Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Postponed again!
Just called Liberia to see what the results of the meeting were. It did not occur as it was postponed yet again. The Justice Minister had an engagement with the President, so she had to reschedule. This is frustrating, but is common in Liberia, and reminds me of why it is often so difficult for my staff there to get the results I expect here in America! Please just pray that this meeting will occur soon! We need the truth to be made known!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Meeting is tomorrow
The meeting with the new Minister of Justice and other parties involved in the persecution of adoption it set for tomorrow morning. I have been in continual prayer for this meeting. I believe it was no irony that yesterday's sermon at my church was on spiritual warfare. But even before the message was delivered, during the worship time, I felt a strong sense of needing to pray for the battle waging for the children of Liberia. As such, I began praying for them. Immediately a peace flooded me. I believe this matter is settled. We will see great victory come from this meeting. Of course, my time is not God's time. I don't know that this victory will be evident immediately. My request to God is that we see immediate results, but I don't know that it will happen. I believe God was encouraging me to hang tight and not lose hope or question the outcome if immediate results are not evident. He will bring about that which has been settled in His timing...which is rarely the same as mine! Can anyone relate?!
This morning as I prayed again about the meeting, God took me to Psalm 33 and 34. I ask you to join me in proclaiming the Word over this meeting and the situation with adoption and children in Liberia. Let me remind everyone that this is much bigger than just adoption. We are talking about leaders in the Ministry of Health who have taken, from the last report I heard, over $300,000 (US, not Liberian dollars) from children who are in orphanages that have nothing to do with adoptions. This is the money the government was supposed to be giving those who care for the children to feed them. This money was literally stolen out of the mouths of the children by the very people set in authority by President Sirleaf and her people to care for the "health and social welfare" of these children. Anyone else see a serious problem?
So my prayer is not that adoptions open. Yes, that is part of it, but I am asking you to pray that these people be brought to justice and removed from their seats of authority so that Godly men and women can be put in authority and the well-being of the Liberian children can once again be at the forefront of what the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is doing.
Here is what God brought me to and I am asking you to agree with me in prayer:
Psalm 34:
7 ~ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
8-10 ~ O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him: O fear the Lord, You His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
15-22 ~ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken, evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Psalm 37
7-15
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laugh ts at him, for He sees his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow to cast down the afflicted and the needy [orphans and those who care for them], to slay those who are upright in conduct [those of us who have spoken out publicly against the corruption in the Ministry of Health]. Their sword will enter their own heart, and their bows will be broken.
34~ Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
I am dancing for joy at the truths in those verses! The authority is all God's! He will deal harshly with those who plot against His people and especially against His children! Praise Him! To Him be all the glory from the outcomes of this meeting!
Concerning what I believe to be God speaking victory over the wicked in power over the care of children and the battle waging for these children:
Psalm 33:9-12 ~ For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
Thank you for journeying with us and praying for the children of Liberia. I look forward to reporting to all of you prayer warriors the victories we will see in the days, weeks, months and years to come. I have always believed that God has big plans for Liberia and intends to make Liberia a power house nation....much like American. But He must have righteous leaders before that can happen. Your prayers are working to bring that about. Just one more time we as Christians are called to a very small part of a much larger picture! Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication. Words can't express the gratitude I have for those of you praying with us!
For the oppressed,
HollyAnn
This morning as I prayed again about the meeting, God took me to Psalm 33 and 34. I ask you to join me in proclaiming the Word over this meeting and the situation with adoption and children in Liberia. Let me remind everyone that this is much bigger than just adoption. We are talking about leaders in the Ministry of Health who have taken, from the last report I heard, over $300,000 (US, not Liberian dollars) from children who are in orphanages that have nothing to do with adoptions. This is the money the government was supposed to be giving those who care for the children to feed them. This money was literally stolen out of the mouths of the children by the very people set in authority by President Sirleaf and her people to care for the "health and social welfare" of these children. Anyone else see a serious problem?
