Every Mother Matters!!

I know that all too often I write posts about ways you can give money.  I hate to inundate you with requests, but there are so many good ministries and places for you to give.  There are people all over this world doing amazing work, but they need funding in order for that work to continue.  So once again, I'm asking you to give or to at least consider it.  This project combines adoption and orphan prevention, which are two very important things to me. 

Just before Mother's Day, I linked to the website for "Because Every Mother Matters" and the special cards they were selling.  This ministry is run by an adoptive mom, who like me, decided she wanted to do something to prevent more orphans in this world.  Stephany is fighting for safe pregnancies and deliveries for women in Africa.  She's done all kinds of projects to help women in Ethiopia.  On a recent trip, she learned about one area where 4 of every 10 women die in childbirth.  Yes, you read that right.  4 of every 10!  This is in a remote area and the women do not have a safe way to make it to a medical clinic when there is a complication.  It takes at least 10 HOURS to HIKE to the nearest hospital.  Stephany decided that she would raise enough money to buy a 4x4 ambulance and then provide additional supplies and training to the local midwives in the 24 surrounding villages.  This ambulance will cost $10,000.

Stephany wanted to combine the fundraising for the ambulance with a fundraiser for people's adoptions.  Here are the basics, for every twenty dollars you give, an adoptive family of your choice gets a chance to win $2500.  Then any money raised over the $10,000 will be given to additional adoptive families.  You can read Stephany's explanation here... she does a much better job of it than I do.    Just go to the website and click on the donation button.  In the notes section add the name of an adoptive family.  I recommend that you put down, The Manuels of Clinton, MS.  These are some of our sweet friends that are adopting from Ethiopia.  Michael went to seminary with Cody and is a pastor now in Mississippi.  They are an amazing family and I would love to know that some of your are supporting their adoption.  Or if you know of another adopting family that you'd like to help, feel free to put their name.  This fundraiser is scheduled to end on Sunday, September 4th, so act now! 


The Manuels, aren't they adorable?

Every mother matters, whether in Ethiopia or America.  I know that if all of us would pitch in, we could easily fund the purchase of this ambulance.  This will save the lives of approximately 40 women per month.  This is a desperate need.  I just keep thinking of these laboring women trying to hike or be carried 10 hours to a hospital and dying along the way-- that is unacceptable.  Be part of the solution.  I must say it again... this world does not need more orphans.