Update!

Sorry it's been a while, but I'll be posting more, I promise!

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on things that are going on.  First of all, we will have another fundraiser starting the first of the year.  We have LOTS of amazing things to give away, so it is sure to be a win/win situation!  For helping out Our Living Hope Taiwan (who supports Morning Light Home in Taiwan) you could receive some wonderful items in return!

Also, I am close to submitting paperwork for Our Living Hope Taiwan to become a non-profit organization.  Please keep this in prayer for me.  It has been extremely overwhelming to me at times, which I'm sure is just the enemy trying to keep me from accomplishing it. 

In Taiwan, Morning Light Home has been up to lots!  They have had a food/supply drive and have been able to donate quite a bit of food, clothes, blankets, etc. to needy families.  The Lord is using them to bless so many!

Garden of Grace is in the process of being all fixed up and painted!  They are in the need of 15 bumper pads.  They would really like 5 sets of 3 kinds, preferably in some sort of garden theme.  If you are able to help in any way, please let me know!

I will definitely keep you more updated here in the future!  Just always remember, covering Morning Light Home Ministry in Taiwan with your prayers is the most valuable thing you could do!!  Please continue to do so!

Looking forward to an exciting new year!

Please Read And Help "David"!!!

This has nothing to do with raising money to help Morning Light Home, rather, to help find a precious little boy that Deana has come across, find his forever family.  He is in a desperate situation and needs to be placed in the arms of his loving family soon!!  Please go to the THIS LINK and read about his story!  And please spread the word about him and keep him in your prayers!  His family is out there, we just know it!!! 

Results!

Thank you to all who donated for our big fundraiser marathon!!  We will have another fundraiser announced in the next couple of days, so please check back! 

The winners of the items have been contacted, so if you haven't received an email from me, please let me know!!

#1:  Tara Provence
#2: Ana Gustafson
#3.  Tara Provence
#4: Dave and Donna Frost
#5: Tish Goff
#6: Paula Zenobio
#7: Amy Burch
#8: Denice Gustafson
#9: Linda Drake
#10: Stephanie Miller
#11: Denice Gustafson
#12: Meg Gustafson
#13: Tish Goff
#14: Dave and Donna Frost
#15: Tish Goff
#16: Linda Drake
#17: Tish Goff
#18: Stephanie Miller
#19: Lance Gustafson
#20: Linda Drake
#21: Linda Drake

All of the entries were entered into random.org to be drawn. 

Thanks again!
Our Living Hope Taiwan

Fundraising Marathon!!!

VERY LAST DAY to for our current fundraiser, and the chance to receive some great items!!  All donations go to Morning Light Home and Garden of Grace in Taiwan.

Here are the items you could receive for donating to this ministry during our big "Kick-off Fundraiser!":

1.  "Cinderella" package, donated by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It includes a signed (by Steven Curtis Chapman) copy of Cinderella: The Love of a Daddy and His Princess book and CD, the CD This Moment (Cinderella Edition), and a Steven Curtis Chapman "I'm A Cinderella" women's shirt, size Medium.

2.  Beautiful 8x10" hand painted picture, "Boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Galations 6:14"  This was donated by Sharon Allsbrook of Hanging Halo .  Sharon paints Bible Verse Paintings that are not only beautiful, but very fun and whimsical!  She has a wide variety to choose from and also does custom orders.  All of her profits go to support missionaries!  Please check out her website!

3.  The group Calling Levi donated a set of the above CD's and t-shirt.  Calling Levi is a group of four gifted vocalists who have traveled throughout the country and all across the world. This full-time, traveling, vocal ministry is a family group of two sisters and their husbands. Last year alone the group traveled over 200 days lifting up the name of Christ and pointing others to Him. Those who know the ministry of Calling Levi know that their sole desire is to magnify Christ through heartfelt music and testimony. Although they place special importance on excellence in their program, their hearts are sincere and their worship genuine. You will be refreshed and inspired as you experience the ministry of Calling Levi. (We have another set just like this that will be given away for one of our monthly give-aways!)

