Shovels and Dirt...and a new SAFE HOUSE!!

UPDATE:: The Safe House in Jeffrey's Bay is officially underway! We have broken ground and the foundation should be in place next week! Pray for lots of good weather over the next few months....these kids are going to have a safe and warm place to live because of all of the love and support that you have all given them! Thank you for literally being the hands and feet of Jesus for these children :)

All About Orange

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PURCHASED A CANVAS AT ORANGE, YOU REALLY ARE CHANGING THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES!!

God is doing really amazing things through the wonderful people that attended the Orange Conference last week in Atlanta! Because of the people at Orange we are able to build a safe house for the children in Jeffrey's Bay!! Last week we sold 178 of the 200 canvases that were painted by the children at Ithemba...the canvases are being sold for $250 and 100% of the money is going straight to build the safe house. Because of the generosity of the Orange Community, we are able to begin building TODAY! I will be updating the blog with pictures of the progress on the house so keep checking back :)

Easter in Nicaragua!

I just got these pictures of the kids from Casa Roble in Nicaragua! They did an Easter Egg Hunt and had a blast!

Lindsey and Allie

We are so excited to have two wonderful girls living in J'Bay this summer and helping Ria and Ithemba! These two girls have huge hearts for the children at Ithemba and our mission to provide for them and improve their quality of life. While there, they will be focusing on improving the Biblical and educational curriculum that we already have in place at the day center. Allie goes to the University of West Georgia and is majoring in Early Childhood Education. She will be working directly with the teachers at Ithemba and training them on new and innovative ways to teach the children. Lindsey goes to Murray State University and is majoring in Management and minoring in Non-Profit Leadership, she will be working with Ria to perfect the organizational side of running and managing everything at Ithemba. Both Lindsey and Allie will be working with the 252 Curriculum and helping perfect the programs. We are so excited to have them in J'Bay for three months living with the people and getting to know the children. They are both currently raising support for their trips...if you would like to help support them, you can send a check to:

LUO, Inc

390 17th St

#3060

Atlanta, GA 30363

Be sure to write their names in the subject line! We would also love for you to commit to supporting them through prayer this summer. They will be starting a blog and sending updates throughout their trip.

News from Nicaragua!

We just got some adorable new pictures of a few of the kids at Casa Havilah and Casa Roble in Nicaragua. This is their first day of pre school! I wanted to share them with you because they are so stinkin' cute.

Our friends in Nicaragua were excited to tell us that the kids are all doing great. Of course, they have had some struggles with transitioning the kids from La Chureca (the dump) into a real home and family setting but they are doing well and really changing into a family that loves each other!

State Side

24 hours more of travel and we are back in Atlanta safe and sound.  The trip was great, we are so glad to be home but also feel like we left home 8,000 miles away in J'Bay.  We are already excited for our trip this summer and are anxious to start planning!  Right now we are busy planning our next trip to Nicaragua as well.  In May we will be taking the leadership from the church in Murray, Kentucky to meet the wonderful kids that they are supporting at Casa Havilah and Casa Roble.  We are excited about what God has in store for LUO over the next few months, so I will keep you updated along the way.  Thanks for all of your prayers while we were away, please continue to keep Ria, the children and the safe house in your prayers!

Meet Ria Pieters

Well, it seems to be time that you all meet one of my favorite people...someone that Gavin and I look up to in just about every way.  She is incredibly inspiring.  The way that she lives her life is constantly challenging us to try to be more like Christ.  

As many of you know, my Mema, Ruth Schnatmeier has influenced my relationship with Christ and influenced the way that I try to live in a huge way.  She was my spiritual leader and my closest friend.  She passed away in December and I felt like I was losing part of myself.  I admire her more than I can put in to words.  There aren't many people in this world who have managed to live as selflessly, as full of grace or as in love with Jesus as my grandma.  But over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to get to know Ria, and through our friendship, I have begun to see so many of the same qualities and gifts that I saw in Mema in Ria and I am so thankful for her.

A few years ago, Ria experienced a major tragedy in her life, in the circumstances, some people would turn away from God and others would cling to Him...not only did Ria cling to Him, she started sprinting full steam after His very heart.  In response to the tragedy, Ria decided to live her life for a greater purpose.  She saw the need for a refuge for children in the township in Jeffrey's Bay and she decided to start praying and fighting to make it happen.  In 2005 Ithemba was opened and since then, Ria's entire life has become dedicated to loving the children of Tokyo Sexwale and fighting to help them have a better life, free from poverty.  While holding a full time job at the church and "foster parenting" two 4 year old twins, Ria still manages and maintains Ithemba.  Since its start, Ithemba has grown into a day center that serves 200 children each day.  Ria's life is truly a testimony.  She is actively seeking justice in her very own community.  So, today, I wanted to introduce you to her!  Please be praying for her and her ministry here in J'Bay.