Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Janey's News

Tues. June 27th 06

Today millions of children try to grab shut-eye – starving…

And food will not cut it. Food will not take away their starvation.

They’re starving for love.

When we moved into our rented home a few months ago, we quickly met two sibling street kittens—a brother and sister. I began feeding them and little by little, the boycat started calling for me when he was hungry. The girlcat on the other hand became leary even though I’d feed her. She was pregnant and thus protective.

After several weeks, boycat Milo has become so tame that I can hold him in my arms. More than that: he calls me to play with him, pat him and hold him. Food is not enough. He needs love.

But the girlcat, Miya, has been coming around less. Yesterday I started seeing her again and she is very skinny, very weak. I fed her; and caressed her until she was purring. My husband is convinced she has kittens somewhere (which makes it very difficult for us to consider catching her and her brother in hopes of finding them a good home since we don’t know where the kittens are).

Because we have two cats of our own, live in rented property with simple means, I cannot adopt these cats. (Oh, to be able to help them all—and more important, to help ALL the hurting children of the world). But I can love them. I can do what I can. And that’s what I’m doing.

My own boycat, Zambo, plays with Milo sometimes (I let him out a few hours a day, and have put anti-flee product even on Milo). Him mom, Zuca, just hisses (catty). It’s all so amazing to watch and brings me to my knees as I realize again and again that FOOD IS NOT ENOUGH. They need love, love, love…(sounds like the Beatles here). And love means belonging, knowing you’re always accepted, having your needs met, being valued as treasure, being physically comforted.

May we all pray as never before for the Lord to return quickly and for Him to deliver the suffering—everywhere. And may we also ask Him to show us what our part is in this plan and to help us stay the course and be obedient.

Finally, as I get back to my writing projects, I want to mention that several chapters in my book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children!, mention this subject. There are sections on reaching the poor, prayer, spiritual warfare, etc. I know I’m biased but it’s a good book. If you know of anyone who might enjoy it, or if you know of any small groups of Sunday School classes who might like to use it as their workbook, check it out here: http://www.carepointministry.com/heavenhelp.html

Thank you for caring. Thank you for sharing. And thanks for being patient with me if I haven't responded yet to your comments. Blogging is new to me. And I have a computer that has serious issues. I'm praying for a new, good working laptop...

Janey

Friday, June 23, 2006

Janey's News

Friday 23rd June 06, 10 pm PST

Computer problems have kept me away for a few days...Incredible! In this era, life can be so darned complicated. I don't get it!

I'm not going to talk your ears off here (btw, ear is what comes out if you type era too fast -- just thought you'd want that useless info.). I am presently trying to juggle several things and, unfortunately, there are still only 24 hours in a day -- another sign that modern tech. is still not what it's hyped up to be.

As well as doing O.F. daily, I'm still writing of course. An editor contacted me for permission to use part of a book for an article, but he needed an answer -- today EST. I didn't read it until an hour ago because I just got back from two days elsewhere and we're PST here. So, we'll see what transpires... The article touches a subject I've been plunged into again and again over the past few years -- suffering and how God uses it in our lives.

We cannot be familiar nor indifferent to the suffering in this world. What is important is that we bring Christ into the painful situations for He is the great Redeemer, the One who pours light into darkness.

Thank you for praying for the suffering children in particular. There are so many of them everywhere and our prayers are vital to them.

Returning to the subject of writing, this week I recorded an accompanying CD for my new book, Heaven Help Me Raise These Children: http://www.carepointministry.com/heavenhelp.html

Lots of thoughts, lots to say, but that's all for now 'cause I have 137 pending emails (yikes).

blessings,
Janey

Friday, June 16, 2006

Janey's News

Friday 16th June

Dear friends, and visitors,

I just want to thank you for caring and visiting. I haven’t yet figured out how to let you respond to me, but I’m looking into that and will set it up so you can. Meanwhile, thanks for checking this blog for updates. And, if you can, leave a BRIEF message introducing yourself. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR VISITS.

Today I’m writing, working on Orphans First and preparing food for tonite’s visitors. I just sent out O.F. prayer requests and am pasting them below for anyone interested. Meanwhile, the street cat I’m ministering to outside (yes, even cats…) is meowing not for food (I fed her already) but for hugs, pats, love. How do I know that? Because since I’ve been loving on her & her baby, they now call until I caress them (much to the disgust of the older of my own two cats—the female of course). These cats want what most creatures want—LOVE.

That never ceases to amaze me – everyone needs love – even felines. And especially children. That is why I do what I do, by God’s grace. “It ain’t right”! I can’t stand that children suffer... I believe God has called His own to help them. And He’s ready to work through us—if we’ll let Him.

Well, must go for today since it’s already lunch time and still tons to do. Prayer requests below if you want them. Hope to talk to you again soooooooooooooon. Thank you.

Janey

Orphans First Prayer Requests, June 16, 2006

Dear Prayer Friends,

Thank you for praying for my travels. They were fruitful and I've come home with several writing assignments that could make a difference for the suffering children. I again met many people who've adopted—some four children—and others praying about adoption. OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED.

