The event could not have been a greater success. The hosts planned to accommodate 200 guests, but even with extra seating, there was standing room only. Guests bid on donated items in a silent auction before dinner. Over 100 businesses and individuals donated their goods and services. The hosts were overwhelmed with compliments on the authentically African meal that was served, and the live dessert auction had tables bidding even up to $250  for their after dinner treat. The event raised just over $19,000! We offer our sincere thanks toPam and Phil Johnson, the generous donors for the silent auction, the bakers for the dessert auction and the over 200 guests who made A Night in Africa such a great success.

The Green Door Project in Mozambique  seeks to demonstrate Christ’s love by building decent housing. The 4×4 long-bed truck, soon to be purchased with the funds raised, will better handle both the roads and the heavy loads of the Green Door ministry. If you would like to donate to the Green Door Project or even participate by joining one of our building teams, please click on Green Door under our Projects on the donate page.  Write if you wish to build a Green Door home.

Green Door Video from Children's Relief International on Vimeo.

Phil and Pam Johnson, of Powell, Wyoming, are hosting A Night in Africa dinner, Friday evening August 20, 2010. The purpose of this intriguing event is to create awareness about life in Dondo, Mozambique, enjoy a fabulous African meal, as well as raise money for a new used Green Door truck.

The Green Door Project, is a ministry created to demonstrate Christ’s love by building decent housing. Such a demonstration through hammer and trowel has a huge impact both in a family’s personal life and in the community at large.

The vehicle currently in use by the Green Door Project, a two-wheel drive short-bed truck, is long past its serviceability. Funding raised will go towards the purchase of a used 4X4 long-bed truck that will better handle both the roads and the heavy loads of the Green Door ministry. Their goal is to raise $20,000 for this much needed vehicle.

If you would like to contribute to the Green Door Project please visit our donate page. Click on Give to Our Projects > Ray of Light / Green Door Housing.

As guests arrived at the Kingsland Center on May 22, they were greeted by the pounding of African drums and strolled past a small African market where rice, beans, bananas and mangoes filled colorful woven baskets. After seating, guests clapped and tapped their feet to the procession of Ghanan dancers.

Hosts dressed in African skirts (capalanas) served a meal of Mozambican frango (chicken), rice and peri-peri (hot sauce). Dr. Mutsuo, Anita Frederick, and Perry Marshall shared their life-changing experiences in Mozambique. Peter Ziniel from Ghana concluded the evening with his stories from Africa.

Over $26,500 was pledged over the next five years to help CRI provide food, medical supplies, microloans and education in interior villages where extreme poverty goes unchecked. A special thanks to those who gave and to the businesses who donated their goods and services for the silent auction, as well as the volunteers who made this event possible.

If you would like to contribute to the Taste of Africa Event, please go to donate page and click Give to Our Projects – Taste of Africa, Chicago Event.

If you would like to host a Taste of Africa Event please contact

Once again “thank you” to all who donated time and money to help make this event a success.

On May 22, Anita Frederick of CRI’s Chicago office will host a benefit dinner and silent auction to raise money and awareness for CRI’s Ray of Light Project in Dondo, Mozambique. Guests will enjoy an authentic African meal and have opportunity to bid on goods and services donated by more than 35 local businesses. African storyteller Peter Ziniel from Ghana and Perry Marshall of Perry S. Marshall & Associates will provide insight and entertainment.

Donations received at this event will help CRI provide food, medical supplies, microloans and education in interior villages where extreme poverty goes unchecked.

If you would like to make a donation to this cause, go to the donate page and look for TASTE OF AFRICA under Our Projects. All gifts are welcomed. Thank you for wanting to make a difference.

For more information please contact Anita Frederick at
May 22, 2010
Taste of Africa Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction
Kingsland Center
25w560 Geneva Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188

A special thank you to those who helped with the event! You know who you are!

We hope you will join us for the 2nd Annual Green Door 5K in 2011!

Are you interested in hosting a Green Door 5K in your town? If so contact me and I’ll send you the 5K Kit that shares the steps and “how to’s” of hosting a race. I am available to come to your town and talk with you about this opportunity. Let me know! Jason Pieratt-Cell 210-378-3603

Register now! The Green Door 5k and 1 mile Fun Run is being held to help the poor, homeless and hungry through the Green Door Project in Mozambique, Africa!

