**UPDATE** Thanks to those who donated some items and money. Delivery was made on Saturday 9/24. God bless you all!
A sweet baby girl was born prematurely. Her mom doesn't have the best record, evidently. Sweet baby girl has gone into foster care here locally in Middle Tennessee and is being fostered by a mom that I know and respect immensely. Baby girl has some very special needs at the moment. This situation came up practically overnight (or possibly exactly overnight)....and we can jump in and help them. The hope is that the mom I know will be able to legally adopt her very soon, but there are certainly details to be worked out in the meanwhile.
As you can imagine, taking in a new baby all of a sudden is expensive. And the mom will have to take a considerable amount of time off work to care for this preemie newborn baby. My desire is that Beautiful Feet Global Outreach could raise some quick funds for a Walmart or Target giftcard. If you can help, please do so today! Thank you so much!
Go to the website and click on the donate button. www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
You Have More Power Than You Realize
I cannot believe how quickly September 1 has arrived. The last time Beautiful Feet Global Outreach paid school fees was in May. Back in May I had an endless amount of hope that by the time September rolled around, we would have more than enough to pay the next round of school fees. I didn't anticipate a rent crisis. I didn't anticipate another food shortage. Neither did they. Neither did anyone. So - here we are at the time that school fees are due again. We need about $4,000 more than we have. And that is only for the school fees...it doesn't even begin to touch the rent that is due again, nor the food that needs to be replenished again.
Sad story...I know. But those of us who are involved with BFGO and the leaders/administrators at the orphanage, as well as the orphans themselves, have been called to persevere, have hope, not give up and not grow weary. We know that God is working. It is so evident. He is ever present. His presence is seen and felt most in the hearts and spirits of each of us. He shows up everyday...in fact, He never leaves us.
Guilt is not a reasonable tactic. In fact, I will have no part of it. We are not competing with other orphan ministries and Christian organizations. We are just here to honor God is some small way by serving some desperate children who no one else seems to even know about. We saw a need that wasn't being met and we are trying to be used of God to fill in the gaps. HE is the provider and that is all that we have to know to know that HIS will is at work and HE will send the manna. But our part is crucial too. We have to raise awareness. The more awareness and exposure we bring to the lives and hardships of these children, the more donations we will receive on their behalf. The two questions for you are:
(1) Can you give?
(2) Can you spread the word?
2 is even more important than 1. You have the power to spread the word, increase awareness and raise funds for BFGO to serve the children in the precious name of our Lord and Savior. This power that you have impacts lives in ways you cannot even begin to fathom. Please help us spread the word.
www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Respectfully,
Melissa Irwin
Sad story...I know. But those of us who are involved with BFGO and the leaders/administrators at the orphanage, as well as the orphans themselves, have been called to persevere, have hope, not give up and not grow weary. We know that God is working. It is so evident. He is ever present. His presence is seen and felt most in the hearts and spirits of each of us. He shows up everyday...in fact, He never leaves us.
Guilt is not a reasonable tactic. In fact, I will have no part of it. We are not competing with other orphan ministries and Christian organizations. We are just here to honor God is some small way by serving some desperate children who no one else seems to even know about. We saw a need that wasn't being met and we are trying to be used of God to fill in the gaps. HE is the provider and that is all that we have to know to know that HIS will is at work and HE will send the manna. But our part is crucial too. We have to raise awareness. The more awareness and exposure we bring to the lives and hardships of these children, the more donations we will receive on their behalf. The two questions for you are:
(1) Can you give?
(2) Can you spread the word?
2 is even more important than 1. You have the power to spread the word, increase awareness and raise funds for BFGO to serve the children in the precious name of our Lord and Savior. This power that you have impacts lives in ways you cannot even begin to fathom. Please help us spread the word.
www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Respectfully,
Melissa Irwin
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Vintage
We have a sweet partner that I want to share with you. If you scroll down in the left sidebar you'll see a chair logo design for "Vintage Shabby Chicks". You can click to their blog from there. They are located in Franklin, TN in a wonderful location (111 Bridge Street) in an old house that has been converted to a store, called City Farmhouse. They have committed to donating a portion of their sales to Beautiful Feet Global Outreach monthly.
