This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it

This is the ‘First’ post since…
- Sep 2009 when my second batch of Swahili bookmarks were printed
- I relocated back to Singapore (above picture is taken from a free tourist attraction ‘Singapore Chinese Garden’, just opposite my apartment)
- I became a mother; which was why I took this long to start blogging
- I decided to pour my talent and time and resources to serve God in 1) raising my baby to be a child of God and 2) working on a home business that can further God’s kingdom.

So many changes naturally bring about their challenges and most of all, faith is tested and best of all, we keep on coming back to the truth that God is faithful. Each baby step that I take (and certainly taking care of a baby requires patience and wisdom to enjoy each baby step of spiritual growth) proves again and again that God will provide. For this is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

As this bookmark ministry has been such a blessing to me, i have designed 7 more bookmarks and printed them to continue this ministry. Unfortunately, the commercial printer print job was not up to standard this time round, and i rejected 2 of the 7 designs I let them print. So, now I only printed 5000 (1000 of each design) below.

Swahili bookmarks - sheep and (clueless)clay designs

Swahili bookmarks with heart design

So far, I had already sent 1200 bookmarks to Rebecca in Tanzania, 700 bookmarks to Anne whose church is going to Tanzania in October and 900 bookmarks to Nancy whose church is going to Kenya in October.

Which means as of Feb 2010Jan 2010 Sep 09, I have 650 950 1950 bookmarks left! (5000-200 rejected for not good quality-50 distributed to members of my Shanghai bible study group, 1200 to Rebecca, 700 to Anne in US, 900 to Nancy in US, 1000 to Keith in US, 300 to Kimberley in Australia). Pray for me that these bookmarks will richly bless the recipients in Africa!

Below are pictures of the bookmarks being distributed to children at an orphanage where Rebecca volunteer as a teacher there weekly. Some of the photos show the children holding up crafts which Rebecca taught them to make!

Happy children holding up their craft and the Swahili bookmarks!

Children with the Swahili bookmarks

Rebecca with the children holding the Swahili bookmarks!

Many thanks to Rebecca for sharing so many photos with me and also a wonderful testimony of how touched a lady was when receiving the bookmark cos the verse really spoke to her. Thanks Rebecca!

These are pictures showing her preaching in various churches!

Rebecca in Pentecostal Church in Kihonda with Pastor Philemon seated on her right

Rebecca preaching on stage with Philemon translating

Rebecca Preaching in Evangelical Assembly of God

Rebecca preaching in Free Pentecostal Church

These are pictures of her praying for people and it’s like what’s happening in Acts!

Crippled man could dance for the Lord after Rebecca prayed for him! She preached walking by faith on that day.

At the TAG Agape Christian Center, Rebecca anointed a elder to serve in bible teaching

Rebecca prayed for a woman called to serve the Lord

Rebecca visiting a grandmother whom son is hospitalized

Empty shelves in the newly prepared library room

Viola! Filled with the books I sent

A close up look at the books

By the way, I will be just focusing on building the library for my friend and before there is a successful model that can be easily imported to other locations, I won’t be sponsoring anybody else a library (mainly as it is not economical to send books with the postage often more than half the price of the items).

And of course, my friend in action in Tanzania mission field!

My friend with her local friends

In ministry

In action

I look forward to seeing how this little library will blossom!

Children in Kabimoi

In Kabimoi

In Kabimoi

HIV support group

Alison

And below is a thank you note from AOO for the bookmarks sent, a lovely note, thanks so much!

Dear Mei,
Thank you so very much for the wonderful Swahili bookmarks. You are so
generous to provide these sweet gifts for each of the over 200 orphaned
children in our African Orphan Outreach sponsorship program. They will so
enjoy recieving these and use them in their Bibles or other books with
great pride and as a cherished keepsake.

The orphans in our program have overcome so much in their lives as many
have lost parents to malaria or the AIDS pandemic that is sweeping across
Africa. But each of them knows Jesus as their Lord and saviour and they
have an amazing sense of hope that can only come from Him.

Here is a message from one of our sponsor children, Henry (pictured):
“I just pray for God to give you health and that you live many years in
the world. Here in Kenya we are so happy to be praising and worshiping
God. Long ago my life had troubles, but then I came to the children’s home
and I am happy. Those that help needy people God will bless them. I would
like to give you a verse from the book of Philipians. ‘Rejoice in the Lord
always and again I say rejoice.’ God bless you, Henry W.”

Blessings to you and your ministry work.

Asante Sana & Munga Awabariki

(Swahili for “Thank You” & “God Bless You”)

Christine Cote
Co-Founder of African Orphan Outreach

www.AfricanOrphanOutreach.org