Ghana-Sick.

The Georges and the Copes. True lifesavers.

I'm feeling Ghana-sick today. I miss the country and the people so much. I am so anxious to get back there to be with the people who stole my heart. Pam and I are traveling to Ghana in March with two incredible women, Emily George and Tara Seidman, and I am so excited for them to be able to share in the joy of knowing the amazing people we work with there. 

The following are some photos I took when I was in Ghana with Pam in August 2008. We were at the Village of Hope Orphanage, serving at the Children's Art Village camp. The intent of the camp is to allow the children to express themselves creatively through art. I was able to observe that this type of activity was truly therapeutic for the kids. 

Rachel

Jantsen's Gift: Available for Pre-Sale.

Just a brief post today to remind you that Pam's book, Jantsen's Gift, is available for pre-sale on Amazon.com. Order your copy now!

The book is amazing and it will undoubtedly change your life. Spread the word and get excited to read an incredibly well-written memoir that will serve to inspire you to make a difference in the world. 

Rachel

(Originally posted on Monday, January 26, 2009.) 

Thoreau.

I think Mr. Thoreau really just gets me. All of his quotations resonate within me, as if he created them with me in mind. Specifically, I feel drawn to these words:

:: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. ::

Many people are trapped in jobs, relationships and, ultimately, lives that aren't fulfilling. Know that you are the only who can break the cycle of lack of purpose, passion and drive. Take your life into your own hands; grip the steering wheel and maneuver out onto the road that will take you beyond your wildest dreams. Remain confident that you were blessed with talents and abilities that have the potential to change the world. Use what inspires you to make a difference in someone else's life. Count your blessings and evaluate what your life could be if you only allowed yourself to go forth confidently, to imagine. 

Be empowered by Thoreau's words: Move, dream, go...live.

Rachel

(Originally posted on Friday, January 23, 2009.)

Dream Team 2009.

This weekend, 30 supporters of the Touch A Life Foundation and the Village of Hope Orphanage met in Dallas, TX, to discuss the vision for both organizations for 2009. It's fitting, to me, that this meeting landed on the weekend celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Amongst the many accomplishments this visionary man made throughout his lifetime, perhaps most notable was the deliverance of his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Many parallels can be drawn between Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, speech and the goals Touch A Life seeks to accomplish. Both the speechmaker and the organization desire to eradicate slavery in order to make the world a fairer, better place for all. The following quote from the famous speech struck me because of the relevance it has regarding the work Touch A Life does in Ghana, Cambodia and Vietnam:

:: With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. ::

Truly, it is only through uniting together as one that we will be able to lift up the children of surrounding nations so that we might free them from slavery, from the bonds tying them to lives of destitution and sorrow. We, too, should have a dream that one day all of our brothers and sisters across the world will finally be free, that they will finally know what it's like to live.

Rachel

(Originally posted on Monday, January 19, 2009.)

Jessica Wallace.

Jessica Wallace is the amazing new intern for Touch A Life Foundation. Jessica is a junior at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. She is enrolled in the university's Social Action and Justice colloquium, a program that requires students to participate in an internship for a non-profit organization in order to further develop their understanding of service-based businesses. For her internship, Jessica has decided to join the Touch A Life team. For the next four months, she will play a huge role in the development of the organization in the Los Angeles area. Jessica is confident, talented and well-spoken; surely, her work will serve to benefit Touch A Life and the children the organization supports. 

Rachel

(Originally posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009.)

10,000 Children.

I spent all of last week in Dallas, TX, with Pam. As we were working away, we were constantly jamming to Dave Barnes's music. In particular, we were listening to a song called "10,000 Children," a soulful tune that has some incredibly inspiring lyrics:

10,000 children and all I can do is just talk

While my house is full of possessions that negligence bought

Everyone tells me that I'm not to blame

Why do I still feel the same?

Only love can save us all

Only love can save us all, save us all

10,000 children are my invitation to change

To continue in excess now suddenly feels oh-so-strange

Prayers and money should not be confused

But I pray that both still are used

Only love can save us all

Only love can save us all

What will become of me?

Inside of history

10,000 children and all I can do is just talk

Pam and I were especially struck by the line, "10,000 children are my invitation to change." Isn't that the truth? Think of all the beautiful children in the world who aren't being treated as they should be. Think of all of the precious children who are sleeping on the streets, working on the lake, crying out for help. Think of all the children who can be our inspiration to change.

Rachel

(Originally posted on Monday, January 12, 2009.)

Margaret Mead.

I can't claim to know much about Margaret Mead. I believe she was an American cultural philanthropist who specialized in writing literature that embraced women's rights and the exploration of foreign culture. But all I really know is that Margaret Mead has said some things that have served to provide great inspiration for my life. 

