Thoughts from a non-profit leader -- Stop 13: TCCA

I remember distinctly moments in this journey of leading Forgotten Voices when I KNEW that God had called me to this work. Where, in the midst of the chaos of the situations I found myself in, God was there & I was at peace. Not knowing how or when or why God would use little ole me to do this work --- that was not my charge to know. Instead, my charge was to say YES even when NO made "more sense".

We are foolish when we don't do that. When we choose the "more sensible" option by the world's standards, if we KNOW that God has called us to do something else.

Today's Stop 13 is about our calling to expand and invest in new Zambian projects, in the midst of the worst economic crises since I've been alive --- complimented by some of the most economically unstable situations in southern Africa over the past 20 yrs.

So --- how do we keep that attitude/mentality of faith in God over the long haul? How do we daily keep saying YES, when no would be more convenient? It's something I wrestle with myself. When I see the things God has called us to and the long road we have to travel (again). Then, I think of those moments of God's faithfulness -- by reading back over journals, talking to my wife, talking to dear, life-long friends.

In 2007, I traveled to Ndola, Zambia to visit the Theological College of Central Africa, along with Trevor Bunch, one of our Board members. (Read Trevor's reflections on our trip). We traveled there to dream about expanding our ministry from Zimbabwe to Zambia, while continuing to work with seminaries. TCCA is one of the most widely respected seminaries in Africa and after much prayer over 2005 & 2006, we felt called to go to Zambia for lots of reasons -- to see what God would have for us there.

Over the next 2 years, (including a 2nd trip back to TCCA, this time with Katie) we faithfully prayed about the things we were learning and over time, grew deeply committed to pursuing what we believe to be God's calling on the ministry of Forgotten Voices: to expand into Zambia. Not leave Zimbabwe, but expand -- to grow and extend our reach -- to expand our territory.

As the leader of a very small startup non-profit, struggling to raise awareness and garner massive support for Zimbabwe, I can assure you I had my "reasonable" doubts with God -- arguing about why and how and when and what this expansion into Zambia would all mean for Zimbabwe. Through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I presented our requests before God and this is what we learned as a Board and leadership team:

1) That God had indeed called us to Zambia
2) That God cares for widows, orphans, vulnerable children
3) That God equips those that choose to care for them
4) That God stands with least of these, even when the strong -- especially when the strong -- seem to ignore them
5) That God wants us to continue to work in and through the church in both Zimbabwe and Zambia
6) That God wants us to equip leaders in the church -- focusing on graduates of TCCA (Zambia) and TCZ (Zimbabwe) to help them realize their local dreams for taking care of the widows, orphans, and vulnerable children within their communities.
7) That God would raise up supporters to hear their stories and hear their cries.
8) That God was only asking us to say YES and do everything in our power to love people as best as we can, to make wise decisions, and continue to say YES.

Since that first meeting at TCCA in 2007, we strived to do all of these things -- some better than others. But, looking back, I'm pleased with our Board, team, and small 3 person staff in Africa for remaining faithful along the way.

Where has this led us? To help realize the dreams of 6 pastors (pictured here) in 2009 and identification of 6 more to assist by year end in 2009. All the pastors are graduates of TCCA in Zambia. So, great, right?

Great that we have remained faithful and (I believe) wise in answering the calling God has placed on our ministry. Encouraged by those that have joined us. Encouraged by the way God has extended love to those in need.

But, we also see the great challenge it is to faithfully stay the course -- to continue saying YES. To continue sharing and asking more of you to respond. For more of you to pray with us. For more of you to demonstrate Christ's love for those churches in Zambia & Zimbabwe that are caring for the people that God CALLS us to care for. We rejoice at what has been done and we cry out to God for what remains.

As you know, between now December 15, we need to raise $50,000 more to help our church partners send about 5,000 kids back to school in January 2010. Kids that have lost one or both parents. Kids who have lost parents that once had big dreams for their kids, but these parents have since passed away. Kids that have churches ready and willing to champion their cause in the name of Christ -- but kids that need more champions like you and me to help these pastors have the financial resources and a prayer team to help them say YES daily to the challenges before them.

