Start Smiling!
Our goal in ministry is to share and show the character and nature of the Father through joy, delight and unconditional love. Since 1997, HE has taken us to the ends of the earth ministering to children and the young at heart through storytelling, song, sight gags, slight of hand, crafts and drama. Join in the adventure. Share the way, the truth and the life around the world.
Smiling in His service,
Charlynn Johns
Executive Director
Check out our ministry highlights video here!
2009 Ministry Highlights
INDIA
Our first trip of the New Year will take us back to India. The first portion of the trip will find us in the far northern state of Assam, bordering Myanmar. After a week working with indigenous pastors to rural areas we will return to Nellore in the state of Andhra Pradesh, to work with Pastor Benhur Babu and the Lone Star Church. Working with East West Ministries we will visit the Leper Colony where the Pilot Project of a sewing center was started in 2008.
KENYA, EAST AFRICA
This spring we are tentatively planning a research and development trip for future orphan ministry in Kenya in conjunction with East West Ministries. Our last visit to Kenya was in 2004 with Fellowship Bible Church of Dallas for a women’s training conference and community outreach in Nakuru. While the election violence in Kenya has ended, there remains unrest in this once peaceful African nation.
Texas
In May, we are proud to once again work with the San Antonio branch of Joni & Friends Ministry to help with the children’s program at the third retreat for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. What a blessing the Spring and Fall retreats were to the families. It is always an honor to serve those who so valiantly serve our country in the cause of freedom!
KENYA, EAST AFRICA
This summer we will return to Amboseli and serve among the Masaai tribal people with East West Ministries. We will also visit Kitale and work with the orphan home of Rhema Ministries as well as supporting the work of Adopt-a-Legacy started by missionaries Brian and Heather Jamison.
Tanzania
Sunshine After Rain Ministries is currently planning a return this summer to teach at a women’s training conference in Mwanza, Tanzania. The 2008 seminar was so well received, the National Director for Women’s Social Works of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the country, implored us to return in 2009. Once again our focus will be to take the Gospel to rural villages where the murdering of elderly women occurs due to superstitious beliefs and provide Bibles as well as humanitarian relief.
BOTSWANA
Opportunities in Africa abound, unfortunately in orphan ministry. Each day, 6,000 children are orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. Botswana is experiencing one of the most severe epidemics with the second highest HIV prevalence in Sub-Sahara Africa. There are currently 69,000 orphans in the country. With a change in our 2008 schedule we were unable to make this trip. Our goal is to travel throughout the region with local and government officials to assist and train lay people with orphan care.
Texas
In the fall the ministry contributes the children’s program at the fourth retreat for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq sponsored by Joni & Friends Ministry. It will be wonderful to participate with over thirty soldiers and their families who have so honorably served our country!
INDIA
Our current plan is to return to the northern state of Assam in India, working with East West Ministries. We hope to be part of a larger team of servants to reach an even greater number of rural villages in this remote state.
CHINA
Our return in the winter of 2009 will be to attend the grand opening of the new multi-million dollar facility built for the Taian orphans and participating as the international special guest. We continue to witness the testimony of the Father to the fatherless at each visit to the orphanages in the region. Each year we enjoy meeting new University students and sharing our vision of hope and joy for children (old and young) around the world.
