A Much Needed Update on 'Bread for Life Ministries'

A much needed update on

Bread for Life Ministries

is in order, wouldn't you say?

I agree.

Here's a snapshot on what's been going on the past 5 months:

After we finished 2012 strong with a running total

of $20,000 raised for the precious little faces of Uganda,

we realized we needed to get some things in order.

The Lord had placed it on our heart to turn this

sweet-little-orphan-loving-ministry into a non-profit.

As you may know, every non-profit needs an active-working 'Board'

in order to be approved by the Government.

Being already surrounded by an amazing group of

orphan-loving friends it become very clear who the Lord

was putting in place for this ministry.

I am so excited to say, Bread for Life Ministries

has established an exceptional 12 member Board

who LOVES-LOVES-LOVES Jesus,

the fatherless and pumpkin bread.

It's a perfect mix! 

So, over the past few months we have been very busy!

We've had many prayer meetings,

Board meetings and worked very hard

to get all our ducks in a row.

We did all the hoop-la of filling out the applications,

Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Conflict of Interest,

Financial Data, and establishing our EIN.

Does this all sound fun? 

Needless to say, we are now just waiting for final approval

for our 501 (C) (3).

Please join me in prayer that this will come quickly!!!

Another top priority for the ministry is getting

into a commercial kitchen to bake all this yummy bread.

In order to do that, there is another list of hoop-la-hoops

to jump through. 

Certification through the Department of Health,

Food and Handing testing and exams, Insurance,

Approval by the State, Certification through the County...

hoops and obstacle courses all day long. 

After all is said and done...

I take my final exam for the Department of Health:

Food and Handing Safety course on June 5th

After I pass: we will be ready to GO!

BAKE

BAKE

and

MORE BAKING!

It will be so wonderful to be back in a BIG kitchen.

Lot's of flour, eggs and pumpkin....

I can smell the bread now!

Not to mention: setting up accounts with all my vendors,

special ordering for my packing materials,

printed material, labels, stickers, twisty ties...

all the little details that make a delicious loaf of bread

change the lives of many little bodies half way across the world.

It's a BIG DEAL!

All the details I take very serious.

Oh!!!!!!

And not to mention... our new website!!!

Woo-Hoo!

I hope to have it launched by early-mid June!

The address is:

www.bread4lifeministries.org 

Isn't that awesome?

So, In a nutshell, that is where we are.

A little bit of a waiting-game right now but trusting

this will all be completed and official soon

so we can get back to business. We have a job to do!

LOVE.THOSE.CHILDREN.

Im in AWE of the Lord!

His sweetness to bless this ministry with everything

it needs to reach the thousands,

encourage the Body of Christ and spread awareness. 

That's what Bread for Life Ministries is all about.

Helping, Feeding and Loving orphans; one loaf at a time!

"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,

for he shares his bread with the poor."

Proverbs 22:9

Jonah's Well

This is my Memorial Box Monday 
(A Place Called Simplicity)





I have waited a long time to post this update/video. This is truly the work of Almighty God. No man could have planned it this way. No person could have orchestrated the timing so perfectly. No human can write a story like this. Except God.

Today, In Uganda, Praise, her children and the entire village of Matugga-Bubaale will forever have access to safe, clean water. Why? Because a body of believers from Petaluma, CA stepped out in faith, believing that God is so much bigger than our present circumstances. 

And a precious little boy from Santa Rosa CA, born March 2, 2012, already in the hands of Jesus, will forever play a beautiful part in the lives of people half way around the world.

Why? Because it's all part of His grander plan.

Enjoy this video and see how all these pieces of this amazing story came together. After months of planning, preparing, and fundraising.... the well was completed on the 1 year anniversary of baby Jonah entering the arms of Jesus. - I pray we all see how huge this is. At lease I think it's huge! You can not put God in a box. E.V.E.R.

All the money was raised through a family started  (soon-to-be) non-profit that bakes fresh yummy bread and sells the bread. 100% of all the money raised goes to meet the urgent needs of orphans in Uganda. The ministry is called "Bread for Life Ministries".

My blog tells the whole story! 

Early June the website will be launched.

www.bread4lifeministries.org 

God is good all the time and all the time GOD IS GOOD!

Praise HIM! 

We are so thankful for Linny and Dwight!

They have encouraged me to step out in faith in a way I never thought I could. Because of that, together, we are making a difference. It's so awesome.

(And fun. Literally!) 

"The Memo" Blog Post

Did you get the memo?