So my prayer is not that adoptions open. Yes, that is part of it, but I am asking you to pray that these people be brought to justice and removed from their seats of authority so that Godly men and women can be put in authority and the well-being of the Liberian children can once again be at the forefront of what the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is doing.
Here is what God brought me to and I am asking you to agree with me in prayer:
Psalm 34:
7 ~ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
8-10 ~ O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him: O fear the Lord, You His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
15-22 ~ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken, evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Psalm 37
7-15
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laugh ts at him, for He sees his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow to cast down the afflicted and the needy [orphans and those who care for them], to slay those who are upright in conduct [those of us who have spoken out publicly against the corruption in the Ministry of Health]. Their sword will enter their own heart, and their bows will be broken.
34~ Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
I am dancing for joy at the truths in those verses! The authority is all God's! He will deal harshly with those who plot against His people and especially against His children! Praise Him! To Him be all the glory from the outcomes of this meeting!
Concerning what I believe to be God speaking victory over the wicked in power over the care of children and the battle waging for these children:
Psalm 33:9-12 ~ For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.
Thank you for journeying with us and praying for the children of Liberia. I look forward to reporting to all of you prayer warriors the victories we will see in the days, weeks, months and years to come. I have always believed that God has big plans for Liberia and intends to make Liberia a power house nation....much like American. But He must have righteous leaders before that can happen. Your prayers are working to bring that about. Just one more time we as Christians are called to a very small part of a much larger picture! Thank you for your faithfulness and dedication. Words can't express the gratitude I have for those of you praying with us!
For the oppressed,
HollyAnn
Friday, July 16, 2010
Meeting postponed!
The meeting set for tomorrow has been moved to Tuesday at 10 am. That just give us more time to storm the gates of heaven for adoption and the children of Liberia! Please keep praying!
Fasting and Praying
Tomorrow is a crucial meeting for adoption. It is the first time that a high ranking public official has an interest in hearing the truth in the adoption stories that have been played out in the public in lies and corruption. We are so thankful for this opportunity to speak the truth and stand before our accusers and expose the lies. My only regret is that I cannot physically be there. But God has sent many to be on the front lines for tomorrow. Please pray for them. I can't explain to you the attacks that can come when you are in a position like that. Pray a hedge of protection around them.
This morning I am praying the following scriptures over the meeting. I would love for you to agree in prayer with me for these or anything else God lays on your heart! This is not a battle against flesh and blood but against the world forces of this darkness (Eph 6:12). This is a battle that will be won or lost based on the willingness of Kingdom warriors to fight on their knees and then follow in obedience to carry out the spiritual victory in the physical world. Please pray with me!
Psalm 10
2, 8-9 ~ In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised...He [the wicked] sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.
12-18 ~ Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it." You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan. Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none. The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land. O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.
Psalm 109
1-13 ~ O God of my praise, do not be silent! For they have opened their wicked and deceitful mouth against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause. In return for my love they act as my accusers, but I am in prayer. Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.
Appoint a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at this right hand. When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his children wander about and beg; and let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder the product of his labor. Let there be none to extend loving kindness to him, nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; in a following generation let their name be blotted out.
16 ~ Because he did not remember to show loving kindness, but persecuted the afflicted and needy man, and the despondent in heart, to put them to death.
21-31 ~ But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your loving kindness is good, deliver me; For I am afflicted and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. I also have become a reproach to them; when they see me, they wag their heard. Help me, O Lord my God; save me according you Your loving kindness. And let them know that this is Your hand; You , Lord, have done it. Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but your servant shall be glad. Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who judge his soul.
Amen and Amen!!!
This morning I am praying the following scriptures over the meeting. I would love for you to agree in prayer with me for these or anything else God lays on your heart! This is not a battle against flesh and blood but against the world forces of this darkness (Eph 6:12). This is a battle that will be won or lost based on the willingness of Kingdom warriors to fight on their knees and then follow in obedience to carry out the spiritual victory in the physical world. Please pray with me!
Psalm 10
2, 8-9 ~ In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised...He [the wicked] sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.
