A Mother's Love

Today was the day we have been eagerly waiting for these last few months. We have prayed for these families, not knowing them by name. We built three bunk beds today for three families, for 9 children total. Yes my math is correct. Even though the children are getting new beds they are not getting to have their own. The first family had three boys sharing the bunk beds....let me add the parents sleep in a twin bed now right across from them in a room smaller than most of our children's rooms back home. The second family who got a bunk bed will be split among five children. The three boys on top while the girls are below. House three had a bunk and these lucky kids got their own bed.

After we had built all the beds and furnished them with sheets, pillows and comforters we had the pleasure to go back into the homes and spend time with them and just share Gods message to them through the bed.

I had the honor to be with Sharon. She is a single mother to three children but also felt compelled to gain custody of her brothers son and daughter whom was being molested by two separated men in her house. Let me add Sharon lives in nothing more than a 10 by 10 shack, if that big.

Sharon was so honest with us and we talked about her situation. She came out of an abusive marriage, she was now raising five kids in this shack, she did not have a job but in spite of ALL that she was looking to see how God was going to use her through what she has experienced in her young life. She was a mom who was doing everything in her means to provide her kids with stability, to shower them in love.

As the 10 of us sat in this shack I was overcome with so many emotions. The joy of these children who had so much joy and happiness. Their joy was not found in material possessions....it was found in each other...their faith and their family. They were not focused on what they did not have. I never once heard Sharon talk about how bad her life was because of what had happened to her. She talked about what God was going to do with those broken pieces not only in her life but in the life of her children.

A minster at King of King church here in Cape Town noted on Sunday that we as parents are accountable to God for how we raise our children. We lay the foundation for their lives and Sharon is making the best of what she has to bring glory to our Lord and Savior I was humbled to be with her today. I was honored she let us PROUDLY in her home and love on her.

The most amazing thing was to hear her talk about how she wants to be involved and possibly teach some of the classes she had to take in order to receive the bed. She is beacon of light in a very dark place.....a woman who wants to take the joy she has found and pass it to others.

I feel so at a loss for the right words because what we are experiencing is overwhelming and humbling. It is awesome to see Gods hand here in South Africa. I am blessed to be a part of the wonderful work with Sweet Sleep.

South Africa

God's Love is Shown Through Beds!

Today we put beds together in homes. After seeing all God's Amazing Creation in the ocean and mountains we saw His wonderful creation in these children. Some of the homes we were in we have used the word box to describe it. Box...a home that is made of whatever they could find to make walls and a roof. Box...not big enough for some Americans lawn tools. This "box" had 7 people living and sleeping in it. 7 people in a space we would not use for our lawn tools. A mom who already had 3 children has adopted 2 more! In this box she praises God and teaches these children to sing praises to God! This box is full of people and full of joy!

All I can think of today is what am I doing with my house (not a box), what am I doing w/the blessings God has given me? What more should I be doing to help the children all over the world that need love? We are told to care for the orphans and widows so why are there so many children all over the world that are with out some one to love them. Children without a place to put their heads at night and call their own.

Tonight there are 3 homes full of children that are sleeping sweetly tonight for the first time. They were told that as they pull the covers up to think about God's arms around them and loving them.

What can you do you ask? Donate to Sweet Sleep (www.sweetsleep.org) so more children will be able to Sleep Sweetly and hear about the love of Christ. The work here in South Africa is just beginning and I can't wait to see what all God will be going here! I am humbled to be here and be a part of what God is doing here!

Alyson Walker

Cape Town South Africa, November 7,2011

Today was a stark contrast to the events of day one. We shifted in full gear as a team in action. This morning we spent time touring all the ministries of Living Way and seeing first hand all the various ways they are trying to bring a significant change in the circumstances that are hurting their community such as Aids, poverty, skills training, and health care. I was moved by two phrases that were posted at Living Way

"Are our children valuable or vulnerable, The way we see them is the way we treat them"

"It is easier to build a children then mend a broken man"

The remainder of the morning was spent preparing the beds that we will begin building and installing tomorrow. The sun was hot in in Oceanview and we finished in about two hours.

