lift them up2009-2010 annual report

maintaining the cause of orphans & widowsJames 1:27

“Religion that God our Father

accepts as pure and faultless is this: to

look after orphans and widows in their

distress...” (NIV)

learn more at JamesFund.org

Fulfilling God’s Promises to Widows and Orphans When we consider how many orphans and

widows there are in the world, it is easy to become

overwhelmed. It is estimated that there are over

385,000,000 orphans and widows worldwide. Today.

Right now. These precious ones are more than stark

numbers on a page. They are known and loved by a

Heavenly Father who commands each of us to care for

them. That’s why Family Christian Stores started The

James Fund - to follow His command, to respond to His

call, to dream about the many ways we can help - and

to invite you, our supporters and friends, to join us on

this journey.

In 2010, The James Fund had the pleasure of

sending 18 mission teams out to serve orphans and

widows. They served in places like Monterrey, Mexico;

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Chichicastenango,

Guatemala; at the Beth-Hatlaim (House of the Lambs)

Children’s Home for orphaned and abandoned children

in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa; and at

the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch just north of Atlanta,

Georgia. Not only were we able to bless the orphans and

widows we served by improving their quality of life, our

team members returned home with a new understanding

of God’s love and pursuit of the fatherless. In this ministry

report, you’ll read stories of how team members were

impacted.

On behalf of the orphans and widows we serve,

thank you for your support of Family Christian Stores

Foundation, The James Fund. We could not have the

outreach we have without you, our valuable supporters.

Our dream as a retailer and a foundation is big. We

want to provide homes for the orphan. We want to wrap our

arms around the widow. We

want to feed, build, clothe

and serve wherever God

leads us. And we need your

continued support because

together, we can reach even

more.

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Mexico, 2009 - The James Fund’s work in Mexico brings mission teams close to God’s heart as they serve orphans and widows. Often, the fatherless help team members see God in a new light. Here’s insight from mission team member, Andrew Huff, Marketing Analyst from Grand Rapids, MI:

“Although he had never seen me before, this boy held onto me like we had always known one another and at last been reunited. It then hit me that these children don’t have time for ‘getting to know you.’ Their need for love, affection and attention is deep and urgent.”

Crystal Kellog, Sr. Sales Associate from Greenville, TX, was impressed by the orphans ability to love despite their abandonment:

“‘Lord, teach me to love and adore You because I’ve never been loved or adored’. Those were the lyrics the children sang to us. And crazy enough they sang it with smiles reaching from ear to ear. And if that wasn’t heart-warming enough, all of a sudden they busted out singing ‘Lord I lift your name on high’ in English. I have heard that song numerous times before, but never like that. From the look on these kid’s faces you could tell how much they love Jesus.”

Seven James Fund mission teams went to Mexico in 2009 to improve the quality of the lives of orphans and widows. Additionally, three children’s homes received monthly support and The James Fund helped purchase new property for yet another children’s home all in an effort to give them “a home in which to dwell.”

Sunday Drive in South Africa - 2010Craig Klamer, Sr. Vice President from Grand Rapids, MI

God Ministers To and Through Orphans

Sunday morning, the local women and children, including those from the Beth-

Hatlaim Children’s Home, joined the men of the Mighty Men’s Conference for a great

worship service. For this service, close friends of Angus Buchan, as well as staff and

children from the children’s home and our mission team, were invited to sit in a specially

marked off section in the front of the stage, so we could see Angus and the musicians

really well. The service was inspiring and resulted in still more commitments to Christ

beyond the tens of thousands of men who had already committed during the previous

three services.

After the service, we faced a long (more than a mile) walk back to the children’s

home. After a while, it was apparent that for some of the little ones, this would be a

major trek. I noticed in particular that one little guy, a 3-year-old boy named Stefano

Khuzwavo, was struggling along. Unlike some of the visibly joyful children, this little

boy never smiled, and was always very quiet and reserved. I was moved when he agreed

to a ride up on my shoulders. For most of this long trip, through pastures and camp

grounds and dirt roads, he rode quietly but as usual, was not very responsive. Then at

one point, I started making car noises and “driving” in circles and it seemed to pull him

into the fun. I held out his hand to “grab the steering wheel,” and before long, he was

proactively “driving,” and I could tell he was getting into it. When I would look around

to see him on my shoulders, I saw those little smiles which, until now, had been so

elusive.

I didn’t know the impact that this had on him until several days later, I

heard fellow team members talking about him, and their observations that Stefano

was finding joy in pretending to “drive.” As I look back, and believe this to be his first

“drive,” as well as remembering that the first

smiles I ever saw on his little face were on

that “drive” home from the Sunday morning

service. I’m thankful that God permitted me

to play daddy to him for a little while that

morning.

