Our Friends in Haiti

Please read this story about our friends in Haiti. Kiana and Ari graduated together last June, and it was a treat to see her again!

Gordon Griffith Photography, A Month with the Karen

Let's Go!
"A Month with the Karen"
Jan.22 - Feb.7
Gallery Opening Jan. 23, 7-11pm
Gallery Closing Feb. 5, 6-9pm
Laurel Gallery
Open Fri-Sun 12n-3pm
255 South Laurel Street
Ventura, CA 93001

Please Send Money to Help Those in Haiti

This organization is being headed up by a friend of ours, so we can guarantee none of the donated money will go anywhere but to Haiti. Also, eDivvy.com has offered to match 5% of whatever is raised for earthquake relief. If you would like to contribute, please go to http://childhope-haiti.edivvy.com. Your contributions are tax deductible.
Send Money to Help Haiti!

Missionary Friends in Haiti, Bill and Susette Manassero

Here's an update from our friends, Henry and Nancy Sanchez:

For current updates on Bill and Susette's status, and prayer requests for them in Haiti, click here.
Today, there is a post showing Bill Manassero interviewed on CNN. Yesterday, Child Hope was featured on the Channel 7 News interviewing Brittney (Bohlinger) Meadth & Peter Bohlinger.

For donations that go directly to the Manassero's / Child Hope: There is a 5% fund matching program at the following direct link: http://childhope-haiti.edivvy.com/ Please post on your facebook/twitter/blog/etc. The response has been AMAZING!

For those of you that do not know Bill and Susette, they are friends of ours from many years ago. Their family has been serving the people of Haiti for several years now through their 501c3 organization, Child Hope. They started a boys home ministering to a group of boys that were orphaned or on the streets, then a few years later, they started a girls home. They call their home for the kids, Maison de Lumiere (The Light House). Presently, they are raising over 50 children . . . feeding, clothing, educating, discipling, and loving them through their growing years and equipping them as adults to go out into Haiti as strong, faithful believers, being salt and light in their nation.

You can go on their site, Child Hope, to learn more about them and their ministry, and to meet the children. As you can imagine, there are great opportunities to help them through partial or full sponsorship of the children and the general ministry. You can also sign up for their newsletter to continue to be informed of what God is doing in Haiti, and how to pray.

Please forward this message on to other friends that may want to help this awesome faithful family that is serving on the front lines in Haiti by supporting them through prayer or financial donations.

Thank you so much!
Henry & Nancy Sanchez

Below are some prayer points from Susette on today's update off of the Childhope site:

Hoping to get an update out tonight-heading out, but thought I'd shoot some prayer requests that come to mind.

--Staff. They're tired/exhausted and under a lot of duress. Please continue to lift them up continually. I haven't seen people pull together like this, EVER. I have been blessed to see what I've seen.

--Protection/Discernment. We are hoping to go an look for people today that are missing. There are many dear friends unaccounted for. We are also going to assess the food/water/fuel situation. Pray.

--Peace. In the country as relief efforts come in, that there aren't riots/manifestations. Peace among ourselves as we wade through uncharted waters.

--Health. We continue to stay healthy so we can continue to serve others.

--NO more aftershocks. Tall order, but hey, He is sovereign and I can ask. It would be nice if they would stop. I fell out of bed this morning as I tried to get up and out, thinking it was another quake :-)

--Supplies. That they continue to arrive safely.

Praise reports:

There are many but some highlights:

People are praying-everywhere.

Daphne finally got her cast yesterday.

We got an influx of Haitian doctors and nurses show up to help us today.

Much needed meds arrived yesterday (right after we'd officially closed the doors to dozens of people waiting outside). We were running out, and then the supplies arrived. Amazing timing, as always.

Great Vacation in Idaho!

We miss you, Nana and Poppie! Thanks for a GREAT vacation!!!

Health Benefit Claims and Uses of Tea

White Tea: Contains the highest levels of antioxidants and polyphenols which protect human cells from damage, lessening the chance of colon, gastric, pancreas, bladder, prostate, and breast cancer.

Green Tea: Contains polyphenols & antioxidants, lessening the change of cancer & heart disease. Green tea contains the potent compound EGCG, which inhibits the production of toxic proteins that clog the brains of Alzheimer’s victims. Other studies show that EGCG prevents bacterial infections & the spread of HIV. Helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis and / or lesson the pain in those already suffering from it. It helps to control your appetite which is beneficial for weight loss. The best free acne home remedy you can give your skin is green tea. Prepare yourself a cup of green tea to drink and cleanse your system from the inside and then rub the teabag over your skin to cure your acne. The health benefits of green tea not only extend to curing acne but also to various other skin conditions.

Black / Oolong Tea: Relaxes and expands the arteries, which increases blood flow to the heart. They contain antioxidants & polyphenols to prevent heart disease & cancer. Aids in fighting tooth decay, as it contains fluoride. It also contains the potent compound EGCG, which inhibits the production of toxic proteins that clog the brains of Alzheimer’s victims. EGCG also prevents bacterial infections and the spread of HIV.

Rooibos: May delay the aging process! Helps to relieve stomach ailments particularly ulcers, nausea, constipation, colic, and heartburn. Contains magnesium, which is necessary for a healthy nervous system. It helps to control your appetite which is beneficial in weight loss. Contains antioxidants & polyphenols that help in cancer prevention & heart disease. Caffeine free!

Fruit & Herb Tea: Herbal teas do not come from Camellia Senisus plant as do all the other teas but are an infusion of leaves, roots, bark, seeds, or flowers of other plants. They are not linked with the research on the potential health benefits of traditional teas. BUT they are Caffeine free!

Use as an astringent after cleansing your face.
Place wet tea bags on eyes to reduce puffiness.
Use on bee strings and poison ivy/oak to draw out poison.
Plants love tea leaves.

Steep the rewards!