A blog post that rocked my world and changed me forever!

You have to ask yourself, did you get the memo? 

Thank you Linny (from A Place Called Simplicity)

for writing this and being so faithful.

You have blessed many people. 

Click Here

"We Didn't Get the Memo"

1 Amazing Week of Fundraising - BFL'

"In you the orphan finds mercy.”

Hosea 14:3

The week of our 'Bread For Life' Christmas Open House,

we raised a total of

$2,000!

Only. God.

I mailed my check today to IVO so when they travel

to Uganda in 9 days, this money will help start

the building process of Praise's new dormitories for the girls! 

Woo-Hoo! 

I'm PRAISING the Lord because I KNOW it's ALL HIM.

He IS the Father to the fatherless

and He is using this little bread ministry

to provide for His children.

It is such a blessing to have a front row seat at God's Work.

Altogether we had 163 loaves of bread and from that,

we raised $2000 and even had bread left over! 

God is TRULY AMAZING!

Thank you to EVERYONE who purchased a loaf of bread

or just gave generously through 'Bread For Life' for this project. 

Without your support, love and prayers

 we couldn't make such an impact

on so many little lives.

So thank you!

Really, thank you!

Would you believe me if I told you...

this little bread baking ministry is 1 year old

and I believe we are pushing the $20,000 mark!

It's true. 

I am blown away!

(I'm doing my books after the first of the year and I will let you know

but I think we are pretty darn close.) 

Unbelievable...

Or is it?

NOTHING is impossible with God!

When we step out in faith, God holds our hands.

He does things that we could not even imagine would be possible.

The Bible says it all. We just need to believe!

"Jesus looked at them and said,

'With man this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Together,

we are helping a child,

one loaf at a time!

Happy New Year!!

Christmas Open House for BFL

THIS Friday night is another 'Bread For Life' Christmas Open House at my home! "Bread For Life" is raising money to build our dear sister Nalubwama Praise (in Uganda) and her 24 children new dormitories. Recent rains have destroyed their home and the children get wet in the night from rain pouring into their rooms. Not to mention a snake got in and bit one of the little children. So they really need our help! BFL has partnered with "International Voice of the Orphan" for this project and fundraising. (This is the organization that I traveled to Uganda with this past June)  (http://www.internationalvoiceoftheorphan.com) Join us as we raise money to get this project started! :) 100% of all donations raised will go to this urgent need. Types of bread: ~ Persimmon Bread ~ Lemon Poppy Seed with Glaze ~ Poppy Seed with Orange Glaze ~ Pumpkin Bread ~ Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips ~ Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts ~ Orange Cranberry Bread These breads are wonderful for the holidays and a great gifts for friends and neighbors! Also, Below is a slideshow that I created when we were fundraising for water for Nalubwama Praise children. Praise God we raised all the funds needed and they will have a Well drilled for them early next year. All from BREAD! Thank you to YOU who made that possible.  These are the precious little faces we are are helping! Also, the Water-Well that will be drilled for Praise (and her village) will be dedicated to the  Ives family in honor of their precious little son Jonah David who went to be with Jesus. (BFL has partnered with Holden Uganda to make that possible) God is SO Good!. All the time! Together, we are helping a child; one (yummy) loaf at a time!

Slide Show Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ne14PWUb9g

In One Month, $5,100 In Bread Sales? YES!!

This is my MBM from last week.
Overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness as I watch the Lord
move mighty mountains for this sweet little ministry called
"Bread For Life". 
(Soon to be a non-profit- Woo-Hoo!!)

Praising Him all the way!



After a huge weekend of bread sales

and a busy month of BFL,

I am looking forward to a week of rest

and Thanksgiving.

I am in awe of all the Lord has done.

He has demonstrated His power in such a way

that leaves me speechless

(Oh, me of little faith).

ALL the glory and praise will continually flow

upward to Jesus for all He has done.

$5,100 in one month?

Yes!!

Bringing our overall total to over $15,000 in less than 1 year. 

Off pumpkin bread! HA!

Would you have ever imagined?

O.N.L.Y. H.I.M.

I believe the Lord is moving mountains

on behalf of His orphaned children;

once again demonstrating His heart

for the needy and abandoned.

I am humbled to have a front row seat

to such a sweet move of the Spirit.

Nobody could write a story like this... nobody!

I'm also so thankful for all the wonderful people

in my life watching this unfold with me;

so thankful for all the love, support, prayers,

and encouragement along the way.

