Oasis for Orphans Newsletter

October 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

New Managing Director

Dear Oasis Family,

A favorite part of my role with Oasis is what I call "mobilization." I even like how the word sounds so I say it very intentionally, sounding out each syllable - mo-bil-i-za-tion emphasis on the "za." Try it... fun, right?

Mobilization is helping move people forward from one place to another. In the context of our Oasis mission, it is helping people move forward in their journey towards the heart of God through serving orphaned and vulnerable children. This looks different for every person. Dozens of compassionate families have been mobilized to take on the life-changing role of sponsorship, and more are needed. TEAM Oasis leaders help mobilize runners to take on outrageous goals, like completing the Chicago Marathon, in order to raise funds to build The Shelter. Short-term missions leaders walk beside team members to help them grow in their passion and love for God and for our children. By the end of the mobilization process they are so filled with love for our kids that they can't wait to get to Kenya and start serving.

Running the 2014 Chicago Marathon

In this issue, by example and suggestions, we want to give you some mobilization ideas. We also have an important announcement and will introduce you to a man who has been mobilized to action in Oasis leadership.

So as you peruse these pages, I hope that you snuggle in a little closer to God's heart. When you do, don't forget to ask Him how He would like to mobilize you. If we can help you on your journey, we'd love to hear from you.

God bless you,

Diane

Diane Elliot, Oasis Stateside Operations Administration

New Managing Director

After many conversations and much prayer over the last few months, the Oasis board is very excited to announce that Michael Hindes has accepted our offer to join the Oasis family as our Managing Director.

Michael and his wife Kathy currently live in Atlanta, GA. They are devoted followers of Christ and the proud parents of three grown/married children. Michael's prior experience includes serving as: the Director of Mobilization at Adventures In Missions (AIM), Senior & Executive Pastor at two churches in Michigan, Founder of Kingdom Incorporated Ministries, and as a registered nurse. He has his BA and MA in Pastoral Leadership, and he is a certified coach and speaker on the John Maxwell Team. Throughout the interview process, Michael demonstrated strong leadership skills and practical experience with growing non-profit faith-based ministries. We have been saying for over six months now that we want to "do more, for more" and we believe Michael is just the person to lead our global team. Michael's start date is November 1st. Please welcome Michael and Kathy to the Oasis family.

The Oasis Board

Michael and Kathy Hindes

Mobilized to Serve

by Dan Huffman with Delilah Fritzler

Sponsor Team in Kenya

It's great when a plan comes together. But, it's even better when people come together.

We were the A-Team, or at least, that's what we called ourselves. After flying into Kenya, our 17 member team was a little tired and a little rough around the edges from the over 24-hour travel day, but ready to deliver a heaping pile of love to our sponsored children and everyone we met along the way. Carrying with us an arsenal of games, activities, and devotionals, our mission was to reinforce the truth that "God will never leave you."

Still, all of our training and planning didn't prepare us for the holy moment of meeting our sponsored children. Seven of our group experienced this for the very first time. The sacredness of holding your sponsored child in your arms is an intense joy that we pray every Oasis sponsor and sponsored child can know. Relational bonds grow stronger and hope soars as children feel their sponsors' arms entwined with the arms of their Heavenly Father, holding them tight.

After that first, unforgettable explosion of joy, the rest of the week went by way too quickly. On The Hill, we played games, read Bible stories, did crafts, praised God, jumped rope and frequently experienced the humility of being utterly crushed in every soccer match. We Americans held our own in the volleyball matches though. We were even able to bring a 90-foot zip line with us, and we cherished the squeals of delight as children zoomed through the air.

During the week, we were also able to pack up our materials and bring the same American-style Vacation Bible School to the children of The Valley. These precious children are much younger than our kids at The Hill and speak primarily Kisii instead of Swahili. But, children are children, and fun is a universal language. Their ear-to-ear smiles warmed our hearts, and before we left, we in turn blessed them with the warmth of cozy, new bedding for every child.

