⇨ Oakseed Ministries International
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There is great joy in giving gifts that meet great needs. In this year’s Bazaar catalog are gifts that will bring smiles, laughter, and hope.
When the Apostle Paul appeared before church leaders he was asked not to forget one critical concern. “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do (Galatians 2:10).”
Since 1992, Oakseed Ministries has assisted ministries that bring the Gospel, in word and deed, to the poorest of the poor in the largest cities of the developing world.
For 14 years Oakseed Ministries has offered this special venue of giving through the Bazaar Catalog. In 2010, over 2,000 gifts were given!
In the catalog you will find effective ministries run by nationals in 12 countries. Through the Bazaar, you can strengthen and equip their hands by meeting material needs. Help a street kid in Brazil, a mom with AIDS in Kenya, or a mentally disabled man in Argentina. These gifts will not only bless your loved ones, but also people in real need living a world away. One family said, “It means so much to us that the gift we receive will benefit another family a hundred times more.”
God’s gift of Jesus meets our most fundamental need. Jesus said, “To whom much is given much more is required.” Give gifts that meet real needs, that offer hope, and that reflect His mercy.
Mosoj Yan, translating “New Way in Quechua”, seeks to educate and minister to girls who live and work on Cochabamba’s streets. Older girls earn their living selling products on the street; younger girls still attend public school in the slums. Abandoned by their families, many have turned to addictions such as glue sniffing, known as “huffing,” or to street drugs. Mosoj Yan provides these young girls a “new way” through counseling, job skill training, and a tutoring center. The Restoration Home teaches girls to live with regular routines of home life as they undergo rehabilitation. Mosoj Yan seeks to rescue girls who have fallen on hard times, many who have young babies, by providing help holistically in physical and spiritual recovery. Ms. Karina Ribera is the executive director.
MY NAME IS CARLOS and I am 11. I have two old brothers and an older sister. Both of my parents work and leave the house with my brothers and sisters before I get up for school. I always wake up because I sleep in the same bed with my brothers. Other than school in the morning, I am alone at home all day. This year my life changed. I was invited to come to a Mosoj Yan care center just a few blocks from my home after school. Here I receive a hot meal and help with my homework. There are lots of other kids to play with. I have also come to know about Jesus from the daily Bible reading.
*An Oakseed Ministries partner since 2000.
Available Gifts:
Nirnay, translated “decision” in Hindi, is a project of the Association of Christian Thoughtfulness. Nirnay promotes Biblical values as the key to social and health reform, for example, controlling the spread of AIDS. Dare to Be Different, Nirnay’s values-based curriculum for health education, is now used in schools, junior colleges, by parents, in the corporate community, and even in the police department. With increasing demand for the curriculum there is constant need for volunteers, training, and the production of curriculum materials [large gift]. Mrs. Shinnie Stevens is the project director.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 2004.
Available Gifts:
Sugandh, translated “Fragrance” in Hindi, has brought the transforming power of the Gospel to the lives of laboring children and families in the slums of New Delhi for 12 years. Sugandh operates a Non-Formal school which serves 50 children, typically with nomadic lifestyles, who otherwise would have no education. They provide a weekly health clinic for the community which offers vaccines for disease prevention. Sugandh assists children who have dropped out of school, and also offers self-help groups and vocational training for women in the community. Mrs. Adilina Chhetri is the new director.
*An Oakseed Ministries partner since 2004.
Available Gifts:
ESAF was founded in 1992 to promote a just and fair society by empowering the poor and the browbeaten. One of ESAF’s primary means of accomplishing their vision is through micro-enterprise development. Poor men and women receive business education, credit, and income generation loans to equip them to set up small businesses. With over 2,000 staff in nine Indian states, ESAF is a growing Christian ministry offering great hope to the poor in India. In addition to economic care, ESAF is committed to improving quality of life through providing medicine and education for children [large gift]. The director is Paul Thomas.
MY NAME IS PRITISH and I love school! I am 10 years old and my family lives in a one room dwelling in a new slum in Nagpur, India. My father is away on the family farm most of the time and my mother sells tomatoes near the market. I try to help my two younger sisters with their schoolwork before the sun goes down. It is hard to read over the kitchen fire. Two months ago our school began participating in a solar light project sponsored by ESA F. After school I pick up a small solar light the size of my fist. This means I can read late into the night, or until my mother tells me to turn out the light. In the morning I bring my solar light back to school to the recharging center. What a difference this makes!
