Friday, November 4, 2011

Fatherless Friday

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When Derek died in a car crash in December of 2009, Orphan Justice Center team lost an amazing mentor, friend and visionary leader. He was funny, loving, compassionate, and uncompromising in his love for Jesus, his family, and for those trapped in injustice. We have yet to meet someone who knew Derek Loux who was not touched by his wonderful spirit.
When the OJC team felt God’s urging to write (SOTK) Strength of the King, A call to pure and undefiled religion, we knew we needed to try to capture the thoughts and foundations behind Derek and Renee’s unending passion for vulnerable children. So many have learned so much from this amazing family and their message needs to continue. It has taken almost two years, and although this book does not tell their personal story it outlines the foundational aspects that gave them vision and strength to persevere and go to the ends of the earth to rescue and restore children.
Derek was known as one who prayed and studied daily. He was a doer of the word. Derek spoke at churches, wrote songs, wrote blogs, and whatever else he could do to share the message about God’s heart for oppressed children. He grabbed people in coffee shops, in the airport or wherever anyone would listen, urging them to walk out true religion as outlined in James 1:27.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Derek walked in the revelation of this verse. He was always doing something to make a difference. The ripple effect from Derek’s life continues to go on and on. We recently heard from a girl that Derek and his team rescued from sex trafficking. She is now in a loving and nurturing environment. She has given her life to Jesus and is being helped, healed and restored. Not only is she doing well but she is helping others be free. Her testimony in court helped to shut down three sex trafficking rings! Derek was a burning and shining lamp who was always working to rescue those in need and his message is still inspiring us to action.
The OJC team has prayerfully put together the scriptural basics that were Derek’s motivation. From Genesis to Revelation these scriptures call for a Justice Revolution that brings redemption and restoration to the millions of children around the world in need of love and protection. These scriptures are the fuel that urged Derek to write:
“ I wanted something to live and die for. I wanted something to breathe and to bleed for. I’m not interested in trying to figure out ways to make my life safe and preserve my comfort.”
SOTK also highlights some beautiful points from the book of Job that show us how to live an upright and blameless life before God. As we have watched Renee’ Loux walk through these past several months without her husband and best friend we have seen unwavering faith and trust in the midst of grief and challenges. Her strength and commitment to helping others, even when she is in need, has caused us to look at the book of Job in a different light. Her determination to walk upright before God has given us a more eternal perspective on life and death. We have seen how Renee’ has not given up and how she is going forward to keep the light of justice burning. Her love for Jesus overcomes her grief and she is determined to walk in her destiny and calling. She has set her sights on the hope set before her and she has not stopped in her efforts to rescue, adopt and restore children.
Derek and Renee’ have been relentless in bringing God’s love and grace to children in need. We hope that this book, Strength of the King, A call to pure and undefiled religion, will be a resource for you as you take your part in the Justice Revolution. For those of you who knew Derek, this book will encourage you! You will be reminded of his message and his commitment to the fatherless, and you will again be inspired to follow his example.




You can order your book at:
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-strength-of-the-king/18549147
Blessings to you as you go in the Strength of the King!
Orphan Justice Team
Please remember all the fatherless children waiting for someone to come for them...

www.reecesrainbow.org



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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween wrap -up


The kids had fun on Halloween....here's my little tiger on his second Halloween :)



My little gator with my little tiger...still trying to figure out the food chain thing....hmmm...I think Toma better watch out!

Michael was a spooky Alien! (and I DON'T like Aliens..they creep me out)

Summer was a skeleton again this year....but as short as it's getting on her, I don't know if it will make it to next year :)


Here are the kids trading candy the next morning...and Summer was surprised at getting caught in her undies ;)

And here they boys were still trading...and then Alex said 'I'm all done, I'm closing up shop Michael' hahahaaaaa that boy cracks me up!


this was Michael's not happy face when he thought he messed up his pumpkin....

But he fixed it, so all was well :)

It's Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas :)


 

Monday, October 24, 2011

Still praying for sweet Oliver....

You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77:14


www.oliverpalmer.blogspot.com

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fatherless Friday

Why is this child still an orphan?

 She is so sweet, and so able....and so precious.

 She deserves to be loved....



To have a family of her own.  What an amazing blessing she would be.

Charity



Girl, Born September 2008
What a munchkin! Big brown eyes :) More photos available. Charity is a beautiful girl with Down syndrome. She was born with a heart condition, but has had corrective surgery and is healthy and doing well now. She is still crawling, and will greatly benefit from a loving family to encourage her development!!
Update, Sept 2011: Charity isn't walking yet, but she can stand on her own. She has pretty normal development for a child with Down syndrome. Everyone in the orphanage loves her, because she is so loving and affectionate.

Monday, October 10, 2011

The kids in their costumes :)

They kids all went to a Halloween party on Saturday night
 so, we had NO children from 6-10pm!  Whoo-Hoo!!!
Toma was Tweedle Dee...odd, I know, but it was cute and NOT scary.  But I have to say it was SO tight that he had the mother of all wedgies by the time he got home!


 Alex wasn't too hip on the idea of a party without mama ;)

 Scary Summer is all set to go!


 Michael the Alien  ( I have a thing about aliens...total creep out) but he wanted to be it.


And finally, my little pirate looks so much better with his beard...and hearing there was going to be candy at the party ;)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Fall is in the air...and a mouse is in the house!

The kids enjoyed playing in the leaves today...
 and yes, he's using a snow shovel instead of a rake...and yes, we are Polish ;)




 Summer loves our sweet guy Jake...


He's such a good dog :)  Goldens are the BEST family dogs.


 Toma did NOT like the leaves....


 goofing around....


 My michael <3


 Alex got an owie....and is being a goofball...


 he has the silliest faces....


 wouldn't it be wonderful if they tree STAYED this pretty!


 he's exhausted after all that raking...I mean, shoveling...


 Alex being a goof again, and Toma wanting OUT of the leaf pile....


 yes, the boys are fighting...and Toma is crying...but Summer is always ready for a picture!

 Toma is rather good at whittling ;)  He'd MUCH rather sit and do this than touch those nasty leaves.

 ok...there's a story behind this picture...Summer was wearing this dress the other day and the (nasty) neighborhood kids were teasing her..saying it was an old grandma dress.  She came in crying :(  So, I took this picture to show her how pretty she looked :)


 Another story here too....See the little thing in the corner of the window above our front door??  It's a baby mouse!!!
So, of course, we had to catch it and bring it in the house....


And feed it everything we could think of....
only problem was...when Summer turned her back to get it a bowl of water....it DISAPPEARED!!!  IN MY KITCHEN. 
Sigh.
I haven't seen it since...but we do have 5 cats....need I say more...???  :( :( :(