In December I wrote “Tidings of Joy,” describing the joy of giving our Saving Susan and Genesis Elevator community experienced as we showered Christmas blessings on the staff and orphans of our partner orphanages. This event got us to thinking. What better way to bless these orphans even more abundantly than by sharing this joy of giving with them?

Last week a leadership team from Saving Susan Ministry traveled to Cambodia to seek out additional orphanage partnerships. This team was made up of Board Chairman Steve Malandro, his wife Sondra, Operations Manager Adam Reiley, Tracy and myself. Our purpose was due to the fact that we have placed 85% of the children available in our Cambodia program and we have decided to continue our focus on orphans in Cambodia and Guatemala instead of perusing another country. We have learned the culture, history, laws and regulations over the past 6 years. This is very important in our assessment of whether we can we can support and partner with a Christian orphanage that shares our long term, God-sized vision.

One child at a time - this motto of "Saving Susan Ministry" reminds me of the song, "The Value of One."

“Father we need you, O how we need you, You are the Light that shines our way.  You are our Shelter, You are our Fortress, You are our Guidepost for each day.  We are Your sheep Lord, and we need a Shepherd, Or we may wander and lose our way.  But You are good Lord, and You will guide us, bringing us safely through each day.”

Please help us welcome Jack Kelly as our new Prayer Chairman!

Christmas. For many of us, the word evokes the warmest of memories. Family gathered around a crackling fireplace, the sparkling Christmas tree, piles of presents, egg nog and cookies, the sweet sound of Christmas carols, the merriment of laughter. At Christmastime we feel abundantly blessed.

Saving Susan Ministry’s driving force is the Parent Partner Program. This program is where we dedicate most of our time and efforts, as it is the program that most directly impacts and serves the orphans we work with every day.

It was my third day at my new job with Saving Susan Ministry. I was still learning so much about this nonprofit I now worked for.  As I flipped through the binder of all the children in our program I noticed they were all young except for one boy who was 17. 

For the past two years, Saving Susan Ministry has provided 125 musical instruments, as well as, countless hours of music instruction in both Guatemala and Cambodia. 

We are waiting in the Phnom Penh airport for our departing flight from Cambodia as this is being written.