As we were walking into the Frankfurt airport I realized that it was only 18 months since our Young Life team started YL at BA. That night our team went to the BA campus opened up the book that has pics of every student and their name and we prayed for every name in that book. I don't say that to pat us on the back, I say it because that night we said, "Won't it be cool to actually know the people that own these names?" At the time we only knew Meg Jamison.
Now 18 months later we're in a foreign country with these people that we have come to love. It's amazing how God moves. This journey has brought it share of laughs and excitement. There's already been a scavenger hunt (to pass away the hours at the Frankfurt airport), including stewardesses in 20 questions (and getting animated life giving responses), and countless inside jokes. Can't wait to share them all.
Your prayers for respect, patience and flexibility are coveted!
Jerad Burkhart
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Safe and Sound
After a full day of travel, we're finally getting ready to call it a night. We've survived customs, enjoyed a delicious meal from our host family, and organized our plans.
We can't wait to lay our eyes on the orphanage tomorrow for the first time. So many months of planning a preparation - we are thrilled to put it to good use.
Thank you for your prayers and support on this journey.
Lauren
We can't wait to lay our eyes on the orphanage tomorrow for the first time. So many months of planning a preparation - we are thrilled to put it to good use.
Thank you for your prayers and support on this journey.
Lauren
Saturday, May 30, 2009
And they're off!
It's official! Our Brentwood Academy Young Life Team is en route to Moldova!
After some last minute drama with Marty's missing passport (that's the reason he's not in this photo) Marty barely made it to the airport, the team finally made it through security, they boarded their flight and have arrived safely in Chicago -- they're now preparing to board their flight to Frankfurt. Please pray for safe travels as the team heads to Moldova and check the blog for updates from the team when they arrive!
Here's the whole team safe and happy on their journey. :)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
If for only one life...
Anybody who has ever sat and talked with me about our trips to orphanages knows that one of my favorite things about taking people to minister to forgotten children is seeing how God changes lives. And, of course I'm not just talking about the lives of those we go hoping to serve.
Over the last six years I've been blessed to see the joy on the faces of countless children, teachers, workers, translators, drivers and team members. Another thing I always say is that you can never know the impact you will make in the life of a child, or that a child will make in your life.
I want to share part of a letter I received this week from a child who lived in one of the orphanages Sweet Sleep has ministered in:
"I thought my life was a disaster all through my childhood, or let’s say all until 7th grade...I was in the orphanage from 1st to 9th grade it was a pretty bad life until I met this amazing woman called Jen. Since Moldova is a third world country we received help from foreign countries, and one of them was America. We had a lot of Americans coming to Moldova and helping with kids. They brought candy, clothes, activities and most important LOVE. Now let’s speak about love. What is love? In my opinion love is not just a word, it is a word that implies a lot of words. Some of the words are compassion, forgiveness, happiness, involvement, willingness to do something, and most important it is a relationship (well at least to me). I had a relationship with a lot of Americans that came to Moldova and I valued it. Every American meant so much to me..."
I don't know how else to share the importance of our work with you then to share about if from a child whose life was changed because of this ministry.
In a short time Sweet Sleep will take a group of YoungLife seniors to an orphange in Moldova to minister, again, to children there who long for love. I want you to join with me in praying for these young people and for their leaders and our staff who will travel May 30-June 7th. I encourage you to come back to our blog each day of their trip to see about what adventures God has given them. And, I want you to commit to pray for everyone you can think of who's life God desires to bring closer to Him.
One other thing. I want....I need, the children need, for you to sponsor a bed for a child. If you look up in the sky tonight, imagine you are seeing the Orphan Signal in the sky. We need funding for 77 more children to have beds to dream in. 77.....it's not that many children. Maybe you cannot purchase an entire bed, but can you send an email to a group of friends and together provide for a child? If so, we'll bring home a letter from one of the children you helped give a place of their very own. Feel free to use this blog as your own words. They are the children's words and wishes......let's do this together.