This year, amidst all of the demands for your time and your money, join Forgotten Voices in helping realize the potentially forgotten dreams of parents who have since passed away --- and say "YES -- I REALLY CARE. These kids matter to God and to me."

Consider making a gift to Forgotten Voices. Thanks! We need it. More importantly, these graduates that God has led us to need it so they can help the kids that are literally showing up on their doorsteps -- these pastors keep saying YES, when NO makes more sense. They keep trusting that God will provide. We are doing the same by again asking you. THANKS!

We are thankful for your continued YESes and your willingness to share our story with others.
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To learn more TCCA and our new partnership just underway this year, keep reading. Also, turn in Friday for a listing of all the TCCA grad projects we now trying to fund, with a highlight on one, which will be Stop 14:

IMPACT: Fund Alumni Development position for 2 years; Connection with over 200 TCCA alumni to determine needs in ministry, with special emphasis on HIV/AIDS program development within the ministry
# Impact: 200 TCCA Alumni
Partners: THETA

THANKS,
Ryan

Celebrating an opportunity to "step into Africa"

Friends,

Ellen Shaffer here - honored to be sharing about the amazing work God is doing among His Church to benefit children orphanned or made vulnerable by AIDS. This November, Forgotten Voices had the opportunity to partner with local churches and organizations to bring the World Vision Experience: AIDS to Central Pennsylvania. This free, 8-day exhibit invited participants to "Step Into Africa" and experience the lives of four children deeply impacted by the AIDS pandemic in various African nations.

Forgotten Voices was blessed to assist with the planning and execution of this event. We also had staff present throughout the week to share opportunities for taking action against AIDS through the ministry of Forgotten Voices. Since most of the exhibit visitors were from the same area as our home offices, it was a fantastic way to connect with churches and individuals in this region who desire to get more involved with our ministry.

In the end, approximately 4090 people walked through the exhibit and 305+ children were sponsored through World Vision! Hundreds more visitors connected with Forgotten Voices and other quality organizations, made one-time donations, or simply walked away with a greater understanding of the AIDS pandemic and how we can and must respond. We celebrate all these levels of impact!

We know of at least 12 local churches who sent groups or individuals to visit the exhibit, including Carlisle Evangelical Free, Christian Life Assembly, Cumberland Valley BIC, Dillsburg Hope Grace Brethren, Five Forks BIC, Harrisburg BIC, Lebanon Evangelical Free, Middlecreek Community Fellowship, Silver Spring Presbyterian, Daybreak, St. Stephen's Episcopal and West Shore Evangelical Free (host site for the exhibit).

We hope to see this exhibit serve as a catalyst for greater awareness and action throughout Central PA on behalf of children impacted by AIDS. Rather than being a one-time event, we desire to see ongoing commitment and change as a result of this experience. For those who attended AND those who were unable to make it, here are just a few of the ways to take the next step towards making an impact - regardless of where you live:

1) Pray for children, families, churches and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS through Africa and the rest of our world.

2) Visit www.ForgottenVoices.org in the days ahead to see our newly updated website and learn how our ministry is having an impact throughout Zimbabwe and Zambia - two nations DEEPLY affected by AIDS.

3) Become a monthly or one-time donor to Forgotten Voices, helping us provide crucial financial resources to churches caring for children orphaned or vulnerable due to AIDS. We need your financial support to continue assisting our project partners. Consider a creative fundraiser or making a donation in someone's honor as a Christmas gift!

4) If you haven't already, sign up for our periodic eVoice to receive updates on our ministry and our project partners in Africa.

5) Volunteer your gifts and talents to Forgotten Voices. Email info@ForgottenVoices.org if you are interested.

6) Visit these websites to learn about other organizations also working in various ways to provide assistance to children affected by AIDS - www.worldvision.org and www.helpchildrenwithaids.org

7) Visit www.worldvisionexperience.org to see when the exhibit may be coming to your area - then sign up to volunteer or walk through as a participant! You won't want to miss it!

As we approach World AIDS Day on December 1st, I invite you to find a way to "step into Africa" and put yourself in the shoes of a child impacted by AIDS. Through one or more of the action steps above, allow yourself to gain a new perspective on the world and consider how this better understanding of the realities of our world may compel you to respond.

