21 November 2008

by Joie Pirkey

Active Thanksgiving Happy, Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be grateful for. In the face of a swirling economy, world politics, stresses of family life, we have a constant strong tower of help that is also a wellspring of joy! I know many of you, like me, have been blessed more than we can ever express and our gratitude runs deep. Although we live in a land of bounty and plenty, still above all tangible things I am most gratetful for the cross of Jesus Christ and for the loving relationship I find myself in with the One who created everything. He alone is worthy of all Thanksgiving. At every Thanksgiving dinner since I was married to Douglas a million years ago, he always prayed the phrase that he learned in the Episcopal Church as a young boy. He would begin by thanking God for many things and at the end he would say, "Keep us ever mindful of the needs of others." This Thanksgiving, as we sit around the table, that phrase will have deeper meaning than any previous year because five days later we will be landing in Kigali, Rwanda, where the need of the orphans is overwhelming. As many of you know, in the first week of December, Douglas and I and a number of our board members will be leaving for our trip to Rwanda. We have raised enough money to provide for our tickets and the cost of our room and board while in Rwanda. From today until November 30th, we are hoping to raise enough to pay for the Christmas party, which averages around $700 for well over 1,000 children, and for the initial expenses to set up Eric's counseling office, which will be $4,000. Our main purpose for this trip is to create a foundational network for the businesses that will fund a majority of our ministry to the orphans of the Tutsi Geonocide. Many of these meetings have already been arranged and we believe that this is going to be a very strategic and successful trip. The future needs of Rwanda are important and are being addressed in the creating of these businesses. However, the need today also exsits. Please join us in the opportunity we will have to love these children where they are at right now, to bring them a Christmas that they will remember, and to love them with the tangible love of Jesus Christ. Clicking here will connect you to the Contribution button on our website where a very secure payment opportunity via PayPal will be available for your convenience. Your financial support and prayers are an integral part of the success of this endeavor and we deeply appreciate both. We will also be hosting a fund raising Dinner on December 18th at High Cliff Supper Club. Doors open at 6:00 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at the Carpenter, 123 E. Main Street, Little Chute, for $20 a piece. Thank you and may God bless your prayers and giving, Joie and Douglas Pirkey Shouts of Joy Ministries Presents Fourth Annual Dinner for Rwanda Thursday, December 18, 2008 High Cliff Supper Club Doors Open at 6:00 pm Dinner at 6:30 pm Speakers to be announced Tickets available at The Carpenter 123 E. Main, Little Chute Cost: $20 per ticket For more information, see: www.shoutsofjoyministries.com/ rwanda.