I'm praying for the team, the children, and for all who might read this or have the opportunity to be connected in God's unique and awesome way.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Moldova in Presidential Deadlock
The Moldovan Parliament voted for President today, but the Communist party only mustered 60 votes for their candidate, just shy of the 61 needed to elect the President. New elections are slated for Thursday, May 28th. If the Parliament still fails to elect a President, the Parliament will be dissolved and new Parliamentary elections will be held. Please pray for Moldova and its leaders, as well as our ministry partners on the ground there. For updates as they happen, check back on this blog. Thank you for your support of Sweet Sleep and for your prayers for Moldova.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Pray for Moldova: Presidental Elections May 20th
See the message below from one of our ministry partners on the ground in Moldova, Valeriu, Ghiletchi, Bishop of the Baptist Union of Moldova and recently elected member of the Moldovan Parliament, about the political situation in Moldova. Please join us in praying for Moldova.From Valeriu Ghiletchi, Friday, May 15, 2009
Dear friends,
On May 20 the Parliament will elect the President of Moldova. The Communist Party has nominated Zinaida Greaceanii the former Prime Minister for this office. In order to elect the president, the communists need one more vote. The opposition parties have declared that because the elections on April 5 were fraudulent that they don’t recognize the results of these elections, and will not vote for any candidate for presidency, but will insist on new parliament elections.
The elections on April 5, and what happened afterwards, have divided our country like never before. The election of the President is a crucial decision both for the members of the Parliament and the society, and it will deeply mark the future of our nation.
Keeping in mind the tension created around these elections and the huge responsibility of these decision, I ask you to pray diligently for the elections that will take place on May 20. In spite of many arguments in favor of electing a communist president, I do believe that the only moral alternative is not to vote for the nominated candidate, thus making a step toward new elections.
Let us pray and ask God do show and do His perfect will!
Yours in Christ,
Valeriu Ghiletchi
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
YoungLife Team Preparing for Moldova Mission
In just 18 days, this group of graduating Seniors will not only have diplomas in their hands, but plane tickets to Moldova. These 9 students from Brentwood Academy, along with Moldova Mission Journey Pro and Brentwood High School Junior Kelsey Drennan, YoungLife Leaders Jerad and Lauren Burkhart and Rachel Frey and Sweet Sleep's own Stuart McAlister will be building beds and ministering to the orphaned children of Straeseni, Moldova May 30-June 7. To follow the team along their journey, check the blog often. The team will be blogging as they prepare to go and along their journey to Moldova.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sweet Sleep Goes ORANGE!
You've heard of going green, now Sweet Sleep is going Orange! This week. thousands of children's ministers, youth ministers, pastors and missions pastors will descend upon Atlanta for the Orange Conference - hosted by Northpoint Community Church/Re:Think Group. I've tried to go to this conference before and its never worked out. I actually got a free pass one time from Reggie Joiner, the Children's Pastor at Northpoint, for getting a speeding ticket with 3 other children's ministers in my car at a conference at Group Publishing in Loveland, Colorado. But we'll save that story for another time. :)
Sweet Sleep is honored to be part of the Social Justice Village at Orange. This is a special interactive display area for organizations that fight for justice for the poor. Stuart and I can't wait to get down there and introduce these churches to the life-changing ministry of Sweet Sleep and our vision to tirelessly and passionately pursue the goal of providing "a bed for every head." If you're in Atlanta this week, stop by the Gwinnett Center and see us! We'll have our bed from an actual Moldovan orphanage, new information about our work in Uganda and more! We hope to post pictures here upon our return, and I hope this time I don't get any speeding tickets. :)
Thank you for your support of our ministry! Tell some friends about Sweet Sleep today...
jon merryman
Friday, April 17, 2009
Be an answer to prayer. Be a part of history.
Hello friends!
Many of you came to the screening of the new Invisible Children documentary Wednesday night and many others sent notes to us telling about their desire to be a part of this. SO, let me help you with that.
Below are 23 ways to DO SOMETHING. If you're reading this, there's no reason you can't be involved in helping to save these children. There's a part of the IC documentary that says if you read about these children or see the movie and DON'T do something, you are part of the problem. That's pretty convicting....