One thing I learned at both conferences: I need to blog. So, please visit my new blog – http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com/ – and enjoy the music video which so expresses OF’s heart.

Now let’s praise God and pray for the following:

ASIA
* India -- continued blessings on Grace Home.
Pray for all of India and the many poor children, abused, homeless children, AIDS victims…
* Thailand -- Mink, the 9-yr-old dear girl in Bangkok we are funding to go to deaf school. She is doing well and will hopefully begin school any day now. Pray for the many street children, and sexual child victims in Thailand and surrounding countries.

AFRICA
* poor and suffering children throughout Africa, and for our contacts in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, & Gabon (P. Jean-Sylvestre is presently visiting us here in America from Libreville).
* street children, AIDS children, and orphans throughout this desperate continent.

EUROPE
* Russia, Moscow -- the street children Alexandra ministers to, supported by O.F. Pray for a home for them in the future, and for them all to really walk with Christ.
* Russia, St.Pete -- the children still awaiting a forever family.
* France -- troubled youths in France, and hurting little ones. (We are no longer there geographically, but our hearts are with the people).

USA
* Adoptions -- for Christians adopting -- that God would open wide the doors, and that He'd call more to adopt.
* Foster parents and children.
…a mother who has been trying to adopt two children who have been abused and bounced from one foster home to another. Recently they were put back in the orphanage due to violations in the foster home they were in but the mother wanting to adopt them is being refused because she doesn’t “OWN her own home” (neither do we so I guess we couldn’t adopt either). . However, she is a loving, older Christian woman and could provide them with the healing love of God they so desperately need.
* Pray also 21 year old Zandinal who has suffered abuse in her home country in African and who is now with a family in America. Pray for her 6 year old daughter who is still in Africa and may be in danger of abuse.

Thank you for continuing to pray for the little ones.

In Christ who IS compassion,

Janey L. DeMeo
Founder/director of Orphans First; author & freelance writer
Website: www.orphansfirst.org / E-mail: Janey@orphansfirst.org

Monday, June 12, 2006

Dear Friends,
I'm so sorry I don't get to blog very often. I've had the craziest, busiest season ever. I just flew in from Chicago where I attended the Write-to-Publish conference again. It was awesome. More than awesome. I've come home renewed, and scared since I now have new writing assignments with soooooooon deadlines & 167 impending emails. Yikes. I'm also beginning a new adventure as an Arbonne consultant. Scary for me.
The week before last Louis & I were in Florida where we participated in Mattias wedding to Suzanne (he's one of our French "disciples"). Awesome time. Also enjoyed being with some other friends who adopted some older children from Russia. Before that, I was in Colorado for the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference. An awesome time also.
For those interested in my book, see: Heaven help me raise these children
For anyone who doesn't know me, check out Orphans first
Anyway, all this is to say that I really appreciate your friendships. I'm sorry I don't write more often. It's just a busy period. Thanks so much for being my friend.
Blog 1 – 23.5.06

Dear blogger buddies,

I'm not a blogger. This is my big declaration. But since I'm a writer and founder of Orphans First, I've been told I need to start blogging (as if I don't have enough to do right?). So, bear with me and don't think I'm just anti-social. I appreciate anyone who wants to be my friend, and especially those who want to get on the band wagon and help the suffering children of the world -- Orphans First The needs are so great. I'll try to answer questions in my blog that people might ask. But I may only get to blog occasionally until the dust settles. Read on and you'll understand...

I'm actually on a whirlwind of a schedule for a few months. For one, I just got back from the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference where I taught a wee workshop and also represented Orphans First. It was an awesome time (thanks so much for praying). God is really touching hearts and opening them to reach the poor and needy. Some folks are even considering adoption... I've also come back to a ton of assignments -- all with deadlines yesterday (so it seems). I leave early tomorrow morning for Dallas, then Florida where my husband does a wedding for one of our French disciples (& I translate). We'll be gone about a week. Then I leave again on June 6th for a week for Write-to-Publish at Wheaton, Chicago area. (I don't know why God does things this way, but He does.) Yikes! This is a reeaaaaaaaally challenging season. Prayers appreciated.

Meanwhile, I'm still running Orphans First, writing, being a wife and being a Mom (my baby is only 18-years-old, and still at home; his sis is 23, &, no, you may not guesstimate my ancientness). My real babies are Zuca & Zambo -- my two cats.

For those interested in finding out more about my new book, check it out:Heaven Help Me Raise These Children!
The book provides biblical insight to practical parenting issues. It's a valuable tool for parents, those working with children and those wanting to expand their horizons to work with children -- especially the most hurting. My prayer is that the Lord use it as He wishes. It's in His hands (not that I don't have my part to do in marketing -- I do).

That's all for now. Must pack...

Thank you for caring.



Janey L. DeMeo Founder/director of Orphans First; author & freelance writerWebsite: Orphans First
E-mail: Janey@orphansfirst.org
Tel: 714-680-9690
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