Beauty in Sacrifice

One of the things the ECHO Project has been doing over the past few years is identifying those who are struggling physically. Often this means a grandmother who is raising her children, or a young mother with twins who can't provide enough milk.

We've also seen the sacrifice a number of women in particular who have taken on additional mouths to feed even out of their own poverty. They bring in the orphaned, those sick with HIV/AID, and the homeless and care for them in their homes.

This is the beauty in sacrifice.

They are not giving not out of their excess, but in spite of their own needs. And in that they show Christ's love.

It reminds me when Jesus was watching people give to the treasury. The rich threw in large amounts, but it was a poor widow who caught Jesus' attention. She put in two very small copper coins that were only worth a few cents. And yet Jesus said she put in more than all the others. They had given out of their wealth. It didn't hurt them to give, or make them uncomfortable financially.

But the poor widow put in everything she had to live on.

Jesus is constantly calling us to be different. Not just to say we were following him, but to truly live each day as a beautiful sacrifice. That is why these are the women who challenge me everyday. They challenge me to get out of my comfort zone and not to just give of myself when it's easy. But when it's uncomfortable, which it hurts, and when I have to sacrifice my own needs to minister to those around me.

Because that is how He calls us to live.

We are grateful for those who have given to help us minister to those we work with. Here are some recent photos of how the money through the ECHO Project is being used. Please pray for us as well as we are in the process of purchasing land and building a Community of Hope for those who are need.

Handing out food packets

Formula for twins

Example of a food packet

ECHO Project Update

As we look back over the past few years, we are so grateful to those who have generously given to The ECHO Project and helped us make a difference in the lives of so many.

Thank you!

As we look ahead, we are continuing with the same things that have helped those living around us. The giving out of food baskets to families caring for orphans, medical aid to those in need, along with housing, educational help, and micro loans. We also have funds to put in another water well and are currently working on the logistics of that project.

In addition to these things, we have a number of life-changing opportunities we are wanting to put into place through The ECHO Project, and we ask for your prayers in these upcoming endeavors. 

• A House of Hope for those who need emergency, temporary housing. This house will have caregivers in place to minister to the homeless, orphans, and those needing hospice-type care.
• With thousands of women living without any financial support, we want to train women with sewing skills in order for them to make money to help care for their families. 

Please pray for us as we work over the next few months to make these two dream a reality in 2016!

Tuc Tuc Taxi!

As many of you know, the ECHO Project was started to help address some of the many needs we encounter around us everyday here in Africa. ECHO stands for Education, Compassion, Hope, and Opportunity. While most of the monthly ongoing help the ECHO project provides is in the way of medical, housing, schooling, and food assistance, occasionally there is an opportunity for us to help with a business loan that will provide continuing support of a family.

Alex is one of the young men the ECHO Project has been able to help in the past. He started by supporting himself by making bracelets and earrings. He was faithful in his work and used the money to put himself through driving school so he could get a better job. He then found work driving a Tuc Tuc taxi in our town, but often had to work seven days a week. He recently approached us for a long so he could be able to work for himself, as well as teach in the village, and go to church. 

This is a photo of Alex and his new Tuc Tuc! Please pray for him and the success of his new business.

Lisa

PS We are having issues with our website, so will be switching to this blog exclusively soon. Thanks!

Looking for a unique Christmas gift?

We have a limited number of 2015 African Safari calendars for a donation of only $20 each! ALL profits go to support The ECHO Project which is making a difference in the lives of individuals in Mozambique, Africa. 

This year, because of donations, we were able to help:

*Provide two eye exams in the capital and a pair of prescriptions eye glasses.
*Transport to the capital and housing for Janu's brain surgery
*School supplies and uniforms
*Monthly food packets to families carrying for orphans and sick caregivers.
*Medical supplies like blood pressure medicine, vitamins, worm medicine, and other basic medicine
*Soccer uniforms for a youth community program
*Building of a house for a woman carrying for her orphaned grandchildren
And more!

Please email your mailing (US only) address here and how many you would like. You can pay via check or paypal! For more information about The ECHO Project you can visit our website!

Soccer Fever! (A Community Project)

We've been working on a couple new community projects over the last few weeks, and I'm excited to share the first one with you today!

A few months ago, a young man who is a part of our church, Tonecas, came to Scott and told him that he had started coaching a neighborhood soccer team, both girls and boys, and that he'd named the team 'Followers of Christ' in Portuguese, the name of our church. He also asked that Scott would help him, especially with devotionals at the beginning of the games.

We decided that this was a wonderful opportunity for The ECHO Project to get involved in our community. These soccer teams are a great way to not only keep the kids off the streets, but to teach them values like teamwork, commitment, and self esteem. Scott and David have been working with Tonecas to help him be able to lead the team spiritually as well.

One of the things the kids didn't have were uniforms, so we arranged for uniforms to be made and recently gave them out to the kids. They were ecstatic!

The kids in these photos are only part of the team. There are about 30 boys and 30 girls.

If you would like to give specifically toward the cost of the uniforms through The ECHO Project, please visit our donation page. We need to raise $950 to cover the 60 uniforms, three track suits for the coaches, and bags. Five soccer balls the teams socks have already been donated. We are also needing to buy a first aid kit and water bottles.

We'll be sharing soon about a second community project that we are starting out in the villages to minister to those in need.

Thanks for helping us make a difference in the lives of individuals!!

Two stories of lives impacted

I recently posted a video on how you can help us make a difference through The ECHO Project. This week our lives have cross paths with several more people. Here are two of their stories.

João

 JOAO

Just over a week ago, I discovered that his feet and hands of this young boy seemed to be rotting away. He's probably twelve or thirteen, but he doesn’t know. What we do know is that both of his parents have died and he lives with his grandmother.








On Friday, David took him to our local hospital. Thankfully, tests confirmed that it isn’t leprosy, but the healing will be hard and painful. Currently, he's staying in town with David who is ensuring he is cared for during the healing process and he is already doing so much better!!!

The ECHO Project has provided medicine, soap, water buckets, some new clothes and bedding for him.

AMINA

While at the hospital, David met a group that is like the American welfare system that helps people in need, but their resources are limited. They spoke about their need for help and were very interested in us sharing Jesus with those they work with. In order to see what they were doing, David went out with them on Friday afternoon and was brought to tears when he told us the story. One of the people they visited was Amina. She is sick and just gave birth to a baby 8 days ago on the side of the road because she didn't have a place to live.

Lisa returned with a couple of the christians on Tuesday who jumped in to help this single mother of two who is very weak, wash clothes and dishes and clean up the compound where she is currently staying.

Food items and soap

Helping  Amina cook

Washing her dishes

The ECHO Project is providing her with baby formula, vitamins, food, and some needed bedding.

We will continue to follow up and ask for your prayers as we strive to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. . .the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31:8

Find out how you can help us make a difference by visiting our website today!

Can we really make a difference?

The answer is yes! This week we are blessed to be able to help two boys receive the medical treatment they need for skin disorders. For one boy, it has gotten so bad it is crippling him. Help us make a difference!



Get involved with The ECHO Project! from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.