In short, there are TWO IMMEDIATE things happening and all sorts of ways to help these children. 1) Sweet Sleep is providing mattresses, blankets and mosquito netting for children who are former child soldiers and have escaped Kony's child army (see the bottom of the previous post for how little it takes to give these children a place to be comforted). 2) NEXT SATURDAY, April 25th, you can be a part of history in the making by joining Sweet Sleep and countless others who will walk from Centennial Park to Bicentennial Mall for something called "The Rescue of Joseph Kony's child soldiers". See #23 for info and message us at Sweet Sleep.
And now.....options for you to DO SOMETHING and SAVE A CHILD:
What can I do??
I’m so, so very glad you have asked.
Here are some ways.
1) Forward this blog to everyone you’d forward emails to.
2) Tell others. Educate everyone you know about the orphaned and abandoned children in the world and encourage them to partner with Sweet Sleep to help.
3) Join Sweet Sleep’s Facebook Cause.
4) Once you’ve joined the Cause, invite your friends to join and tell them why.
5) If you’re in Nashville, come to our screening of the Invisible Children’s newest 30 minute documentary, the Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers, on April 15th at 7 pm.
6) If you’d like to travel to southern Uganda this July to build beds for two orphanages, come to an information meeting on April 15th at 6 pm or email Stuart at stuart@sweetsleep.org
7) Commit to pray. Visit Sweet Sleep’s website (www.sweetsleep.org) and sign up to receive our monthly prayer email.
8) Visit the “Orphanage Profiles” on Sweet Sleep’s website http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/profiles.html to see if you might be able to commit to giving or raising funding for one of orphanage projects listed there.
9) If you keep a blog, share the information you’re learning as well as the opportunities for action with those who read your thoughts.
10) Give financially in order to provide beds, bedding and mosquito nets for orphaned children.
11) Once you figure out what you can give, ask yourself what you can live without to give hope and life to those who have never, never experienced it. Then, give again.
12) Plan to give. Whether it’s through simple planned giving, donating a car or recurring monthly support, contact Sweet Sleep to talk about which level fits best for you. Do so and make change happen.
13) Know an artist or speaker who would want to advocate for orphans? Sweet Sleep has a program unique for them. Contact our office for more information.
14) Sign up. Go to www.sweetsleep.org and sign up for our monthly email newsletter so you can continue to stay informed.
15) Volunteer. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/volunteer.html
16) Check Sweet Sleep’s website or your company’s HR department to find out if your company is among the thousands who match their employee’s charitable giving. If so, your giving to orphans could easily be doubled! http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/individual.html
17) Work in your church’s VBS? Use Sweet Sleep’s Build-a-Bed program as your mission moments of VBS week to educate children in America about millions of boys and girls like them all over the world. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/buildabed.html
18) Advocate for change. Call or write your elected officials. Tell them that you care about the issue of child soldiers. Keep telling them. Get information from www.invisiblechildren.com on how to engage in political action and advocacy.
19) Become a bedhead. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/bedhead.html
20) Orphan Powered Campuses. Start a group at your school or university, and make sure your campus flexes their voice for these forgotten children and youth.
21) Got INSOMNIA? Plan an overnight INSOMNIA lock in where you and your friends will learn about what it’s like to be one of the 210 million children in the world who are orphaned or abandoned. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/insomnia.html
22) Do what you love. Use your talents to help orphans. Do an art project and display it in a public place. Use a sports event to raise awareness and funds for the issue. Talk about the issue at a concert, or make it a benefit for orphans. Film a movie on the state of today’s orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children. Write about the issue and post it on your social networks.
23) Take a Stand for These Children. Sweet Sleep is partnering with Invisible Children, eXile International and Paulos to spread the word about and help these children in Northern Uganda. Attend "The Rescue" - An evening event held April 25th in cities around the world where we will "abduct" ourselves to raise the banner for the child soldiers taken by Joseph Kony - the leader of the LRA and cause of so much pain and heartache for the children of Uganda. Stop by our table tonight or visit therescue.invisiblechildren.com to sign up. If you're in Nashville, you can join Sweet Sleep President and Founder, Jennifer Gash, at our local event. For more information, contact us.