As the days in our precious week began to dwindle, we had the honor of visiting the homes of our sponsored children's guardians. The long, bumpy trips into the bush were rewarded with meaningful conversations in modest mud huts over steaming cups of hot chai. We prayed that one day, as adults, our sponsored children will be able to return to their communities because of the relationship they have maintained with these guardian family members. What a victory it will be when the rescued become rescuers and the sponsor-child relationship begins anew!

There were many tears as we drove away at the end of the week. Mission accomplished, but the A-Team left convicted that we should one day return. We were told of a Maasai saying: "The hills do not ever meet again, but people do." It is our prayer that this is true for us.

Livin' It!

Dan

500 Kids, 500 Dreams

Oasis for Orphans is honored to be chosen as one of the Global Outreach partners who will be featured at their 500 Kids, 500 Dreams event. Below is a brief interview with event director, Perry Moore, that will give you a glimpse of the passion and heart behind this strategic event.

Perry, you are really passionate about this 500 Kids 500 Dreams campaign. How did this event come about?

As a father of three kids, I often think about my dreams for them. When they were born, I just wanted them to be healthy and safe. When they reached school age, I wanted them to get a good education. As they got older, I wanted them to have a strong faith in God and have a hope and vision for their own future. These dreams are universal. But, who dreams for children in extreme poverty? Who dreams for the kids without parents? The 500 Kids, 500 Dreams campaign was developed to help five of our Global Outreach partners meet the needs of 500 orphaned or extremely vulnerable kids whom God has entrusted to them.

Why do you think this event is so important?

The Chapel's Global Outreach ministry recognizes the financial struggle our partners experience in caring daily for these kids. We want to help ease that burden. The Global Outreach night is an opportunity to share the stories and needs of five global partners with Chapel members. We know that when they understand the needs, they will respond and help.

If you have your dream come true, what do you hope will be the result of this event?

We've asked each of the five Chapel global partners how we could best come alongside them and specifically help them in caring for the kids. As you can imagine, each partner has their own unique needs and dreams. Oasis for Orphans, as an example, shared their needs for things like beds for the kids, a water pump, and school furniture for The Valley children's home. Other partners need tuition funds for school, medical supplies and even chicken coops. To meet most or all of the partners' dreams, we would need to raise about $25,000 for each partner or about $125,000 in total. That's a big goal, and I honestly don't know if we can reach that amount. But, I do know these are God's kids, and His compassion for them is enormous and eternal. Regardless of what we raise, we can be assured that He will meet their needs. So, in answer to your question, my dream for the event is that God is glorified. He is the only one whose plans never fail.

You Can Too!

Dr. Scott Derse examining one of our children

Matching Donations -
Did you know that many companies have matching donations that they offer for your favorite charity? Just recently, we have received several significant corporate matching gifts just because a few employees took the time to ask! Feel free to explore this option and let us know if we can do something to help.
Mission Trips -
Ever thought of serving on a short-term mission team? We have several teams that we will be announcing in the near future! Stay tuned.
Sponsorship Opportunities -

In the next few months, we are going to turn up the volume on sponsorship opportunities. Be thinking and praying about how it could look to welcome a Kenyan child into your family and heart!

Please Pray For...

1. ...Michael as he starts to work with the Oasis team, assess the areas of opportunity, and layout the development plan for the future.

2. ...our Dental Team to have a successful mission in Kenya and that their hearts will be "spent" on behalf of our Oasis children.

3. ...Kim Huffman (TEAM Oasis Race Director), Tony Jao (T.O. Admin) and all the team captains and runners as they wrap up a very busy running season.

4. ...our devoted missionaries in Kenya, the Smiths and the Ruzgas, as they turn their attention from short-term trips to planning and dreaming for the future.

5. ...our "Fellow," Megan Derse as she returns home to Wisconsin after serving for five months in Kenya. Her next step will be a time of fundraising before going back to Kenya sometime early in 2015.

Megan and some of our kids at The Hill

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Oasis for Orphans

PO Box 1144

Wheaton, Illinois 60187-1144

www.oasisfororphans.org

info@oasisfororphans.org

224.277.5678