I couldn't be more grateful or more inspired by these two incredible ladies. The work that they do to restore or give new life to old furniture pieces is truly beautiful. I'm not just saying that. I am nuts about the work they do. And I am crazy about their hearts.
If you are within a 50 mile radius of Franklin....please go see their stuff. You won't be disappointed.
I couldn't be more grateful or more inspired by these two incredible ladies. The work that they do to restore or give new life to old furniture pieces is truly beautiful. I'm not just saying that. I am nuts about the work they do. And I am crazy about their hearts.
If you are within a 50 mile radius of Franklin....please go see their stuff. You won't be disappointed.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Beautiful Announcement
Friends,
I am so overjoyed to be able to announce to you that we, Beautiful Feet Global Outreach, Inc. (aka Beautiful Feet G.O.) were notified by mail today that the IRS has awarded us official exemption. We are now a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Non-Profit organization.
This confirms that all of our donors since 9/29/2010 will be able to claim a tax deduction for every dime donated to our organization. We are so honored and overjoyed! Please praise the sweet Lord with us. We know this is all from Him. (We received our status in record time...just 6 months!).
Humbly before Christ,
Melissa Irwin,
Executive Director
I am so overjoyed to be able to announce to you that we, Beautiful Feet Global Outreach, Inc. (aka Beautiful Feet G.O.) were notified by mail today that the IRS has awarded us official exemption. We are now a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Non-Profit organization.
This confirms that all of our donors since 9/29/2010 will be able to claim a tax deduction for every dime donated to our organization. We are so honored and overjoyed! Please praise the sweet Lord with us. We know this is all from Him. (We received our status in record time...just 6 months!).
Humbly before Christ,
Melissa Irwin,
Executive Director
Friday, July 1, 2011
Updates & Angels
Because of some generous funds received over the past few days we will be wiring at least 1 months rent for each house in Zim on Tuesday of next week. That will cover May. We desire to also raise enough to cover June and July....of course...but we are so grateful that God used a precious handful of people to come up with one month so far. God bless each and every....and the greatest thanks to God the Father who is working in our hearts and teaching us about bits and pieces. (I love you Lord!)
We are grateful to Chiropractic Nashville who is partnering with us in a fundraiser for the month of July. We are ecstatic that they will be offering a very special deal to new patients, as well as to existing patients..just for making donations. They are a GREAT small business who serve the Lord with their hearts, finances and other resources. God bless your business!
We are grateful to 2 Nashville/Franklin based antique business operators who have pledged 10% of their monthly profits (ongoing) to Beautiful Feet G.O. This chokes me up on the highest levels. They are both women of God who serve with FIRE and PASSION and have immeasurable levels of hope. One of them stated to me on the phone this morning that they dream of being our biggest donor someday. Well, hallelujah, praise the King! I pray that too! LOVE YOU SO MUCH. You can visit their new blog and find their locations at Vintage Shabby Chicks.
Mark Mabry - Mark is a web developer, graphic designer, marketing specialist...extraordinaire! I cannot thank Mark enough for all he has done to launch our web presence and various graphic needs. He recently designed this incredible poster to be displayed at Chiropractic Nashville for their July fundraiser! And ProGraphics of Nashville donated the printing, mounting, laminating and framing at Mark's request. Seriously y'all...... blessings coming together...it rocks my world!
And lastly but far from least.... to my friends Kim & Bryan who have just recently launched their business and charitable organization... Eraselets and Erase World Hunger. They have pledged for Erase World Hunger to serve Beautiful Feet Global Outreach as soon as they can be funded. Their product, Eraselets....is a fantabulous eraser bracelet with incredible designs so fun for kids. Some of their designs include scriptures. They are currently close to getting their product sold in a MAJOR Christian retail store as well as a MAJOR mainstream retail outlet. God has already worked some heavy miracles in their lives and we are believing Him for greater miracles to come. Some day (maybe soon)...they will be able to help Beautiful Feet G.O. do incredible work for the Kingdom in serving these precious orphans globally.