Have other ideas to share? Great! As you’ve read or seen…one person really does make a difference. Share them with us and help us encourage and equip others! Send them to info@sweetsleep.org. Also, be sure to email us and let us know which you are deciding to do. Remember, a child's life depends on whether you take the time to care.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Many of you came to the screening of the new Invisible Children documentary Wednesday night and many others sent notes to us telling about their desire to be a part of this. SO, let me help you with that.
Below are 23 ways to DO SOMETHING. If you're reading this, there's no reason you can't be involved in helping to save these children. There's a part of the IC documentary that says if you read about these children or see the movie and DON'T do something, you are part of the problem. That's pretty convicting....
In short, there are TWO IMMEDIATE things happening and all sorts of ways to help these children. 1) Sweet Sleep is providing mattresses, blankets and mosquito netting for children who are former child soldiers and have escaped Kony's child army (see the bottom of the previous post for how little it takes to give these children a place to be comforted). 2) NEXT SATURDAY, April 25th, you can be a part of history in the making by joining Sweet Sleep and countless others who will walk from Centennial Park to Bicentennial Mall for something called "The Rescue of Joseph Kony's child soldiers". See #23 for info and message us at Sweet Sleep.
And now.....options for you to DO SOMETHING and SAVE A CHILD:
What can I do??
I’m so, so very glad you have asked.
Here are some ways.
1) Forward this blog to everyone you’d forward emails to.
2) Tell others. Educate everyone you know about the orphaned and abandoned children in the world and encourage them to partner with Sweet Sleep to help.
3) Join Sweet Sleep’s Facebook Cause.
4) Once you’ve joined the Cause, invite your friends to join and tell them why.
5) If you’re in Nashville, come to our screening of the Invisible Children’s newest 30 minute documentary, the Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers, on April 15th at 7 pm.
6) If you’d like to travel to southern Uganda this July to build beds for two orphanages, come to an information meeting on April 15th at 6 pm or email Stuart at stuart@sweetsleep.org
7) Commit to pray. Visit Sweet Sleep’s website (www.sweetsleep.org) and sign up to receive our monthly prayer email.
8) Visit the “Orphanage Profiles” on Sweet Sleep’s website http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/profiles.html to see if you might be able to commit to giving or raising funding for one of orphanage projects listed there.
9) If you keep a blog, share the information you’re learning as well as the opportunities for action with those who read your thoughts.
10) Give financially in order to provide beds, bedding and mosquito nets for orphaned children.
11) Once you figure out what you can give, ask yourself what you can live without to give hope and life to those who have never, never experienced it. Then, give again.
12) Plan to give. Whether it’s through simple planned giving, donating a car or recurring monthly support, contact Sweet Sleep to talk about which level fits best for you. Do so and make change happen.
13) Know an artist or speaker who would want to advocate for orphans? Sweet Sleep has a program unique for them. Contact our office for more information.
14) Sign up. Go to www.sweetsleep.org and sign up for our monthly email newsletter so you can continue to stay informed.
15) Volunteer. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/volunteer.html
16) Check Sweet Sleep’s website or your company’s HR department to find out if your company is among the thousands who match their employee’s charitable giving. If so, your giving to orphans could easily be doubled! http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/individual.html
17) Work in your church’s VBS? Use Sweet Sleep’s Build-a-Bed program as your mission moments of VBS week to educate children in America about millions of boys and girls like them all over the world. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/buildabed.html
18) Advocate for change. Call or write your elected officials. Tell them that you care about the issue of child soldiers. Keep telling them. Get information from www.invisiblechildren.com on how to engage in political action and advocacy.
19) Become a bedhead. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/bedhead.html
20) Orphan Powered Campuses. Start a group at your school or university, and make sure your campus flexes their voice for these forgotten children and youth.