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South Africa, 2010: Millie Langham, District Manager from Texas“Our men had the amazing privilege of attending the 7th Mighty Men’s Conference. This is a huge conference put on by Shalom Ministries and attended by thousands of men. This conference began with 250 men attending the first event. Last year, over 150,000 attended and this year they were expecting upwards of 400,000! The conference started on Friday night and ended with Angus preaching the final message on Sunday morning. There were campers for as far as the eye could see! Days were started early with the sounds of Shofars heard throughout the farm. What an awesome way to start your day of worship. Sunday, women and children were allowed to attend the worship as the rest of the week was for men only. Angus Buchan’s message was unbelievable, simple and to the point. He is a mighty man of God himself and we were able to worship that morning with singing, praying and being together with the Aunties and the children sitting on bales of hay in the fields at Shalom Farms. We were surrounded by men praising God as far as the eye could see…it was AMAZING.”

Mexico, 2010 - While the six mission teams sent to Mexico in 2010 made huge differences in the lives of orphans and widows, they also received much in return. Jaron Ferguson, Sr. Sales Associate from Alton, IL was impressed by the depth of trust and love he saw:

“When we visited one of the shanty-towns along the river in Monterrey, I was amazed by the poverty that I saw. This area (known as the Rio) was literally a garbage heap – anything and everything useful for making shade or shelter were fixed together into strange looking structures of scrap and junk. It was explained to us that most of these people were

single mothers caring for their children and elderly relatives. Many of the men had either abandoned them or had died years before – which was why they ended up on government land squatting for survival. The children played among the trash in the streets, or else crossed the filthy, dried up river bed in order to attend school some distance away. But somehow, they were joyful. Despite every reason for despair, the people were grateful to God for what they had. Linda, an elderly woman who had lost a leg, invited us into her home to get out of the sun. She asked us to pray with her, making sure to shake hands or hug each of us as we entered. The passion with which she prayed and the love in her heart was more amazing than any of the sights or smells around us. Even though little stood between them and complete desperation, between a child living with his mother or placement in an orphanage, they praised God for every small blessing and trusted in Him.”

Gratitude Takes Perspective

The James Fund is proud to partner with the following ministries:

adoption assistanceLifesong for Orphans LifesongForOrphans.org

Bethany Christian Services Bethany.org

Show Hope ShowHope.org

widow & orphan care ministriesWidow Connection WidowConnection.com

Hope for Orphans HopeForOrphans.org

World Vision WorldVision.org

mission tripsBack2Back Ministries Back2BackMinistries.org

Lifesong for Orphans LifesongForOrphans.org

VisionTrust, Int’l VisionTrust.org

Pray America PrayAmerica.org

Good Goers Mission-Based Adventure Travels GoodGoers.com

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Dominican Republic, 2009 - What can you do in five days? In five days you can go on an Alaskan cruise and see magnificent wildlife and natural beauty; or you can finish many of those projects around the house that you started a long time ago, but never quite finished; or you can live another week of your normal daily routine of getting up, going to work, pay the bills, plan the weekend, only to do it all over again. Or, in five days you can make a difference in the life of a teenage boy who has been outcast by society and desperately needs a positive role model in his life, not to mention the basic necessities in life. The Sanisi House in the Dominican Republic is a home where orphans of all ages live a life separated from a society that has rejected them because they have contracted AIDS, due to no fault of their own. My thought was “what possible difference can I make here in only five days?” The answer would come soon enough. As we arrived, the evening darkness had covered the house. Without electrical power, we were left to seek the faces of these beautiful children by the sparse light of candles. I felt some little hands tugging at mine. As I looked down, I saw several young boys smiling and reaching up to me “pick me, pick me” they were saying. As they realized how tall I was, they all wanted to be picked up and touch the ceiling. In less than

three minutes, I had become a human elevator, an experience they loved. After serving a wonderful meal to the children, one little boy asked me if I played basketball. “Si,” I replied. He grabbed me and pulled me towards a boy they all admired: A 16-year-old “elder” who resides at the home and helps the younger boys. Delton, as it turns out, is a star basketball player. After playing an unforgettable game with 20-some kids on a court lit only by the headlights of two cars, I spoke with Delton. It was clear that he was a great athlete, with a radiant smile and big heart. I asked him if he played on a team league and he said he did, but his team couldn’t play anymore as they lost sponsorship and couldn’t afford jerseys and fees. As we left that night, I wanted to resolve that situation. When we returned to Sanisi two days later, I was able to deliver good news to Delton, “Yes, The James Fund is here to help provide you meals, clothes and other basic needs, but we also want to invest in your passion. We will buy uniforms. We will pay fees. You will play basketball again!” I believe that night he added two inches to his vertical jump, but twenty inches to my heart. I will never forget his broad smile and the joy in his eyes. So what can YOU do in five days? As it turns out, you CAN make a difference of a lifetime.

