Orphan Relief and Rescue

Frances Gaskin's Fence is Finished!!!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:23:10 -0600

Exciting news!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:40:46 -0600

Rebecca Pratt, the co-founder of Orphan Relief and Rescue, is thrilled to announce the release of her new book “Inspired to Action". While reading, you will join Rebecca on her journey though Africa, Central America, and the United States. You will be swept into the lives of the hurting and suffering around the world. You’ll experience the redemptive power of Christ through the stories of Rebecca and others choosing to be Jesus’ hands and feet.

Her story begins in Africa with the plight of dying orphans, where she is faced with some unbelievable decisions that will change the outcome of hundreds of children's lives. Rebecca shares in a way that both educates and inspires you to live outside of yourself in partnership with God for the sake of others. You will be challenged in your own walk with God and in your service to those around you who are suffering. Rebecca’s stories will leave you inspired--inspired to action. You will not be the same after reading this book.

You can order a copy of this book on Amazon.com or by visiting Rebecca's website. You can also view the book trailer on Vimeo.

Happy reading!

Christmas 2011 Thank You!!!!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:52:57 -0600

Happy New Year!

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:47:53 -0600

The end of the year is always a busy time for Orphan Relief and Rescue. We ended 2011 with lots of Christmas festivities-- over 350 Christmas bundles were ordered—and we are carrying on the celebration and delieveries into 2012. Construction is almost finished on the security fence at the Francis Gaskin orphanage; new latrines are scheduled to be going in at Rock of Divine Healing orphanage, and the kids at Danny Feeney are going strong in the Child Development Program. Overall, the kids are healthy and happy.

The new year is a time when many people re-evaluate their lives. As we look back at where the kids from these orphanages were a few years ago, it is overwhelmingly obvious that God has been working miracles in their lives. We are thankful to have been a part of His process.

This new year in Liberia is also bringing a new term for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Extra prayers for continued peace and safety in Liberia are needed, especially as the President is being sworn in next week and opposition forces are still promising trouble.

There is much more work that needs to be done for the children of West Africa. As you reflect on your past year, please consider keeping a partnership with us in serving the orphans in Liberia and Benin that no one else will help.

Thank you!

Orphan Relief and Rescue was on the radio!

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:55:18 -0600

On December 15th, we had an unexpected gift from a local radio station and their listeners here in Seattle. 820 AM KGNW hosted a giving campaign to fund some much-needed flushing outdoor toilets for a Liberian orphanage and daily operating expenses for our Benin orphanage. We were so blessed by the heart and compassion of the radio host Doug Bursch and the generosity of the listening audience. Below is Doug’s letter of thanks to all of you who participated in this campaign.

Dear friend in ministry,

I want to thank you for generously supporting Orphan Relief and Rescue through our 820 AM KGNW radio campaign. Because of your generous support, we were able to raise $7750 through our Live from Seattle radio program. It brings me sincere joy to be part of this wonderful blessing. Your donations will go directly to building a flushing latrine/toilet system for the Divine Healing Orphanage in Liberia. The remainder of the money will pay for two months of operating expenses for the orphanage in Benin.

Make no mistake about the reality of what you are doing. You are standing in the gap for children who desperately need our love, care, and protection. Every dollar given translates into transforming the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Orphan Relief and Rescue is the Gospel in action. Your willingness to partner with this noble work is changing the lives of children. You have become a part of this rescue mission.

With this in mind, I ask that you sincerely consider becoming a regular and consistent giver to Orphan Relief and Rescue. I have worked with several large missionary organizations in my radio career. I have raised many thousands of dollars to support very worthy organizations. Even so, I have not found a missionary organization more worthy of my support than Orphan Relief and Rescue. They are a small but focused organization making the most of every dollar given. Every dollar you give to Orphan Relief and Rescue is in good hands. I give them my highest recommendation and support.

We serve a generous God who loves these orphans more than my words could ever say. Please give to help children such as Miracle, Joshua, and Esther. Your support will give them life! There is no greater gift we can give in this and any season.

