2010 continues to be an exciting year of growth: new ministries, new missionaries, new staff, new church partners, new products, and new opportunities.

In this update, we want to highlight just a few of these changes that represent a new phase of ministry. Be sure to follow the link to the NOW campaign and take a few minutes to watch the video. This short video will go a long way in describing what God is doing right now through HOB.

We will send out another update later this year to introduce you to some new missionaries and provide some  encouraging reports from the field. I hope that you are also encouraged by what you read today.

Thanks for growing and serving with us, and for continuing to introduce us to others. Thanks for praying too!

Tony Gibson
Heart of the Bride Ministries

 by Carol Boykin, Director of Child Development

The Child Sponsorship Program is Progressing Rapidly! 

Thank you to all who have begun a growing relationship with one of HOB's children -- it means a great deal to each of them!

We are opening up several more opportunities for sponsorships this year.  The first is in Haiti and is called "Hope of Haiti".  We currently have 27 young men who are awaiting sponsors at our school for orphans in Northwest Haiti. The school enrollment already exceeds 70, so more will be available for sponsorship soon.  

Because these boys live with extended family, the cost to provide for them is only $40.00/month which is significantly less than our comprehensive sponsorship program. This will provide them an education, a hot nutritious meal each school day, medical care, and discipleship. None of this would be afforded to them without the opportunity to be in this program. They are also receiving job skill training through the developing agricultural program. This is a great opportunity to have a relationship with a future Christian leader of Haiti!

Also New: We are also now offering child sponsorship in our Ukraine home.  We established a homestyle orphanage there in 2006 and currently have 7 children with 3 more in process. The pending addition at the home will allow for 14 children The cost to provide for their needs is $100/month for full sponsorship and $35/month for partial sponsorship.

We also have a total of 16 new children available to sponsor in Zambia and Kenya.

Eight year old Gabi Rosengren recently shared her thoughts on being a sponsor.  "I love having Beatrice as one of our family!  It's really cool we adopted her!  We (me and Ben) are saving up money for the orphanage.  The little crafts and pictures she sends us are adorable!  We pray for her every night.  My prayer always starts like this: Dear God, Thank you for Mamma and Dadda and Benny and Beatrice.  We love her so much!"

Benny (age 4) was asked if he liked having Beatrice and he said "YES I like having her but I would like it better if she was just at our house.

To learn more about child sponsorship visit: http://heartofthebride.org/kids

  by Tony Gibson, Ministry Director

We are excited to introduce Clint Sibbitt as the Director of Development for HOB Ministries. Clint, Eve, Zac, and Noah recently moved from Birmingham, Al. to join the HOB home staff in Niceville, Florida. Clint has been on staff with Student Life ministries for the past few years, but he and Eve have also been very active HOB ministry participants and advocates over the past five years, and throughout that time Clint has served in many volunteer roles.

As our international ministry and missionary staff continue to grow, we are also continuing to build church, business, and individual sponsoring relationships. Clint's primary role is to help develop new sponsoring relationships and serve those that already exist (that includes you). He is also leading our communication efforts which have already improved since his arrival.

We place a high value on relationships, and we want to help our contributors stay personally connected to those they are supporting. Clint is already providing churches and foundations with the resources that they need to stay connected with those they are helping, but he is also doing the same for individual supporters. If you want to be equipped as an HOB advocate, engage in a short term trip, help with an HOB event or project, or just know more about those you are supporting, contact Clint.

It is such a blessing to have someone serving in this vital role who was already committed and deeply involved in the ministry as a volunteer. Clint has already become a valuable asset to our ministry team; I look forward to the many ways that he brings others into deeper involvement.

You can contact Clint by email or by phone: clint@heartofthebride.org. 850 678 9008.

   by Clint Sibbitt, Director of Development

Beginning NOW through January 1, 2011, Heart of the Bride is focusing our funding efforts to meet critical facility and resource needs for our thriving and healthy ministries in Kenya, Uganda, Ukraine, and Zambia.

Over the last 5 years many of you have been involved in providing for the needs of orphans and it is bearing fruit in their lives and in God's Kingdom! God has allowed us to be a part of the planting and the NOW Campaign is an opportunity for all of us to join in the harvest. 

The singular focus of The NOW Campaign also makes it easier to share this ministry with friends and colleagues. Who wouldn't want to be part of impacting so many lives around the world right NOW? If you'd like more info or resources to get started let us know!

Why The NOW Campaign:

Join the Movement:

For more details visit us online at www.heartofthebride.org/now and www.facebook.com/nowcampaign

Contact Clint for more info at clint@heartofthebride.org or 850 678 9008.

  by Faith Gibson, Back to Africa

Back to Africa is excited to announce the launch of our new ceramic jewelry line! 

In addition to our beautiful paper bead jewelry, we now offer hand-painted ceramic pendants to compliment our growing line of jewelry.  We've been getting great reviews on all our new designs and we're excited to share them with you this fall through events, home shows, our online store, and in our Niceville showroom!  If you'd like more info contact us at 850-678-9008.

Expanding our product line is very beneficial for our partners in Kenya because it creates more jobs that help more people provide for their families!

Every purchase makes a difference in the lives of those in greatest need!

JOIN US AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS:

October 15th - 17th: The Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival in Niceville

October 23rd: The 34^th Annual Bayou Country Craft Show at Niceville United Methodist Church

Can't make it? Don't forget we now have a showroom in Niceville!

You've been asking for it; now, thanks to some changes with our banking provider, HOB is able to accept automatic bank debits directly from your bank account for regular monthly contributions. All you will need to do is complete a simple form to get started.