The Shine in Africa blog was created to bring awareness to the needs of orphans and the oppressed in Africa. It began as a way to do something with the new found knowledge we gained in adopting our four year old daughter from Ethiopia. We had no idea where it would go. We never imagined it would consist of us going back to serve in Africa. Our eyes were opened to what true poverty looks like. We were changed forever. Tomorrow we board a plane heading for Soroti, Uganda. Shine in Africa will take on a whole new meaning for our family and the Shine family. This is a a two week vision trip to confirm our plans to join a ministry team in Soroti called Team Beyond for a two year commitment. We believe all people, not just a select few, deserve access to food, forgiveness and freedom. We want to help the people of Uganda gain access to these three things. As we explore how we can use our gifts and talents, it is our prayer that we can Shine the Light of Jesus brightly in Soroti. In the coming days we hope to share with you the sights and stories of this adventure.

Blessings,
Chris Fisher

Help Orphans

A family friendly Nite to Benefit Yezelalem Minch in Ethiopia! Come to Strikers in Jenison On October 13 from 5:30- 8:30 for a fun nite of go-carts, mini-golf, batting cages, raffles, and ice-cream. The event is FREE! All donations go toward 'Land for Opportunity' fundraising effort. Please see futurehopecompaign.org for more information on the fundraising efforts.



Chris and Michelle Fisher (owners of SHINE) will be heading to Uganda on November 6 through November 18. We will be posting about our trip on our blog (see Fisher Family Blog on the side bar and click to follow our journey!

Praise From Yezelalem Minch!

A Harvest of Blessing Dear friends, As you may know, Yezelalem Minch uses a community-based approach to intervene in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. But with special consideration for orphans who have no extended family or guardian to raise them in the community, Yezelalem Minch has also been able to support 42 children in home group settings. Supporting orphans in institutional care can be particularly challenging — not just in the material provision of what they need, but because of the emotional changes experienced during childhood development. Yezelalem Minch is very concerned for children as they grow both physically and emotionally. Orphans who have no one around are more vulnerable to emotional problems because of this lack of someone to watch over them as a parent. We seek to integrate children in permanent families, locally or internationally, with adoption being a last resort option. At times we were worried about our home group children's futures, because some were beyond the adoptable age or sick with a chronic disease. However, because of the full dedication of many godly families, 38 of our home group children have been adopted into international families. We became very emotional recently after a teleconference with these adopted children and the organizers of a Yezelalem Minch family reunion in New Mexico - as a result of hearing their passion for the remaining orphans in Ethiopia and also seeing pictures from the event. It is just like a dream for us to see these things taking place that we didn't expect to be. The event was more than just fun or a mere gathering; it was important and profound and reminds us of David's expression of wonder about his life: "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God." - 1 Chron. 17:16-17 We are also so blessed to see the growth of our community children: one recently graduating from Addis Ababa University, another from a technical college, and three more who will soon receive their diplomas. In the coming year, six more children will be starting university and college studies. It has been a wonderful time for Yezelalem Minch to see fruit after an investment of many years.

In the last month: Regular activities included providing school fees, medical support, grain distribution and psychosocial support. Peer educator and community volunteer trainings were performed. Shoes and casual clothing distribution to 500 out of 1,200 registered children. New project site office set up properly. Thanks and praises: The Yezelalem Minch family reunion time in New Mexico went well. God heard our prayers on the safety of our orphans, and all registered kids are doing well. The Future Hope Campaign still keeps working, and God is moving with their dedication and hard work. We thank God for our sponsors and families who are dedicated to the work of Yezelalem Minch. Please pray: For challenges related to inconsistent government policies, rent costs, and economic inflation. For land needed for organizational buildings. For the continued efforts of the Future Hope Campaign and God's blessing. For registered children to be reached spiritually in addition to their basic needs. Future Hope Campaign Join with other friends and supporters of Yezelalem Minch in the USA as part of a grassroots movement to increase awareness and support for Yezelalem Minch. Currently, we are working to raise funds to purchase and develop property for Yezelalem Minch. So far, $60,000 of our $160,000 goal has been raised! We still need additional people to volunteer by coordinating local events in their own states, or by simply helping to spread the word. Visit Future Hope Campaign to learn more, connect with others, and get involved. If you aren't already receiving Future Hope updates, please sign up for emails on the home page! Make a Donation Gifts towards the "Land for Opportunity" campaign can now be made online using PayPal, as well as by check/mail. All donations are tax-deductible through HIM. Click here to donate or learn more.

Sponsor a Child Child sponsorship is not only critical to the continued growth and success of Yezelalem Minch, but it also helps an individual child to know that someone cares. In the USA, contact HIM to learn about sponsoring a child at Yezelalem Minch. You may also reach sponsorship staff by phone at (828) 277-3812, or by simply replying to this email. Blue Nile Coffee A blessing in more ways than one, Ethiopian Coffee from Blue Nile Traders is purchased from a Yezelalem Minch widows' Self Help Group at a fair trade price. Yet unlike a fair trade distributor, 100% of the profits are sent back to help support the Yezelalem Minch weekly feeding program. Visit Blue Nile and order your bunna today! Traveling to Ethiopia? Postage to and from Africa can be expensive, and sometimes we're in need of a courier. If you're traveling to Addis Ababa in the near future and might be willing to carry something with you for Yezelalem Minch (for sponsorship or ministry purposes only!), please let us know. Reply to this email or call us at: (828) 277-3812.