12-18 ~ Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it." You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan. Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none. The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land. O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.
Psalm 109
1-13 ~ O God of my praise, do not be silent! For they have opened their wicked and deceitful mouth against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause. In return for my love they act as my accusers, but I am in prayer. Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.
Appoint a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at this right hand. When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his children wander about and beg; and let them seek sustenance far from their ruined homes. Let the creditor seize all that he has, and let strangers plunder the product of his labor. Let there be none to extend loving kindness to him, nor any to be gracious to his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; in a following generation let their name be blotted out.
16 ~ Because he did not remember to show loving kindness, but persecuted the afflicted and needy man, and the despondent in heart, to put them to death.
21-31 ~ But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name's sake; Because Your loving kindness is good, deliver me; For I am afflicted and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. My knees are weak from fasting, and my flesh has grown lean, without fatness. I also have become a reproach to them; when they see me, they wag their heard. Help me, O Lord my God; save me according you Your loving kindness. And let them know that this is Your hand; You , Lord, have done it. Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but your servant shall be glad. Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; and in the midst of many I will praise him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who judge his soul.
Amen and Amen!!!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Added info on Lifesong Donations
Please be sure to mark any donations to Lifesong that you intend to go to our former children's home as a donation to "Liberia:Marshall" as they have several projects in Liberia and want to ensure your donation goes where you intend. Thank you in advance for donating to Lifesong and helping them care for orphans!
Day of Prayer and Fasting for important meeting
Hello all!
I am so excited to ask for you to join us in fasting and praying this Friday, July 16 for a crucial meeting in Liberia on Saturday, July 17. There will be a meeting that will allow the adoption service providers a chance to tell the whole truth of adoptions in Liberia. To this point, the only public stories told were the lies spread by the Ministry of Health and some at the Justice Ministry. But thanks to a new Justice Minister, there will be a public hearing where the truth can be told!
I have asked before that you pray Psalm 10. God has taken me back there. Please pray this for the children of Liberia and those who have been taken money when/how they should not have been. Pray it for the officials who have the power and obligation to speak up and publicly take a stand against the lies being told to President Sirleaf about adoptions. Pray for President Sirleaf, that un-like Pharaoh, her heart will not be hardened, but softened to the plight of the children in her country. As I have always said, adoption is not the solution, but is a small piece to a large puzzle that can help turn this country around. One of our children will be attending the meeting to speak. He is one of our amazing young men. Pray for him. Pray that he has the opportunity to speak on behalf of all the waiting children in Liberia. Pray that God gives him the words and the boldness to speak just like David as he approached Goliath!
As always, this battle is truly not against these people....any of those in power who have acted in wicked ways. This battle is against the evil forces of darkness in this world. So let's pray those evil forces back to the abyss! It's time for the children to be victorious in this battle and God to receive the honor and glory due Him in the adoptions as they occur!
A huge thank you to Maria Luiken from WACSN for her efforts and courage in speaking with officials and fighting for the children of Liberia and working to make this meeting happen. She came to our rescue when Deputy Minister Geebro illegally tried to stop us and three other families from bringing home our children in January 2008. She is a true warrior for the children of Liberia. Pray for her and the others on the front lines as they meet with these officials this week.
Many now agree that it is time for the corruption and lies to be made public! I am so thankful for this as God has told me for some time that it is time to expose those in power who are acting in wicked ways toward the children and prospering personally. Now we, the adoption service providers, are united in exposing those people. May God's justice reign!
Thank you for praying! I will post more specific prayer requests and scriptures to be praying as the week progresses. Please pass this along to other prayer warriors. Its time for the adoption band to be lifted and these children to come home to the homes God has prepared in advance for them!
For the children,
HollyAnn Petree
Executive Director
Addy's Hope Adoption Agency
I am so excited to ask for you to join us in fasting and praying this Friday, July 16 for a crucial meeting in Liberia on Saturday, July 17. There will be a meeting that will allow the adoption service providers a chance to tell the whole truth of adoptions in Liberia. To this point, the only public stories told were the lies spread by the Ministry of Health and some at the Justice Ministry. But thanks to a new Justice Minister, there will be a public hearing where the truth can be told!
