Thank You From A Grateful Father

December 31st, 2011

Happy New Year’s! I hope you all are enjoying a very beautiful New Year’s Eve day.

I’m sharing a heartwarming message sent from Rev. Abugah. Remember last week I spoke of how COL wired an additional $500 dollars to help with Rebecca’s post-op and travel expenses.

Rev. Abugah wrote:

In deed we are very grateful to you for all your financial support as well as your prayer support towards Rebecca’s heart surgery. Without your donations, things would have been very difficult for us.

Thank You From A Grateful Father Pictures

Rev. Thomas & Elizabeth wth Rebecca Abugah

He also spoke of Rebecca’s inspiring progress:

Rebecca is doing well. She plays about with joy, something she found it hard to do before the surgery. As parents, we are very excited about this and continue to praise God for His faithfulness and remember your generosity as well.

May 2012 continue to bring healing and God’s grace to this family and all of yours.

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

Thank You From A Grateful Father Pictures

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COL’s Christmas Works

December 24th, 2011

Christmas greetings! I pray this post finds each of you and your families flourishing.

I have joyous news to share during this great time of giving. I am pleased to inform you that through the generosity of ChangeOneLife donors, COL was able to make two wire transfers to Africa, Tuesday.

COLs Christmas Works Pictures

Rebecca Abugah

First, $500 was sent to help the Abugah family pay for the continued costs related to Rebecca’s recovery from heart surgery. The family had struggled mightily to raise funds for Rebecca’s surgery and then pay for the post-operative costs of follow-up doctor visits and travel costs. It is our sincere hope and prayer that these additional funds help defray some if not most of those expenses.

Another $500 went to PCEA Kikuyu Hospital’s to support the Mothers Milk Project (Infant Formula distributed through the Hospital’s AIDS Clinic). It is our deep hope that this formula will provide the needed nourishment for these children to grow and thrive while their mothers continue to recover from their illness.

COLs Christmas Works Pictures

Mother's Milk recipients (Nov, 2011)

What a great way for COL to bring in the New Year! We look forward to continuing to bring “healing and hope” to more of God’s children in Africa in 2012.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support. May you and yours know the deep joy of Christmas as you await the coming of Christ into your hearts again this Christmas.

COLs Christmas Works Pictures

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MPC Alternative Giving continues

December 9th, 2011

Come join us at McDonough Presbyterian Church this Sunday, December 11th during the Alternative Christmas Giving Bazaar!  It’s your last chance to visit COL’s booth this holiday season.

Learn more about our current projects and discover ways you can give to ChangeOneLife this Christmas.  Representatives from COL will be available at our table from 9am-1pm.

And check out one of COL’s new flyers below (click to enlarge). Doesn’t the Abugah family look great?

MPC Alternative Giving continues Pictures

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

MPC Alternative Giving continues Pictures

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Alt. Giving Bazaar is Here!

December 2nd, 2011

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” - Luke 6:38

For about $100, you could buy your child the latest video game and a sweater for your significant other.

Or, you could give a month’s worth of infant formula to a baby in Kenya to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in breast milk.

Many of us already have our needs and most of our wants met. What if instead of falling into the normal Christmas shopping routine, we honored our friends and family by giving in their name to those with far less?

Come join us at McDonough Presbyterian Church this Sunday (December 4th) and next Sunday (December 11th) during the Alternative Christmas Giving Bazaar!  Learn more about our current projects and discover ways you can give to ChangeOneLife this Christmas.  Representatives from COL will be available at our table from 9am-1pm. MPC’s Local and Global Mission Committee will be hosting this event as a way to offer an alternative to the tradition of giving gifts for Christmas.

Alt. Giving Bazaar is Here! Pictures

Rev. Vanessa Sharp with Mother's Milk recipients

Giving to COL this year will: Provide infant formula for babies of HIV positive mothers in Kenya and help continue to fund special medical needs through our website giving program.

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

Alt. Giving Bazaar is Here! Pictures

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November Mother’s Milk Update

November 18th, 2011

Thanks to the Youth AIDS Walk in October, ChangeOneLife was able to send $500 to Kikuyu Hospital this month. These funds will purchase infant formula and other supplies provided to these babies whose mothers are HIV positive and are served in Kikuyu Hospital’s AIDS Clinic as part of our joint Mothers Milk Project. By providing infant formula, COL prevents these mothers from transmitting HIV to their babies in breast milk.

Vanessa, COL’s Health Ministry Consultant to Kenya, recently reported on a fantastic day she spent with 7 Mother’s Milk recipient mothers and their children. Check out some of the great photos below!

November Mothers Milk Update Pictures

November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 1
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 3
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 4
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 6
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 10
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 18
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 19
November Mothers Milk Update Pictures Mother's Milk 23
 

One baby came on board just 2 months ago, a boy named John Maina. He is now 3 months old and his Mother is Jane Mugure. Another new recipient just started. She is a 1 month old baby girl named Patience Nduta with her mother Purity Nyambura. These two will be the first to benefit from COL extending the Mother’s Milk project from 6 months to one year of life.

To see more pictures from this wonderful day and past Mother’s Milk photos, visit COL’s photo gallery.

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

November Mothers Milk Update Pictures

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Final Drive for Rebecca

November 11th, 2011

Fellow ChangeOneLife Board Members and Friends,

Final Drive for Rebecca PicturesThis is one successful conclusion to a very serious heart operation. Rebecca looks great in these photos.