Since it's Friday and you've probably had a long work week, I just want this blog post to be refreshing, encouraging and empowering. Margaret Mead's words have the ability to accomplish that very goal. With that, I've listed some of my favorite quotes made by this very special woman:

:: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ::

::  I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings. ::

:: Prayer does not use up artificial energy, doesn't burn up any fossil fuel, doesn't pollute. Neither does song, neither does love, neither does the dance. ::

:: As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, OUR OWN. ::

Rachel

(Originally posted on Friday, January 9, 2009.)

Wide Awake: The Explorer.

Erwin McManus is the Cultural Architect and Lead Pastor of Mosaic Community Church, a church that is based in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to his speaking responsibilities, McManus has created a niche for himself as a talented author. his most recent book, Wide Awake, discusses the potential within us all to recognize our dreams and to summon up the courage to make them our realities.

When Pam and I were thinking about what 2009 might look like for the Touch A Life Foundation, phrases from Wide Awake continuously resurfaced in our minds. Pam compiled a list of encouraging and motivating quotations, using some of McManus's writing to serve as inspiration. This excerpt is one from the book that literally jumped off the page at me, causing me to catch my breath and realize the potential within myself, and the potential that is assuredly found in each and every one of you:

:: If you're going to create the life of your dreams, you have to once again choose to explore. You need to make it a life mandate to learn everything and anything you need to know to turn your dreams into reality. You have to start making yourself flexible and pliable again, because if you stop learning, you will stop growing and will never create a life beyond the one you have right now...

When you are called out by God, you have to take on a learning mode that recognizes that you are called by God to explore unknown territories and go to uncertain environments. To some of you, God is literally saying, You need to leave your country, your relatives, your house and go to a place you've never known if you are going to live the life of your dreams...

I wonder if some of you need to move to Tibet or maybe India or South America. Or maybe you need to find a way to deal with the issue of AIDS in Africa. Is it possible that to create the life of your dreams, you need to get up and leave what you know and relinquish the security of what you have in order to discover what you only see in your imagination? Remember, there is always a hero within you waiting to be awakened--that hero is the explorer. ::

You don't necessarily need to go abroad to explore or to solve all of the world's problems; you can do your exploring right in your own neighborhood. Undoubtedly, there are problems begging to be solved right down the street from your home, and quite possibly just inside your very own doorstep. I think the point is that we should all be willing to do whatever it takes to explore our surroundings (near or far) to effect change on our world. Allow yourself to be shaped in ways you never could have imagined.

Rachel

(Originally posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009.)

The Nicholson Wedding.

For those readers who may not know, be forewarned: The wedding industry makes billions and billions (oh, and add a couple more billions) of dollars. From the cake and the dress to the gifts and the centerpieces, money adds up quickly, often times leaving couples with little left to spend at the beginning of their marriage. Newlyweds also end up with a lot of gifts; some are treasured for years to come, while others will only see the light of day when Aunt Edna comes over for Sunday brunch.

Interestingly enough, this is not the case for Chris and Sarah Nicholson. The newlywed couple, who met at Harding University in Searcy, AK, decied to plan an extremely low-budgeted wedding and ask their guests to make donations to the Touch A Life Foundation instead of giving them linens, cookware and other presents normally found on wedding registries. To them, no other gift could provide them with more joy than the knowledge that the money used by the Touch A Life Foundation would ultimately save the lives of children throughout the world. 

Though the Nicholsons met at Harding, they didn't begin dating until they both moved to Atlanta, GA, after college. They shared more in common than a degree from Harding: Both Sarah and Chris had spent time serving in Africa. Sarah participated in a Harding summer program in West Africa while Christ spent an entire year serving in Kenya.

In December 2007, Chris felt a tugging on his heartstrings to return to Kenya. He planned on revisiting the same village where he lived during his year abroad, and he was hoping to reunite with his host family as well. However, due to severe unrest and threatening riots in the country, he nixed his plans to go to Kenya. Despite the unforseen obstacle, Chris went ahead and pursued his trip to Africa anyway. He called a trusted professor at Harding, who suggested that he spend his time volunteering at the Village of Hope Orphanage in Ghana. Heeding his advice, Chris set off for Ghana during Christmastime. He had no idea of how drastically the trip would change his life.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, Chris was bombarded by children who had an overwhelming desire to be loved. He and his traveling companion spent the week simply playing with the kids, setting aside the occasional hour to tutor them in their studies. Though Chris had previously lived in Africa, something about his trip to Ghana struck a chord within him to continue to affect change in the children's lives even when he returned home.

"What was so touching for me in Ghana was that many of the kids had been in such horrible situations as far as slavery goes," Chris said. "I was amazed at what those kids had been through and I realized how important it is to help children who aren't told things that we take for granted, things like saying, 'I love you.'"