The reality of life in many parts of South Africa for so many set in as we worked in Kids Camp in the afternoon. Our group worked with young children (between 1 yr and 10yrs old). The town we were in was Mountainview, which was nothing more than wood, metal and cardboard shanties set on narrow dirt streets with all the sights and smells you can imagine. Coming from my background it is hard to understand how hard life can be in these conditions. As we walked through this small town the children ran up to us and grabbed our hands in greater numbers as we walked them back to the small child care center. The most moving thing to realize is we all start as innocent children and that at this age their joy is not dictated by their circumstances. It is a powerful sight to witness these children recite the Lords Prayer and sing Jesus Loves Me.

As we sat in The Team House tonight sharing our thoughts about today, you can be overwhelmed by how many children in this world who are either orphaned or vulnerable and how few you may be able to reach. I think more and more that GOD is not expecting us to reach them all; His call is to be opened to his will everyday, as we go and not miss the opportunity to care for those he puts in front of us.

My pray for those on this team is that GOD will continue to break our hearts for the right things and his will be accomplished. My pray for each of you who read this blog is that GOD moves you in the same way.

David Ward

Bigger Than Me

Bigger is better is normally not true...but today was an exception. We did the tourist/sightseeing events that most teams kickoff with on day 1. Our team ventured up a mountain to Cape Point. Cape Point is part of table mountain. It was at the top when I realized once again just How BIG God is. The view was just short of breath-taking. The thought that first came to me amidst all the waves crashing and wind blowingwas that God did this masterpiece as easy as He made me.

Roman 1:20 reaffirms that God's divine nature is in all His creation. At home there are many times that I tend to lose sight of God's handy-work. I thank the Lord today for putting South Africa on my heart and giving me the opportunity today to be reminded that across the world God's hand is evident and seen.

I'm so excited to see how the Lord is going to use our team to further the message of Christ throughout Cape Town. Please continue to hold our team up as we try to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Cape Town.

Abundant Love

Sweet Sleep's team in South Africa began this morning by eating a fresh breakfast with a spectacular view from the dining room table of white sandy beaches, lined with beautiful mountain ridges. Afterwards, we made or way to worship at King of Kings Baptist Church. Aside from a few noted minor differences, worshiping here was much like it is in The States. We sang familiar worship songs and heard a message about the responsibly of raising Godly children in a worldly world.

As the mother of four, I knew that leaving my family to travel half way around the world to Cape Town, South Africa to minister to orphaned children here would be a hard step to take, but I don't think I realized just how hard that would be until this morning. As I sang in worship to the Lord, I started to miss the way that my third daughter, Leah, would reach up to me during Sunday morning worship, beckoning me to pick her up and hold her. I missed the way I could hear her softly sing worship songs in her little voice as she would lay her head on my shoulder.

I whispered a prayer to God, letting him know that while my heart missed my own children, I knew that he had called me here to Cape Town to minister to the little ones here who don't have a mother to reach for each Sunday morning in a worship service, who don't have a mother to run to when they scrape a knee, or when they are scared.

After we attended King of Kings, we traveled to a much different church service, this time in a small, one room church in the heart of a poverty stricken community here. In spite of the small number of people, the volume resounding from this place was on the same scale as something you would here in your average American mega church. Although we could not understand the majority of their words, the passion there could not be missed. The praises seeped out of the windows of the church and filled the dirty streets near by where children were playing. It was nothing short of amazing.

As we walked into this church my heart rejoiced as a small boy ran up to me with a smile that could light up the world and held his hands out for me to pick him up....just the way my Leah does. What an amazing God to know just what I needed in that moment... and to provide the strength and resolve I needed to go forth with our mission to show God's love to orphaned and abandoned children in South Africa, a love that is abundant and never failing.

Posted by: Courtney Beddingfield

Compassion

We leave tomorrow on our journey to South Africa! I am a mother of two...my son, Nolan, is 7 and my daughter, Ada, is 5. Over the last few months as I have prepared for this journey, I began to pray for my own children and how this would affect them as I am away for 10 days. Over and over, God kept revealing to me that my children are just as much a part of this journey as I am.

