Vinnie, a Ugandan mother, woke early in the morning before sunrise to tend to her garden one day back in March of 2007. Vinnie has three sons and a daughter whom she cares for as a single mom. Vinny’s husband died of AIDS several years prior, and she has been working diligently to care for her family ever since. She planned to work in the garden on Thursday night, but recalls feeling that she needed to wait and wake early Friday morning to care for her crops.

It was still dark when she arrived, and in the midst of her work she heard what she thought to be a cat. The sound continued, and it soon became apparent that what she was listening to was not the faint cry of a cat. After following the sound to investigate, she found a 5 pound or less baby girl who had just been born and immediately abandoned, still attached to the placenta. Vinny took the baby girl home, cleaned her up, and decided that she would take her in as her own. God had given her a very wonderful gift that day. From that day forward this precious little girl would be known as Gift. Gift is now 3 ½ years old. She is full of joy and energy! The picture at the top of this post was taken during my recent visit to Uganda.

December is a month where gifts are abounding. We take gag gifts to White Elephant nights, we buy presents for friends and family, we wait to see what gifts will be under our tree on Christmas morning. The story of this precious little girl reminds me that gifts come in all shapes and sizes, and are not necessarily the way we expect them to be sometimes. Let us all with open arms be willing to accept the gifts God has for us this Christmas. And hey, if you want to give a gift to Show Hope this time of year, we’ll take that too!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Earlier this week, a man stopped by our office to give us a framed scripture.  He works for a small business who sells these unique pieces. He said they heard about Show Hope and wanted to bless us with this gift. Of course I thought to myself, “Well that’s awesome. Thank you!” When he opened up the package, I saw the words “Give in Secret” Matt 6:4. Hmm… That was an interesting choice of a verse to frame. I thought about it a little more and read the full scripture just to see exactly what it says.

3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

After pondering the gift we were given, I thought how fitting it really is. An organization that is supported by contributions of individuals certainly relies on this verse. Show Hope has hundreds of donors who “Give in Secret” each month. These donors have decided in their hearts to give to orphans, to help make a difference for one child. No one has to know about their giving. They are giving to the Lord’s work. So let me say “Thank you!” to all of our faithful  Show Hope sponsors who give to the needy month after month. May the Lord reward you as he promises to do.

“Back in college, my friends and I used to go to this fun little place called The Cookie Basket in Searcy, Arkansas. They had the best lemon ice box cookies around. A friend was able to find a recipe that tastes just like these delicious cookies. I brought them in to the Show Hope office the other day, and let’s just say they were a hit! They were all gone by the end of the day, and I was still getting comments days later about how yummy they were! They do take a little time, but the recipe makes around 60 cookies!

If you’ve been thinking about collecting Change for Orphans, and are looking for some fundraising ideas, try baking these cookies and giving the proceeds to Show Hope! Here’s the recipe, we hope you enjoy them as much as the Show Hope office did!”

-McKensey Kemmerer, Director of Finance

McKensey

As I drove the back roads to work this morning I had the radio playing like usual. A song came on that I’ve heard quite a few times lately but today it stuck a different cord within me.

I’m waiting. I’m waiting on you Lord.
And I am hopeful. I’m waiting on your Lord
Though it is painful. But patiently I will wait.

Typically I sing along with an inward focus thinking about things in my life I’m waiting for. That special someone, for God to answer something I’ve been praying about…but today my heart went out to all the families that are waiting for their child to come home. I thought of the two hundred plus names that sit on my computer waiting for us to get notice that it’s time to travel so we can send them their grant award. With China and other countries slowing so dramatically over the past years, we hear story after story of families who have made the decision to adopt, started the process, are ready to make this happen but for now they are simply stuck waiting.

I will move ahead bold and confident.
Taking every step in obedience.
While I’m waiting. I will serve you.
While I’m waiting. I will worship.
While I’m waiting. I will not faint.
I’ll be running the race. Even while I wait.

I think for all of us it’s easy to get caught up in the wait. Wondering when it will happen, wondering why it’s taking so long. But the next line calls us to live while we’re waiting. Keep running, keep serving, keep on living and try not to focus on the wait. Easier said than done that’s for sure.

I’m waiting. I’m waiting on You, Lord.
And I am peaceful. I’m waiting on You, Lord.
Though it’s not easy. But faithfully, I will wait.
Yes, I will wait.

To all of you out there who are caught up in the waiting know that I’m praying for you today. As I’m paying the bills, running reports, responding to e-mails, and going about my daily routine, you are on my heart and mind!

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5