Muslims Buying People to Islam in Africa

Yep, you read the title correctly. And I mean Muslims are literally buying Africans into Islam. Read more on that in my recent article published by Assist News Services.

Let's pray for Africa and indeed the entire world as Islam tries to take over with an aggressive strategy.

On a more positive note, I'm excited to announce that our contacts in Ghana have made the right connections for us to be able to provide schooling for the little, fatherless deaf boy we met (I wrote of him in earlier posts in July while I was in Africa). For $ 50 per month, we can provide his schooling. Let's pray God raises up a sponsor for him.

For more info on our work in Africa, India, Europe or any other parts of the world, please visit Orphans First and browse the pages.

Feel free to sign up to receive Orphans First Prayer Requests.

Thanks for stopping by.

Janey L. DeMeo
September 2009 © Copyright
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com
Follow me on Twitter.

More News Fresh From Africa

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

This question is simmering in my mind with new insights into its profundity. I am more and more convinced that Western Christians have lost sight of God’s imprint on their own soul. It’s been squelched by “stuff.’ But more on that another time. For now, back to what’s happening here in Africa.

The above pic is of some children in the slums of Cotonou, Benin (one comes to our Orphans First children’s club; the other is his neighbor).

Seems like years went by since I last wrote my blog. Time in Africa is a different dimension. And so much has happened since we first got here, I could write another book. We’re now back in Ghana. Tonight I’ll teach the women at a church in Tema. But for now, I’ll share a few highlights of our trip thus far.

It took way longer to get to the border for Togo. Five hours actually. We did stop by at a small, Christian school but still . . . the trip was way too long. And then another hour or so through the borders into Togo—an experience I have never enjoyed on any of my trips to Africa.

The children in the school were beautiful, happy and taken care of, and I’m not going to talk about them here. Rather, I want to tell you about a little boy whose solitude tore my heart apart. (I’ll post his pic sometime once it’s downloaded from camera.)

I noticed him watching the school kids, wandering around in rags, scrawny and dirty. I tried to talk to him, but he looked at me blank. (Of course, I don’t speak Aiwai, but still, I figured he’d something.) Concerned, I inquired about him. He’s deaf and dumb. That’s why he’s not in the school. I’d like to do something about that. Please pray we can get this boy in school.

Going through the borders – Ghana, Togo, Benin, then Benin, Togo, Ghana – is like a trip into Hell. So much grime, pushing, bullying, poverty . . . and yet you can’t possibly help everyone. One old lady (looked to be 100 years old) walked with a huge, heavy basket of stuff on her head (that’s how women transport here, and often with babies on their back). Her flip-flops were ridiculously worn and she was skin and bones, draped in rags. The guards pushed her and bullied her as she tried to get through the borders. Louis told them, “Stop that. Let her through.” They did.

I wanted to catch her up to give her my flip-flops. I couldn’t get to her with the crowds pressing in. Oh well. My flip-flops probably wouldn’t have fit her anyway since my feet are small. I’ll find a kid here who needs them before leaving Africa.

African children are precious beyond words. The poverty is extreme and I pray we can step up the support and help many more children here via Orphans First. Some of the slums – I mean broken wood shacks maybe two & a half yards square – house families of seven. We visited several such slums and took photos which I hope to show on the website before long.

In Benin, we had to ride on the back of motorbikes to get to the slums. I knew my younger days as a motorbiker would come in handy some day. God wastes nothing. Anyway, the bikes were sort of fun in a scary way. I mean, they drive like they want to kill you. I knew we could die but then our lives are in God’s hands. But the most scary of all was to ride through filthy water left by the floods. Typhoid water. I can’t tell you how many times I wiped the splashes off thinking I might not live till the end of the week. But I did . . .

Louis preached in several churches in each country we were in. We ministered to hurting pastors and their wives, all very poor. I worked with kids, families, women. Much work to do here.

That’s all I have time for today. More later. Thanks for your prayers.

Janey L. DeMeo
Copyright © July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.LouisDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

Fresh News From Africa (Orphans First)

So here I am in Accra, still feeling unusually tired (not a good sign, but oh well), staying in a $ 34 per night Baptist Guest House, and voilà—I have Internet access. Now how cool is that? (Not the bit about feeling tired, but the cyberspace connect.) The fatigue is probably just from traveling—hey, 4 planes over the weekend is a lot for me nowadays! Anyway, I want to thank all those who are praying for this trip. (Details can be found on the Orphans First Prayer Chain: orphansfirst.org).