10 WaysYOU

Can Continueto Help

Orphans & Widows

Where Hopes and Hearts Meet on a Mission Tripby Mark Brandsma, District Manager from Washington

1. pray for themOrganize a prayer vigil at church to pray for

children in foster care, in orphanages; for widows without families.

2. speak up for themCarry photos of widows or waiting foster children /

orphans with you to show to other believers. Ask if they or someone they know would give the widow some attention or provide the child a home.

3. provide for themOrganize drives at church to collect supplies

needed by orphans, foster children and widows.

4. support those who support themMow lawns, provide meals for a week, babysit,

encourage and pray for foster and adopting families.

5. protect them from harmBecome a foster parent; become a court appointed

speical advocate for a child in foster care (visit NationalCASA.org.)

6. visit them where they areGo on mission trips with Good Goers (visit GoodGoers.com). Volunteer to help at local

nursing homes.

7. give sacrificially to themGive sacrificially to reputable orphan care / widow

care organizations. Donate to The James Fund.

8. encourage them to press onSponsor a child, support them financially,

encourage them through letters and cards, become a mentor or tutor.

9. adopt them into your familyGive a child a home through international,

domestic, or foster care agencies. Give an older child a home who has aged out of the foster care system. Invite a widow to live with you or offer to take her with you to church.

10. mobilize your church for themBe a catalyst in your church by starting orphan

care or widow care ministries. Survey widows to discover their needs. For resources, visit HopeForOrphans.org or WidowConnection.com.

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USA, 2009 - Goshen Valley Boys Ranch is a foster-care facility located near Atlanta, GA. The James Fund sent two inaugural mission teams there in 2009. Trevor Raffeo, Sales Associate from Lancaster, CA, shares how God used him during his week at the Ranch:

“I was asked to lift heavy items and I had to say, ‘I am physically unable to do that.’ It was hard because I was doing simple things like pulling nails out of wood and staining rooms. That night I prayed, ‘Father, You have a plan for me here and I ask You to help me focus and not grow discouraged.’ The next night a young man approached me after our communion service and asked how he could have a personal relationship with Christ. I knew that I was meant to be there to show him God’s love and lead him to our Father. That night I was so grateful and God showed me how, even though I can physically only do simple things, I can still move a mountain within a heart.”

USA, 2010 - The James Fund sent six mission teams to the Ranch in 2010 and Dennis Tyson, Director of Construction and Facilities in Grand Rapids, MI, shares a recap of his mission trip:

“When we allow ourselves to be on a direct collision course with the work of God, to commune with the Holy Spirit, to be centered in His will, amazing things happen! The Ranch is just that kind of place. The Ranch’s Creek Side Chapel at one time was literally a dump. Our week started doing some surrendering at the Creek Side. Leaving our cares and concerns on the cross where they belong, dying to ourselves. We have the privilege of sharing this time with the entire staff and the boys. It is always inspiring. This time, someone was healed of their depression and we are still praising God. I am humbled to be part of this work, and God continues to demonstrate His commitment for the orphan and the widow by blessing anyone who is willing to give of themselves on their behalf. All of the praise and glory are His!”

As a result of our James Fund mission trips, two Family Christian Stores’ employees have adopted boys from the Ranch. We do indeed praise God!

The James Fund’s top ten in 20101. The James Fund played a significant role in funding the Goshen Permanency Initiative for Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. The initiative’s mission is to provide boys on the Ranch a better possibility for permanent homes with loving families.2. Provided $103,000 to ministry partners to help families afford the cost of adoptions. To date, The James Fund has assisted in helping fund over 200 adoptions.3. Sent 18 mission teams to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, South Africa, and Goshen Valley Boys Ranch impacting lives of orphans and widows. Sent one exploratory team to Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, OK.4. Helped fund Widow Connection’s “New Beginnings” radio spots for the second year in a row, offering wisdom and encouragement to widows. “New Beginnings” is heard on over 1,100 media outlets. 5. Supplied funds to purchase 3,750 pounds of seed for the Tawankas people in the Mosquitia Village of Honduras. 6. Partnered with Family Christian Stores to act as a catalyst among many organizations for Nehemiah Family Project, a foster care initiative. 7. Responded to Haiti’s earthquake disaster with substantial financial support feeding over 120,000 Haitian children.8. Purchased a school bus so orphans in Mexico would have safe, reliable transportation to school.9. Rushed emergency funds to Monterrey, Mexico in response to flooding. Additional funds also helped establish an orphan outreach in Cancun.10. Sent over 43,000 Barnabas Bears to orphan care agencies all across the USA and around the world. To date, well over 1,000,000 plush animals have been distributed to orphans and children in need.