 4.  Set of 4 family movies donated from Franklin Springs Family Media.  This package includes:

• Still Standing:  The Stonewall Jackson Story  
• The Eden String Quartet:  A Bountiful Blessing 
• Inherit the Land: Adventures on the Agrarian Journey
• Gather the Family

  If you have never experienced Franklin Springs Family Media movies, then you are missing out!  Our family has many of their movies and have enjoyed them all!!  They are inspiring and uplifting.  Their movies are all family oriented and give glory to our Lord!  (We have another set of 4 wonderful family movies from Franklin Springs Family Media that we will be giving away during one of our monthly giveaways!)

5.  Donated by Amy Gabriel, of Gabriel's Good Tidings, this set of 5 reusable snack or sandwich bags will come in handy for many uses!  Amy served as a missionary in Africa from 2002 to 2004.  She started out making handmade notecards to keep in touch with friends and family on the other side of the world.  Today, Amy's stationary has evolved into sewn gifts for baby and mommy.  Her items are fun, creative, and practical!  Please check out her store to see what she carries!!

6.  Donated by Warren Heckert (who currently, with his wife Jenn, is in the process of bringing home their sweet baby girl Mia from Taiwan as a result of this ministry!!) does amazing things with wood!  This man has been given a gift from God!  He has made our family a few different things and I am truly in awe every time I see what he can do with wood!  Whoever wins this prize will be blessed!  (Disclaimer:  This is not the exact box you will be winning, but it will be very similar, and just as gorgeous!!)

7.  This set of items was donated by Bethany Gorman.  It is a Jade Bracelet and a purse making kit, both straight from Taiwan!!  Bethany is the oldest of 5 adopted children (2 from Cambodia, 1 from China and 1 from the U.S.) and lived in Taiwan 2 years ago to teach character English.  While there, she met the Pan family and has just returned to Taiwan to live there and help out with the Pan's ministry (who Our Living Hope Taiwan is doing this fundraiser for!).  She is an amazing young lady who has a passion for helping further God's Kingdom by helping the women and children of Taiwan!

8.  Beautiful 8x10" "I Am A Child Of God" print, donated by Lindsay Braithwaite who owns Sugar Fresh.  Her company was started out of a "love for design and children's spaces."  She studied graphic arts in college, and after becoming a mother and quitting her job to be home, decided to "dabble in design again..." and realized she still loved it!  Her hobby has become a business, and her fun, fresh designs would definitely compliment any child's room!!  Please check out her store to see her beautiful work!

9.  This beautiful 72x82" handmade quilt was made by Barb Minner.  Barb has a granddaughter who was adopted from Taiwan, as a result of the work that Deana Pan has done in Taiwan.  Barb makes amazing quilts!  (And I'm not at all prejudice, even though she's my mom!!)  Whoever wins this quilt will definitely be blessed by its beauty and warmth this winter!

10.  This is a brand new, never out of the package Ergo Baby Carrier!!  Ergo Baby Carriers are wonderful!!  I have one and absolutely LOVE it!!  Donated by Anonymous.

11.  This wonderful Taiwan Adoption Necklace was donated by Kate Clayton of The Adopt Shoppe.  Kate and her husband "lost 2 baby boys before we had our 2 biological children. We could not have any more children. Through the miracle of adoption, we are blessed to have another daughter and we are in the process of adopting again!! I opened my little shop to help pay for our adoption expenses. Every penny of profit goes toward our adoption(s)."  She and her husband are adopting from Taiwan, and have a huge heart for the orphans!  She makes some wonderful items (please check out her store!!), and all proceeds go towards a wonderful cause, bringing their babies home!!  Also, you can find The Adopt Shoppe on Facebook!

12.  These beautifully handrafted items were made and donated by Danielle Blomberg.  It includes a key chain, lip balm/lipstick holder, headband (decorative), hat with interchangeable flower (extra flower included) and stylish ear warmer-style headband.  Danielle sells her items at local shops and plans to open an Etsy shop (as soon as she can come up with a catchy name for it!).  She is generous with donating her items to help different causes, and has a heart for helping others!  (Danielle also donated two other sets of fun items, but we are saving them for our next fundraiser!  So if you don't win this time, you might next time!)