As in India and most third-world countries, there’s always a love/hate struggle going on in my heart when I’m in Africa. Love because these Western Africans are lambs. They are meek and hungry for truth. Hate because of the squalor, filth, disease . . . It’s everywhere, of course, and unless you stay in a “normal” hotel (which we don’t), it’s in your face constantly. It always pinches my heart to think that these people live with nothing and we westerners have so much.

Tonight, Louis and I strolled up the street almost gagging on pollution from the cars, and trying to mind where we stepped because the rains have been heavy and just to step in water could give you typhoid. We came to a huddle of children and some adults. We asked if we could give the children some bread, which we did, and then gave a few other handouts to the adults. Nothing much really, but what was more significant is that we shared the Gospel and the response was positive. Seems it usually is in this part of the world.

Our pastor-friend from Benin traveled over two borders to meet us here in Ghana and will participate in a special pastor’s leadership conference tomorrow. While the men meet, I’ll probably spend time with the children in the Christian School in Tema, and I think I’m scheduled to teach the women. In the evening we have church. (Louis will preach). Then Wednesday, we plan to get to cross the border into Togo. Not a pleasant experience crossing borders. Sigh!

We first went to Togo some twenty years ago with folks from our church in France. I think it was there (or was it Ghana) that some mosquito set out to kill me. And kill me he almost did. I caught the worst strain of Malaria that exists, and almost died. (But since I’m here telling that tale, you know I didn’t.) Togo, like Benin and some twenty other countries in Africa, is French-speaking.

In Togo, Louis will preach at a few churches, and I’ll work again with children and women. Then, some time later in the week, we’ll go by foot again through the next border to Benin where Orphans First plans to start another children’s home and center. We’ll also teach, preach, work with children etc. But our main focus will be to look at potential land to start this new home. Prayers appreciated.

Well, that’s it for now. It’s likely I won’t have Internet access for the rest of the trip. Not sure. You know where to find me on Twitter (but I don’t think you can follow unless I accept you—and if I can’t get on the Net, I can’t do Twitter). If you don’t hear from me in a month, start worrying. Until then, just keep praying. And THANK YOU. A huge thanks for your prayers. (For recent prayer requests, go to www.orphansfirst.org and click on Prayer Chain.)

Janey L. DeMeo
Copyright © July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.LouisDeMeo.com

Orphans First in West Africa

Well, here we go again. Africa. Orphans First already has a children's program in Benin (French-speaking Africa). Now we're looking to create an actual children's home there -- something similar to Grace Home in India or our orphanages in Romania or Siberia. It will take a miracle, but then it always does.

The above photo shows children in our children’s club in Benin. (Hey, I know the quality of the pic is awful, but that’s what you get from a cheap, African camera.- They all come from impoverished families. Orphans First helps some of them with food and schooling.

So, Africa, here we come -- again. (And please lock up your 'squitos. I already had Malaria once thanks very much!)

I'll keep y'all posted on my plans, blogreaders. Meanwhile, check out some details on the Orphans First website.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter;com/Janey DeMeo
Janey DeMeo at Shoutlife.com

Drawing Near To A Generous God, Embraced by Grace

OK, so where’ve I been? I told you in my last blog, but that doesn’t explain the silence since I returned. The thing is that life hasn’t stopped whirling around me and, frankly, my head’s spinning.

My daughter’s Master’s graduation was beautiful and we enjoyed renewing contacts with friends in Atlanta, one of my favoritist cities. The adoption awareness seminar in Daytona Beach, FL – sponsored by Embraced by Grace, a Christian adoption agency – went fantasticly well and was catalyst to several adoptions.

Here on the homefront, last week we enjoyed a special banquet at the Spirit of the West Coast with Peter Furler of Newsboys speaking, followed by a wonderful, God-exalting concert by the Newsboys. My husband, son and I had a blast just enjoying the Newsboys' great music, super performance and spiritual inspiration. Helping build houses for poor people in Baja, Mexico, this band lives what they sing and preach. Love 'em. And tomorrow we have Switchfoot, This Holiday Life & a bunch of other bands on Moonlight Beach hosting a surf contest. (Can you understand why I keep harping on So Cal-ers being so spoilt? It's the truth). Too bad Louis won't be there. Yes, Louis left yesterday to minister again in several countries in AFRICA. And I will be in Chicago next week for the Write to Publish conference—a Christian writer’s conference I highly recommend.

Talking of writing, I have an article in this month’s issue of Indeed magazine (Walk through the Bible) called: Expectant Squawking (Drawing Near to a Generous God). This is a great devo mag more meaty than most—a great tool to go deeper with God.