And just to think, this is just the beginning

of what the Lord has in store.

Glory to God and praise Jesus!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

"Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’
and does not doubt in his heart,
but believes that what he says will come to pass,
it will be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Mark 11:23-24

(More blog posts to follow with details of the amazing stories

that took place this past month.

It's taking me more time than I thought to put this all down on paper.

God is a God of detail. Amazing, flawless detail. Praise Him!) 

Hillside Church - 'Bread For Life'

This girl is blessed beyond words!

In the two weeks 'Bread For Life' was at Hillside Church in Petaluma, I was blown away at the precious hearts of the leadership, the open warm hearts of the people and the solid Word being preached from the pulpit. This whole experience was a breath of fresh air.

The warmth and the love that this church showed me was a reminder that this is what the Bride of Christ looks like. Christ-centered, God-honoring, orphan-caring, assisting the poor, giving to the homeless, giving above and beyond what is required, Church. Overall, I am encouraged and humbled at the whole experience

As a body of believers, we raised exactly $900 for the 'least of these'. Praising God! There is great joy when we can work together as a community of believers.

Together we DO make a difference!

Side Note:

I was asked to share 'my story' with the congregation on Sunday October 28th. Here is a link to the message. Pastor Brad's sermon is awesome and I pray you are blessed, encouraged and challenged in your walk with Christ.

Here is the slideshow (click here) that I showed the congregation explaining the project for Praise and how we hope to drill her a water-well soon. These are the faces of her sweet children. 

I read a quote by Katie David that says, ""I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy."

I can honestly say, this is a daily fear I have. 

Bread For Life ~ 10 Months In Review

This blog post is dedicated to everyone who has purchased a loaf of bread, prayed for this ministry or simply offered precious words of encouragement along the way. Without YOU none of this could have happened. 

‘Bread For Life’ is the Lord’s ministry. I offered Him the one talent that I was confident I had (baking pumpkin bread) and, because of His unfathomable love for the orphan, He has done the rest. In short, ‘Bread For Life’ has raised over $10,000 is less than 10 months! Unbelievable. Or is it? 

BFL was conceived in December of 2011 when I learned that most orphans do not have daily meals,  have no safe place to lay their head., and have nobody to hold them and tell them they are loved. They are abused, abandoned and often left to die. My heart bleeds for these children daily. There is a never-ending cry in my heart to love these children, whatever that may look like. 

After much prayer and seeking the Lord, I kept asking, “What can I do?” Then the idea came to mind, “Well, everyone tells me I bake good Pumpkin Bread” (all credit goes to my mother! It’s her recipe) “I could bake bread and sell it.”

From that moment on, that is what I set out to do and sure enough, people loved the bread. Most of all, however, they loved the cause! Once made aware of the urgent needs of children worldwide, they were eager to help in anyway possible. This is why my heart becomes overwhelmed with hope, gratitude and thanksgiving. Because WE have made a difference for so many lives, already. It hasn't even been 1 year and lives have been radically changed forever!!

Why? Because this is God’s ministry! This is His heart. We get the privilege to be His hands and His feet and through that He blesses us with unspeakable joy. Isn't that the coolest thing ever? I think so!

I also remember the day the Lord spoke to my heart and gave me the name “Bread For Life”. I was walking from my kitchen to my living room and it was as if the Lord said, “Your bread will help bring life to my children. I am the true 'Bread of Life' and you will be used to show them that truth.” Amazing!

I have baked and you have bought.

So without any further a-due, please allow me to share with you all that WE have done together as a team:

** Sanyu Babies Home in Uganda. Over $6,000 donated to this orphanage that takes in babies who have been abandoned anywhere from hours old to 3 years old.  When we visited this past June, my favorite little guy was Philip. He was 3 months old at that time and oh-so-little. Upon my return home, I learned that Philip was abandoned when he was 1 day old on the steps of Sanyu in the middle of the night. The Mamma’s found him wrapped in blankets when they arrived to work that morning. My heart bleeds with sorrow for these little precious bundles of joy. 

** “A Perfect Injustice.” API is a home for young boys who have been rescued from the slum of Kampala and given a chance at life - ‘Bread For Life’ was able to purchase yard equipment (lawn mower and weed eater) for this property so that the high grasses could be cut away. It was able to provide a clear, safe path for the boys and village families to walk to the well to get water and not have to worry about snakes and other creepy African style creatures biting them or hurting them. It also allowed grass to be cut around the home allowing these boys to have a safe field to play sports on. Just what every boy deserves right? I think so. 