As a mom..we all want the best for our children...we want them to be smart, healthy, have nice things, have fun birthday parties, etc....but my biggest prayer right now is that both Nolan and Ada have compassion......compassion for those who are hurting, lonely, poor, sick, orphaned, people who are different from them... I want them to have compassion for other people like Jesus did.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col 3:12

We began by watching videos about Sweet Sleep, talking about orphans and how we can make a difference..and actually how taking care of orphans is something that God tells us we are to do. Both of them have Nickels for Nets and Build a Bed boxes beside their beds where they save their “silver coins” ...and each night as I tuck them into their cozy beds we say prayers for the sweet orphans pictured on those boxes and for those orphans we have never seen.

So as my little ones will not be physically on this journey with me...I know they will be doing their part at home...saying prayers for Mommy and the people I come in contact with as well as saving their coins for nets and beds. I am so excited to come home and share with Nolan and Ada about the lives that will be changed on this journey.

Please pray for each of us traveling to South Africa, that we will have compassion and share the love of Jesus with everyone we meet.

Sweet Sleep Prayer Needs - November 2011

Thank you for being faithful to pray for the ministry of Sweet Sleep! Here are specific ways that you can pray in the month of November.

South Africa

• Sweet Sleep's first team to Cape Town, South Africa leaves this Friday (November 4). Pray for the team: Brooke Elder, Tate Elder, Jenny Griggs, Courtney Beddingfield, Amber Lutz, David Ward, Jeff Wolfe, Ashley Lamb, John Hataway, Desri Richardson, Alyson Walker, and Jen Gash. You can read more about Sweet Sleep's new work in Cape Town here. You can also follow their trip by "liking" the Sweet Sleep FaceBook Page.

Moldova

• Final details are being put together for the Christmas in Moldova trip (December 26-January 2). Please pray for those who will be on this team. Pray that God will begin preparing them for what He wants them to learn and see. Pray that they will be able to raise funds. Pray also for the children and teachers that God will begin even now preparing their hearts for what He will do during this trip.

• Please pray for continued wisdom and discernment as God continues to grow Sweet Sleep's work in Moldova.

Uganda

• 2012 trips will soon be announced. Pray for discernment for the right times and ministry partners in order to make the most impact for the Kingdom. Pray for those will go on these trips and that their hearts would become burdened long before they even know about the trip.

• Please pray for continued wisdom and discernment as God continues to grow Sweet Sleep's work in Uganda.

Other Prayer Needs

• Sunday, November 6th is National Orphan Sunday. Pray for great awareness as churches and individuals are exposed to the reality of the orphan crisis.

• Praise // Thankful for an incredible Soiree and the story of Sweet Sleep around the world that was shared through this event. Thankful that the lives of orphans that have been greatly impacted due to this ministry.

• Praise // Thankful for Sweet Sleep's International Staff and the time they were able to spend in the USA. Thankful for their stories and the way that they were able to tell these stories to impact churches and individuals. Pray for the health of the International Staff and their families as they adjust to being home. Prayerful for the work that they will do now that they are back in their countries.

Sweet Sleep sends a monthly prayer newsletter to those who request it. If you would like to receive this email, please email info@sweetsleep.org and ask to be added to this list.

I believe in Sweet Sleep. And I'm a bedhead.

Ashley Hamm and her husband, Clay.

Today, there are many organizations that are doing great things -- with countless opportunities to serve, volunteer, give, and participate in life-changing movements. The endless availability of these foundations that offer and implement much-needed change around the world is amazing, but choosing the right place for your contributions is a difficult decision.

My heart was broken when I first heard the story of Sweet Sleep several years ago. Sweet Sleep, started by a sweet family friend, takes care of our future leaders, teachers, parents, innovators, and world-changers by providing a soft place for orphans around the world to lay their heads at night -- to rest their minds and bodies.

A few months ago, while complaining about the discomfort of my 8-inch-thick, pillow-top mattress, I began looking into the price of a much-coveted and absurdly expensive memory foam mattress. I hear they are amazing. However, around the same time, my sister (and friend) was on a mission trip with Sweet Sleep to Gulu, Uganda. Doing the math, I realized that the price of the mattress that would allow me to jump on my bed without spilling a glass of water, could provide over 30 orphaned children in Africa a bed, a mosquito net, bedding, and a mattress. Enter humility.

