How Can You Help?
Posted on Mar 01 2006 | Tagged as: faith in action, thailand project
WESTSIDE OUTSIDE THAILAND – A Project of Westside Christian High School Students and Staff
In March of 2005 we began a conversation about transforming the hearts of our students. Our hope was that we would all begin to have hearts that break for the things that break Christ’s heart.
The result was a trip that turned into a journey… it is ongoing.
We have returned from the trip, but our hearts still ache for our new family in Thailand.
You see, we have fallen in love with the children and staff of Grace Ministries. These are children of extreme poverty, some are orphans, and all were at risk of exploitation. These children are inspiring. They are passionate to become leaders within their country and to change the future for other children.
What happened is they changed us. We came with a lifestyle distracted by entertainment and over indulgence (we still struggle here), now we see Christ much clearer and desire to be captivated by Him. We don’t want to be ordinary, we want to be extraordinary.
While on the trip a vision emerged. We could see very clearly that out of our admiration and love for one another we could develop a partnership that would be mutually beneficial. We would love them like brothers and sisters and tell their story to anyone who would listen. The result of our story telling has been that people feel compelled to respond. Children are getting sponsored and new buildings are being built. More children are being saved.
Grace Ministries is becoming a hub for this kind of work. They will train others to start similar types of work and more children will be saved and groomed into leadership. We will keep telling the story and churches and organizations will be compelled to support these new works.
We also benefit from this relationship. We get to go back and live with them each summer. We get to love them and be loved. We get to learn to put ourselves last.
Join the conversation – Let us tell you our stories – Fall in love
We are developing a learning experience for Westside students. In addition to providing a missions experience for our students we will also be making a multi-faceted commitment to Remember Nhu and Grace Ministries, Thailand. We want to own the responsibility and blessing of raising funds to support facility development and ongoing expenses of expanding their ministry.
Commitments:
-We are committed to raising funds for the development of the Grace Ministries site so they can provide housing and support to at risk children.
-We are committed to taking on the responsibility of supporting a large portion of the operating costs of the growing ministry.
-We are committed to sending our people to support the educational, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children and those who work with them all year.
Prayer
Please join us in praying that God will use this opportunity to impact the lives of children. We believe that our God is big. We believe that He could use children in Thailand and Oregon to change our world.
Partners:
Remember Nhu- This Christian non-profit organization will provide support to the school as a liaison between us and Grace Ministries. They will also serve as a consultant, helping with trip planning, and handle administrative functions. All support that is generated for Grace Ministries will be directed through Remember Nhu.
Grace Ministries- Grace Ministries aims to give boys and girls from impoverished backgrounds and broken families an alternative to sexual and labour exploitation. This is hoped to be achieved by providing an opportunity to pursue a primary/secondary education in a safe, protective and nurturing residential environment, and in turn for them to free their families, from the debt culture. .
Current Financial Needs:
Following are the current financial needs. Meeting these needs will allow us to provide a loving environment for children at risk of slavery.
Child Sponsorship (operating costs):
Time Frame: We are currently accepting donations to support the operating cost for children.
Cost: $50 dollars per month will provide for nearly all of the needs for one child – food, medical care, education, clothing, etc.
Please send us an email if you are interested EMAIL
GET A CHILD SPONSORSHIP PLEDGE FORM HERE
COMPLETED PROJECT
Construction of Grace Ministries Home for Boys (Hebron House):
Time Frame to Raise Funds: 4/06 -10/06
Description: Aprox. 6000 sq. ft- Home with house parent quarters, sleeping area, and meeting area.
Funds Raised: ALL FUNDS RAISED
Construction Completion Date: 3/07
Structure Life: Long-term
NEXT CAPITOL PROJECT
Construction of Grace Ministries Missionary Housing (Home for Charles and Yok Fong):
Time Frame to Raise Funds: 03/07-10/07
Description: NA (coming soon)
Construction Completion Date: NA
Structure Life: Long-term
Now excepting donation for this project – Email if you are interested in being a part of this project.
GET A PLEDGE FORM HERE
Plan for Raising Funds:
Each time we send a team of people to Thailand we will request that in addition to raising support for themselves, they also raise additional funds toward meeting the needs of capital expenditures for Grace Ministries. We will also challenge each person that goes to seek sponsorship for at least one child.
We are committed to speaking about our experiences in Thailand to anyone interested in hearing. I believe that God will direct us to people who will feel compelled to get involved. Contact us through email if you would like to learn more.