I have asked before that you pray Psalm 10. God has taken me back there. Please pray this for the children of Liberia and those who have been taken money when/how they should not have been. Pray it for the officials who have the power and obligation to speak up and publicly take a stand against the lies being told to President Sirleaf about adoptions. Pray for President Sirleaf, that un-like Pharaoh, her heart will not be hardened, but softened to the plight of the children in her country. As I have always said, adoption is not the solution, but is a small piece to a large puzzle that can help turn this country around. One of our children will be attending the meeting to speak. He is one of our amazing young men. Pray for him. Pray that he has the opportunity to speak on behalf of all the waiting children in Liberia. Pray that God gives him the words and the boldness to speak just like David as he approached Goliath!
As always, this battle is truly not against these people....any of those in power who have acted in wicked ways. This battle is against the evil forces of darkness in this world. So let's pray those evil forces back to the abyss! It's time for the children to be victorious in this battle and God to receive the honor and glory due Him in the adoptions as they occur!
A huge thank you to Maria Luiken from WACSN for her efforts and courage in speaking with officials and fighting for the children of Liberia and working to make this meeting happen. She came to our rescue when Deputy Minister Geebro illegally tried to stop us and three other families from bringing home our children in January 2008. She is a true warrior for the children of Liberia. Pray for her and the others on the front lines as they meet with these officials this week.
Many now agree that it is time for the corruption and lies to be made public! I am so thankful for this as God has told me for some time that it is time to expose those in power who are acting in wicked ways toward the children and prospering personally. Now we, the adoption service providers, are united in exposing those people. May God's justice reign!
Thank you for praying! I will post more specific prayer requests and scriptures to be praying as the week progresses. Please pass this along to other prayer warriors. Its time for the adoption band to be lifted and these children to come home to the homes God has prepared in advance for them!
For the children,
HollyAnn Petree
Executive Director
Addy's Hope Adoption Agency
Monday, July 5, 2010
Exciting News in Liberia
It is with great excitement that I announce to you the passing of the baton! Addy's Hope has recently partnered with Lifesong for Orphans here in American and Master's Home of Champions in Liberia. Lifesong and Master's Home of Champions have been in partnership for some time now. Addy's Hope has just joined them in order to further the ministry we all feel God has called us to in Liberia.
As I have stated many times in e-mail to our donors as well as posts on this blog, Addy's Hope has struggled since President Sirleaf placed a hold on adoptions in January 2009. As we come upon the 18 month anniversary of that decision, it's effect on our ability to care for the children of Liberia God has entrusted to us became more severe. Addy's Hope has always relied on the money from adoption fees to support the programs we ran in Liberia. That includes the feeding of the children, the salaries for staff and the necessities for the school we dreamed of opening. God has been so faithful in providing for those needs over the last 18 months. However, we knew we could not continue for much longer at the pace we were.
God in His infinite wisdom had already begun a friendship, a kinship, with Bishop Emmanuel Jones, his wife Romona and Addy's Hope last year. John and I had the honor of meeting Emmanuel at the Orphan Summit in 2009.
We spent many hours talking to him about Liberia and were amazed at the similarities in the vision God had given us for our ministry and the words Emmanuel spoke as his vision for Liberia and the children there. It was my privilege to visit Emmanuel and his children at Master's Home of Champions last August when I traveled to Liberia.
The first thing I noticed at the Master's Home was the standard by which they cared for the children. It was one that I admired and felt aligned closely with ours at Addy's Hope. Little did I know the direction God would take us in just one year. After much conversation between Lifesong, Addy's Hope and Bishop Jones, I am please to announce that Addy's Hope has donated our children's home and land to Lifesong and Master's Home of Champions for the furthering of God's kingdom in Liberia!