Much love and thanks,

Pastor Doug Bursch
Host of Live from Seattle with Doug Bursch on 820 AM KGNW
Senior Pastor of Evergreen Church

Bundle deliveries begin!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:42:05 -0600

Christmas bundle deliveries are in full swing in Liberia. We have already delivered 125 fun-and-love-filled bundles to children in two orphanages. Thanks to the amazing response of bundle donators we still have a long way to go—352 have been donated so far!

This year, the Christmas bundles contain a variety of things: a toothbrush, candy, flip-flops, new clothes, stuffed animals, toy cars, hair ribbons, card games, pencils, notebooks, messages from people in the States and more. However, as we have learned in years past, the most important thing in our Christmas bundles is LOVE--which is symbolized by a big, shiny, red apple.

We have already exceeded our goal for this year, but if you haven’t donated yet, it is not too late. Every $25 Christmas bundle donation brings a smile to a child in Liberia. What’s more, it gives us an opportunity to let that child know that he or she is special and loved. These kids don’t get a lot of their own things, but at least once a year, with your help, they get to open, hold and enjoy something of their very own.

It's that time of year again...

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:33:37 -0600

Christmas is only a few weeks away and preparations for Christmas bundle delivery are in full swing in Liberia. It only costs $25 to provide a special Christmas delivery for a child this season. Please donate a bundle (or two) today!

If you need help getting into the Christmas spirit, watch this video from last Christmas!

Christmas in Liberia 2010 from Orphan Relief and Rescue on Vimeo.

There is still more to do when it comes to sanitation

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:04:59 -0600

Since we started, Orphan Relief and Rescue has been committed to improving the health and well being of the orphans that we care for. In the past we have dug wells for clean water and built latrines that have greatly improved sanitary conditions in our orphanages. Sadly there are still many orphanages that lack these basic facilities. This year we have a number of latrine projects that we want to do. We are committed to making sure that the latrines we build or renovate are used properly and well cared for. Below is a video taken at one of our proposed sites that desperately needs all new latrines. Projects like this will make an immediate difference in the children's health and well being, we just need your help to make it happen. Click here to go to our donate page and designate for our water and sanitation projects.

Sanitation crisis from Orphan Relief and Rescue on Vimeo.

Now is your chance!

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:11:56 -0600

Christmas is such a special time of year for so many of us. I am reminded of special family traditions like driving around our home town after Christmas Eve service and looking at all of the lights on houses, or waiting on Christmas morning for my parents to wake up so my brother and I could tear into our presents. Like many of us, the focus of most of my Christmas memories is around my family.

In Liberia, they have many of the same Christmas traditions that we do: family gatherings, big dinners, presents. But Christmas time for the children living in orphanages is different. Somtimes it can be a reminder of the fact that they do not have a traditional family and, for some, Christmas brings back memories of disappointment and neglect.

This will be the fifth year that I am helping Orphan Relief and Rescue deliver Christmas bundles to orphaned children in Liberia. Each year we bring the children new clothes, school supplies, candy, and toys. But it's not the things we bring that are most important. It is the smile on a child's face when they are called by name to receive a Christmas bundle. It is joy that comes from knowing someone halfway around the world took the time to write them a note and wish them a 'Merry Christmas'. It is these Christmas traditions and memories that we are making that will have the lasting effect.

As you are enjoying all of your Christmas traditions this year, I want to ask that you start a new one. Send a gift bundle to Liberia and share the joy of Christmas with a some very special kids.

Now is your chance. Click here to go to our Christmas page and send a bundle. Please don't forget to write a note and let a child know that you are thinking of him this Christmas.

Construction at Frances Gaskin

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:27:07 -0600

As the rainy season draws to a close and the sun shines brightly everyday, it can only mean one thing in Liberia: construction is on! The first construction project that Orphan Relief and Rescue is tackling this year is a security fence at the Frances Gaskin Orphanage. It has only been a week since the latest round of elections, and even though they have declared a winner, things are still very tense. The need for security for the children has never been more crucial. The construction team has been hard at work laying the foundation on the first wall, and we hope to start laying block next week. When the fence is finished, it will provide security for the entire orphanage and their school.

Even though this project has been fully funded, we still have lots more projects that need your help. Click here and donate today to Orphan Relief and Rescue and make a lasting difference in the lives of Liberia’s orphaned children.