21) Got INSOMNIA? Plan an overnight INSOMNIA lock in where you and your friends will learn about what it’s like to be one of the 210 million children in the world who are orphaned or abandoned. http://www.sweetsleep.org/getinvolved/insomnia.html
22) Do what you love. Use your talents to help orphans. Do an art project and display it in a public place. Use a sports event to raise awareness and funds for the issue. Talk about the issue at a concert, or make it a benefit for orphans. Film a movie on the state of today’s orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children. Write about the issue and post it on your social networks.
23) Take a Stand for These Children. Sweet Sleep is partnering with Invisible Children, eXile International and Paulos to spread the word about and help these children in Northern Uganda. Attend "The Rescue" - An evening event held April 25th in cities around the world where we will "abduct" ourselves to raise the banner for the child soldiers taken by Joseph Kony - the leader of the LRA and cause of so much pain and heartache for the children of Uganda. Stop by our table tonight or visit therescue.invisiblechildren.com to sign up. If you're in Nashville, you can join Sweet Sleep President and Founder, Jennifer Gash, at our local event. For more information, contact us.
Have other ideas to share? Great! As you’ve read or seen…one person really does make a difference. Share them with us and help us encourage and equip others! Send them to info@sweetsleep.org. Also, be sure to email us and let us know which you are deciding to do. Remember, a child's life depends on whether you take the time to care.
See you in the next blog,
Jen
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
formerly Invisible....to me. What about to you?
Sometimes, if you don't know how to help or what to do, the injustice of the world can leave us feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. So, instead of responding, we do nothing because we just don't know how to process the hurting or don’t know anything we can do that can make a difference.
This blog should help with all of that.
Years ago I heard about the “Invisible Children”. That’s pretty much about it. I heard about them. I don’t think I could have told you which African country the children lived in. I don’t think I could have told you why they were “Invisible”. I don’t think I could have told you anything about them, except for that they were children who fled from their villages each day at dusk to a “safe” place so they wouldn’t be abducted by rebels and forced into a life of being a child soldier. I considered the notion----that single sentence---to be all I needed to know. Now I just sit here shaking my head as I type that.
I suppose I thought that because I didn’t know how to get more information. I suppose I also thought that because my plate was full with the needs of children in one country that already was so far away from me and I didn’t know how I could help these children, even if I knew more information.
Again, I’m just shaking my head.
Our new work in Uganda has helped me to learn about the plight of these “Invisible Children”, and now we are finding God has placed Sweet Sleep in a place where we are able to meet the immediate needs of His hurting children. Let me share with you…
These children…..the invisible children are also known as “night commuters” or “child soldiers”. More than 20 years ago a man named Joseph Kony was trying to gain political power in Uganda. He was unsuccessful in his attempts and, evilly, began massacring northern Ugandans and abducting their children to force them into his army. During the last two decades, the men, women and children of northern Uganda have lived in unimaginable fear of night attacks on their homes and villages.
It’s hard to understand how a human could be so evil. It’s impossible to imagine the torture these children suddenly find themselves living in. I won’t share with you the ways in which these massacres are performed because they are too horrid to explain or even imagine. Children are forced…and I mean FORCED to torture and murder their families and others or risk being tortured themselves. It. Is. Unimaginable.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) exists to prosecute those involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to the ICC, Joseph Kony is at the top of their most wanted list. The ICC calls this 20+ year war, the most horrific war ever. Think about that for a minute.
Just a few short years ago three college age guys from Southern California went to Uganda with nothing more than $300, a video camera and dreams of finding a good story to make a film about. What they actually stumbled across were these children….commuting at night in order to protect their lives. They were shocked. They asked questions. Their lives changed. As a result, countless lives have changed. Sweet Sleep is now a part of that…and you can be, too.
Through the brave work and unrelenting efforts of these three college guys, the world has become aware of the struggles of a nation…of a continent. They invited their friends to get involved. They rallied in DC and talked with Senators and anybody who would listen. And you know what, something amazing happened. People listened. The government responded. And because of people DOING SOMETHING instead of listening and then going on with their life or ignoring it and acting like it wasn’t happening because it was happening so far away, lives have been saved. Men, women and children. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents….saved.