I didn't need a fancy mattress to help me sleep better after all. Peace of mind has worked just as well. I am a bedhead because it helps me fall asleep knowing that I am contributing to the comfort of someone on the other side of the world, who is also trying to sleep sweetly. I am a bedhead because I know that when life is hard, a sweet sleep is a great escape; a sweet sleep means a fresh start -- a rested mind, heart, and soul. I am a bedhead because I believe in this organization, its mission, its purpose and its integrity. I believe in Jen Gash and her hard work. I believe Sweet Sleep is fighting to ensure that thousands of abandoned and orphaned children have the opportunity to wake each morning with strength. And I believe in the future of these children.

Sweet Sleep is doing amazing things. Just $30 a month can make a great impact. That’s a dollar a day saving thousands of lives; preventing hundreds of illnesses; and allowing millions of sweet dreams.

If you are able, join me in becoming a bedhead and helping orphaned and abandoned children around the world sleep sweelty. Just go to www.sweetsleep.org/donate and make your gift of $30 a month or more.

You'll even get a cozy Sweet Sleep tee for signing up.

Ashley Hamm is an entrepreneur who lives on Okaloosa Island in the panhandle of Florida with her husband Clay, who currently serves in the U.S. Air Force. Ashley recently graduated with an International Business degree and now hopes to share her passion about global issues through her writing and lifestyle.

Why I'm a Sweet Sleep bedhead...

Something Sweet Sleep has down to an art is the mission trip. I have been so fortunate to have been a member on several trips with Sweet Sleep over the past two years. With each trip comes a flurry of fundraising as goals are set and beds are provided. What my involvement with Sweet Sleep over these years has also shown me is that flurry of activity is not reserved exclusively for trips.

In 2010, Sweet Sleep provided over 10,000 beds to orphaned and abandoned children in Moldova, Haiti, and Kampala and Gulu, Uganda. Many are unaware that Sweet Sleep continues to work, tirelessly, to provide safe places for children to pray, dream, and sleep. These beds are given with love, education, and the word that God loves the children.

I am good about making gifts at the time of a trip or at year’s end, but what happens through the rest of the year? I became a bedhead in order to ensure the sustained capabilities of Sweet Sleep on an ongoing basis. Having a community of supporters who have committed to give even a small amount on a monthly basis allows Sweet Sleep to budget and plan for ongoing bed placements.

What’s more is that each month when the gift is automatically drafted, we are reminded and reassured that our commitment is serving, protecting, and showing God’s love to a child worlds away.

I would like for you to prayerfully consider how you can be a part of Sweet Sleep’s bedhead program. What can you sacrifice in a month; a night out to dinner, a manicure? With a monthly commitment of $30 or more you, too, will be a bedhead! Don’t forget to mention your shirt size in the comments box so they can send you one of my favorite Sweet Sleep t-shirts!

Giving is simple! Just go to www.sweetsleep.org and indicate that your gift is a monthly gift by clicking the appropriate circle.

I am excited for all God is doing in and through Sweet Sleep! Please consider how He is calling YOU to be involved!

Madelene Metcalf, Nashville, Tennessee

Why I'm a bedhead...

A few years ago, I became familiar with Sweet Sleep at a conference. I never had thought about how children were sleeping. It just broke my heart to think children, especially orphaned and abandoned children, were sleeping in such terrible conditions.

As a preschool minister at my church, I suggested that we give our VBS offering to Sweet Sleep last year - participating in their Build-A-Bed program. Our kids loved it!

Later, our staff was challenged to read "Radical" by David Platt. After reading it, I saw that Sweet Sleep was going to Gulu, Uganda and I felt that I should step out and go. I am so thankful that I was able to join the work of Sweet Sleep. I saw first hand the children that got new Sweet Sleep beds. Seeing how excited they were for a bed was an amazing experience. I even had the privilege of going to a home and setting up their new beds and nets. The children said they could not wait for bed time to come. I don't know many children who are excited about bed time here at home.

After returning from Uganda I wanted to do more. Becoming a bedhead is a simple way to help each month. Every penny counts and helps children sleep sweetly.

Click here to join Alyson and become a bedhead!

Alyson Walker is currently serving as Minister to Families with Preschoolers at South Tulsa Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has led Sweet Sleep's Build-A-Bed and Nickels for Nets Projects in her church, is serving as a Sweet Sleep Regional Rep for her state and is looking forward to going to Cape Town South Africa with Sweet Sleep this November.