Recently I’ve heard Rick Santorum say the education of children is up to their parents and there was no need for public schools. It saddens me when I see potential leaders of our country being so short sighted. Years ago Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote a book about raising children. It was titled, “It Takes A Village.” At the time there was some chatter about over-stepping parent’s rights, but when I grew up everyone in Emmaus knew who I was and most of them were looking out for me. My Mom counted on them to ensure my safety when I was out and about. As a community, I believe, that God asks us to look out for ‘the least of these’ everywhere and that includes children.

Lenten Offering

The Board of Elders has decided that this year’s Lenten Offering will again support the “Adopt A Village” program of the Moravian Church.

THE BOARD OF WORLD MISSION OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTRAL MORAVIAN CHURCH’S

MISSION COMMITTEE

Invites you to …

ADOPT A VILLAGE

January 27, 2012

To the West Side Congregation,

Greetings from Colorado. We returned earlier this month from Tanzania. Shortly after our arrival there we visited your adopted village of Mlogolo.

Lydia and Margaret continue to run the program. They are presently assisting 68 orphans; Lydia is currently caring for 9 orphans in her own household!

On December 7, we made orphan rounds in the village. While I don’t have pictures of all the children, I can tell you about the following: those in photo 1 are from left to right, Asha 18 y/o, Zainabu 12 y/o, Mwinyi 5y/o, Rashidi 13 y/o and Furahesa, 16 The two older ones attend the Mkolye secondary school. The next two are in primary school, and Mwinyi will enter kindergarten this year.

This is Tabu and Ashura with their father. We first met them in 2005; they were orphaned when their mother died. They both attend secondary school.

Nassaro and Yahaya who are in secondary school. The oldest, Hemedi, competed Form 4 in secondary school and is awaiting the results of the exam which will determine whether he will progress to high school. The youngest, Musa, was absent during our visit, but he has completed primary school; if he passed his entrance exam he will continue on to secondary school.

Mwdawa and Ali with their mother were orphaned when their father died; both attend primary school. This is a picture of Mwdawa and Ali with other village children

We did not see Magdalena and Lucas this visit, but they are still in the program and attending school.

Peg Hoffman

A Lenten Offering envelope is included in this mailing

Jesus said:

“In as much as you have cared for the least of these you have cared for me.”