A Life Changing Sound -- OUR BABY IS COMING

Friends - Katie and I are delighted to announce that we are having a baby in June! This will be our first child. After another great checkup and a healthy heart beat -- a sound that has changed my life -- we are so excited to share our news with you.

I graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School in May, with the baby expected a week later if all is on schedule --- which it won't be and that's part of the fun -- just waiting on the Lord. :)

What a fantastic Thanksgiving we had with family, sharing the news with our extended relatives after telling our immediate family members a few weeks ago, and now celebrating by telling all of you! For those supporting Katie's race, check out her blog here.

You may have noticed the larger than normal lags in the blogging from me in the past two weeks. :) Now, for those of you that have gone through this incredible process, you know why. :) What a joy it is to watch life growing. Praise God for this miraculous gift.

As a soon to be father, my commitment to the Forgotten Voices' mission has never been stronger. My love for the kids we serve -- kids who have lost 1 or both parents -- continues to grow. While my first thought while listening to our baby's heartbeat was just sheer wonder & awe at the power of God, my thoughts did go to the thousands of kids our partners work with in Africa. Katie and I can't stop thinking about them, as we also rejoice at this gift God has given us.

Tonight, we ask that you give thanks for the gift of life. We ask for your prayers for our child, growing strong each day (now about 3 inches tall and an ounce big:)). We also ask that you pray for the thousands of kids we know in Zimbabwe & Zambia, as they go to our church partners -- crying out to God for someone to remember them this holiday season. Through Forgotten Voices, you, Katie and I have this opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ. Thank you for your prayers.

We are so thankful for you all and look forward to you meeting our child in June.

Happy Thanksgiving! Indeed, we have MUCH to be thankful for.

-Ryan & Katie Keith (and our new baby)

Rest Stop: Thanksgiving

On this holiday, I'm soooooooo thankful for you and the way you are investing in our mission: "Demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ by equipping local churches in southern Africa to meet the physical & spiritual needs of children orphaned by AIDS in their communities."

Today, as I go through the joys and all the food of the holiday, know that I'll be thinking about you all and the way you are allowing the dreams of parents to be remembered, even though they have passed away. You have allowed children to stay engaged in developing, as their parents hoped they would.

Thank you, friends, for Being a Voice for this potentially forgotten voices in southern Africa: the kids, their parents, and the churches that bravely champion their cause. We'll forever be thankful for your gifts, prayers, and love.

With love and thanksgiving,
Ryan

PS Over the holiday --- it's a great time to gather around and meet Neatness, age 14, or show people in your life who have not seen it. For your convenience, here's the video again:

Stop 12 of 25: Half way home -- Choma

We are now half way through our Journey Across Africa, which is looking at 20 projects we fund and 5 we would like to if funds became available by you. Half way is a perfect time to talk about Choma.

There are days when I wonder if we are making progress. When I want to throw my hands in the air and say, "I'm done." I don't really mean it in my heart, but that's how my mind and body feel. But time after time, the same thing happens.

I remember the children I've met along the way, the times I've sat around camp fires with pastors from Africa listening to the deepest corners of their souls -- longing for God to hear their cries and equip them with what they need to forever change the direction of a child's life. I remember moments where 5 year olds in the USA interrupt me when talking to their Sunday School classes or schools so they can tell me they are praying for our young friends in Africa. Or when a 3 year old pulled on my pant leg to give me her $0.50 to give to the children I was telling her church about. Or the painter, who runs his own company here in the USA, who faithfully gives a share of his earnings to help Forgotten Voices do its work.

Or I remember the old woman in Zimbabwe now caring for her 24 grandchildren because her 6 kids have since passed away from AIDS related illnesses. With no where else to go and with no other options, she cries out to God and keeps going.