As I have stated many times in e-mail to our donors as well as posts on this blog, Addy's Hope has struggled since President Sirleaf placed a hold on adoptions in January 2009. As we come upon the 18 month anniversary of that decision, it's effect on our ability to care for the children of Liberia God has entrusted to us became more severe. Addy's Hope has always relied on the money from adoption fees to support the programs we ran in Liberia. That includes the feeding of the children, the salaries for staff and the necessities for the school we dreamed of opening. God has been so faithful in providing for those needs over the last 18 months. However, we knew we could not continue for much longer at the pace we were.
God in His infinite wisdom had already begun a friendship, a kinship, with Bishop Emmanuel Jones, his wife Romona and Addy's Hope last year. John and I had the honor of meeting Emmanuel at the Orphan Summit in 2009.
We spent many hours talking to him about Liberia and were amazed at the similarities in the vision God had given us for our ministry and the words Emmanuel spoke as his vision for Liberia and the children there. It was my privilege to visit Emmanuel and his children at Master's Home of Champions last August when I traveled to Liberia.
The first thing I noticed at the Master's Home was the standard by which they cared for the children. It was one that I admired and felt aligned closely with ours at Addy's Hope. Little did I know the direction God would take us in just one year. After much conversation between Lifesong, Addy's Hope and Bishop Jones, I am please to announce that Addy's Hope has donated our children's home and land to Lifesong and Master's Home of Champions for the furthering of God's kingdom in Liberia!
This is bitter sweet for me. I will not lie and say that it has been an easy task. However, I can say without a doubt it is the right move for Addy's Hope as we seek to follow God's will in all our ministry. Lifesong partnered with Master's Home of Champions has the resources to do with the home and land what Addy's Hope did not once adoptions were halted. The children who were under our care will remain at the home. Plans are already in the works to open the school on site to start this school year, September 2010. This was a dream we had not been able to see fulfilled after our container was held up by the Ministry of Health and were required to pay the money needed to complete the school for the taxes on the container so it could be released. That school will now be opened thanks to the generosity of Lifesong and the dedication of Emmanuel and Ramona Jones to the children of Liberia.
What will Addy's Hope look like in Liberia now? As I have asked myself that same question throughout this process, I have been reminded of Matthew 6:34, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own." For today, we know that God has asked us to pass the stewardship of what He has entrusted to us to these brothers and sisters for them to run the next leg. We at Addy's Hope believe in the Body of Christ. This has never been about Addy's Hope. It is about God. It is about children. It is about whatever role we can play while here on this earth to spread the love of Christ and care for the orphans and widows. For this day, that means allowing Lifesong and Master's Home of Champions the opportunity to fulfill the vision God gave us for the land and building this past year and a half, and more importantly for the children He has entrusted to us for the past five years in Liberia.
Bishop Emmanuel Jones is dedicated to teaching children in Liberia about our Savior. He is dedicated to teaching them that they have a hope and a future that is good...whether that future is in America or Liberia, it is good! He will equip them for the life God has for them. That is what I am most excited about during this time of transition. Our children, God's children, who have been wounded by the decisions made by the leadership of their country now have hope! Their hearts will need time to heal. Pray for that with us, please. For now, adoption is not an option for them. For some, it will never be as they will be too old to go through the process they once thought would bring them to America...would bring them to families who already love them and whom they already love.
But now they have a new family! They will learn in this new family what their role in Liberia, and more importantly in the Kingdom of God will be.
But now they have a new family! They will learn in this new family what their role in Liberia, and more importantly in the Kingdom of God will be.
I will continue to fight for adoptions in Liberia as long as God calls me to. The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy all that shows God's love, and adoption definitely fits that description! I will continue to contact government officials both here and in Liberia to ask for their cooperation in opening adoptions in Liberia so that more children have a chance at the basic human rights that are supposed to be guaranteed by all the international codes and treaties they throw around in argument against adoption while children starve, get sick and die under their watch.
