Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Handling Emergencies

There is an immediate, urgent need.  It is right now, today.  It involves food.  Without food comes hunger.  I have never known what that is like.  I have never lived a moment that I didn't know where my next meal was coming from.  I have had food as an option, every day of my life.  If you had zero food right now and zero dollars with which to buy any....what would you do?  I want you to consider this as you read further.

The short story is.....  I learned yesterday that the food supply in Zim is down again while the costs are up again.  Fatima has $2.45 in the bank.  Due to the economy, she does not have the donors that she once had.  She has NO ONE right this moment that can send her money for food.  Not even me as an individual, and not "us" as an organization.  She not only feeds the 60+ children, but she also feeds the orphanage staff, the teachers in the small school (for the teenagers), the pastor, and the security guards.  She needs money for food immediately.

Once this organization has matured and has regular donations coming in, I do not believe we will face "food emergencies", because we will be steadily providing.  In fact, I believe we will get to a point where providing school fees and food is just so regular, that they will never have to worry where their next bite is coming from, nor worry that the government will shut down the orphanage because they are not in school.

QUESTIONS I WOULD ASK:
1.  How will I know my money is being used for food?
     a.  BFGO will send a wire transfer to the designated account for the Rose of Sharon Welfare  
          Organization in Harare, Zimbabwe (Kingdom Bank).  The orphanage director will buy food and  
          will email me a receipt.  I will post copies of both transmissions here on the blog for you to see.
2.  Is my donation tax exempt?
     a.  We believe it is.  We have applied for our tax exempt status with the IRS (Form 1023).  They 
          should grant our 501c3 status within 6-12 months, at which point all donations we receive this 
          year (even today) will be tax deductible.  Our charter and bylaws indicate our purpose is an
          exempt one.  Today our status is "pending".
3.   Melissa, are you going to just beg for money all the time and always call it an "emergency"?
      a.  Good question, I'm glad you asked.  I will always be seeking partners and donors for this 
           organization, for the purpose of helping orphans.  I hope that I will not always have to beg.  I see 
           giving as an opportunity - especially if you know and love Christ and understand His command  
           to spread the gospel and love others.  I believe that we will graduate to the point of being able to 
           provide the basic needs without having to beg (and lose sleep and get sick to my stomach).  But 
           until this machine is well-oiled, that cannot happen.  Today this IS an EMERGENCY.  It truly is.


Fatima, the orphanage director for the Rose of Sharon homes in Zim did not ask this of me.  In fact, I spoke with her on the phone 2 days ago and she did not even mention it.  She is so worried about school fees.  Some of the children are not in school today at all.  She didn't mention food on the phone.  Following our conversation, I sent her an email letting her know that this organization does not want to overrun her organization, and that I pray she always has multiple donors.  (She is very transparent and accountable with her financial books and asks that I review them when I am with her).  In my email I wanted her to feel safe, love and uncontrolled.  It was then and only then that she wrote to me and told me she has no donors, $2.45 in the bank, and no food when their current supply runs out.  So - she is not begging.  And we will not.  She IS praying.  We WILL pray.  That is all we can do.

You can click on the donate button above to make a donation.  This goes through paypal.  You can use a credit card and it is not necessary for you to have a paypal account.  The sooner you can make a donation the better.  They are going to be out of food in a week or two.  
Or you can mail a check to BFGO 6840 Bridgewater Drive Nashville, TN 37221
Receipts will be provided.


If you are willing to be a monthly donor (at any amount) would you please email me at beautifulfeego (at) gmail (dot) com


**Reminder - this is our blog.  Our official website will be live soon and I will update here.  **


please consider sharing this with friends, family, co-workers, bible study groups, life groups, your church, etc.  there are so many people out there who want to give and love to give... can you help share this opportunity with them.  REPOST ON TWITTER - REPOST ON FACEBOOK by using the simple buttons below.  If you do not see the buttons - please go to the top of this post and click directly onto the title, and then scroll down and you should see the buttons.  I humbly thank you all.  May we all be presented as pure before our King for doing as He did.

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