Praise the Lord saints:

For years now, I have been an active member of the YPD. In my home church, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Indianapolis, IN, we routinely do a missionary project, folled by a fun activity and then a fundraiser. Ideas for fun activities and fundraisers are pouring in, but ideas for missionary projects are running low. If everyone could please give me at least one or two ideas for missionary projects for YPD, I would be most grateful. Thank you and God Bless!!!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2003

Answers

Cory I am so happy that you have a heart for missions. Our church is doing an aids benefit for two of our ame churches in africa. Rev. Mwandu and Rev. Higgins are the pastors. Please see our web page for the benefit www.ourchurch.com/member/b/bozemancabaret

Our churches in namibia need help also and Rev. Biwa who writes on the board regularly would be a great one to contact for ways you can help. We need more people with a heart for missions. Also, whatever mission project you come up with let your presiding elder and Bishop know. For that way other churches can replicate it. For our benefit, we got the sound equipment donated, food donated, hotel room for our out of town guest donated, performers are donating their time, graphic artist donated posters, flies donated. If you have a good project people with help. I live in a town that 99 percent white, but when people found out about Rev. Mwandu and Rev. Higgins work they donated all that we need. Keep up the good work Cory.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2003

Thank You Rev. Rogers for your idea. Every other month, the youth at Allen Chapel, Indianapolis have a "Youth Night Explosion" where youth from all over the area come and have a good time in the name of out Lord Jesus Christ. It is a fundraiser activity, but I can try to atlest every other Youth Night have to proceeds send to benefit this project. Thank You for the idea.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2003

Hi Cory, I am so glad there are people like you with heart for missions.

Our YPD has started a outreach to the poverty struicken children in the community, The children are hungry and have very little facilities .The YPD Meets with them and arranges programs. One of the things that these children never have is fun.It is always survival.Some come hungry for food and don't eat for two days, so they scratch in dust bins of the local grocer for old friut or food. We have started a comprehensive outreach to children who are HIV/AIDS orphans,Day Care for 2- 4 Year Olds and the after school care is also being started.

One thing that brings children together is the food.WE would like to take these children on a picnic to a farm ,to teach them to appreciate and love animals.Even though we are in Africa.My congregation is in the City Ghetto.Believe it or not .Many children have not seen a live Lion,Giraffe,Buffalo, let alone sheep.

May God bless your ministry. Keep us in your prayers.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2003

Dearest Cory

My eyes went full of tears when i read your posting. I hev been absent for some time and this morning I am going through al the postings as usual. I opened yours and my emotions went on rmapage, since I alomost gave up the issue of expecting help form the churches in the continental US with Bishops closing up on you, not to receive a direct donation. I have been very vocal on this board about this issue, only having made more enemies than I had. But I thank god for my friends, Denise, Bill, Jazzman, Matthews, Alton etc. who always gives a word of encouragement.

I am ap pastor in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia in Africa. My church is located in the black township proper where the "economically disadvantaged popele" reside, the poorest of the poor in standard language. What Rev. Higgins resided is what i am also experiencing and it is a tough battle.

It becomes tough and unbearable when your own resouces cannot sustain the program and there is no help forthcoming from the bussiness society or the greater church. At nights I am lying awake trying to plot where I would find funding to finance the next session of the program, sometimes ending up in tears only waking up the next morning to take up the cross. I am quiet impressed as i said already and is looking forward for help to come, for I am walking by faith and not by sight.

May the good Lord bless you in your endeavours Rev. A. Eberhardt Biwa

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2003

Rev. Biwa I have missed you very much!! There are those who care in America, I have been in contact with my Bishop, Bishop John Bryant and Dr. Dorothy Peck the president of the women's missionary society. They both have sent money to churches and schools in Africa. I have an idea at the back of mind that I have to work on and I will get back to you about possible funding sources. I had posted some funding sources on the board for african churches some time back from the Kellog foundation. Maybe we can get some of our readers to help you with the paper work. Do not give up. God did not bring you this far to leave you!!!! You are greatly loved and respected and you have been my friend and colleague. I love you my brother.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2003