13.  Microsoft Office was very generously donated by Rich and Terri Noffsinger.  "With Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010, you and your kids can create great schoolwork and home projects from multi-page bibliographies to multimedia presentations. Capture ideas and set them apart with video-editing features and dynamic text effects. Then easily collaborate with classmates without being face-to-face thanks to new Web Apps tools. The results go well beyond expectations with a little inspiration, a lot of creativity and Office Home and Student 2010."  

14.  A set of 5 CD's by Herbster Ministries.  They graciously donated lots of CD's to help Deana's ministry!  (We have quite a few more sets to give away during our monthly give-aways!)

15.  This beautiful signed (included with a certificate of authenticity) print is graciously donated by Chris Hartwick.  He is a designer for ShowForth, a division of Bob Jones Univeristy. He is also an artist. He is am part of the Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville, SC, a co-op art gallery.  One amazing fact about Chris' artwork is that he does his artwork with his mouth!!! Due to the disability that he was born with-Arthrogryposis- he is unable to use his arms and hands well. The Lord has allowed him to adapt and have a very active life. His art is done by mouth (for painting and drawing) or by foot (computer; placing the mouse on the floor and moving it with his foot). He enjoys cooking and martial arts. His life's verse is Phil. 4:13. "I know I can't do 'everything' I want, but I can do 'all the things' the Lord wants me to do."  Just AMAZING!  (We have 4 more of his beautiful prints to give away during our upcoming monthly giveaways!)

16.  If you win this one, you get to choose from one of the above gift cards, each valued at $50!!!  This was graciously donated by Mary Swarts, of Send Out Cards .  Mary and her husband are adoptive parents of an adorable little boy from Kazakhstan.  Mary has a huge heart for helping others adopt and helping the orphans!!  Mary's Send Out Cards business is pretty cool!  Please check out her website and try sending a free card today!!

17.  This beautiful (and very fun!!) quilt was handmade and donated by Shelly Harmon.  Shelly is an adoptive Mom to a very handsome little boy from Taiwan!  He was adopted through the help of the Pan's ministry, and has been home for about a year and a half.  One lucky person will definitely be blessed by this quilt!

18.  This adorable backpack was also made and generously donated by Shelly Harmon.  She definitely has a gift for making fun and whimsical items!  (I know a couple of my daughters would love to have this backpack!!)  I think this would also make a fun diaper bag! 

19.  Barnes & Noble gift card, valued at $50, was generously donated by anonymous.

20.  Target gift card, valued at $25, was also generously donated by anonymous.

21.  And last, (but definitely NOT least!!!) we have a signed copy of the much awaited for NEW CD by MercyMe, The Worship Sessions!  To learn more about this CD and the songs it includes, please visit mercyme.org.    This was very graciously donated by Mike and Abby Scheuchzer (Mike is one of the guitarists for MercyMe).  Mike and Abby are adoptive parents of a beautiful daughter from Kazakhstan, and have a heart for the orphans.  Mike has also donated quite a few more MercyMe CD's that we will be giving away for our monthly drawings.  So if you don't win this, please check back and try for the rest of them!  

How this works:
~ Look through the items and choose which ones you would love to have!
~ Decide how much you'd like to donate to help this amazing ministry.
~ Donate by using the "DONATE" PayPal button on the top right of this page.
~ Chances to win are: $5 = 1 chance to win
                                  $25 = 6 chances
                                  $50 = 12 chances
                                  $75 = 20 chances
                                  $100 = 25 chances
~ Each item is numbered 1-21.
~ Once you have donated, please also send an  EMAIL with the item number and amount of chances you would like on each.  We will send you a confirmation email in return.
~ We will be using random.org to select the winners.
~  Donations for the chance to receive this group of items will end at midnight (central time zone) on October 31st.  Items will be drawn and announced on November 1st!!


Please pass the word about this wonderful ministry in Taiwan, and the chance for people to receive something while they help out!!

Only 5 Days Left!!!