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 2000.
Available Gifts:
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1994.
Available Gifts:
Jagat Ki Jyoti is a fellowship of 16 churches. Members now number over 1,200 and are from predominately Buddhist backgrounds. These members rank amongst the poorest of the poor in Nagpur. Through the “Light of the World Preschool,” a women’s tailoring school/shop, and doorto- door visitation, this fellowship brings hope to people who struggle to survive in this expanding city in central India. In order to continue visitations and fellowship, it is essential for pastors to have transportation [large gift]. Rev. R.M. Thakur is the director.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1996.
Available Gifts:
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1996.
Available Gifts:
City Harvest began in 2000 to equip churches to evangelize and engage in community empowerment projects. Their aim is to alleviate poverty and human suffering in the slums of Nairobi. City Harvest Church was planted in 2003 in the Kibera Slum, the largest settlement housing for the poor in all of Africa. Those living in the slum have no electricity, roads, sewage system, and even live without clean water.
Today, with 200 members, the church has become a base for holistic ministry, serving the body of Christ, especially the poor and vulnerable through programs such as a hairdressing school, a university scholarship program for youth [large gift], and hosting an HIV/AIDS counseling and testing center. As a result of the counseling program, there are now over 100 women meeting weekly in 10 small support groups. City Harvest has also developed an outreach ministry to the Pokot tribe in western Kenya. The director is Rev. Edward Simiyu.
SHE AND HER FAMILY have lived in the Kibera slum for nine years. She had accomplished some schooling but her family needed her to bring home money. She was committed to doing what was right. Prostitution and begging were wrong to her. She saw an advertisement for a 5-month course sponsored by City Harvest at a hair dresser school and decided to join. With eight other young women she has been learning the trade. Three afternoons a week they cut hair for free to practice what they learn in the morning. Her mother comes once a week to get her hair done free. She hopes that when she graduates in two months she can get a job in a beauty shop as others have done. She has a future!
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 2000.
Available Gifts:
Love Link serves families from the slums. Malnourished babies , ages 3 to 18 months, are brought to the center from local hospitals. Many of these infants are near death when they arrive. Love Link provides round-the-clock care for up to 30 babies at a time, nourishing them and eventually restoring them to their families. Julie and Sam Hawkins are the directors.
Available Gifts:
The Kalpana Project trains women who have never been in the workforce to gain jobs in the community. These women have been abandoned by their husbands in the slums of India, left to provide for their children on their own. They receive skill assessment, training, and help with job placement. The women learn to first make high-quality pressedflower cards and gift bags, and then continue into specialized skill training. They receive a meaningful wage and gain a sense of self-worth. Each day is begun with Bible study and prayer.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1994.
Available Gifts:
Kagay-an Reformed Church, of Open Eyes Mission, is a small church with a big vision and heart to bring the love of Christ to the poor of their community. In order to lower overhead and give more to community needs, the church has purchased property and is hard at work building their own church. As their ministry continues to grow and more pastors are needed and trained, Open Eyes’ annual Pastor’s Retreat is a necessary tool [large gift]. Mr. Glen Melo is the director.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 2007.
Available Gifts:
JEAME has for 30 years brought the Gospel to kids living on São Paulo’s streets. It also ministers in the youth prisons (Febém), which house many formerly drugaddicted youth awaiting trial. JEAME’s staff includes many of these former street kids rehabilitated by their programs. A drop-in center, located in the city center, provides a safe haven for these children in dangerous situations, hot meals, showers, and educational instruction. This center is often the first step for many toward a drug rehabilitation program. JEAME has many outreach programs including Bible studies, street evangelism, counseling, music and drama. The staff works tirelessly and greatly look forward to their annual Street Kid Workers Retreat [large gift]. Ms. Suzy Duppong is the director.