Overwhelmed with the reality that it takes relatively little money to rescue a child, Chris proposed that he and Sarah spend less money on their wedding so that they'd be able to purchase the items that most people give to newlyweds as gifts. The would still have the things they'd need while also being able to ask their guests to provide gifts by making donations to the Touch A Life Foundation.

Chris and Sarah were married on September 6, 2008, at a friends home in Atlanta. Though it was no small wedding (there were 375 guests in attendance), the couple managed to keep costs down by holding the reception at their church and by asking their friends to use their talents to play parts in their special day. Loved ones prepared the food, played the music, performed the ceremony and, ultimately, allowed for money to be raised to benefit the children at the Village of Hope.

The Nicholsons raised $3,970 for Touch A Life by asking wedding guests to donate to the cause. But the couple wouldn't want any praise for their actions. As Chris said, "It's really not about the fact that we did this for our wedding. Instead, it should emphasize new ways to use your money. A lot can be done with a little. What we did was just offer a way for people to donate and they just stepped up."

During Christmastime, it is important to remember those who are not as fortunate as many of us. May Chris and Sarah's story inspire you to maintain a giving spirit throughout this beautiful season.

Rachel

(Originally posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008.)

Rachel Johnson.

To all of the avid readers of the Touch A Life blog: Hello!

My name is Rachel Johnson and I have just been hired as the Director of Project Development for the Touch A Life Foundation. I graduated from Pepperdine University in April 2008 and I currently live in Santa Monica, CA. I met Pam at a luncheon at Pepperdine in March 2008. Because of our brief meeting, I ended up going to Ghana with her in August to serve at the Children's Art Village, a camp dedicated to allowing the children at the Village of Hope Orphanage to express themselves through music, art and dance. Pam and I truly bonded on that trip; it was evident that God had placed us in each other's lives for a reason.

After a few months of discussion and deliberation, Pam offered me a job with the foundation, which was a dream come true. I have always had a heart for non-profit organizations (specifically those dedicated to causes serving African nations) but I also had interests in careers in writing, journalism and international affairs. I wasn't sure how to combine all of my talents, skills and passions but God clearly spoke to me through Pam's offer for me to come work with her and Touch A Life. This job is perfect, exciting and challenging, as it combines elements of each of the vocations I was initially considering. I am so blessed to work alongside someone as talented, passionate and incredible as Pam. 

I'll be taking over the blog from here on out and I'd love to hear any comments you, the reader, may have. Thank you for visiting the Touch A Life site. Read on and enjoy!

:: How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment to start improving the world. ::

Anne Frank

Rachel

(Originally posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008.)

Nhung.

I'm not sure how this message from Nhung, a child in our Vietnam ministries, doesn't have the power to tug on each and every person's heartstrings.

I do not want to talk about my family anymore.

It makes me sad.

I came to a place of charity where Father Nghia and Mother Suong feed me very well. The people in the charity teach me many things.

My dreams is to become a pastor when I have grown up, I will serve the Lord.

Pam

(Originally posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.)

Le Thi Hong An.

Here is a note from Le Thi Hong An, one of our sweet children in our Vietnam ministry:

My name is Le Thi Hong An, age 10. My family circumstances are very difficult. My father is disabled and my mother collected everything recyclable she saw on the street to earn money to bring us up. But we wanted to go to school as others did but we could not because we were too poor.

Then I met teacher Nghia and Miss Suong. Here at the shelter I can go to school and I came to believe in God. God changed my life. Before I used to swear a lot but now I do not--I am a new creation in God.

I want to say thanks to God and teacher Nghia and Miss Suong for their help. I pray God blesses you and you have good health. My dream is becoming a doctor to help every people.

Thank God for little angels like sweet le Thi Hong An.

Pam

(Originally posted on Sunday, December 7, 2008.)

Thankful.

:: We can only be said to be alive in those moments when are our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ::

Thornton Wilder

I am thankful to share this morning that we have officially moved to Dallas. We closed out our old house in Missouri on Friday and we will be moving into our new home this week. I have so much to be thankful for during this move. We sold our house in two days and found what Randy and I feel like are the perfect accommodations for our family in Coppell, TX. I will take a week off from blogging but I have so much to share when I get back to work next week. God is really building a strong foundation of talented people that are stepping up to help boost Touch A Life to the next level. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and has had some great family time with loved ones. Happy December 1st.

Pam

(Originally posted on Monday, December 1, 2008.)

George's Birthday.