Everyone who impacts us big and small is an angel to us. We understand how God works....one of His favorite ways to bless us is through other people. When we say you are a blessing...we really mean that. God used you......
My humble appreciation goes out to all,
Melissa Irwin
We are grateful to Chiropractic Nashville who is partnering with us in a fundraiser for the month of July. We are ecstatic that they will be offering a very special deal to new patients, as well as to existing patients..just for making donations. They are a GREAT small business who serve the Lord with their hearts, finances and other resources. God bless your business!
We are grateful to 2 Nashville/Franklin based antique business operators who have pledged 10% of their monthly profits (ongoing) to Beautiful Feet G.O. This chokes me up on the highest levels. They are both women of God who serve with FIRE and PASSION and have immeasurable levels of hope. One of them stated to me on the phone this morning that they dream of being our biggest donor someday. Well, hallelujah, praise the King! I pray that too! LOVE YOU SO MUCH. You can visit their new blog and find their locations at Vintage Shabby Chicks.
Mark Mabry - Mark is a web developer, graphic designer, marketing specialist...extraordinaire! I cannot thank Mark enough for all he has done to launch our web presence and various graphic needs. He recently designed this incredible poster to be displayed at Chiropractic Nashville for their July fundraiser! And ProGraphics of Nashville donated the printing, mounting, laminating and framing at Mark's request. Seriously y'all...... blessings coming together...it rocks my world!
**please click on poster to enlarge it for easy readability.
And lastly but far from least.... to my friends Kim & Bryan who have just recently launched their business and charitable organization... Eraselets and Erase World Hunger. They have pledged for Erase World Hunger to serve Beautiful Feet Global Outreach as soon as they can be funded. Their product, Eraselets....is a fantabulous eraser bracelet with incredible designs so fun for kids. Some of their designs include scriptures. They are currently close to getting their product sold in a MAJOR Christian retail store as well as a MAJOR mainstream retail outlet. God has already worked some heavy miracles in their lives and we are believing Him for greater miracles to come. Some day (maybe soon)...they will be able to help Beautiful Feet G.O. do incredible work for the Kingdom in serving these precious orphans globally.
Everyone who impacts us big and small is an angel to us. We understand how God works....one of His favorite ways to bless us is through other people. When we say you are a blessing...we really mean that. God used you......
My humble appreciation goes out to all,
Melissa Irwin
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Orphans....EVICTED!
Ok - I kinda need you to "get this"...whoever you are. Please share on facebook and retweet on Twitter. PLEASE (humbly begging). We have a crisis.
Like you, I am tired of (me) being in the business of crisis aversion....but this seems to be our track for the time. Just when we think we are about to get ahead of the curve and course about a reasonable ebb and flow of receiving/giving....something bigger than us falls into the middle of the plate and shatters it into bits.
Here is the short nitty gritty. Our partner and orphanage director in Zimbabwe has been using 3 houses in Zim as orphanage homes for almost 6 years. In all of this time they have never had to pay rent. That's right....kind generous people who didn't need the houses (and couldn't really sell them for much)...just decided to let Fatima use them until further notice. Well.....further notice is now. Fatima CAN continue to use these 3 houses and the 4th house that she is using as a "transitional" home right now for some of the older kids.....BUT....she must start paying rent. And well, she was supposed to start paying rent in May. She hasn't. If she doesn't (and how can she?)..... then they have to all vacate and go....nowhere.
So, to add to the expenses of food, electricity, water, school fees, clothing, etc.....there is now the added monthly expense of rent. We (BFGO) would be honored to cover this for them (worthy, beautiful, precious, deserving children).... but we do not have the funds. We were aiming for being able to pay for food and school fees for the entire year....but obviously without a roof....we can do nothing. I am going to copy and paste the email exchange between Fatima and myself. I asked her what she needs right away....(if) there was anything at all...since the next round of school fees are not due until September).
In OTHER news....we have been communicating with the IRS and I think we are getting so so close to good news (and praying for it!)
