Christmas in November: Liberian Artwork

I have some beautiful Liberian artwork that I would love to sell! So, it's officially Christmas in November at Love in Liberia! I have posted pictures of all of the available artwork on Flickr. All of the artwork was done by Liberian artists who were children during Liberia's 14 years of civil war. The artwork was part of the War Child Art Exhibit that was at the National Museum in Monrovia, Liberia last year. All of the information on each piece, along with information on the artists (amazing stories!) can all be found on Flickr. Please leave a comment or send me an email if you're interested in purchasing anything! Also, share the link with others that might enjoy an original piece of Liberian art!

Beautiful Liberian Artwork Gallery

A few samples:

[I have a few more Christmas in November items from Liberia that I will post later on, so keep your eyes peeled.]

Undies4Liberia

That's right, the rumors are true. The underwear fairy is at it again!

Click the box to sign the pledge!

What A Weekend!

First of all, God is awesome! Secondly, thank you to everyone who came out on Friday night! And last of all, thank you to everyone who helped make Friday night such a wonderful experience and a huge success! God did it (DUH, of course He would)!

Over $28,000 was raised!!!!!!

Thank you!

I am humbled and thankful to the more than 350 people who showed up on Friday night to the dinner and silent auction! It was a great night to celebrate all that God has done in the past 2 years through HeartCry's ministry, but also my dream finally came true. I have been dreaming about sharing my heart for Liberia's orphans with my church family, and that happened on Friday night! I shared my heart--I had no planned speech, and didn't mean to cry within the first 30 seconds--and I shared the need--to make a house a home for the children at Gold Child. God moved in people's hearts, and it was just an exciting night! I enjoyed meeting so many new people who were so interested in the plight of Liberia's orphans, and had a blast watching the live auction. The night's big moneymaker was an overnight quail hunting trip with Georgia's Governor, Mr. Sonny Perdue (Thank you Mr. Perdue...you brought in $6,000!), but there were so many items donated by alot of really generous people! I still almost cannot believe that enough money was raised to get the Gold Child kids into their new home! God showed up in a BIG way, and I am so blessed to have the support of so many amazing people! I still need to get the rest of the pictures from the night, but here are a few:

[The ORR table, my awesome kiddo backdrop, just a few of the auction items, the room set up complete, me & my table, and me speaking in front of ALOT of people.]

GOD IS GOOD!

Two More Days!

Just 2 more days until the dinner and silent auction to benefit Orphan Relief and Rescue! Help us make a house a HOME for the children living at Gold Child Orphanage Home! I wanted to let you guys know about some of the awesome auction items...maybe these items will entice you to come out this Friday at 6pm!

Some SUPER COOL auction items:
- Become a pilot. Flight simulator hours from Delta Airlines for you and 3 friends!
- A unique day with Georgia's Governor, Sonny Perdue. A private lunch, afternoon quail hunting, an overnight stay, breakfast, and a morning hunt for you and 3 friends!
- "Wisdom of Heart" quilt by Jogma Mars. This quilt was handmade by Jogma, a 16 year old living in one of Liberia's orphanages. The quilt is absolutely beautiful!

Some more auction items:
- Vacation homes. Whether you prefer the mountains or the beach, there are 6 homes to choose from, ranging from a 2 night to a 7 night stay.
- Jewelry. From handmade Liberian jewelry to 14K gold. There's something for everyone.
- Photography sessions from local photographers.
- Handicrafts and artwork from Liberia, as well as other countries around the world where New Hope is on mission (Haiti, El Salvador, Burkina Faso and Ecuador).
- Gift baskets galore. Movie night, coffee lovers, winter survival, food items, etc.
- A summer supply of home-grown tomatoes from Master Gardener, Mr. Lester Bray. These are the BEST tomatoes that you will ever taste! A summer full of tomato sandwiches--YUM!
- Misc. Items: clowns for a birthday part, sports memorabilia, training sessions with 8 time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney, etc. etc. etc.

See, this is really going to be great night! I'm so excited and I hope that you can join me in making a house a HOME for Gold Child Orphanage Home!

Making a House a HOME for Gold Child

[These are the children of Gold Child Orphanage Home.]

Yesterday I told you about the dinner and silent auction that will be held on November 6th, but I want to give you more information about what the proceeds will be used for. All of the proceeds from the night are going to be used to make a house a HOME for the children living at Gold Child Orphanage Home in Liberia.

[They are currently living in the downstairs, right corner of this building.]