On that note, some great books I recommend are by Chris Tiegreen, Indeed’s editor:
http://homepage.mac.com/ctiegreen/Personal2.html Chris’s writing is refreshingly deep. He doesn’t cater to the feel-gooders who formulate their doctrine based on what keeps them comfy. Chris, like many of my fave authors, knows about suffering and understands its value in our lives. And, whether we like it or not, pain has great value.

Speaking of suffering, this weekend features the Worldwide Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk (see details at www.viva.org). The idea behind this event is to encourage churches, small groups and individuals to specifically put time aside to pray for the world’s suffering children. There are so many needs out there, it’s not hard to think of children who need our prayers. Sadly, there are still too few churches who implement this event on their premises or who even promote it for small groups. I hope it’s through ignorance and not through indifference. God forbid that we wouldn’t find it important enough to put aside our comfort for a while and give time to intercede for those who cannot speak up for themselves: Prov.31: 8,9.

This brings me back to the title of my article mentioned above: God is indeed generous. He waits to be gracious to us (Isa.30:18). And He waits for us to call on Him on behalf of others.

On that note, yikes, the clock is ticking me off. Must go. I’m hosting a prayer meeting at my home tonight and the house needs cleaning. Don’t want folks sneezing ‘cause of dust in the middle of praying right?

If I don’t blog before I’m back from Chicago, please know I appreciate your visits and especially your prayers for the suffering children of the world.

Janey DeMeo (copyright 31 May, 2007)

Into Africa

“I’m leaving on a jet plane. Let’s hope I’ll make it home again.” No, it’s not a new song I wrote. Just this week’s reality.

Some know the movie Out of Africa. Well my husband and I are going into Africa (again)—to four countries. Louis will, of course, train leaders and national pastors, and mentor in evangelism and church planting. I’ll teach the women and especially work with street children, poor children, orphans…in hopes of catalyzing a ministry to suffering children among the African churches. (I first did this in India in 1998, and then founded Orphans First to provide a support system for more needy children’s ministries: http://www.orphansfirst.org/). Anyway, please keep our trip to Africa in prayer. Back in April.

Meanwhile, the CSFF blogtour is set for March 19th – 21st, but since I’ll probably be either in a plane or in some African country when my co-bloggers post their reviews, I’m posting mine a few days ahead of time...

Double Vision by Randy Ingermanson

I love Randy Ingermanson’s book, Double Vision. Unlike Randy and his two main characters, Dillon and Rachel, I’m neither a physicist nor a computer geek, but my love for character-driven stories made this book a delightful read for me. Randy’s characters are distinctly portrayed and their lives intertwine with enough curious complexity so as to keep you turning pages—at double-pace.

Double Vision is the story of “three secrets, two women, one man and no time.” Dillon Richard is the one man whose unusual gifting of geekishness, integrity and good looks make him intriguing. He is a genuine genius who finds himself entangled in an adventure involving two lovely women: Rachel Meyers and Keryn Wills. One is a genius and extroverted beauty of Jewish background; the other an attractive novelist, down-to-earth financial officer and practicing Christian. Both work with Dillon on a project that, if successful, could revolutionize the world. A complex adventure ensues endangering their lives and their secrets. In the mix of the complot is the added complication of two women liking one man, and one man needing to make the right choice.

Christy Award-winning novelist. Randy Ingermanson is also a Berkeley-trained physicist. Double Vision is humorous, suspenseful, and romantic and Randy’s style reminds me of another of my “favoritist” writers and good friend, Bill Myers. Is the world ready for both Bill Myers and Randy Ingermanson? I’ll let you decide. Check out Double Vision here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0764227335
Visit Randy Ingermanson’s website - http://www.rsingermanson.com/index.html
And visit my fellow CSFF bloggers and see what they are saying about this book. Links to their sites can be found here http://csffblogtour.com/

Now, out of marvelous fiction and back to reality. I really am leaving on a jet plane…and really do covet your prayers. I’ve been to Africa several times but I cannot forget that on my first visit some pesky little mosquito made straight for me, took a long sip from my arm and ignored the fact I was taking the malaria meds. That mostinko was immune. I got the worse strain of malaria that exists and it almost made me extinct. I barely got out of Africa alive. But that was years ago, in my younger days when my blood was more appealing. Or so I like to tell myself…
Prayers appreciated – for health, traveling mercies, blessing for those here on the homefront, and that the work of God be done so that many Africans hear the Gospel and many poor children are concretely helped.

As we say in French, until soon (à bientôt). Que Dieu vous bénisse.