Sweet Sleep always encourages our friends to go, give or pray. I probably cannot encourage you enough NOW to do SOMETHING. We are ALL needed.
Here’s something else you probably haven’t heard about in the news.
Last April…almost one year ago these college guys, the UN, officials from surrounding countries and a specially appointed White House representative gathered in northern Uganda. Kony had finally agreed to peace. Over several days they waited. Kony never showed came to meet with them. The peace talks failed. Kony vowed to continue.
This past December, Christmas Day 2008, Kony surfaced in the Congo massacring hundreds of people and abducting hundreds more---mostly children. The Congo had never seen anything like it. No one in Congo can understands what has happened. And how could they?
Back in northern Uganda thousands of children who have escaped are trying to figure out what to do next; most of their families have been killed others have families who think they’ve been killed. Once again, their lives are filled with heartache. This is where we can help.
Children….thousands of children…are living in refugee camps called IDP camps (Internally Displaced People) in northern Uganda. The government is burning down their huts because the camps continue to bring unwanted attention to Uganda and they want the children to move elsewhere. Just over a week ago nearly 100 children found themselves homeless, again, after their huts were burnt down.
Sweet Sleep is partnering with an organization which is building safe homes for these orphans which are two hours south of the danger of northern Uganda. There is an immediate need for these children to have mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets. This is where we can help.
Let me encourage you in three ways:
1) Come to tonight's information meeting for the July trip to Uganda to build beds for two orphanages. Now, this won't be anywhere near the area I've been telling you about, but some of the children who've managed to flee from Kony are being sent to orphanages around the country, so it's likely we'll have the opportunity to share healing and hope and love with these, and so many other, children.
2) Attend tonights screening of Invisible Children's, "The Rescue of Joseph Kony's child soldiers" to educate yourself and see how you can get involved. It's easier than you think. And, more important than you can even imagine. 7 pm--Brentwood Baptist Church Room 1150a.
3) You have an opportunity, right now, to contribute financially toward mattresses, blankets and mosquito nettings for the former child soldiers who have recently had their huts burnt in the refugee camps and are now waiting to have safe shelter in a new location where they will be loved and nurtured.
Sweet Sleep is partnering with Village of Hope, Uganda to provide mattresses, blankets and mosquito netting for these sweet orphans. The children often share mattresses due to space, so the immediate need is only for 40 sets of bedding. Can you help provide for these children?
To provide these items, go to www.sweetsleep.org/donate and put "Gulu" in the comments box or mail your check, payable to Sweet Sleep, to PO Box 157, Brentwood, TN 37024, and put "Gulu" in the memo line.
Mosquito Nets
$5 each
Blankets
$24
Mattresses
$48
A whole bed for this child
$77
So much more to say.....
See you in the next blog,
Jen
This blog should help with all of that.
Years ago I heard about the “Invisible Children”. That’s pretty much about it. I heard about them. I don’t think I could have told you which African country the children lived in. I don’t think I could have told you why they were “Invisible”. I don’t think I could have told you anything about them, except for that they were children who fled from their villages each day at dusk to a “safe” place so they wouldn’t be abducted by rebels and forced into a life of being a child soldier. I considered the notion----that single sentence---to be all I needed to know. Now I just sit here shaking my head as I type that.
I suppose I thought that because I didn’t know how to get more information. I suppose I also thought that because my plate was full with the needs of children in one country that already was so far away from me and I didn’t know how I could help these children, even if I knew more information.
Again, I’m just shaking my head.
Our new work in Uganda has helped me to learn about the plight of these “Invisible Children”, and now we are finding God has placed Sweet Sleep in a place where we are able to meet the immediate needs of His hurting children. Let me share with you…
These children…..the invisible children are also known as “night commuters” or “child soldiers”. More than 20 years ago a man named Joseph Kony was trying to gain political power in Uganda. He was unsuccessful in his attempts and, evilly, began massacring northern Ugandans and abducting their children to force them into his army. During the last two decades, the men, women and children of northern Uganda have lived in unimaginable fear of night attacks on their homes and villages.