We are so grateful for our monthly donors....and we do not want to ask you for more...so that is not what this is about. If you have never given to Beautiful Feet GO OR if you could help us spread the word we would be forever grateful. There are 55+ incredibly hopeful and loving children (orphans) on the other side of the world that we are praying will not lose the only home they know. You can be a blessing! Please help if you can. We are so humbly grateful!
{email from Fatima} -----I had specifically asked her in a previous email what their greatest needs are besides school fees.
Dear Precious Melissa,
Thank you for the exciting news that you want to visit the children once more. You are more than welcome. The best time to do this visit would be the 1st of December up to the time when you want to leave. This will give children a nice break especially after a hectic week of exams. Let me know about your schedule for the intended visits.
We desperately need GOD's intervention regarding finances to settle our rentals and water and electricity. we have gone for two months without paying rentals and if GOD does not intervene we can be evicted. The rentals payable for four properties are US$ 2300 per month and we would need about US$ 2 500 to settle our water and electricity bills[ these have gone unpaid for sometime now] but the normal for all our properties would be us$ 500.
we thank GOD for a gift from Larissa. she informed me and Phillip that she had collected a few laptops that she could give to someone coming to Zimbabwe. Please could you bring them for us? these will go a long way by assisting the various units to do a continous update of the children's bio data.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU OUR CHAMPION.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
fatima for all
PLEASE VISIT OUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO MAKE DONATIONS. www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Like you, I am tired of (me) being in the business of crisis aversion....but this seems to be our track for the time. Just when we think we are about to get ahead of the curve and course about a reasonable ebb and flow of receiving/giving....something bigger than us falls into the middle of the plate and shatters it into bits.
Here is the short nitty gritty. Our partner and orphanage director in Zimbabwe has been using 3 houses in Zim as orphanage homes for almost 6 years. In all of this time they have never had to pay rent. That's right....kind generous people who didn't need the houses (and couldn't really sell them for much)...just decided to let Fatima use them until further notice. Well.....further notice is now. Fatima CAN continue to use these 3 houses and the 4th house that she is using as a "transitional" home right now for some of the older kids.....BUT....she must start paying rent. And well, she was supposed to start paying rent in May. She hasn't. If she doesn't (and how can she?)..... then they have to all vacate and go....nowhere.
So, to add to the expenses of food, electricity, water, school fees, clothing, etc.....there is now the added monthly expense of rent. We (BFGO) would be honored to cover this for them (worthy, beautiful, precious, deserving children).... but we do not have the funds. We were aiming for being able to pay for food and school fees for the entire year....but obviously without a roof....we can do nothing. I am going to copy and paste the email exchange between Fatima and myself. I asked her what she needs right away....(if) there was anything at all...since the next round of school fees are not due until September).
In OTHER news....we have been communicating with the IRS and I think we are getting so so close to good news (and praying for it!)
We are so grateful for our monthly donors....and we do not want to ask you for more...so that is not what this is about. If you have never given to Beautiful Feet GO OR if you could help us spread the word we would be forever grateful. There are 55+ incredibly hopeful and loving children (orphans) on the other side of the world that we are praying will not lose the only home they know. You can be a blessing! Please help if you can. We are so humbly grateful!
{email from Fatima} -----I had specifically asked her in a previous email what their greatest needs are besides school fees.
Thank you for the exciting news that you want to visit the children once more. You are more than welcome. The best time to do this visit would be the 1st of December up to the time when you want to leave. This will give children a nice break especially after a hectic week of exams. Let me know about your schedule for the intended visits.
We desperately need GOD's intervention regarding finances to settle our rentals and water and electricity. we have gone for two months without paying rentals and if GOD does not intervene we can be evicted. The rentals payable for four properties are US$ 2300 per month and we would need about US$ 2 500 to settle our water and electricity bills[ these have gone unpaid for sometime now] but the normal for all our properties would be us$ 500.
we thank GOD for a gift from Larissa. she informed me and Phillip that she had collected a few laptops that she could give to someone coming to Zimbabwe. Please could you bring them for us? these will go a long way by assisting the various units to do a continous update of the children's bio data.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU OUR CHAMPION.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
fatima for all
PLEASE VISIT OUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO MAKE DONATIONS. www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Updates and Needs
Hi friends,
Thank you for regularly visiting our blog and our facebook page. Believe it or not we are blessed just by you showing up here and there. Knowing that there are peeps who care about this ministry and the kiddos being served just helps us to keep moving on. So, thank you!
You might recall that last month we were so incredibly blessed to send the balance of the school fees that were due right then. At that same time the truck being used in Zim to carry out the ministry errands/deliveries broke down. After discussion, we permitted the organization leader in Zim to use money from those funds to fix the truck. The truck is repaired now, thank God! So, yesterday we were able to wire $1,400 more to cover the school fees. Some of that money will also be used to pay the driver who was kind enough to drive me all over Zim while I was there recently. ALSO, approx $200 will be used to pay for Pastor Phillip to take some exams that he needs to take in order to try to come to the USA for some further education. You may recall that Pastor Phillip is an adult orphan. He lost his parents when he was young, as they died in a car accident. He is a very special man and an INCREDIBLE PREACHER! I wish I could hear him preach every week....the special messages that God placed on his heart and spoke out of Phillips mouth while I was there were fresh and new and inspiring. I am praying that he will get to share the word of God to many many many more in his lifetime.
The director there is sending me acquittals this week so that we can log her expenditures. I am forever grateful to have a partner there who is leading with the Spirit of the Lord and who accounts for every penny. It is her relentless pursuit of Christ and devotion to His ministry in loving these orphans, and accountability to us that keeps this process fun, hopeful and worth every tear.
Beautiful Feet Global Outreach needs many many many many more financial partners. We would love to find at least 75 more people who are willing to donate $25 per month to continue to feed the children, send them to school, provide their food, clothing and shelter....and pay for those unexpected things like broken-down trucks. Please consider.
Also please pray for the ministry director in Zim, Fatima. She fell very ill with an infected boil. She is feeling much better. Fever is gone, but the boil is still opened and it is hurting her.
As always, please visit our official website to learn more about us and to set up donations. Thank you so much and God bless every sweet soul that lands on this page. www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Photos of our sweet Fatima!
Thank you for regularly visiting our blog and our facebook page. Believe it or not we are blessed just by you showing up here and there. Knowing that there are peeps who care about this ministry and the kiddos being served just helps us to keep moving on. So, thank you!
You might recall that last month we were so incredibly blessed to send the balance of the school fees that were due right then. At that same time the truck being used in Zim to carry out the ministry errands/deliveries broke down. After discussion, we permitted the organization leader in Zim to use money from those funds to fix the truck. The truck is repaired now, thank God! So, yesterday we were able to wire $1,400 more to cover the school fees. Some of that money will also be used to pay the driver who was kind enough to drive me all over Zim while I was there recently. ALSO, approx $200 will be used to pay for Pastor Phillip to take some exams that he needs to take in order to try to come to the USA for some further education. You may recall that Pastor Phillip is an adult orphan. He lost his parents when he was young, as they died in a car accident. He is a very special man and an INCREDIBLE PREACHER! I wish I could hear him preach every week....the special messages that God placed on his heart and spoke out of Phillips mouth while I was there were fresh and new and inspiring. I am praying that he will get to share the word of God to many many many more in his lifetime.
The director there is sending me acquittals this week so that we can log her expenditures. I am forever grateful to have a partner there who is leading with the Spirit of the Lord and who accounts for every penny. It is her relentless pursuit of Christ and devotion to His ministry in loving these orphans, and accountability to us that keeps this process fun, hopeful and worth every tear.
Beautiful Feet Global Outreach needs many many many many more financial partners. We would love to find at least 75 more people who are willing to donate $25 per month to continue to feed the children, send them to school, provide their food, clothing and shelter....and pay for those unexpected things like broken-down trucks. Please consider.
Also please pray for the ministry director in Zim, Fatima. She fell very ill with an infected boil. She is feeling much better. Fever is gone, but the boil is still opened and it is hurting her.
As always, please visit our official website to learn more about us and to set up donations. Thank you so much and God bless every sweet soul that lands on this page. www.beautifulfeetgo.org
Photos of our sweet Fatima!
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