Okay...only 5 days left for this fundraiser!!  If you have thought that there is an item you would like to receive, time is running out!!  But the most important thing is, we are only $750 away from our goal!!  That's nothing for God!  We can do it!!  Please spread the word! And also "like" us on Facebook too!

Thanks for your support!

Last Week Countdown!!!

Okay, we're to the LAST WEEK for the chance to donate and receive some great items in return!!  We are only about 1/3 of the way to our goal...God can certainly get us to our goal this week!  This is definitely not about us, it's about what God is doing for the women and children in Taiwan.  It is so needed!!!  They just don't have the resources that we have, so Morning Light Home is a very needed ministry there in Taiwan!  Please prayerfully consider donating!  In the meantime, I'm listing the amazing items you could receive just for donating below.  For a more detailed description and pictures of the items and how this fundraiser works, please go THIS POST.  If you have any questions at all, please let me know HERE!

1. "Cinderella" package, donated by Steven Curtis Chapman.
2. Beautiful 8x10" hand painted picture, "Boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Galation6:14" 
3. The group Calling Levi donated a set of CD's and t-shirt.
4. Set of 4 family movies donated from Franklin Springs Family Media.
5. Set of 5 reusable snack or sandwich bags.
6. Beautiful handcrafted wood box.
7. Jade bracelet and purse making kit, both from Taiwan.
8. Beautiful 8x10" "I Am A Child Of God" print.
9. Gorgeous 72x82" handmade quilt.
10. Ergo Baby Carrier
11. Taiwan Adoption Necklace
12. Beautiful handmade items set including  key chain, lip balm/lipstick holder, headband (decorative), hat with interchangeable flower (extra flower included) and stylish ear warmer-style headband.
13. Microsoft Office
14. Set of 5 CD's by Herbster Ministries.
15. Signed artwork (included with a certificate of authenticity). 
16. A CHOICE of 1, $50 gift cards (that are pictured in the original post).
17. A fun and whimsical quilt.
18. Adorable backpack.
19. $50 gift card from Barnes and Noble.
20. $25 gift card from Target.
21. Signed, recently released CD from MercyMe, The Worship Sessions.

At this point, if you donate, you have a really great chance of winning something!  These are some great items, and would make some wonderful Christmas presents (while you are helping out a great cause!)

Thanks for your support!!

Diaper Donation!!

We have received an amazing donation from Just Bumming Around of FuzziBunz cloth diapers for Morning Light Home!!  (Their website is under some changes, so the link above is to their Facebook page.  Please visit them!!)  Barb, from Just Bumming Around, is an amazing lady with a huge heart!!  Her generosity is going to help save Morning Light Home a lot of money and we thank her from the bottom of our hearts!! 


*If you have cloth diapers, or know someone that does, that you would be willing to donate, please contact me!  Denice, at gusfamily7@gmail.com . 

Some Great STATS!

Just wanted to share some STATS that Deana has shared in regards of what God has done with their ministry from 2009 to present.

• 112 have asked for assistance
• 24 mommas have stayed at Morning Light Home
• 50 hotline calls
• 62 have come to the center directly
• 4000+ students have heard Worth Waiting For lessons (that Deana and her staff teach to local area students)
• 5 abortion decisions changed (that they know of)
• 24 Baskets of Blessings (food bank)
• And between domestic, international and referrals to other Christian centers, 53 children have been placed with their Forever Families!!!!!  Awesome!

Praise God for what HE has done!!  Please pray for more support, as they have so much more to do!!!  God is good...ALL THE TIME!!!!!

1/4 Of Our Way To Our Goal!

Our goal is to provide one month of support (just ONE month!) to Morning Light Home in Taiwan.  One month to run it is approximately $2,000 (give or take).  We are up to $575, which means we need $1425 to reach the goal this month!!  Three weeks from today our big fundraiser ends.  We have over 21 awesome items to give away to those who donate!!  So far, your chances are great that you will win one of those items!  So head on over and check them out!  Also, "like" us on Facebook to keep up with what's going on! 

Fundraising...Is Hard!!