If funds are available, I want to send one last bit of funding support (say $250-500) which will help the family cover some of the extensive pre- and post-operative costs that they have incurred. Please let me know if you want to donate by contacting me at mike@griffininsure.com.

Say a prayer of thanks for this great result.

I just sense that God has something special for this little girl to do. Now, she has the opportunity to find out what it is.

Final Drive for Rebecca Pictures

Rev. Thomas & Elizabeth with Rebecca Abugah

Blessings to you all as you dwell on the many things you have to be thankful for. Also, continue to pray for those that have needs we can’t meet or don’t know about–I’m sure there are many.

Mike Griffin

ChangeOneLife, Inc.

“helping the world’s poor people to know the miracle of good health“

Final Drive for Rebecca Pictures

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Health Ministry Consultant

November 2nd, 2011

Health Ministry Consultant PicturesI am excited to share with you news of our continuing relationship with Rev. Vanessa Sharp. Vanessa, who most recently was appointed to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), has agreed to work with us part-time as a Health Ministry Consultant while she pursues her doctoral studies in Kenya. She has been a long time partner of ChangeOneLife, helping extend COL’s projects in Kenya with her visit this past May.

Vanessa arrived in Nairobi on Saturday, October 15. While in Kenya, she will help coordinate our AIDS Alive Projects with Kikuyu Hospital, explore the potential renovation of the rural health clinics in Ndiwa and Lawanda, and pursue medical ministry opportunities in the new country of Southern Sudan.

Health Ministry Consultant Pictures

Although Vanessa has barely had time to settle in, she is already hard at work on COL’s behalf. She has met or been in communication with many of COL’s past collaborators in our three areas of focus (outlined above). I will update you on the fruits of these communications as they develop.

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

Health Ministry Consultant Pictures

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Rebecca’s Heart Operation

October 24th, 2011

“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” – Psalm 30:2

I have fantastic news to share! Rebecca has finally had her heart surgery. The surgery took place on October 5 at the National Cardio-thoracic Centre of the Kole Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana and she has been recovering well. Her father, Rev. Abugah asks that we continue to pray that all will be well for her. He also shares his deepest gratitude for your love, prayers and financial support.

Rebeccas Heart Operation Pictures

Rebecca gaining strength already.

Rebeccas Heart Operation Pictures Rebecca and Mother surgery
Rebeccas Heart Operation Pictures Rebecca and Parents surgery
Rebeccas Heart Operation Pictures Rebecca and Mom close up
Rebeccas Heart Operation Pictures Mom and Rebecca Photo
 

Remember Rebecca is just four years old and was suffering from a life-threatening heart condition. Early this year, COL designated Rebecca as an Urgent Medical Needs case. Through your charitable donations, COL was able to contribute over $3000 to Rebecca’s heart operation.

We celebrate Rebecca’s successful surgery and will continue in prayer asking God that she have a complete and rapid recovery.

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

Rebeccas Heart Operation Pictures

Posted in Urgent Medical Needs | 1 Comment »

McD. Youth AIDS Walk Makes Headlines Again

October 19th, 2011
McD. Youth AIDS Walk Makes Headlines Again Pictures

T.O.P chaperones

The great Johnny Jackson at the Henry Herald has once again written an article about our growing community-building fundraiser. In it, he talks about both the goals and results of this year’s McDonough Youth AIDS Walk. He also took some great quotes from one of our participating youth directors, Shannon Whitford from Kelleytown Presbyterian.

Special thank you Johnny for your continued support and Shannon for your fresh championship of the cause. Can’t wait for next year!

For another link to the article, click here.

Liz Rieckmann

ChangeOneLife/ Lead Blogger

McD. Youth AIDS Walk Makes Headlines Again Pictures

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2nd Annual McDonough Youth AIDS Walk: Goes Off Without a Hitch!

October 8th, 2011

2nd Annual McDonough Youth AIDS Walk: Goes Off Without a Hitch! Pictures

Thanks to one and all for a great McDonough Youth AIDS Walk last Saturday! We had great weather; no one got hurt; people had a good time and met folks from other churches; and we made some money for a good cause.

Over 80 youth and adults participated in the second McDonough Youth AIDS Walk. They walked 4.1 miles from Bethany Baptist Church to McDonough Presbyterian Church. At MPC, the Walk participants played games, had lunch, and enjoyed the Wesley Way United Methodist Church’s Youth Praise Band “By Grace.”

Youth and adults from six area churches participated. Churches included Wesley Way United Methodist, Sharon Baptist, Mt. Bethel United Methodist, Tabernacle of Praise, Kelley Presbyterian and McDonough Presbyterian.

2nd Annual McDonough Youth AIDS Walk: Goes Off Without a Hitch! Pictures

The proceeds will go toward ChangeOneLife’s AIDS Alive Projects in Kenya. These funds will be used to purchase infant formula to help feed the babies of HIV-positive mothers being treated at the AIDS Clinic at Kikuyu Hospital outside Nairobi, Kenya.

It was a great community-building fundraiser this year. Let’s continue to spread the word and grow even bigger next year!

Blessings,

Mike Griffin, Pres/CEO

ChangeOneLife, Inc.

2nd Annual McDonough Youth AIDS Walk: Goes Off Without a Hitch! Pictures

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