• March 27th Harry Myers Park, Rockwall Tx
• Registration begins at 8:00 am
• Run begins at 9:00 am

Learn more about the Green Door Project.
Download the registration form.

One morning I asked Jane if I could tag along as she made her medical rounds. She replied, I wondered when you would ask! Just before we left, she handed me a suitcase, which I assumed would be filled with medications. But no. It was empty – until we stopped at a store on the way and filled it with potatoes, spinach and corn flour. With a twinkle in her eye, she said, This is why God sent you to walk with me today. You can carry it.

At our first stop we found Wairimu sitting just outside her small house. She looked tired and maybe a little sick. She had lost a son and a daughter, and now had two grandsons under her care. What would she say to us? I was surprised to hear this elderly woman express such a sense of joy and gratitude. Her mouth was full of praises to God for the small suitcase of food we bought. I left humbled.

We made several other stops and then as the day waned, headed home. On the long walk back I thought about the privileged position I have with the Mayatima project. Because of your donations, so far away in America and elsewhere, I get to help those who have so much less than I. I am learning to be thankful for my place and for God’s people, wherever they are.

It was almost 20 years ago that I first came to the Rock Quarry. It was a long trip from a remote village. I came with my husband and two young children. We are all Dalits (untouchables) and our lives have been shaped and sized by that fact of fate.

Before we came to the Rock Quarry my husband Sanjeev and I ran a tiny tea shop in our village. We made only a $1 or so per day. We weren’t in business all that long when some members of the upper caste of our village complained that we didn’t have separate glasses for them. How could we? We didn’t hardly have enough money for the six cups we owned. They said they would not drink out of cups, even if they were washed, that had been used by untouchables. There was nothing we could do. From that day our business started to fail.

My children were allowed to attend school by law, but when they tried, there was opposition from the teachers and the students. They had to sit in the back of the room away from the rest. Kids would say, ‘Why don’t you go back to your brooms and street sweeping?’ My children preferred working in the quarry breaking rocks with me rather than being pushed, snubbed and ridiculed at school. This is the way life is here.

When my husband Sanjeev unexpectedly died from an unknown disease we tried to give him a traditional cremation. But we didn’t have the money for the necessary firewood and oil. They wouldn’t let us bury him in the village cemetery because there were upper caste people in it. You could say that the caste system here in India persists even beyond the grave.

I and my children are doing better now since we received a microloan from Children’s Relief International. It’s amazing the difference it has made. I’ve been able to buy some new clothes and we eat a meal twice a day now. It’s been years since I’ve seen a smile on my children’s face. Now I see them smiling every day. What a difference a little food can make. I know that these loans came from Christians and I now say that Jesus Christ is Lord.

]]> http://www.childrensrelief.org/facts-of-faith-%e2%80%a6/feed 0 http://www.childrensrelief.org/it%e2%80%99s-about-the-children http://www.childrensrelief.org/it%e2%80%99s-about-the-children#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:12:54 +0000 admin http://beta.childrensrelief.org/?p=342 600! That's how many are enrolled in our schools this year. How far we have come! Back in 1982, I heard that said the children in Africa were dying from hunger and hopelessness. I prayed, God I want to go to Africa. I want to talk with these children about Jesus. God said, Yes! I arrived in Mozambique two years later. It was a time of civil war and a communist regime. All the children in the country were considered the property of the government.]]> As shared by Shared by Noemia Cessito:

600! That’s how many are enrolled in our schools this year. How far we have come!

Back in 1982, I heard that said the children in Africa were dying from hunger and hopelessness. I prayed, God I want to go to Africa. I want to talk with these children about Jesus. God said, Yes!

I arrived in Mozambique two years later. It was a time of civil war and a communist regime. All the children in the country were considered the property of the government. I couldn’t get permission to do any evangelism because of opposition to the church. So I volunteered to work in the pediatric and orthopedic wards of a hospital. I saw a lot of soldiers return with wounds from battle and broken bones. But my heart remained with the children. There were so many wandering the streets. Finally we were able to start a small work in the villages of Dondo and Mafarinha.

Later Children’s Relief International began a partnership with us. We needed a classroom and they helped us build it. We needed chairs and tables and supplies and we got these too. Then a kitchen.

I began to dream bigger dreams. But I never imagined our work would become what it is today. We are going to educate a new generation of Mozambicans who know God and who live with hope and integrity.

God bless you for your part in making these 600 possible.

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