“IT IS ONLY A FEW blocks from our drop in center where young people gather after 7PM to do their drugs. We call that area ‘crack-o-landia’, said Vigilio, one of the senior JEA ME staff. A team of 4-8 staff and volunteers gather for prayer before journeying out in the dark to mingle among the crowd to share the love of Jesus. Often a voice cries out from the shadows as they are recognized by young men that have talked with in prison. It is in the building of relationships where the first step is taken out of the hopelessness of the drug world. Rescue does not happen quickly, but it does happen. Many of the volunteers go out with the teams to share the story of their own rescue one dark night.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1994.
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Lilies of the Valley has helped over 3,000 women struggling with drug and alcohol addiction since 1992 through their resident care program. Now in larger facilities, they are able to serve 150 women each year. The residents have their days filled with Bible study, craft projects, and sewing. The women have the opportunity to sell their crafts to make a small income. Once a year, the staff takes the women to the local market to select a new dress. This is a very special day for the residents! In order to continue to serve these women, cooking equipment [large gift] and new beds [large gift] will be needed this year. Lourdes Maria de Silva is the director.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1994.
Available Gifts:
Teaching youth about baseball in order to reach them with the Gospel is at the heart of the Baseball Foundation. One hundred and fifty youth from various favelas (slums) attend a weekly Bible study and baseball skill training. Few of these children can afford a Bible or equipment, so your gifts are much appreciated. The staff needs transportation in order to bring the youth to training and return them home [large gift]. Agnaldo da Silva Verissimo is the program director.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 2002.
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SACDEM ministers to those marginalized in two segments of society: the mentally ill who are institutionalized, and men and women in the 32 Federal prisons. The staff serves patients at the Borda Hospital in Buenos Aires, a mental hospital, and at the adjacent prison for the criminally insane. They lead a weekly Bible study for the men, organize an annual Christmas party, and plan all-day retreats [large gift] to share God’s love with the patients. SACDEM also cares for children of female prisoners by asking Christian families to care for children over the age of 4 who, by law, can no longer live with their mothers in prison. SACDEM also partners with churches to minister to federal prisoners in their local federal prison. The directors are Daniel and Marie Elena Ruffinatti.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 1998.
Available Gifts:
MISIUR serves Peru’s destitute youth. Currently it has three projects: CEDIN San Genaro (Lima) serves 80 children, CEDIN Niño Jesús de Ayaví (ICA) serves 50 children, and a new project CEDIN Socosccocha (Huanta-Ayacucho). These projects provide children with an education, spiritual and nutritional counseling, psychological support, and teaches them to support themselves. Field trips and food help accomplish their mission. Mr. Roger Araujo is the director.
*Oakseed Ministries has been a partner since 2000.
Available Gifts:
IHA-UDP addresses root causes of poverty and the interrelated needs of the urban poor by focusing on three areas: Community Development: schools and literacy programs for youth and the elderly; Physical Upgrading: repairing and building houses, latrines, schools, libraries, and community centers; Health Programs: prenatal care, vaccination, health education, clean water, AIDS, and sanitation. Dr. Jember Teferra is the director.
*Oakseed Ministries partner since 2001.
Available Gifts:
In 2009 Project Hope merged with Children’s Ark ministry with their orphanage. They continue to provide a haven of peace for the street children of St. Petersburg. Staff and volunteers reach out to children at risk on the streets, in prisons, and in public schools. They provide them with three meals a day, counseling, vocational training, medical help, and more. Month-long summer camps give the youth a rare opportunity to get away from the city while providing education, nutrition, shelter, and love. Most important, Children’s Ark introduces these children to the love of Jesus and the hope found in the Word of God. Jack Kerps is the director.
*In 1997 Oakseed Ministries sent a team for 10 weeks to train lay leaders to work with street kids.
Available Gifts:
Just outside the city special-needs kids are being cared for around the clock by a team of volunteers and staff. Living Tree was established in 2002 with five abandoned children with severe cerebral palsy. A workshop builds special toys for these children. Many of these children will be placed in foster homes. Your gifts will help make a big difference in the lives of these needy children. Ms. Tina Kou is the founder and director.
*Oakseed first visited Living Tree in 2005.
