serving orphans in South AfricaApril, 2010

The men on our team were able to attend the final Might Men's Conference at Shalom Farm. I was blown away by Angus Buchan and the consistency in his message. What a truly humble man. He makes no bones about being a normal guy, which I greatly appreciate since I am normal also. He really makes you realize that God can use anyone. To quote Angus, "God used a donkey. Why couldn't He use me?" God has called us all. He has given us all a plan and a purpose. I find myself being too caught up in everyday life that I don't spend time with Him. Another thing Angus said was that you can't really get to know someone by spending five minutes a day with them. Sometimes doing a good thing isn't a God thing. These are things that really rang true with me. Those are the things that changed me this week and make me

want to be a different and better version of myself - a better husband to my wife and a better father to my kids.

Daryl Hauck

We knew our time was coming to a close and we had to find a way to say good-bye to these remarkable people of God. Our team debriefed every night, but the last night was a very sensitive time for we had grown so close to the children of Shalom Farms, each one of us with a favorite. We shared how we had seen God every day in our visit. The country was incredibly beautiful and the people warm and caring.

We get so wound up in our daily tasks, projects, families, business, etc, and I am one of the worst. But I'm telling you, our God is HUGE! He is perfectly capable of handling our issues. This group of people at Shalom Farms taught us by their daily example that EVERYTHING YOU DO, DO FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD.

We cannot separate our business from our spiritual lives. God is there to weave them all together into a wonderful, colorful tapestry of amazing stories and testimonies of HOW GREAT HE IS! Faith comes from spending time with God, no matter what. If we are too busy for God-time, then we are too busy.

Millie Langham

Our Team

Steve Biondo Sr. VP of Human Resources

Kathy Williams Store Manager - 101

Craig Klamer Sr VP of Merchandise

Alex Mosoiu Sr. Book Buyer

Robert Sweesy Store Manager - 21

Lesly Golioth Store Manager - 110

Mark Holdsworth Accounting Supervisor

Millie Langham District Manager, D4

Kerrie Vujnovich Store Manager - 26

Rachel Nevils Sales Associate - 65

Christie Conrad Store Manager - 359

Norma Nunez Store Manager - 452

Daryl Hauck II Store Manager - 132

Rich Peluso VP, Affirm Films - Sony Pictures

Beth-HatlaimChildren’s Home

Ashleigh & Fergus BuchanAmpie & Bev VermeulenAunty BogisileAunty AliceAunty MirriamAunty BusisiweLevit Phungula - 20 years old

Kumbalani Sithole - 16 years old

Fanelesibonge Gumede - 15 years old

Bheki Mtembu (Liam) - 12 years old

Siphesiswe Nene - 14 years old

Malcolm Malusi Cele - 13 years old

Jabulani Majola - 13 years old

Lungisani Ndlovu - 18 years old

Jabula Nene - 12 years old

Moses Dlamini - 13 years old

Bongane Masikane - 15 years old

Mancane Ngcobo - 15 years old

Sipho George Mkhize - 15 years old

Vincent Umlimi Benghu - 15 years old

Velaphi Mkize - 12 years old

Sthembile Nokuthaba Masondo - 14 years

old

Zanele Mkhize - 14 years old

Sithandiwe Evangline Khumalo - 10 years old

Mfanafuthi Hlatshwayo - 8 years old

Bephela Mazibuko - 8 years old

Slindile Innocentia Khoza - 10 years old

Sfanelo Khuzwavo - 3 years old

Mpulo Hulumeni (Thabo) - 13 years old

Ntokoza Ngubane - 15 years old

Zakahle Ngubane - 3 years old

Minenhle Xaba - 3 years old

Sanelisiswe Dube - 4 years old

Sindisiwe Khize - 6 months old

That God is God of the universe and of people everywhere was clearly reinforced during this trip. We were in awe of the grand display of stars on the clear nights. None remembered seeing so many stars with such clarity. The vastness of the Milky Way, star formations, and the night sky helped us realize how big God is and how small we each are. We were in awe of the groups of people with whom we worshipped. The Zulu Aunties worshipped with beautify song and prayer. They were so aware of their dependence on God for their work and lives. I could not understand the words of their prayers and songs, but there was no mistaking the depth of their passion. The children of the home displayed a spiritual maturity that was lovely to see. That came from the faith and devotion of their caretakers and leaders.

It was thrilling to worship with the thousands of men at the conference. Our lives are lived thousands of miles apart but we sang some of the same songs, read the same scriptures, prayed to same God, and were challenged to follow the same teachings of our Lord.

Mark Holdsworth

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

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