House Of Friends Newsletter Sept 2009

Volume 9 Issue 9

101 N. Zeysing · P O Box 228 · Alma, MO 64001 · 660.674.2222 · www.houseoffriends.org

The children are waiting in anticipation of a little more space when the second Abba House, David Anthony House of Refuge, is finished. This home is slated to be a home for boys. The interior phase of the project will begin this month. At this moment, there are 33 children living in the first Abba House built by Wes and Karen Hall of CTOMA (Central Texas Orphan Mission Alliance). It is not uncommon in Uganda orphan homes for so Front (above) and back (to many to be in one small right) of the second Abba house. So many orphaned House, David Anthony House of Refuge, in Entebbe, Uganda and abandoned children need shelter over their heads that they “make room where there seems to be no room.” Three other Abba House children are staying with others until the new home is finished and can be occupied. The children have been out of school for “holiday.” During their “holiday” periods, they continue to work on their studies at home so they return to school ready to pick up where they left off without needing any review. It is time to stock up on new school supplies as they prepare to return. Abba House children

Donations have been steady for the Native American Outreach, thanks to individual donors of in-kind gifts as well as donations from the leftover goods from estate sales in Kansas City. Dale and Jeanie Ritter, Outreach Directors, and various crews gleaned donations from three estate sales in the past three weeks. Our storage area was overloaded so the Ritter's took a second load to Pine Ridge this summer. Upon arrival, Bruce and Marsha BonFleur of our partnering ministry, The About Group, shared the many changes that are taking place. The mission thrift store closed on September 12 as there was not enough income to cover expenses of keeping it in operation. For the first time in five years, The About Group was unable to make payroll until an unexpected donation came in the day the

Ritter’s arrived. God is always on time, though at times we may think a little late. The mission store will no longer be accepting clothing and small items but will accept those items of greatest need—beds, appliances, furniture, blankets, and heaters. These donations will be kept on a semitrailer and made available for acquisition once or twice a month. The mission building is being converted into a quilters room, a craft supply store, a computer café (computers have been donated), a workout room and several work areas for artists to make their craft creations right on grounds. All of these will be renting their spaces to generate income for the mission. Bruce BonFleur, who is director of the mission, will begin to teach a living skills class to the Lakota Sioux. This class will help them learn how to be financially and spiritually healthy. (continued on back)

NEW RELEASE

Don and Ruth Patterson, on House of Friends ministry team, have received word their book, CALLED TO SERVE: One Mission—Obedience to the One Who Called, is published. This is a riveting story of God’s mercy and grace that took Linn Haitz, a personal friend, from a painful debilitating disease to a miraculous healing, and his call from God fulfilled. At age 54 Linn tenaciously went to serve people in areas of towering mountains, thick jungles and danger filled rivers. God delivered him from hopeless situations and through him gave hope and healing to others. CALLED TO SERVE may be purchased through House of Friends at $16.95 plus $4.00 shipping/handling, or on-line from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

SECOND PRINTING THE RIVER FLOWS DOWN: A Call to Missions for Ordinary Christians written by House of Friends’ founder, John Gross, is available for sale through House of Friends at $15.00 plus $4.00 shipping/handling. If you have a heart for missions but feel totally unqualified and unequipped, just follow John and his friends to Africa as they learn that God can use weak and broken vessels for His glory.

BIG CHANGES (continued) For those who desire to be a blessing to the Native American peoples, House of Friends will be accepting monetary donations and inkind donations of all sizes beds and mattresses except king, furniture, appliances, fans, heaters, and blankets. We will no longer be accepting clothing and miscellaneous items. If you have questions or have items you wish to donate, please call Dale and Jeanie Ritter at 660.674.2713 or House of Friends at 660.674.2222. Plans are underway for a June 2010 mission trip to Uganda and Ethiopia. Those interested in being a part of a mission group, contact House of Friends at 660.674.2222 or [email protected].

P O Box 228 · Alma, MO 64001