Okay,

So you know that we are fundraising for Morning Light Home in Taiwan.  The fundraising is going okay...but not great!!  (so, if there's something that we are giving away...chance are, you have a really good chance at winning it at this point!!) 

One of the big reasons we are trying hard to raise funds for Morning Light Home is because the funds they received on a regular basis is coming to an end.  As some of you know, MLH used to be under an adoption agency.  That adoption agency supported MLH for their expenses.  They now are independent from this agency and are doing things on their own.  They still have 4 babies from this agency in their custody...but after those babies go home to their forever families (which is very soon!), they will be without regular funding.

As you may have read, MLH does a number of things.  They are one of the only crisis pregnancy centers in all of Taiwan.  They offer a safe, loving home for birth moms, they help place babies in forever homes if the birth moms are unable to keep them, they teach abstinence classes, and much needed counseling, and much more...all with a Christian foundation.  Taiwan NEEDS this ministry to continue.  Period.  Those of us with a personal relationship with the Pan family (the missionaries that run MLH) know that their heart is doing what the Lord has called them to do.  And He has definitely called them to help the women and children of Taiwan!!

Please help us reach the goal of at least helping them with the goal of raising one month's supply of money that they need to run MLH, which is between $1800 and $2000.  Please pray that we will reach this goal of one month's support for them, and then be able to help with a good part of some after that. 

Please pass this fundraiser around!!  There are some GREAT things to win!!  A lot of the items haven't had chances to win put against them...so they could easily be yours!!!  As of right now, we have only made $300.  That means we have almost $1700 to make before this fundraiser is over on October 31st!!  PLEASE pass the word about it!!  And let's see what God can do for this amazing ministry!!

Thanks, and blessings to those of you that have donated, are praying for, and plan to donate!! 
Denice, and the MLH staff!!

One More Item!!!

For those who have already checked out our fundraiser and the items that are being given away...please check out one last item (that the postal service didn't deliver very quickly)!  It is a signed copy of the new CD that MercyMe just released, The Worship Sessions!  For a further description, please see the Fundraising Marathon post.  We also have quite a few more MercyMe CD's to give away during our monthly drawings, so check back for those!  Thank you Mike, from MercyMe!!

This Is The Week!!!

Just to let you know, we are in the process of getting things ready to kick off the fundraiser this week!  I am working on a post I hope to have up later today or tomorrow with pictures and descriptions of all the wonderful items we have up for grabs!!  We have over 30 items you have the chance to receive! 

Here's how it'll work:
~ Look through the items and choose which ones you would love to have!
~ Decide how much you'd like to donate to help this amazing ministry.
~ Chances to win are: $5 = 1 chance to win
                                  $25 = 6 chances
                                  $50 = 12 chances
                                  $75 = 20 chances
                                  $100 = 25 chances
~ Once you have donated, please also send an  EMAIL with the numbers of the items and amount of chances you would like for each.  We will send you a confirmation email in return. We will send you a confirmation email in return.
~ We will be using random.org to select the winners. 


Please check back...items up for grabs will be announced SOON!! 

Only A Couple More Weeks!!!!!

I have been on vacation in CO, so haven't been able to update on here as much as possible. I just wanted to remind everyone that there is only a couple of more weeks until our "kick-off" fundraiser!!! We have lots of great items you may be able to receive by donating! Details on how it's going to work will be posted soon, so check back!!

For those of you that are donating items, if you could get those to me soon, that would be great!!! My address is Denice Gustafson, P.O. Box 62, Prentice, WI 54556. For those of you that have already sent us items, THANK YOU!!!!! Here is just a sample of what has been donated (or said is coming):

Signed MercyMe items
CD's and shirts from Calling Levi
Beautiful quilts
Jade bracelet from Taiwan and purse making kit, also from Taiwan
Beautiful artwork
Videos from Franklin Springs Films
Item from Steven Curtis Chapman's foundation

And LOTS of other great items!!!! (like I said, that was just a sample!!!)

Please pass the word on to everyone you know to either donate an items or donate funds during the fundraiser!!

Thanks!!

