Tragedy and Blessing – New COP DVD
Children of Promise is pleased to announce the release of a new DVD entitled “Tragedy and Blessing.”  This DVD chronicles the building of the first homes for sponsored children who lost their homes in the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti.  Generous donors and sponsors have given nearly $85,000 to help the sponsored children and their families in Haiti.  See your gift at work.  Watch Tragedy and Blessing on YouTube by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAvZsnDPy20 .  For a $5 donation, we will be happy to send you a copy of this DVD. You may call or email your request to the office.

The Shelter Is a Great Place to Grow Up
Our office processes nearly 8,000 letters per year from sponsored children to their sponsors.  Here is one of the recent letters we received from India.  Kiran writes about her experience living at The Shelter, sharing what it has meant to her to live in this wonderful Christian home for girls in Cuttack, India: 

“Namaskar! (typical Indian greeting).  My name is Kiran.  I am 12 years old.  I thank God for allowing me to live and grow up in the Shelter Home.  I come from a very poor family.  My father earns his livelihood as a rickshaw puller.  I have one sister.  My mother passed away when I was one year old.  I came to The Shelter in 2003 from the district of Kalahandi, affected by continuous drought for many years.  Thank you for your prayers.  Being in The Shelter has been a great blessing.  In my village, I would not have had the opportunity to study.  I now study in Class VI.  I am so happy living at The Shelter. So many people around the world are praying for me and all the sisters in this home.  It is indeed a big and happy family.  I am privileged to be here.  It would be a joy and honor if some came to visit us.  Kiran.”

Who Does All That Work So I Can Read My Child’s Letter?
This talented lady does, that’s who.  Margaret Combs, a volunteer staff member at Children of Promise, gives many volunteer hours a week processing the children’s letters to their sponsors.  A host of volunteers assist her in reading each letter and making sure each photo goes with the appropriate letter.  It is a big job, and Children of Promise is grateful to Margaret and the volunteer team.  Join us in saying “thank you” to Margaret and all the volunteers at Children of Promise!  You are important in making the sponsorship experience possible.

Upcoming Events At Children of Promise
COP Sunday, September 19, 2010:  Help us advocate for the sponsorship of children in need by getting your church involved in Children of Promise Sunday.  Every Church of God congregation in the United States has been mailed a packet regarding COP Sunday.  Ask your pastor or missions team how you can help your congregation observe Children of Promise Sunday.  You can also visit our special website page with information and downloads to help make September 19 a memorable day for both your church and many children around the world.  Click here to visit this website page:  http://www.echildrenofpromise.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.echildrenofpromise.org/sunday .

North American Convention of the Church of God:  June 25-30, 2010, Anderson, Indiana.  Join us at the following events at Convention:

• June 25 and 26:  Children of Promise Volunteer Conference (contact Linda Mason at 800-848-2462, ext. 2139 for registration information).  A two-day concentrated look at helping children in need by becoming a member of the volunteer network in your region. Conference will be conducted in the newly expanded COP offices.
• June 28 (Monday):   8:30 - 10:00 am - Transforming Lives Through Sponsorship (COP Conference)
• June 28 (Monday):   1:00 - 3:00 pm - Journeys of the Heart - Real people will share about meeting their sponsored children.  (COP Conference)
• June 30 (Wed.):        1:00 – 4:00 p.m. -  OPEN HOUSE in our newly expanded offices - ALL WELCOME!     Use South Chestnut Street entrance of Church of God Ministries building.

Children of Promise Facebook
Join us as a member of the Facebook group.  You’ll receive regular updates on Children of Promise.  Our first goal is 1,000 members.  We are presently at 953.  Help us reach our goal.  The more people who join, the more people who will know how children can be helped.  Sign up today, and invite your Facebook friends to join too.  It’s a great way to promote sponsorship.  Click here to visit the COP Facebook page and become a member or read the latest news: 
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18570714854&ref=search&sid=1354073371.3768731197..1

Tom Kumpel (left), COP Volunteer from Gloucester City, New Jersey, and Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director of Children of Promise, take a break from interviewing children in Egypt to “reach” the top of one of the pyramids. 

Tom and Dr. Maxfield visited the children in Egypt and Lebanon in April.  The children are doing well. Thanks to the directors Chadi and Joyce Melki (Lebanon) and Janette Nessim (Egypt) for arranging the interviews and activities with the children and committees.  It was a great visit.  You can visit one of our programs, too, or perhaps your sponsored child.  Contact Linda Mason (800-848-2464 ext 2139) for more information

      Children of Promise      P. O. Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018       www.echildrenofpromise.org         cop@echildrenofpromise.org