DCF and Foster Care

An Orlando Sentinel columnist recounts his experience as a "respite care" parent - substitute foster parents who give full-time foster parents a break:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-loc-george-diaz-column-022709,0,3218292.column

Work of Willow Creek of Chicago in Africa

Here's a story from Christianity Today about the amazing things Willow Creek Church of suburban Chicago is doing in Africa.

Making the Local Church a Hero
The untold success story of Willow Creek in Africa.
by Mark Galli
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/march/29.32.html

You are invited to Hear Tom Davis Speak

There will be two opportunities to meet Tom Davis and hear him speak when he comes to Orlando next month.

1. Friday, April 3 at 10:00am

CNL Center II
420 South Orange Ave.
Orlando, FL
Naval Center Conference Room, 13th Floor

2. Saturday, April 4 at 6:00pm

Westwood Church

4412 N. Apopka-Vineland Rd.

Orlando, FL

Tom Davis is the president and CEO of Children’s HopeChest, a global orphan advocacy organization serving children around the world. He travels worldwide encouraging individuals, families, and churches to fulfill the biblical mandate to love and care for the orphan. Tom is the author of four books; Fields of the Fatherless, Red Letters, Confessions of a Good Christian Guy, and Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World (to be released June, 2009). He is also a teacher, a pastor, a professional leadership development trainer (of Fortune 500 CEO’s and their executive staffs), a husband, and father of five children.

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit reminder

Reminder to register for the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit coming up next month!
http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/summit/

Adopting from Ethiopia

Facts and information about adopting from Ethiopia:
http://www.redletterscampaign.com/adoption-411-2/country-overview-ethiopia/

Latest Adoption News

Liberia temporarily suspends adoptions, adopting from Nepal, dual citizenship for Korean adoptees and other adoption news compiled by Adoptive Families magazine.
http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=536

Florida Girl Wins 1st Prize for her essay about her experiences in foster care

Here's an excellent essay a young woman wrote about her experiences in foster care from the March/April issue of Adoptive Families magazine. It's called "Three Little Words" -
http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=771

Ministry Highlight - Angel Food

Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. They provide fresh, high-quality food at greatly reduced prices. For example, a family of 4 can eat for a week for approximately $30. This same amount will feed a senior citizen for a month. EVERYONE is eligible - there are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, or applications. They also accept food stamps, just like a grocery store. Obtaining the food is a simple process, too. Just look at the menu, call your nearest host location, place your order, then pick up! Visit their website to see the menu (it changes monthly) and the host site closest to you - http://www.angelfoodministries.com/.

Upcoming Vision Trip to Uganda

Hopechest is leading a Vision Trip to Uganda from April 28 - May 7 and there is room for you!! It costs approximately $2,500 which includes round-trip airfare and in-country transportation.

For more information: http://www.redletterscampaign.com/blog/2009/02/an-easy-way-to-make-a-difference-2/ and brandi@kidslake.org

Tom Davis coming to the Orlando area

Tom Davis, acclaimed author, fantastic speaker, and president of Children's Hopechest (http://www.hopechest.org/), will be in the Orlando area in April. CGC and Westwood Church have him tentively scheduled to speak Saturday night, April 4, 6pm, at Westwood Church. Save the date!
























To hear Tom Davis talk about his new book, Fields of the Fatherless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euSXS7ZaRU4

young mother in need

It has been brought to the attention of CGC of a young mother in serious need:

There is a young (aged 19), single Mom and her two sons relocating to Orlando from California this week. They are leaving almost everything behind and are in need of help from the community. Mainly, clothes for a 1 year old who is wearing 2T and clothes for a 4 year old, diapers, bike/bike helmet for the 4 year old, a small dresser, high chair, and a stroller. Also, this is a big request but I'm going to put it out there. The Mom will eventually (probably very soon) need a reliable car so if you know of anyone who would like to donate a car or wanting to sell a vehicle for very little please, please let me know.

If you can help in any way or have items you could donate, please contact us at CGC -
connectinggodschildren@gmail.com