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January 2009 VOL 3, Issue 45
In This Issue
Hearing Everett Released!
Rancho Sordo Mudo Project
Christmas Caravan 2008
Santa Ana Outreach
DOF Nursery Project '09
HEARING EVERETT RELEASED!
hearing everett 1-1-09

The Hearing Everett Film and Small Group series is now available for your church, family, small group, or missions organization.  This series is designed for those seeking to fullfill God's calling in their own lives as it relates to serving others. The project features an award winning documentary film which takes you on the journey of one family who said 'Yes" to God's calling. After viewing the film, you then are encourage to participate in a 5 week personnal and small group journey which includes 4 additional short DVD documentaries and a study guide complete with daily devotionals, scripture, and discussion questions. The desired result of the project is for the participant to take the final step and "GO" on a local or global serving trip.

For more information on the project, to arrange a screening of the film and bring the small group series to your church, or to purchase these resources, go to www.hearingeverett.com 


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Rancho Sordo Mudo Project 
With the film project entering the distribution phase, one might think our ministries involvement with RSM will come to an end. NOT SO.... As with the Purple Palace, we will continue to look for opportunities to assist and be a conduit for people wanting to stay connected.  For more information on how you can stay connected with RSM, please contact Steve at steveandcelia@gmail.com  
Christmas Caravan 2008!
 
Thank you to so many who brought Christmas to the children and community of Agua Viva & to the children of Santa Ana!
agua viva 12-08
Lunch served on 12/21 was the only meal most of the folks in the community had for the day and over 200+  people were fed!  
agua vive eating
The children of Agua Viva Orphanage were blessed with both a new toy gift & new pajamas, socks, slippers and undies! At the same visit the entire village surrounding the orphanage was served lunch & each child received new stockings filled with new items!  

Special thanks to folks from CLUB DUST who parterned with us to make the Agua Viva trip happen!
agua viva girl hugging stocking
Greetings!
 
Although 2008 was filled with trials of many kinds, Strong Tower Ministries continued to expand and march forward with God's grace into higher places than we could of hoped or dreamed.
 
In 2008, we witnessed the completion of the RSM project that includes a feature documentary and a five week inspirational small group journey that is designed to motivate people into service, which is one of the reasons we exist. The  "Door of Faith Nursery Construction"project broke ground in 08 with construction continuing throughout into the new year. When completed, the project will allow premature and abandoned or orphaned infants to receive proper care in a suitable housing environment. The "Santa Ana Outreach" project expanded in 08 to a bi-monthly food and clothing distribution that are meeting real needs and ministering to hundreds of  destitute families living in Santa Ana. Finally, plans continue from 08 for a 2009 trip and groundbreaking ceremony for the "Shyogwe Rwanda Project", a girls dormitory that will house up to 200 female high school students who attend a Christian school, but currently are without housing on campus.
 
During 2008, we witnessed the ministry connect and partner with other non profit organizations such as: Convoy of Hope, GAIN, Samaritan's Purse, Club Dust, and Second Harvest Food Bank to effectively reach out and assist other ministries who are spreading  the Gospel and meeting the needs of destitute children living in Mexico and the United States. 
 
    
We look forward with anticipation to the miracles God has planned for 2009, and we sincerely hope you join us as we serve our glorious savior Jesus Christ.
 
In His Grace,
 
Michael Walsh
Executive Director   
Over 600 Families Attend the Santa Ana  December Outreach Events
Santa Ana Outreach-1On December 20th, over 60 volunteers came together to make Christmas special for hundreds of children living in Santa Ana. In addtition to over 15,000 pounds of food, clothing, and shoes being distributed, the kids were treated to games, face painting, bounce houses, and Chrismas stalkings stuffed with goodies.
 sa girl scouts 12-08
We would like to thank Girl Scout Cadette Troop 2024, volunteer families from the motel ministry of Saddleback Church, and all the folks from Abundant Life Church (our project partner), who made the day such a blessing for all in attendance. A special thanks to local businesses, and non-profit organizations Second Harvest and Orange County Food banks, for contributing to the team effort.
 
Every first and third Saturdays of every month you are invited to participate by volunteering to set up, take down, be a part of the prayer team, and help distribute food, clothing, and household items to needed families living in Santa Ana.  If you would like to get involved by providing donations or serving, please contact Tracey at 949 842-3655.  
Charity Dollars Miss the Mark in CA
A recent article that appeared in the Long Beach Press Telegram reported that less than 44 percent of the 370 million dollars raised by professional firms in 2007 actually ended up getting to the charities they were intended to benefit. The source of the article was a report released on 12/24/08 by the State Attorney General's office.
 
Although STM doesn't consider ourselves to be a "professional fundraising firm", as we move into the fourth year of the ministry, God has provided and positioned us to be able to use 100% of donor specific contributions towards the intended project. As a ministry, it is our goal to continue that in 2009.
DOF Nursery Project 09
dof 1-2-09 2How about kicking the New Year off by joining us in Baja Mexico for a day of serving at the Door of Faith Nursery building project? Pick a Saturday during January and help provide a home for newborn and premature orphaned infants. With work groups headed down every Saturday during the month of January, you, your family, or your small group can spend a day or spend the weekend working on the Nursery and visiting with the kids and staff of the DOF.  So far, over 65,000 dollars have been donated towards the building effort. Our goal is to begin construction on the second story by February, so please pray that funding needs will continue to be met and that lives continue to be changed through the serving process.    
 dof first floor blocks 12-08
Keep in mind that if you can't make it down to Baja  this month, you can help with the fundraising efforts by contributing 50.00 for a ceramic tile that you can decorate locally in Orange County at Color Me Mine. The finished tiles will then be used as decorative features that will be permanently displayed in the completed Nursery's entry way. 
"All Hands on Deck" STM Meeting
 
On Wednesday, January 14th at 6:30PM we invite you to join us for a "Go Forward in 09" meeting. Whether you are already involved, are thinking about getting involved, or just want to show up and listen, this is a great opportunity to bring some friends to meet, greet, and get a chance to learn about the different serving opportunities STM is involved with.
 
For more information on location or to RSVP please contact Jim at: jim@strongtowerministries.info