George Archibra is the director of our Ghana program. Below is an e-mail that George sent today telling us that the Village of Life is finally completed. We ran into a little hitch with the water but it looks like everything has been worked out. We are so excited and anxious to rescue more children. I can just picture George celebrating his birthday while jumping up and down because water is flowing everywhere in the village. George has been such a blessing to Touch A Life.

• "Your message was well-received and I am happy to inform you that the water system has been completed. Water is flowing everywhere in the village. I am also happy to inform you that today happens to be my birthday and it has coincided with the completion of the village. We've also mounted eight boxes of the beehives and we are embarking on the construction of three apartments of fish pond. This is from our own initiative to support the village. We are also making efforts to rescue the older trafficked children who will be in the village around January. We once again want to thank everybody, especially the board, for the good work they are doing. We will continue to give progress reports on the project."

Happy birthday, George Archibra! You are a good man.

Pam

(Originally posted on Thursday, November 20, 2008.)

West Texas Girls Conference.

I had the opportunity this last weekend to speak at ACU to over 300 high school-aged women from Texas. It was so much fun. I really enjoy challenging people that age to embrace their uniqueness and not conform to what the world is telling them to value. It was so encouraging for me to talk with them after the session and have the chance to hear them share about their dreams and passions. To see tears in their eyes as they were asking how they can join the fight against injustice and stand in the gap for children less fortunate than them. I have such hope in this next generation that they will rise up and want to change the world to make it a better place.

We have been blessed with so much here in America. Do we truly comprehend that to much who is given, much is required? Every day we have the chance to give of our gifts and talents and serve those in need. Be a servant to someone hurting today. Love your neighbor.

Pam

(Originally published on Monday, November 17, 2008.)

Accept No Mediocre Life.

I am currently reading David Foster's book Accept No Mediocre Life. I really love the message of living beyond your labels, libels and limitations. Here is a paragraph from the book:

• I take heart when I consider my access to God. I heard about some newlyweds who, in the wee hours of their wedding night, were escorted to the bridal suite of their high-priced hotel. Once in the suite, they saw a sofa, chairs and table but they couldn't find the bed. They spent the first night of their honeymoon on the sofa, which was turned into a hide-a-bed with a lumpy mattress and sagging springs. After a fitful night with sore backs, the next morning they went to the hotel desk to give the management a tongue-lashing. "Did you open the door to the room?" asked the clerk. "What door?" they replied. He opened the door they had thought was a closet. There, complete with fruit baskets and chocolates, was a beautiful bedroom! They had wasted the first night of their honeymoon because they didn't open the door.

I guess turning 47 this year has given me the feeling that I don't want any doors left unopened in my life. There may be chocolates and fruit baskets on the other side. 

Randy was approached to come on board as the CEO for American Consolidated Media. He accepted the position and we bought a house last week in the Coppell, TX, area. Randy and I were both in agreement that this was a door that God was calling us to walk through. We are bracing ourselves for hot summers and milder winters; we are very excited to be moving south and not north. Texas, here we come.

--Pam

(Originally published on Monday, November 10, 2008.)

Jantsen's Gift.

"The elephant has been birthed."

These words describe how Aimee and I felt so many days carrying around this baby elephant the last two years. You work and work on a book for so long. You start to even question if you like it anymore. Now that I see it becoming real and available on Amazon, I love it. It is like a mother giving birth and the minute she sees the baby she forgets all the labor and pain. 

This book was very labor intensive and painful at times. I had to examine every motive and share some intimate details of my life that were not pretty. Overall, I keep I kept my promise to God. I promised him I would just tell my story with truth and honesty. Thank you, Aimee Molloy and Jamie Raab; I cannot believe how I have been blessed working with two incredible women.

Tema Program.

I am excited to share about a new program that was launched last week. Touch A Life has partnered with many NGO's in Ghana to network and share visions of how we can best help the children that have been trafficked. Last year Randy and I met an amazing young couple named John Bull and Stacy Omorefe. John and Stacy share the same passion to help the children that are working on Lake Volta.

Together we were able to rescue six more children last week and they will be living in a coastal town called Tema. Tema is a city that is progressive and should have many educational resources to offer these children. John and Stacy have rented a building that will be home to 24 children and houseparents. We are so thrilled to be able to offer a new home to...

• Emafa - 9 yrs old
  
• Mary - 10 yrs old
  
• Gideon - 12 yrs old
  
• Gashon - 7 yrs old
  
• Emmanuel - 4 yrs old
  
• Joseph - 6 yrs old
  

Thank you to Joseph and Teresa who have agreed to take on the job of being parents to these six wounded little souls. Our Ghanian family and vision is growing. Thank you Touch A Life supporters who are making this possible.

Hope.

Take a minute to listen to this special song written for Touch A Life by an amazing young artist named Shane Dulling. Thank you, Shane, for using your talent to be a voice for the voiceless.