Dominican Republic, 2010 - Sonia Schaub, Sales Associate from Torrance, CA, met an orphan whose love for God is unrestrained. Meet Israel:

“Israel is a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair who suffers from more pain and discomfort than anyone I have ever met. But that is not the thing you walk away with when you meet him. The thing that grips you is his love for God, and for us as a team. I was able to sit and spend time sharing the love of God with him, and the trick was, he shared it back. Israel is confined to his wheelchair, but he goes beyond it. He goes back with me to the States, back to my home, in my heart where I will share with people the love Israel has for his ‘papitos dios,’ Daddy God. A God who gives him wings to fly far beyond the confines of his wheelchair.”

The James Fund sent three mission teams to the DR in 2009; purchased over 2,000 pairs of shoes for orphans and children in need; painted both an orphanage and Christian school inside and out.

In 2010, The James Fund sent three more mission teams to the DR; painted another orphanage inside and out; funded and helped add a fourth floor to another Christian school, where they celebrated their first graduating class from high school.

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The James Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Family Christian Stores to meet the needs of orphans and widows in the communities it serves and around the world. Family Christian Stores, through The James Fund, partners with their customers in a shared mission; reaching out to orphans and widows, showing them the love of our Heavenly Father. Through the Foundation, Family Christian Stores’ customers participate in various in-store promotions.

The James Fund serves orphans and widows in four primary ways:

• adoption assistance programs • hands-on orphan and widow care work • quality of life improvements for orphans and widows• encourage the Church to fulfill God’s commitments to orphans and widows

The James FundBoard Members

Steve Biondopresident

Dave Brownetrustee

Cliff Bartowtrustee

Hal Baileytrustee

John Pindredtreasurer

Amy Andersonsecretary Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress…James 1:27 NIV

sun that would burst through the rain clouds. The ease with which the corn grew made it a perfect plant for those living in this level of poverty - it could feed people as well as the chickens, cows, and pigs that supplied other vital nutrition for these families. At the last home we visited, the widow was indeed grinding corn on a mill for that day’s food. The tall stalks were useful in other areas. We saw them being latched together to form a fence line; and to serve as make-shift power poles (tall enough to prop up the single wire of electricity into the village high above the homes). In the end, this seemingly useless plant is being used by God to protect, care for, and bless His people.

Many of us are like this corn. We have this part of us that sometimes feels useless. We think that the small things we can do don’t help a whole lot in the big picture and that God certainly has other more important, useful people in more important, useful positions to accomplish His work. Nothing could be further from the truth. Each time you break out of your comfort zone and speak up on behalf of an orphan or widow you are planting seeds that may result in life change for whole communities. Each time you clear your busy schedule to go on a mission trip, you are reaching out to Jesus Himself. ‘…when you did this to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me’ (Matthew 25:40). Do your part. Give the small, seemingly unimportant bit you think you have to the Kingdom, and watch what God can do with it. Suddenly you are standing as tall as 20-foot corn.”

God’s CommitmentCaring for Orphans & Widows in Guatemala

The Heart of

Guatemala, 2010 - Three mission teams launched a new James Fund outreach to orphans and widows in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. They helped serve hundreds of impoverished children nutritionally-balanced meals and built seven homes for Mayan widows. By helping to fund an orphanage in Chichi, The James Fund is also involved in rescuing orphans trafficked in the sex trade. Kevin Beavon, Store Manager in Miamisburg, Ohio, shares his thoughts on his remarkable adventure:

“Our main project for the week was to build homes for widows. When our pickup truck stopped in the middle of a corn field, I wondered if we had gotten lost in the rain-soaked mountainside. The giant corn stalks were remarkable for their height and for the fact that in spite of the size, each stalk had only one ear of corn growing on it. What a giant (literally) waste of a plant. I’m from Ohio. Corn is relatively inexpensive, maybe 8 feet high and usually grows 5-8 ears per plant. Certainly these people could find a more productive and lucrative crop.

Throughout the week, I began to get a different picture of the plant. Many of the homes we built were hidden among the corn fields. The height of the corn offered an element of protection and privacy that would keep unwanted company away. The height also added an element of shade, much like trees, to the occasional hot

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