Available Gifts:
Mustard Seed Orphanage, Ebenezer House, and Hosanna House care for over 190 orphaned children and many widows. They provide food, housing, education, spiritual nourishment, and medical care. Keeping livestock and growing their own food is crucial to feeding those in their care. This year they are planning to add another rice field [large gift], fruit trees for each orphanage, and with a harvesting machine [large gift] increase rice production. Proper medicine and mosquito netting are necessary for preventing disease in the children. In order to meet the needs of his congregation, the pastor in Myanmar is currently waiting for transportation [large gift].
SHE ASKED IF SHE could dance and sing for us as a way to tell her story. She didn’t know how old she was or where she was born. Staff said she was well into her 80’s. She had come six years ago to live and help in the orphanage. A widower who no longer had family who could care for her; she loved to sing hymns about Jesus in her native dialect. Her dance was one of grace and peace that showed her deep love for Jesus. Her life was a gift to these orphaned children.
*Oakseed Ministries supports Mustard Seed but is not currently a ministry partner.
Available Gifts:
A street kid from St. Petersburg, Russia will be able to attend a month long Christian camp. This is a rare opportunity to get out of the city and have great food, great fun, and build great friendships. [75 gifts needed]
Lilies of the Valley is in need of new pots and pans and cutlery for their kitchen.
This gift will increase the ability of Mustard Seed to feed their growing number of children. In the field they will grow not only rice but many other vegetables. [10 gifts needed]
Oakseed Ministry has a new office. This gift will provide media equipment to enhance media production in the new conference room.
This gift will fund staff and materials for value-based educatin in the public schools of Mumbai. [5 gifts needed]
This gift will be greatly appreciated by the women of Lilies of the Valley. It will replace the old mattresses and bedding.
An all day retreat which includes an all-you-can-eat barbeque, recreation, and a worship service is a highlight for men at the Borda Psychiatric Hospital. The SACDEM staff and a dozen volunteers from local churches make this a special day of ministry for men with great needs. Half of the cost is for a bus rental and the rest covers the food.
This gift will help build a community center that will serve as a school and medical post for a remote village that has no school or medical services.
This gift will help fund a 4 day training retreat for pastors and lay leaders in the southern Philippines.
Many young people from the slums who have been part of Ashirvad Kanti/City Harvest Mission and have done very well in public schools are qualified and desire to go to the university. They have been mentored over many years. But they come from very poor families who have no money for higher education. This gift will make it possible to attend the university or a nursing school for one year.
Each year Oakseed Ministries sponsors an essay contest for youth on a topic related to a problem children face around the world. Young people from around the world participate in the contest through the internet. Your gift will provide the funds to support the award prize for the best essays.[4 gifts needed]
This gift of a motorbike will enable a pastor in India and Myanmar, to significantly expand his ministry outreach. The cost of a motorbike is far beyond what a pastor could afford.
A round-trip ticket to India will enable the Oakseed staff to personally visit and encourage the 13 different ministry partners throughout India.
With the increasing size of the rice fields, manual labor takes six weeks to bring in the harvest.This machine will cut the time in half.
Fifteen staff and volunteers work long hours in a high-stress environment ministering to kids on the streets and in prison. Your gift will cover the cost of a 3-4 day retreat for the staff and their families. This is an annual staff event of healing and renewal.[1 gift needed]
The cost of the Bazaar catalog layout and design, printing, and distribution are all covered in this gift. With this gift the full amount of all other gifts can be given to the ministry without a deduction for administrative costs.
Oakseed Ministries International is committed to minimizing overhead expenses. A “Where Most Needed” gift helps cover the basic cost of office rent, administration, and visits to partners and projects. Gifts designated toward catalog expenses [page 27] make it possible to forward 100% of Bazaar funds to the designated ministries. The annual cost to produces the catalog (including design, printing, administrative costs and gift cards) is about $9000. Gifts to offset these expenses are a valuable contribution to the overall ministry of the Bazaar.
This year Dr. Bradley will be taking a trip to India to visit our partners and bring encouragement and training [large gift]. A dinner for three is an opportunity for the Oakseed’s president, during a project visit, to take a ministry director and spouse to a nice restaurant for dinner.
We are pleased to announce Oakseed has a new office! So for our new conference room, Oakseed is in need of media equipment to host meetings and give presentations [large gift].
Our essay competition is a vital part of our year, teaching youth to research global issues and go about bringing change. We reward the youth with the most moving essays with college scholarship [large gift].
Available Gifts: