It's time for an update from the field. We have established a routine of transferring funds to the orphanage director in Zim once per month. Every month we send her all of the money that we have in the account minus the charge for the wire transfer and any other fees that may be due at the time (post office box, web hosting, etc). And since I'm on that subject...we have to give Paypal a fee for every donation as well, but the rest goes out to the orphans. This past week we sent $1,000. It is the smallest transfer we have sent to date...still behind thousands in rent and school fees. (And not really sure what the consequences of that are going to be yet).
But...it is time to sow seed in Zim. Literally. If they are going to have enough grain to eat next year they have to plant the seeds now, so with the money we sent they were able to hire a truck to plough the field. They also purchased 10 bags of fertilizer and some seed maize. They will be planting the field at the end of this week.
It is unbearably hot in Zim right now, so please be praying for them as they work hard in the field to plant the seeds. Many of the children will be involved.
We thank you for your prayers and donations!
God Bless All!
~melissa
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Crisp & Juicy (updated 10/12/11)
(UPDATE) - Please contact me if you would like to be added to our monthly newsletter, or go to our main website and subscribe to it. We have a NEW giving level. Level 1 is $17 per month which is set up automatically through PayPal (from website). If we could find 160 people who would be willing to donate a minimum of $17 per month, we would have all the basic needs in Zim met. We are nowhere near this. Please help us find our 160 angels. Out of the 7 billion people in the world, this should be a simple task...but it will take effort and commitment on behalf of the small group of people who actually know about BFGO. Please help spread the word. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
It is my favorite time of the year for apples. A couple of years ago someone mentioned to me how delicious Honey Crisp apples are. I paid little attention. I may have even silently acknowledged to myself "how much more delicious can one apple be over another?". Little did I know. Oh so very little, indeed. I don't recall a single detail of the what, when, where or why, but I clearly recall the sensation of tasting my first Honey Crisp. I think I looked right at that apple and asked, "where have you been all my life?" Seriously, I am beginning to wonder if this perfect species of apple was the very temptation dangling on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. If so, no wonder Eve couldn't resist. (I kid). I have to kid sometimes, because sometimes the details are overwhelming. I'll get to the details in a moment.
The reason I am thinking about apples is because I have a tray of gorgeous, delicious honey crisp apples in my kitchen. I have been eating an apple a day since the beginning of June as part of my weight-loss plan. The thing is, one of my dear, precious, beautiful, vibrant orphaned Zim children LOVES apples. Boaz and I had several conversations about apples the last time I was there. He went into great detail about what he loves about the flavor of an apple. Any apple. I know that the children there spend most of their meals eating boiled grains and very little opportunity to partake of delicious fruits. It is one of the ways that my life has been changed. I think of them every single time I eat a piece of fruit. Every time I peel a banana for Shawn, quarter an orange for Asher, or eat a fibrous apple for myself, my thoughts go to how much I wish I could share it all with the sweet kiddos in our Zim orphanages. It seems like it should be so easy. It is not.
Friends of BFGO, our donations are down. The bottom line dollar amount for the needs is going up and the donations are currently down. It's not the up and to the right trend I've been hoping for. Fortunately for my spirit, I am fully well aware that BFGO was instituted to be a resource for aid, not to be a god. I know that we are not responsible for lives or for souls; we are simply called to do the best we can with what we have to give. And that is exactly what we intend to continue to do.
I will be sending some funds to the orphanage director the week of 10/17. As of today it appears to be the smallest donation we will have sent so far. Rent is far behind. School fees remain unpaid for 55 children. We are planning a large, fun celebrity filled fundraiser for early 2012. We are also on the radar of some local entities who are considering partnering with BFGO beginning next year in financial donations... but for now we are still very much in need of grass roots, local, simple love from you and you, you you and you and you.
Please consider making a difference in the lives of 60 precious children today. Let us be the very crisp and juicy flavor of God's love to them. Every donation impacts their very livelihood and displays the power of the love of Christ. Please join with us in this heartfelt mission.
In Him,
Melissa Irwin
It is my favorite time of the year for apples. A couple of years ago someone mentioned to me how delicious Honey Crisp apples are. I paid little attention. I may have even silently acknowledged to myself "how much more delicious can one apple be over another?". Little did I know. Oh so very little, indeed. I don't recall a single detail of the what, when, where or why, but I clearly recall the sensation of tasting my first Honey Crisp. I think I looked right at that apple and asked, "where have you been all my life?" Seriously, I am beginning to wonder if this perfect species of apple was the very temptation dangling on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. If so, no wonder Eve couldn't resist. (I kid). I have to kid sometimes, because sometimes the details are overwhelming. I'll get to the details in a moment.
The reason I am thinking about apples is because I have a tray of gorgeous, delicious honey crisp apples in my kitchen. I have been eating an apple a day since the beginning of June as part of my weight-loss plan. The thing is, one of my dear, precious, beautiful, vibrant orphaned Zim children LOVES apples. Boaz and I had several conversations about apples the last time I was there. He went into great detail about what he loves about the flavor of an apple. Any apple. I know that the children there spend most of their meals eating boiled grains and very little opportunity to partake of delicious fruits. It is one of the ways that my life has been changed. I think of them every single time I eat a piece of fruit. Every time I peel a banana for Shawn, quarter an orange for Asher, or eat a fibrous apple for myself, my thoughts go to how much I wish I could share it all with the sweet kiddos in our Zim orphanages. It seems like it should be so easy. It is not.
Friends of BFGO, our donations are down. The bottom line dollar amount for the needs is going up and the donations are currently down. It's not the up and to the right trend I've been hoping for. Fortunately for my spirit, I am fully well aware that BFGO was instituted to be a resource for aid, not to be a god. I know that we are not responsible for lives or for souls; we are simply called to do the best we can with what we have to give. And that is exactly what we intend to continue to do.
I will be sending some funds to the orphanage director the week of 10/17. As of today it appears to be the smallest donation we will have sent so far. Rent is far behind. School fees remain unpaid for 55 children. We are planning a large, fun celebrity filled fundraiser for early 2012. We are also on the radar of some local entities who are considering partnering with BFGO beginning next year in financial donations... but for now we are still very much in need of grass roots, local, simple love from you and you, you you and you and you.
Please consider making a difference in the lives of 60 precious children today. Let us be the very crisp and juicy flavor of God's love to them. Every donation impacts their very livelihood and displays the power of the love of Christ. Please join with us in this heartfelt mission.
In Him,
Melissa Irwin
Friday, September 23, 2011
Today - Near Nashville
**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
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
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
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