The Journey Continues

About three weeks ago, serving with Back2Back, we stepped off the plane in Haiti to connect, share and train adults who work with orphaned and vulnerable children in a very devastated place. The amazing people there are no longer just names on a training list, but friends and colleagues.. We have talked with them, heard their stories prayed with them and saw their daily sacrifice.

Our training which focuses on trauma and loss began the day of the 5th anniversary of the devastating earthquake - January 12th. Amidst such memories of devastation, we talked, we prayed, and we laughed with dedicated people who work with children in one of the most difficult places in the world. We experienced such a connection with these folks.

Yesterday, we finished three days of training with those in Romania who do the exact same work. These incredible, sacrificial people are also now our friends and co-laborers. We know their names and many of their stories.

What we found in Haiti, in Romania and everywhere we have had the privilege to go is this: There are amazing people who are stepping up to answer a call and a vision – a world without orphans. A phrase coined a number of years ago in Ukraine, has become a movement across the globe. Many who have answered the call are now moving to the most critical piece - to be equipped to do the work.

These new friends we know them by name. We have heard their passion and their determination to be equipped to carry out the vision of a Romania without Orphans - a national movement spreading across the country within churches.

It is our heart’s desire as we walk with the ministry of Back2Back and alongside the ministries of Orphan’sPromise, Lamb International and Livada Orphan Care in training that God will do a transformative work in all of us. We hope that it is a work of God that enables all of us who touch the heart of a wounded child (or adult/caregiver) to truly be able to see life from the lenses of that wounded child and to know how to compassionately connect to that broken hearted child in order to walk him through the pain to a life of wholeness.

Partnerships that Spread the Message and Help to Lighten the Load

These organizations have partnered together in the creation, presentation and distribution of the three day Becoming a Trauma Competent Caregiver training series, which is now in 14 languages.

Scenes from Haiti - January 12-16

Jimmy, a Back2Back captain and Jenna, US Haiti coordinator are preparing for the group to come.

Doing a demonstration

A youngster at Imagine Missions - a home with over 100 children with so many needs!!

Jenna knows these beautiful little kiddos and they were excited to see her.

The playground at Harvest Care, a home that partners with Back2Back.

Scenes from Romania this week

Psychologists,school teachers, home directors, social workers and adoptive parents were all part of our training group.

These young ladies work as psychologists with Livida Orphan Care in Romania.

Luminita shares with the group. She is the director of Kiwi Foundation.

Preparing for Nurture Groups

Making their How Does Your Engine Run Plates....preparing for alot of fun

Practicing the first lesson for Nurture groups.

More preparation...

Learning to respect personal space...

Corina is an adoptive mom and has touched the lives of hundreds of children since her teenage years. Very amazing story.

We return on Sunday to continue our new work with Back2Back. We are very excited as we look to the creation of follow-up strategies to the training, the further development of their 5 Point Child Development Plan and working with implementation at each of their six sites.

The journey continues ....

Thursday, December 25, 2014

New Words - New Experiences - New Life

Just a couple of days ago, Lynn and Ruby Johnston sent us an incredible video from Kyrgyzstan. It is is posted below, but I wanted to comment on the power of what this video shows.

Children touched by the ministry of Lamb International are children who have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma and loss at a level perhaps we can never completely comprehend. What the words did from those staggering events and the life experiences children endured created a belief system that is fueled by damaging thoughts. "I am unloved." "I don't even exist."

How does one change a belief system? A belief system is changed by new words and new experiences overtime. That is exactly what the Lamb team on the ground in Kyrgyzstan is doing with Dayspring (home for girls) and Jeremiah House (home to teens who have aged out of the orphanages.) The power of this video speaks for its self.

Click on the link just below the picture to see this heartwarming video.

http://vimeo.com/115330087

Thank you all who have supported the ministry of Lamb International. It is making a huge difference in the lives of children.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Lamplighter's Third Annual Adoption Conference A Great Success

Now history, the Dayton area's Lamplighter's Adoption and Orphan Care Ministry conference was a great success. It was held at the West Carrollton Church of the Nazarene on November 8 and featured both national and international speakers. It was so exciting to see scores of adoptive and foster parents enter the building on that Saturday morning. All came with a singular passion - to care for the heart of a wounded child. Our prayer as we began the day was that those coming would find hope and encouragement. From the responses we have had, in a very large way, that happened. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve the Dayton area's foster and adoption community.

Here are some highlights of the day:

Keynoter: Beth Guckenberger, co-executive director of Back2Back ministries sharing with just moms

Just for Dads - David Little, adoptive father from Minnesota and missionary with The Navigators

Workshop Presenters

Paula Gates from Pathway Caring for Children in Canton, Ohio

Raymond Lloyd - Ohio Child Welfare Trainer and Expert and Springfield Pastor

Betsy Smalley - International Expert and Author in the field of Child Welfare

Deb Amend - adoptive mom and special education specialist and author

Daron and Heidi Holland - adoptive parents and Empowered to Connect Trainers

Jen Hauk and Carrie Combs - adult adopted persons sharing their story of reunion as Rob McNally facilitates

Chris Combs, adoptive father and director of Cincinnati's Coalition of Care

David and Jayne Schooler - Pastor and International Trainer/Author

A conference like this could not happen without the many volunteers who helped. We didn't get pictures of all of them so here are just a couple of our group of over 20 from various area churches.
THANK YOU

HOLD THESE DATES

APRIL 17-18 Sensory Smart Weekend - registration opens the first week in January

OCTOBER 24, 2015 - next year's conference