Homes for the Homeless

Late last year, through The ECHO Project, we put out a request for help for some of the elderly who were in need of a place to live. The response we received was overwhelming, and we were able to build four small houses. Mel and Mandy have recently come to work with us, and one of their heart's desires is to help the poorest of the poor.

Once again, we would like to partner with them to provide homes for several elderly who are in desperate need for a place to live. Two are living under trees and a third one is living in a hut that is falling down. One house costs approximately $200 to build, and through The ECHO Project we would like to fund three new houses.

If you are able to contribute toward the building of a house or sponsor one (or more) entirely, donations can be sent via check or through Pay Pal here. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

To learn more about what God is doing through the ECHO Project, please visit our website. All money raised for The ECHO Project goes directly to help those in need.

HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS VIDEO

The ECHO Project Update: Make a difference today!

Maybe it's just me, but I'm finding it hard to believe that the year is almost half over! A lot has happened over the past few months, so here is an update on some of the exciting things that God is doing through The ECHO Project. We started this non-profit to help support the many needs that we see every day here in Africa, and God has been so faithful to help us to more than we honestly ever asked or imagined!

In the past few months we have continued to hand out vitamins in the different villages we work in. School supplies were given out, homes built for three homeless elderly people, glasses bought for a student with eye problems, formula and food packets provided to a woman and her twins, money was also donated for a water well in Magola, school curriculum provided for Rosie, and more. (You can click on these links to learn more.)

So many people have been involved in helping us financially, including Sunday School classes, individuals, church coffee shops, and even several kids who have raised money for us by selling Alex's jewelry to their friends. We are so grateful for everyone who has gotten involved and helped us to make a difference! Thank you!

For more ideas how to get involved and make a difference, click here.

Be a blessing to someone today!

Lisa

The need for hope

Last week Scott took a team of disciples to build three houses for those in need. Here is their story.

    “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…the poor 

    and helpless, and see that they get justice.”  Proverbs 31:8

Update on the twins

Last Wednesday, Emily and I visited the twins and their mother out in the village and took her some fresh fish and peanuts. We were thrilled to see her feeling better and looking much stronger! The twins were eating well, both breast-feeding and taking the bottle as she still doesn't have enough milk.

One of the twins had a bad rash on his head, so Emily felt that we needed to take him to see a doctor. I believed there was a chance he could be dehydrated, so we drove mama and her babies along with her mother-in-law to the hospital. After over an hour and a half of waiting in the hot sun (as we were told to do!) they called her in then told her that they were finished seeing babies for the day and she would have to come back tomorrow.

I wasn't very happy, but there wasn't anything I could do, so we drove back to the village. Since they live much closer to the hospital than I do, I gave them transport money so she could go with her mother-in-law back to the hospital Thursday morning.

Most of them don't have phones, so I wasn't able to get an update right away as we couldn't contact anyone. On Sunday, three of the disciples went to teach and took several gifts, but most of the village was gone to a funeral including the mama and her twins. So I was happy to know that she was able to travel. We still haven't been able to get a hold of them by phone for an update, but we are planning to drive out to take the twins some more formula tomorrow or Thursday and see how they are doing.

To make things more challenging, a tropical depression hit the coast of Mozambique yesterday. There has already been a substantial amount of rain and high winds. One phone carrier is already down, and the Internet off and on, so communication is getting harder as well.

Typical house stucture

This non stop rain makes it extremely difficult for the people here, many who live in reed homes. Imagine having small children--or twin newborns--and trying to keep them dry and clean. You can wash their diapers and clothes, but there is no way to dry them. Roofs leak, and after a two or three days of rain, things begin to mold and start smelling bad. With high enough winds, there is even the strong possibility of weak structures falling over.

Please continue to pray for the twins and their mama and those effected by the storm.

Blessings,

Lisa