The orphanage home is currently squatting in a bombed out, two-story building located in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. There is no electricity, running water or proper bathroom facilities. The children living here are vulnerable, abandoned, orphaned. Imagine living with such uncertainty--you don't know if or when you'll be kicked out. The children need our help!

[This is the new dormitory! The construction is nearly complete!]

Orphan Relief and Rescue has been building a new dormitory for Gold Child, and it is almost complete. But in order to get the children moved into their very own HOME, there are still alot of things to do. All of those small things, the things that make a house a HOME, still need to be taken care of. The HOME is still in need of latrines, showers, a fence, plaster and paint, bunk beds, mattresses, linens, mosquito nets, dishes, pots, pans and more.

All of the proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will be used to minister to the children who call Gold Child their HOME. Just think about the joy on the children's faces when they can crawl into bed at night, knowing that they have a permanent home...a home that's safe, clean and comfortable. And, imagine the relief that this will bring for the director--she won't have to worry about being evicted any longer and she can focus on loving her children! Will you help make their house a HOME?

If you will not be at the dinner, but would like to donate towards the Gold Child project, please make a secure online donation here, and designate that the donation is for Gold Child.

Footsteps For The Orphan

You're invited to join me for dinner on Friday, November 6th at 6:00pm. A pasta dinner will be the kickoff for the "Footsteps for the Orphan" weekend at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. There will be both silent and live auctions, as well as plenty of cash and carry items. There are some pretty cool things on the auction block--vacations, flight simulator hours, sports memorabilia, artwork, and handicrafts from Liberia and other countries. I will also be sharing more about Orphan Relief and Rescue's ministry in Liberia. All of the proceeds from the dinner and auction will support Orphan Relief and Rescue's efforts to make a house a home for Gold Child Orphanage Home in Liberia! Tickets are $8 or you can sponsor a table for $100. This will be a fun, family-friendly event! Please contact me or leave a comment if you'd like to purchase tickets or sponsor a table! (You will want to come to the dinner just to see what the final live auction item is...and then you won't be able to stop yourself from bidding!)

On Saturday, November 7th, New Hope will host its 9th annual Harvest Classic 5K Run/Walk, "Footsteps for the Orphan" and a Kids Fun Run. Proceeds from the 5K will be used to move an orphanage in Haiti to a safer place and provide immediate needs in HeartCry's orphan, foster care and adoption channels of ministry. You can find a registration form on New Hope's website.

And, if you're not in the area, or you just can't make it, please keep the night in your prayers. Pray for God's provision and that people will be moved to help 33 orphans living in Liberia--they desperately need our help!

I Love Fall...minus this cold stuff!

I've been waiting for fall to come! I haven't experienced fall for two years, and I love it when the leaves are falling off the trees, but you can still crunch around on them in your flip-flops and long-sleeves. Fall has arrived in Georgia, but I don't think this Liberian girl will be able to handle it. And I know I'm going to be pretty miserable come winter.

This past weekend, my family and some of our friends went on our annual trip to North Georgia. This trip always includes visits to: the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, Amicalola Falls, and the corn maze. It was a great time with my family and friends, and there was plenty of good food and outdoor activities to be had....but, DANG it was cold! As we sat and had our picnic at Amicalola Falls in the 44 degree weather, I was miserable. I ate quickly and then got in the car and cranked up the heat! Everyone else had gathered around the fire in the grill, left by our picnicking neighbors, to warm their hands, haha. I really didn't think I'd be able to last much longer, but the hike down the falls warmed me up. And somehow, miraculously, I was semi-warm (relative term, here) at the corn maze for alittle bit. I'd have to say that the day's highlights included: spending time with my family and friends, being in God's creation...even if it's freezing, warm apple fritters and racing through the corn maze at night!

And, for entertainment purposes, here's what I was wearing (and still freezing!): one tank top, one thick long sleeve shirt, one sweatshirt-like hoodie, one fleece hoodie, another sweatshirt-like hoodie, my winter coat, 3 pairs of socks (my feet are always cold when I'm in America), a scarf, gloves, and all three of the hoodie hoods on! Yes, I felt like a fat kid all bundled up in a snowsuit, or a fat marshmallow, but I'm not convinced on the whole layer thing actually working anymore!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the day.

[Group shot, minus my dad--the photographer--and John Ryan who was guarding his pumpkin.]

[The Hardy kiddos]

[View from the top and view from the bottom]

[John Ryan documented my 'Ode to Cold Dance', in fat marshmallow style. Pretty good job, eh?]

Happy Fall!