our very own Seminary graduate, the 2018 Discipleship group is off to a great start! The group is made up of about 25 boys between the ages of 15-18 who signed up to participate. The group meets anywhere from 2-3 times per week depending on the Emmanuel schedule and have participated in Biblically-based activities, team-building games, watching Christian movies, and fellowship and activities with local churches. It has been very exciting to watch these young men step out and grow in their faith, and we look forward to watching them develop into Godly men.
|
|
Sponsorship Opportunities
|
|
The Sponsorship Program is our primary source of funds for caring for all of the children here at Emmanuel. It also allows sponsors to establish a personal relationship with an individual child. Sponsors may select a child or we will assign one. The children at Emmanuel come from difficult circumstances. Some are orphans, some abandoned, abused or come from extreme poverty. Once at Emmanuel, we joyfully assume responsibility for their care - including nutritional food, comfortable and clean clothing and living quarters, as well as educational, medical, and general developmental needs. Most importantly, we strive to give the children strong spiritual guidance.
Since December of 2017, Emmanuel has received over 80 new children, some of whom are still unsponsored.
If you are interested in becoming part of a child's life at Orphanage Emmanuel, please contact our sponsorship coordinator, Sarah Schuenemeyer, at
emmanuelhonduras@gmail.com
for more information!
|
|
Over the years, Emmanuel has had the blessing of receiving literally hundreds of volunteers from all over the world. We provide a safe, purpose-filled environment in which many young people have discovered unknown talents, tested their skills, and matured in their walk with Christ. Many of our staff members began as volunteers, and most volunteers find themselves coming back again and again to visit or volunteer. We feel blessed to be a part of so many people's journey of faith.
Our volunteers help in all of those everyday tasks that when caring for 450+ children pile up quickly - we always have dishes to be washed, laundry to be hung up, medicine to be given, babies to be cared for and cuddled, cows to be fed and milked, broken pipes to be fixed, soccer games to be played, hair to be braided, and many other tasks and activities to keep a volunteer occupied. All of that mixed in with a generous amount of hugs makes for a great volunteer experience!
If you feel God calling you to be a part of the lives of His precious children here at Orphanage Emmanuel, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Morgan Worch, at
volunteeremmanuel@gmail.com
for more information on how to apply. There is no day like today!!
|
|
Volunteer Testimony: Danielle Sanchez
"When I was 15, I visited Emmanuel for the first time with my church. During that trip, I fell in love with the children and fell deeper in love with Christ. I knew God was calling me to serve here one day. I could not bear the thought of leaving, but I knew that it was not yet time for me to stay. Little did I know just how much love for these children and this beautiful place God would put in my heart. After 6 years of waiting on the Lord’s timing and visiting Emmanuel for short-term trips with my family, God called me to finally just “GO”. I have now been at Emmanuel for a year with no plans to leave anytime soon. I serve as a long-term volunteer in the Infant house and in the office. Throughout the past year, I have grown immensely, both in my faith and as a person. I have learned skills that I never expected to learn. I have grown so much deeper in my walk with the Lord and everyday He directs my path. I have developed deep and meaningful relationships with many of the children. Every day God continually shows me that he has called me here. I look into the eyes of the babies in the infant house and I truly see Jesus. God has shown me that life isn’t about the things we can collect or have in this world, but rather life is solely about Christ and about loving his people. He truly is the one that really matters. Though I don’t know where God will lead me in the future, this is where He has led me and Emmanuel has truly become my home and my family."
|
|
|
|
Every single day, hundreds of children go to school, receive medical treatment, and have their needs met at Emmanuel. The following items are those currently needed most for daily operations:
Urgent Needs: pillows, sheets, blankets, pillowcases for upcoming cold season
Medical clinic
: Ibuprofen (liquid and tablets), acetaminophen (liquid for children and tablets),
cold and cough medicine for children
, antibiotics (suspension and tablets),
Pedialyte (powder)
, fungus cream, hydrogen peroxide, gauze,
Pediasure (powder),
craft bags (clear, small bags), address labels, Q-Tips, cotton balls, latex gloves (sizes small and medium), adult sinus cold medicine,
albuterol* (priority need),
Ace bandages (small and medium), orthopedic slings (small and medium)
School
: pens (black, blue, and red), erasers, small pencil sharpeners, rulers, markers, crayons, masking tape, construction paper, glue, scientific calculators (used is fine!), dry-erase board markers, super glue, copy paper, compasses, scissors, staplers, staples, coloring books,
Office
: standard white copy paper, letter-sized manila file folders, HP 110 photo ink, HP 60 ink (tri-color and black), hanging file folders
General operations
: shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tennis shoes, jeans,
diapers (sizes 1, 2, and 4) and wipes* (priority need)
, skirts, sheets, blankets, socks, underwear (girls and boys)
Physical donations of above items can be sent to
Orphanage Emmanuel c/o Richard Williford, 5111 Browntown Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415
. If you would like to contribute financially to any of these needs, you may send a designated check to Orphanage Emmanuel at
715 Moores Mill Drive, Auburn, AL 36830
. If you sponsor or contribute through direct deposit, you may email Rick Tabor at taborrh@auburn.edu to request a one-time donation increase for the purchase of a designated item.
Please note that the address for Don Reynolds is no longer used in shipping items to Orphanage Emmanuel. Please use address above! Also, while all physical donations or anything that is meant to reach Orphanage Emmanuel should go to Richard in Chattanooga, all financial donations should go to Rick in Auburn.
|
|
Important Container Information
|
|
Please note that all physical donations should go to the following address:
Orphanage Emmanuel c/o Richard Williford
5111 Browntown Road
Chattanooga, TN 37415
Unlike the prior address at Hixson Pike, this address is a personal residence, and we ask that all who send items to this address take that into consideration. Please include on all packages the following information:
- Full name and ID number if package is for a specific child (if you do not know, please email office)
- A detailed inventory. All food items, even inside sponsor gifts, MUST include the following information: expiration date, size of the container, and how many of each (ex: 5 jars of peanut butter, 24 oz. each, expiration 12-23-10). We are required to submit this list in order for the container to meet Customs requirements. Because a Customs violation can result in large fines and long delays, boxes without necessary information will not be put on the container.
Packages need to arrive at this location at least one week prior to the container shipping date so that they make it to the warehouse in time for the container loading. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration as we also adjust to this change.
|
|
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
