PO BOX 23259, Lexington, KY 40523 859-537-2634 www.psalm823.org
DEFEND the WEAK
and the FATHERLESS UPHOLD the CAUSE
of the POOR and the OPPRESSED PSALM 82:3
Summer 2015
ADOPTION BAN WAS LIFTED FOR ALL
CHILDREN- JUNE 30th
New Razor Wire Installed-
May 2015
ORETHA JAMES VISITS LEXINGTON
NEW PICTURES!!
Check Out Special Surprises By Kids
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PRAYER NEEDS 1. Psalm 82:3 Mission to receive the 501 (c) 3 status! 2. 100% Sponsorship! (We are at 52%) 3. FAMILIES TO ADOPT THE CHILDREN AT AFAA HOME! 4. Jackson’s Health- Serves at the home as the houseboy 5. Plans for Mission Trips- (November 2015; Summer 2016)
SPECIAL SURPRISES
100% of GIFTS GO DIRECTLY TO SERVING
THE CHILDREN!
1. 4H Kids collect $70 $35 from Myla (age 6) doing extra chores
2. Day Camp Kids- $462
3. VBS Kids- $1000
4. Sofia collects $250 at her 7th birthday party!
5. 2 Companies give $1000
6. 2 Families give $600
7. Adopting Family makes repairs while in Liberia!
8. Church collects $40!
Your Gifts Matter!
Get involved today!
A MESSAGE FROM MATT I don’t think I will ever get used to surprises. I guess that’s why they are called surprises. A surprise might come the weekend before an important birthday so you don’t expect it. A surprise might come from a special visitor that drops in for a visit. A surprise might come from the birth of a child or finding out you are expecting. A surprise might be a raise you were hoping for. I know that many of us have prayed for many things, but witnessing how God answers those prayers often comes as a surprise. To be honest I have many times when I will pray for something, but then question whether it will really happen. This is especially true if I don’t get a response as quickly as I think I should from God. However, since having my life crossed with the story of orphans around the world I am reminded constantly that these are not my children, this is not my story, and that I am not in control. So whose children are they? God’s! Who story is this? God’s! Who is in control no matter how many times I try to be? God! Since we began the Psalm 82:3 Mission, Inc. in August 2015 our team has prayed for the ministry in Liberia to be fully sponsored each month. We have been greatly surprised and eternally grateful by the amount of people willing to sacrifice to care for the children each month. These individuals and families have become like the backbone to to the mission because we can count on this support monthly and know that at the very least the staff will be paid and the children will have the very basic needs. Since the beginning we have prayed for more sponsors and God has answered with surprises. Instead of new monthly sponsors since February 2015, we have received surprises that come with stories like the ones listed in red. On Tuesday, June 30th, we received a surprise as a team that is bigger than financial gifts. We received a call from Oretha informing our team that the President in Liberia has lifted the moratorium (ban) on ALL adoptions in Liberia. An answer to our prayers that started January 19, 2009! An answer to Jefferson, Mahari, and every other child’s prayer at the AFAA Home to have a chance to find a forever family! Some people hate surprises! I don’t want to ever get used to them! Surprises teach me that we aren’t in charge. God is and He has big plans for HIS children! Join the team and witnesses His surprises! Matthew Lee, President
To Join Our Team of Sponsors visit psalm823.org If God is leading you to adopt contact us
To connect your ministry or business with the kids please call 859-537-2634
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Jennifer’s Story…
I guess you could say that my trip to Liberia started with Onah and Marie. I’d always thought it would be neat to go on a mission trip and I always knew I wanted to travel—I just never thought my first trip overseas would be to Liberia on my first mission trip. The year Marie and Onah were in my classroom was the year we held a school-wide cultural fair and a year Matt was taking a mission trip. My classroom was going to represent Liberia for the fair and Matt and Terah spent a lot of time with me teaching me about the country and the children of the AFAA orphanage. It was very interesting learning about Onah and Marie’s country and the children had a lot of fun making beaded necklaces and bracelets and toys from junk. While I enjoyed learning about the children in the orphanage, it hurt my heart thinking of the children with special needs not getting the therapies they needed. I asked Matt and Terah what I could send when Matt went and provided what I could. I remember telling them that if a trip was ever planned in the summer that I would like to go. Fast forward almost a year when Matt announced that there would be a summer Mission Trip. I really didn’t need time to pray about it or put a lot of thought into it because I knew this was something I needed and wanted to do. For 9 months I thought about Lawrena, Emmanuel, Cheryl, John, Nanu, and Alvin—what services could I provide, what therapy supplies could I take, how much could we get done in 5 days? Amazingly—five days made a huge difference in them, but most of all in me. I got to be a speech therapist, physical therapist, and occupational therapist and use all of the information those wonderful therapists I worked with had taught me. I saw the children become stronger; feel more confident in what we were doing; and grow. Sure, there were and continue to be a lot of concerns—John’s seizure activity being the scariest. It was hard to leave. I worry about the children (and staff) every day and constantly pray for them. They are my children and I want them to have the best life has to offer. On a daily basis I wish I could do more, but I have to be content with doing what I can with what I have. It’s more than they had before. I also know that I will see them again someday and that continues to keep the spark alive. May you find the spark that leads you somewhere. Jennifer Polnisch, Psalm 82:3 Mission, Vice President
SPONSOR CONNECTION SEND A GIFT/CARE PACKAGE
Psalm 82:3 Mission, Inc. PO Box 23259; Lexington, KY 40523 !
EMAIL YOUR CHILD Your sponsored child would love to hear from you, and you can include pictures and possibly videos!
http://psalm823.org/correspondence/ All first time emailers need to register and be
approved first. !CALL YOUR CHILD
If you are a monthly sponsor and would like to talk to your sponsored child please contact Matt Lee
directly at [email protected]
Water Systems Ready to Be Installed
Oretha visits Tates Creek Christian !3
THE AMAZING KIDS OF AFAA
Monkonjay October 9, 2005
Height: 52 in. Weight: 65 lbs.
Mama August 24, 2010
Height: 44 in. Weight: 45 lbs.
Mahari December 19, 2007
Height: 46 in. Weight: 45 lbs.
Gifty June 19, 2006 Height: 50 in.
Weight: 60 lbs.
Nanu May 2006
Height: 49 in. Weight: 46 lbs.
Lawrena December 29, 2006
Height: 42 in. Weight: 40 lbs.
Cheryl May 25, 2012 Height: 34.5 in. Weight: 25 lbs.
Kumba August 25, 2010
Height: 42.5 in. Weight: 42 lbs.
John December 2009
Height: 32 in. Weight: 19 lbs.
Faith May 14, 2011 Height: 41 in.
Weight: 36 lbs.
Jefferson October 9, 2004
Height: 48.5 in. Weight: 55 lbs.
Emmanuel June 27, 2010 Height: 38 in.
Weight: 30 lbs.
Melvin June 26, 2006 Height: 49 in.
Weight: 55 lbs.
Kai January 21, 2009
Height: 49 in. Weight: 52 lbs.
Alvin October 8, 2006
Height: 44 in. Weight: 45 lbs.
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