Or I remember my "half way" when I go to Africa -- Choma, Zambia.
I call it "half way" because it's become a special place to me -- marking the half way point usually between my time in Ndola, Zambia with Remmy (our Program Director for Zambia) and my time in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with Fibion (our Program Director in Zimbabwe). Choma is also the place where I was first exposed to Zambia and the pastors working there. It was among the first places that helped us clarify our vision of working thorugh local churches. It was a place where I saw the church engaging in community development, driven by the church -- not non-profits or the government. It was the place where I saw God at work and sacrifices all around, in the name of Christ.

I keep going when I realize that God has called me to this and He has now called many of you. We must keep going because ultimately it is God that keeps score not us. Even when we think we are losing, we MUST keep going because God has called us to do this work --- and doing so is the most liberating decision we can make.

Forgotten Voices is proud to partner with the BICC Compassionate Ministries - Zambia, Stop 12 on our Journey Across Africa. This ministry is a regional ministry within Zambia that helps equip churches within the Brethren in Christ denomination to identify and respond to the unique needs the churches face. Reaching over 56 churches across the region, as of the last time I was there, the Compassionate Ministries programme is modeling partnership, innovation, and effectiveness in a way that teaches churches, non-profits, and communities.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE CHURCH: School fees, uniforms, and supplies for 100 kids to primary school, 25 kids to high school (all HIV/AIDS orphans or about to be orphans); Monthly food supplements for babies and families of 4 pregnant women with HIV to avoid mother to child HIV transfer; 10% administration cost to distribute resources to schools and families
# Impact: 100 children, 25 high school students, 4 pregnant women & families
Partners: Mennonite Central Committee, TEAR FUND UK, BIC World Missions

PRAY: The program's reach is wide and they are constantly stretched. Pray for wisdom and peace for them as they pursue what God has called them to do, while still dreaming about new places to go, as God provides. Pray for rain. The ministry's water programs and food security programs face critical days waiting for more rain and the success of the ministry is often tied to this period of rainfall.

To give, visit ForgottenVoices.org OR you can mail a check to Forgotten Voices; PO Box 1368; Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-1368.

NEXT STOP: We take a rest stop for THANKSGIVING! Join us to read about what I'm thankful for and for you to share what you are thankful for.

Lots of love,
Ryan

PS HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW FORGOTTEN VOICES MOVIE??

Apologies -- Keep Praying

Friends - Sorry that I've dropped off for a couple days in our journey together. It's been a crazy busy time with so much happening with our projects in Africa and in life. Tomorrow, we'll resume the journey, then break for Thanksgiving.

Thanks for dreaming with us and reading along.

Until then,
Peace,
Ryan

Stop 11 of 25: Meet Remmy & BICC Copperbelt

You've all met Remmy (click to see a video of my reflection on him) in previous posts, but I thought you should also know that we are hoping to partner with his denomination to help four churches meet the physical & spiritual needs of children orphaned by AIDS in the Copperbelt Region of Zambia.

The Copperbelt is RIGHT in the middle of Zambia, where -- you guessed it --- copper is plentiful. It marks the divide between the east and west. The region sits just 3-4 hrs north of Lusaka, the nation's capital.



Forgotten Voices is hoping to partner with the Brethren in Christ Copperbelt to assist 4 churches in their efforts to care for over 100 children orphaned by AIDS. Forgotten Voices already assists the Brethren in Christ's Compassionate Ministries Programme in Zambia, but this project's reach from Choma, Zambia doesn't quite get up to the Copperbelt.

IMPACT: 100 orphans, 10 home based care patients, 60 widows and the vulnerable will attend skills training, 60 widows will receive income generating project support.

NEED: To do this, we need funds by mid-December, as Neatness' video shared with you. If you feel led to give, please do so by visiting us online OR by sending a check to Forgotten Voices; PO Box 1368; Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-1368.

PRAY: Pray for the BICC, as they have 10 churches in the region, but we are only starting with 4, as we don't even have funds to help the 4 yet. Pray that God will raise up supporters locally and around the world to help these churches. Pray for the pastors and volunteers, who are literally rescuing children and assisting families that are bringing children to them -- with no one to turn to after a neighbor has passed away, leaving the kids behind. Pray for wisdom and peace.

NEXT STOP: We will turn to the BICC Compassionate Ministries - Zambia project, mentioned above, which we are proud to support.

Thanks for reading!!

-Ryan