** “Redeemer House” Orphanage in Uganda- We blessed the directer of the orphanage Kathy Vaughan with a cash donation for what she needed to better her home. I believe she said she needed to fix (or buy) a dinner table so all the children could eat meals together as a family every night. She also said she had village children she would like to provide for. You can read about Kathy and her story here (click on "About Us"). She is a remarkable and amazing woman that I am honored and humbled to have been able to spend time with. You talk about a woman of faith: this is her. 

** “A House of Praise” (This is my favorite!)- BFL was able to partner with a couple from our trip (Craig and Sherry French) and purchase a PREGNANT cow for 24 orphans who only ate one small meal a day and drank from a muddy creak. Praise is a 24 year old woman who took it upon herself to care for these 24 orphaned, hungry, lost and vulnerable children. She receives little to no help in what she does and therefore SHE NEEDS US! It was the greatest and most heartwarming feeling ever when they delivered this cow to her. The look on her face tells you everything. These precious children now have raw milk to drink on a daily basis to help their weak bodies get strong. Since our return home, we learned that the cow gave birth and the children named the calf “Miracle”. Doesn't that just warm your heart? It does mine. (All of this is a Miracle in my book!)

This is baby "Miracle"

** ‘Bread For Life’ helps adoptive families raise money. We have helped a family in their adoption process by donating over $1,900 in order to save a life of a child. I mean, really, who has $35,000 to adopt a child. Nobody does. That is why God brings people like you and I along to help in that process. *If you know of a family in our community in the middle of an adoptive process, please contact me. We would love to help support and fundraise!

** BFL has donated a small portion of money to help a family lay concrete in their home in the Dominican Republic. Because of ‘just enough funds’ a group of woman from Calvary Chapel Petaluma were able to donate the money for this to happen. This is huge. Image living in a home where the floor was dirt. Rain makes mud. Mud creates filth and disease sets in. What a huge blessing for this woman to now have a concrete floor for her and her family. 

(Not actual photo)

** BFL now sponsors a 12 year old boy who lives at “A Perfect Injustice”. A local Petaluma family and BFL has come together in partnership to save this child’s life. This boy, Bob, was on the streets in the slums of Kampala for 9 months after his family abandoned him. We decided to commit to his sponsorship and his future. On a Wednesday, that Saturday morning he was brought into the home. Look at his face before and look at it now! Praise God! I pray Bob is the first of many children ‘Bread For Life’ can sponsor!

Before API

After

(Sorry about the quality of the photos but I think you can see how happy he is how that he is safe!)

I have listed many things here. As I write these all out I am AMAZED at all that WE have done as a team. Do you realize, my friends, that none of this could have happened without your love and support. Do you see how huge this is. A few dollars here and there adds up! It makes a difference! It changes lives! This is proof!

Jesus made it all very clear in His words when he spoke to his disciples. He said, (I’m paraphrasing) “When you do these things, you are really doing them to me. These little ones are so precious to Me that you can just substitute Me in their place - so closely do I identify with them. In other words: It is ME that you are serving. Deny yourself. Sacrifice what is important to you for my names sake and I will make you fishers of men. I will fill you with a love for me that produces faith that will move mountains. Step outside yourself, trust me and watch what I can do.”

My heart is that everyone reading this will grasp and understand what is being shown here. These are not ‘miracles’ that I created or that you created, but really, it’s simply God’s heart at work, stopping at nothing to seek and to save. He just needs willing hearts. He needs people to say, “Yes Lord, I will!”

Throughout these months of sharing with people the heart behind “Bread For Life”, I have seen young children tithe all their money to this ministry. I have seen young girls empty their purses for the needs of the children. I have seen young adult men come to me in tears handing me all the money in their wallets. I have seen older woman write me checks that I could have never dreamed of. I have seen older men come to me, hug me and start weeping because they “get it”. After ‘so many years,‘ they get it now. Only the Spirit of the Lord could produce results like these. I will say this till the day I die, this is the Heart of Christ. This is what it’s all about. ‘Bread For Life’ is the Lord’s ministry and PRAISE GOD He has chosen us to do His work.

Thank you my friends. Thank you for all the support and all the love. And thank you to the mysterious person who pinned a $100 bill on my front porch and said, “Bread For Life.” Thank you! May God bless your heart, fill you with peace and give you a desire and love to serve Him all the days of your life!

Now, let’s see what we can do in the next ten months!

Blessings  

"And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful."

Titus 3:14