A Special Thank You and Update

Dear COTN Family,

Recently, we asked for your prayers regarding the diminished overall giving to COTN as a result of our recent economic crisis. We want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have responded financially as well as those who continue to hold us up in prayer.

Through your faithful support, in the last two weeks nearly $41,000 (of the estimated $300,000 needed by year-end) has been donated toward our “Stepping Forward Not Back” fund. 100% percent of these funds will go directly toward our deficient in-country budgets, allowing us to continue to provide for the children we serve. Thank you for your generous giving and faithful support. Our prayer is that others will respond to this need, as the estimated shortfall for our 2008 fiscal year is still significant.

We also shared with you that in the midst of this economic crisis, our children are praying and continuing to trust that through COTN—the family God has given them—that He will continue to provide in abundance. Our children and staff have, indeed, been praying—forwarding these prayers via email to our COTN family and staff. Click here to read these prayers.

Thank you for your dedicated support and for standing with us during this time.

For the Children,
Chris and Debbie Clark
Founders

Prayers from our staff and children…

Mr. Yobbe Lungu (COTN–Malawi, Country Director)
“Praise the Lord that through the financial crisis being faced by America, God is teaching all of us to depend on him even more. I pray that God may intervene in the financial crisis being faced by America and that he will reverse the tide.”

Vicky Oyela (16-year-old girl in our Uganda Children’s Home)
“I ask God to restore the value of money and remove the economic crisis in the world today, because this will affect us more than any one else. In God alone we put our trust. Psalm 23 – ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…’ ”.

Lameck Olwit (12-year-old boy in our Uganda Children’s Home)
“We need help from you God. We have been told that economic crisis has set in, affecting the flow of money to the hands of our supporters. God I request you to show forth your mighty power, because your word says that when we ask something in your name, you promise to give us. Lord please answer our prayer.”

Frackson Mhango (COTN-Malawi Internship Coordinator)
“That God may give wisdom to the leaders in America and in COTN to raise more funds and manage them effectively.”

Sarah Acen (COTN–Uganda Staff Cook)
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the field produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stall, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my saviour.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

Sarah Ayugi (8-year-old girl in our Uganda Children’s Home)
“I pray God should help my sponsor and put money in their hands so that they can continue to support us. I pray God should keep all our supporters and sponsors all over the world; let them secured in good health. In Jesus’ mighty name.”

Lilian Khofi (COTN–Malawi Finance Director)
“Lord I pray for our donors to respond to the financial crisis in a special way.”

Solomon Otema (13-year-old boy in our Uganda Children’s Home)
“God should help the sponsors in all means continue to get the money they need to pay for our school fees and other needs.”

Sharon Maya (9-year-old girl in our Uganda Children’s Home)
“May God continue to use our sponsors to help us realise our God given destinies. Let God be the center of everything, for He holds our destinies.”

Chance Gondwe (COTN–Malawi Education & Vocational Training Coordinator
“Lord I pray for the USA donors to be enabled to provide funds to continue support of COTN education programs like tuition, school supplies, boarding school construction etc.”

Gee Paytoe (COTN Church of the Nations Pastor from Sierra Leone)
“Dear Daddy Chris – I have heard about all that have been happening in America concerning money and I know that has brought many problems to the people of that great Country, and it has one way or the other effected COTN in the States. We in Sierra Leone are tasting it too, it is not sweet at all. There has to be something done now, to save those lives that depend on the hands of America. Daddy Chris, I know how strong you are and how brave you can be, but also care about how you are thinking or feeling right now. All I want to say is that you are not alone in whatever financial problems you are going through. There are lot of people including myself. The children are on their knees every evening calling on the Most High to intervene in the present situation in the world at large and a special portion of time for Children of the Nations locally and internationally. I know this is America’s time of crossing the Red Sea and she is almost across, and when that happens, you will see God blessing America abundantly. God is taking away the financial crisis and bringing His PRESENCE in every home, street, towns, city and state. The decreasing of money is the increasing of Jesus Christ. As long as Jesus is PRESENT there will be multiplication—there will be so much that there will be left over.”

Edward Silas Olara (COTN–Uganda Spiritual Empowerment Coordinator)
“Lord our eyes are on you. Only you will never change. Our economy can change, our political leadership can change, man can change, BUT you, oh God, remain the same! Give us courage to carry on with the work you have entrusted to us without fainting. Pour your heavenly blessings upon the vision of COTN once again. We are aware that our economy is controlled from above. That is how Jesus could feed multitudes of people, and how the disciples could get money from the mouth of fish and use it to pay taxes. Oh God, you are our inexhaustible source, you give power to make wealth. Open our eyes to see opportunities that the people of this world cannot see. May those who support us and those who sponsor these orphans, be like trees planted by the riverside. May they flourish with overflowing riches.”

Quami Abermodji (COTN–Sierra Leone Venture Director)
“Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my RIGHTEOUS HAND…..We have a father who will never fail us. So our joy must come from Him alone.”