Addy's Hope will continue to have an active role in the Master's Home of Champions, Marshall. Those children are my children. Yes, they are God's, but those little voices singing, "Mother HollyAnn" will always ring in my ear and tie my heart to them until God takes me from this earth.
Addy's Hope will continue to have an active role in the Master's Home of Champions, Marshall. Those children are my children. Yes, they are God's, but those little voices singing, "Mother HollyAnn" will always ring in my ear and tie my heart to them until God takes me from this earth.One of our biggest roles at this time is to ask you to help us. I know you are asked for money at every turn these days with the economy hurting all non-profits. But I know the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is not concerned with what the US economy is or is not doing. I am talking to His children now. Lifesong has taken a huge step of faith in taking on the financial responsibility of our home and property. If you have traveled to our home and met our children, you can sponsor one of them through Lifesong for $50 a month. You will receive letters and photos of your children twice a year. These are real children. They are not pictures on a flyer. I have met them, held them, tucked them into bed and kissed them goodnight. I have told them Jesus loves them, now I need you to help me prove that to them. Would you consider sponsoring one? Or would you just send a general donation to Lifesong with "Liberia" in the memo line? Lifesong for Orphans is an amazing organization run by all volunteers. One hundred percent of your donation will go to Liberia. Let me write that again, 100% of your donation dollars will go to your child. Go to their website! Check them out! They do amazing things for adoption and orphans who remain in their home country. That is one of the major reasons we feel so blessed to be partnered with them now! They share our philosophy of adoption and training leaders to turn countries like Liberia around! Praise God!
John and I will be sponsoring children that God has laid on our hearts. Will you do the same? If you want to know some of the children who are there, if you really want personal stories about them, e-mail me at hollyann@addyshope.com. I will be happy to talk to you about "my" children! They need you! Will you help Lifesong help them?
What will Addy's Hope do now? Well, we have many things that God has laid on our hearts and given us great vision to do. Many of those things are right here in the United States. We are not going away! For one, we are doing homestudies for families in the West Texas area who are looking to adopt from any adoption agencies. If you are in Midland, Odessa, or any small surrounding town and need a homestudy, give us a call at 432.879.1503. We offer personal, professional and prompt homestudy services. Besides that, we will be taking the next couple of months to pray, fast and seek God on our faces to know for sure the next venture He would have us take. Would you pray with us?
Pray for me and our board of directors as we seek God's will for this ministry. Pray also for Lifesong. Keith and Kay Knapp are the Liberian Liaisons for Lifesong. Please pray for them as well. Pray for Emmanuel and Romona as well as the staff at Master's Home of Champions, Marshall as they care for the children and add one more thing to an already full plate. The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. Pray that God sends more workers...willing, heartfelt, Christian workers!
If God has spoken to you to give a one time gift, or to possibly sponsor a child, you can do that by sending your donation to Lifesong for Orphans. You can donate online here or by mailing a check to Lifesong for Orphans, 202 N Ford Street, Gridley, IL 61744. Please be sure to put "Liberia: Marshall" as a note on your donation whether online or by check. They have stepped out in faith, will you help be the hands of Jesus to make their faith become site?
Lastly, let me say, thank you! Thank you to all of you who heard our pleas for the children and donated. Whether you gave $5 or $5,000 over the past 18 months, you fed the children. You staffed the home. You educated the little ones. May God bless you 10 fold and more for what you gave to allow us the privilege of caring for these children even when the enemy tried to destroy our work. And thank you to my Liberian staff who have worked for us at times without pay! To Him be all the glory!
Lastly, let me say, thank you! Thank you to all of you who heard our pleas for the children and donated. Whether you gave $5 or $5,000 over the past 18 months, you fed the children. You staffed the home. You educated the little ones. May God bless you 10 fold and more for what you gave to allow us the privilege of caring for these children even when the enemy tried to destroy our work. And thank you to my Liberian staff who have worked for us at times without pay! To Him be all the glory!Serving along side all of you,
HollyAnn Petree
Executive Director
Addy's Hope
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