Thanksgiving.

Today is Thanksgiving.

Today I am thankful
For so many things I think are special.
For a God who cares enough to die
Forgiveness on His tongue with every last sigh.

For the family in my life
Who cares for me through joy and strife
And for the friends that walk with me
Making this life an adventuresome journey.

I am thankful for being able to eat
When I know others dont have shoes on their feet.
For a pillow on a bed, and a roof above
For all of those this summer that taught me to love.

So today I hope that you will stop and think
Of who made the food, or cleaned the dishes in the sink.
Who has made your day again and again
Or those you know who just need a friend.

And then maybe you will go to sleep tonight
Thinking of how to make someone elses future bright.

Happy Thanksgiving!
From Love for the Sake of Love.

_Andrew
L4L
Co founder

Help Portrait Raleigh

Lately i've been thinking about how helping those in need 3 months out of the year isn't going to cut it for me anymore. I loved going to serve the Lord in Africa and saw so many needs but it got me to thinking... Jesus told us that if we see someone that needs a coat give them ours. But what if you see 5 people and only have one coat? I would like to think that i'm even willing enough to walk around without a sock on for someone else, but what about my coat, and my shirt, or maybe even a shoe or two? So the Lord answered me with, "then i will send 4 more with you." and with that people applied to go to Africa next summer with L4L and give up their coats as well, and i'm so pumped for their passion and love. But how can we serve here?

Help Portrait Raleigh.
On December 4th Love for the Sake of Love is going to be partnering with other organizations and churches to host an event called Help Portrait Raleigh. The basic idea behind it is that professional photographers donate their time effort and resources to take pictures of those in need: the sick, the homeless, the single mothers, and anyone else who needs help. Their picture is then printed and given to them with one framed copy. Along the way, maybe we are able to give them a meal or a smile or even hope. We are setting out to give them love with a portrait of hope.

What we need most is families in need. Its simple just find someone you know needs their picture taken and invite them! Heres the link to the website to find out more: helpportraitraleigh.com. If you just click on the invite a family it will tell you exactly how to spread the word.
The event is going to be from 10-5pm on that Saturday at vintage 21 church.
If you have any questions about the event i would love to hear from you!

_Andrew
L4L Co-Founder
amvanove@ncsu.edu

A vehicle

We are a confused people. We easily and often allow ourselves to think that we are in control or that we are responsible for the good things that occur.

This past week at McGee's Crossroads Middle School, the students participated in a Penny Wars. I titled this fundraiser The Samburu Project because the proceeds would be going to South Horr Primary in the Samburu Hills of Kenya. I knew within moments of meeting the students and staff at this under-funded school this past summer that God wanted me to use the resources at my job in America to help improve education for my other family of students and coworkers.

The project was a raging success. Students were made aware of the project the prior week by announcements and a short photo slide show. I wanted them to enjoy competing with other classes but to also know where their change and dollars were going. I explained that every penny was worth 1 point and any silver coin would take 1 point away. Dollars were worth 100 points. You can imagine how competitive middle-schoolers and teachers would take this to extremes.

However, no one anticipated a small change collection project to total nearly $1,700 in 5 days. This amount has blown me away. I keep hearing, "Way to go!" and "You did such a good job with this!"

I pray that the Lord give me the words to say in those moments. I know that I am not capable of producing this much money with a single fundraiser as a second year teacher. I know that we are in a recession. And I know that my God is a mighty God who graciously used me as a vehicle to bless the children of South Horr Primary School. I am humbled that he saw me as capable of handling a precious event such as this and am grateful that he gave me the thoughts, words, actions, and attitude to do it well.

May the creator of both the students in the Samburu Hills and those in McGee's Crossroads, NC get all the glory.

-Erin Gamble
L4L Africa Team