Morning Light "Angels"

We are starting a program called Morning Light "Angels".  We need "angels" out there to commit to sponsoring Morning Light Home monthly.  They need $1800 per month to do what they do.  That will cover all expenses for the home:  rent, utilities, counselor, food, etc. 

"Angels" can be churches, small groups or individuals.  We just need the total monthly amount to be $1800.  If you would like to be an "Angel", please contact me ASAP (Denice at gusfamily7@gmail.com)!  Please put "Morning Light Angel" in the subject line.  It is TAX DEDUCTIBLE!! 

Thanks!!

"Kick-Off" Fundraiser!!

Like I said in my first post, this site will be primarily used to help raise money for Morning Light Home and Crisis Pregnancy Center and Garden Of Grace home.  We will be having ongoing fundraisers, but to kick it all off, we are going to have a period of time where you can donate money and have chances to win items that have been donated!  We are currently in the process of collecting items that will be given away at the end of the drawing.  We do have items right now, but would love to have many more!!

Please consider donating an item!!  If you know someone that might own a business or would be willing to purchase something to give away for the fundraiser, please let me know as soon as possible!  (Denice at  gusfamily7@gmail.com).  Please keep checking back to find out exact dates and items to be given away!!

Thanks!!
Denice

Our Living Hope Taiwan...Here We Go!!!

When I was in Taiwan adopting our youngest child, I clearly heard the Lord tell me that I was to be involved in Morning Light Home and Crisis Pregnancy Center's ministry...somehow.  I really didn't know how, but trusted that the Lord would show me.

Morning Light Home and Crisis Pregnancy Center is extremely dear to my heart.  My youngest daughter's birthmom was counseled by the crisis pregnancy center and lived at Morning Light Home (MLH) during her pregnancy.  She was urged by others to have an abortion, but due to the love and counsel that she received from Deana and her staff at MLH, she chose to give her baby life.  We are forever grateful for that decision that was due to the assistance that MLH gave to her!

Taiwan has an extremely high abortion rate.  It is said that abortions in Taiwan now exceeds the birthrate!  Abortion is frequently used as a form of birth control.   Unfortunately, many women find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy, and often times are alone, sometimes abused, and always scared.  There is a stigma that is placed upon unwed women (often times girls) that become pregnant.  They feel that there is no hope, so they turn to abortion.  MLH offers them hope.

Along with giving hope, MLH provides crisis pregnancy counseling, a safe place for the pregnant mom to live during her pregnancy, takes them to regular doctor visits, teaches abstinence education to local teens and provides much needed post-abortion counseling.  There are other homes for pregnant ladies to live in while pregnant in Taiwan, but they charge the birthmom (or her family) money to stay there.  MLH relies solely on God's provisions!!!

Along with MLH, Luke and Deana Pan have also started Garden Of Grace.  It is a brand new ministry and is a home in the works!  It will be a 24hr daycare for single moms who are working, and for needy families who need to work but cannot afford daycare.  The requirement is that parents must be working.  The families or moms will be required to pay back via volunteer hours. That is what makes this place different!! They are hoping to make a change in some future generation's lives by teaching them the value of giving back!

Also, if the birthmom's at MLH are unable to keep their baby and choose adoption, the Pan's will assist and arrange for the private adoption of the child into a loving family.  Garden Of Grace will also be where the babies live while they are waiting for their forever families. It is NOT an orphanage, but is more of a home away from home. They will be able to monitor the baby's care, health, development and teach families about caring for a child.

Our prayer is that you will feel led to help us as we raise money for the ministries that the Pan family has in Taitung, Taiwan.  They have, and are, touching so many lives!!  Our family has been so blessed by their ministries!  We truly will never be the same!  We hope to have lots of different ways to help out with the ministry, so please check back often!!  Please consider "subscribing" to our blog by entering your email into the "follow by email" on the upper left hand side to keep updated on what our current needs are.  We will be having ongoing fundraisers so keep an eye out for those!!

Please keep the Pan family, MLH and Crisis Pregnancy Center and Garden Of Grace home in your prayers!!  May God bless them and you, for helping in this amazing ministry!