It’s hard to understand how a human could be so evil. It’s impossible to imagine the torture these children suddenly find themselves living in. I won’t share with you the ways in which these massacres are performed because they are too horrid to explain or even imagine. Children are forced…and I mean FORCED to torture and murder their families and others or risk being tortured themselves. It. Is. Unimaginable.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) exists to prosecute those involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to the ICC, Joseph Kony is at the top of their most wanted list. The ICC calls this 20+ year war, the most horrific war ever. Think about that for a minute.
Just a few short years ago three college age guys from Southern California went to Uganda with nothing more than $300, a video camera and dreams of finding a good story to make a film about. What they actually stumbled across were these children….commuting at night in order to protect their lives. They were shocked. They asked questions. Their lives changed. As a result, countless lives have changed. Sweet Sleep is now a part of that…and you can be, too.
Through the brave work and unrelenting efforts of these three college guys, the world has become aware of the struggles of a nation…of a continent. They invited their friends to get involved. They rallied in DC and talked with Senators and anybody who would listen. And you know what, something amazing happened. People listened. The government responded. And because of people DOING SOMETHING instead of listening and then going on with their life or ignoring it and acting like it wasn’t happening because it was happening so far away, lives have been saved. Men, women and children. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents….saved.
Sweet Sleep always encourages our friends to go, give or pray. I probably cannot encourage you enough NOW to do SOMETHING. We are ALL needed.
Here’s something else you probably haven’t heard about in the news.
Last April…almost one year ago these college guys, the UN, officials from surrounding countries and a specially appointed White House representative gathered in northern Uganda. Kony had finally agreed to peace. Over several days they waited. Kony never showed came to meet with them. The peace talks failed. Kony vowed to continue.
This past December, Christmas Day 2008, Kony surfaced in the Congo massacring hundreds of people and abducting hundreds more---mostly children. The Congo had never seen anything like it. No one in Congo can understands what has happened. And how could they?
Back in northern Uganda thousands of children who have escaped are trying to figure out what to do next; most of their families have been killed others have families who think they’ve been killed. Once again, their lives are filled with heartache. This is where we can help.
Children….thousands of children…are living in refugee camps called IDP camps (Internally Displaced People) in northern Uganda. The government is burning down their huts because the camps continue to bring unwanted attention to Uganda and they want the children to move elsewhere. Just over a week ago nearly 100 children found themselves homeless, again, after their huts were burnt down.
Sweet Sleep is partnering with an organization which is building safe homes for these orphans which are two hours south of the danger of northern Uganda. There is an immediate need for these children to have mattresses, blankets and mosquito nets. This is where we can help.
Let me encourage you in three ways:
1) Come to tonight's information meeting for the July trip to Uganda to build beds for two orphanages. Now, this won't be anywhere near the area I've been telling you about, but some of the children who've managed to flee from Kony are being sent to orphanages around the country, so it's likely we'll have the opportunity to share healing and hope and love with these, and so many other, children.
2) Attend tonights screening of Invisible Children's, "The Rescue of Joseph Kony's child soldiers" to educate yourself and see how you can get involved. It's easier than you think. And, more important than you can even imagine. 7 pm--Brentwood Baptist Church Room 1150a.
3) You have an opportunity, right now, to contribute financially toward mattresses, blankets and mosquito nettings for the former child soldiers who have recently had their huts burnt in the refugee camps and are now waiting to have safe shelter in a new location where they will be loved and nurtured.
Sweet Sleep is partnering with Village of Hope, Uganda to provide mattresses, blankets and mosquito netting for these sweet orphans. The children often share mattresses due to space, so the immediate need is only for 40 sets of bedding. Can you help provide for these children?
To provide these items, go to www.sweetsleep.org/donate and put "Gulu" in the comments box or mail your check, payable to Sweet Sleep, to PO Box 157, Brentwood, TN 37024, and put "Gulu" in the memo line.
Mosquito Nets
$5 each
Blankets
$24
Mattresses
$48
A whole bed for this child
$77
So much more to say.....
See you in the next blog,
Jen
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