ALIGN INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER
We're excited to share with you plans for our Virtual Fundraiser! The primary goal this year is to raise monies to fund post-secondary school scholarships for seven qualified candidates under our Scholarship Program.
This year's event will be held from October 18 through October 25. We will be sharing stories of past and current scholarship recipients as well as introducing the candidates for 2021. We will also be having a silent auction throughout the duration of the event. For those who are able and willing, we could use your assistance. First, you can provide items for the silent auction. We are seeking donations such as: vacation homes, tee-times, hotel stays, jewelry, restaurant and other gift cards, beauty/grooming supplies, etc. For you wine and drink connoisseurs, we welcome any high-end wines or other potent potables you would like to provide to our Beverage Cooler. To donate, please contact Lynda Osbrink at lyndaosbrink@gmail.com. Second, you can make a donation directly toward our Scholarship Program. The amount needed to cover the entire education of one candidate is approximately $4,100. To contribute now, click here; ENTER the amount you wish to donate; select "GIVE ONCE" or "GIVE MONTHLY"; on the drop down menu, select "SCHOLARSHIP"; then complete your payment with PayPal. You can also send a check to: Align International, 27525 Puerta Real, Suite 300 #426, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. Be sure to put "SCHOLARSHIP" in the memo line of your check. * Please note any amount raised above the amount needed will be put toward our “Area of Greatest Need” unless specified otherwise.
STAY TUNED - more to come!
HUGE WEEBALE!
Child Sponsorship Campaign WOW! We asked, and you answered: You sponsored over thirty children through our Life with Hope and Ewange Programs during our Sponsorship Campaign last month. AND four of these were made by new sponsors!
Kato Lameka is now fully sponsored!
COVID-19 Hunger Relief The donations you made in May have helped once again to provide food to the communities we serve in August. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the fund. This is truly providing a lifeline to the least of these in Uganda!
We send a HUGE WEEBALE ("Thank You" in Lugandan) to each of you. Way to go Team Align!!
INTRODUCING OUR NEW CEO
Dear Align Friends & Family,
It is our great joy and privilege to announce that Erica Estrella has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Align Ministries/Align International. Passing the baton to somebody who has great love for the Lord, the ministry, those we serve and especially the kids in Bombo, Uganda has been a matter of prayer for us. Erica more than fits description for the person we have been seeking. As a matter of fact, we have been in prayer and talking with Erica about this transition for a couple of years now.
We know Erica has the leadership skills to take Align to the next level. It is with joy and excitement that we make this formal announcement and ask that you please welcome Erica in her new position.
God Bless,
Don & Elaine Herr
Align Ministries/Align International Founders
I am honored by the trust that the Herrs and the Board of Directors have placed in me to lead the ministry, and am grateful for the opportunity to serve those Align cares for in an even greater capacity. When I began volunteering for Align in 2013, I was filled with immediate compassion for the children we were serving in Uganda. It wasn’t until my first trip, however, that I began to understand where that compassion would lead me. As a mother of two, my heart broke for the countless children I saw roaming around alone, hungry, thirsty, and partially clothed. Most would stare from a distance; the brave ones timidly approached from what seemed to be an eagerness for comfort and care. It was obvious they were deprived of food, but seemed even hungrier for kindness and attention. As I cried out to God for help, He put four words in my heart: love them, trust me.
I am excited for this next chapter with Align, and look forward to partnering with you to love and care for the people God has called us to serve. May we glorify Him together as we use our gifts for His good purpose.
In Him,
Erica Estrella
Align Ministries/Align International CEO
Erica Estrella, our new CEO, with her husband Brandon, and children Degan and Ava
WHAT'S HAPPENING
IN UGANDA COVID-19
Uganda is seeing a much larger number of citizens testing positive daily for COVID-19; the death rate is also increasing. As of yesterday, over 4,300 people have tested positive, and close to 50 people have died. In the meanwhile, Ugandans are getting frustrated and restless living with the restrictions. According to the Washington Post, religious institutions throughout Africa are growing weary of being prevented from meeting as congregations. There are rumors that schools may partially reopen sometime this month - Donela Schools are already preparing to change their protocols to include COVID-19 safety protocols.
LOCUSTS
Millie Ojera received a report from a friend that locust swarms have invaded a couple of the Ugandan border areas in the North. The report goes on to describe the risk: "Desert Locusts’ eggs have strong nutshells that prevent them from being damaged, and the reason the eggs can stay in the ground for as long as 10 years, and yet as soon as the circumstances are favorable, they will hatch, producing millions of nymphs or hoppers. The hoppers pose the biggest threat to crops and vegetation, considering that they are the most dangerous as they have high need for food. These new outbreaks will adversely affect crops, vegetation, and livelihood options for the communities in the host districts, but also many others." We appreciate your continued prayers, and will keep you updated.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
Millie Ojera recently emailed us the following news: On Friday last week (August 28), Alex and I were driving home - a boda boda (small motorbike) with four young men on it knocked the rear end and side of our car. The force of the bang flew them across the road where an oncoming vehicle drove right into them. One died on the spot, another two died in our car as we were rushing them to hospital, and we left the one other admitted to the hospital with broken legs. I have never seen so much blood, so much pain, and such deep tragedy all at once!! We were shaken, saddened, and traumatized. Plus fearful that we would be falsely accused for the deaths. Thank God the crowd that gathered and witnessed the accident was able to confirm that the deaths were no fault of ours. The police let us off the hook without a fuss...we're overcoming the trauma now, thanks to God.
* PRAISE God that Alex and Millie were not injured!
* PRAISE Him for his divine protection, that they have not been charged with any crime in this
horrible event.
* PRAY that God continues to protect them in the fallout from the incident. It is common for
townspeople in Africa to take revenge on the people who are believed responsible in car accidents. Alex & Millie have heard rumors that locals did attempt to set them and their vehicle on fire at the scene of the accident, but were stopped by other community members.
* PRAY that Alex, Millie and the entire community of Bombo heal from this incident.
Tax-deductible gifts can be made in two ways:
Send a check by mail to the address at the bottom of the email.
Visit aligninternational.net/donate.
Align International is a California non-profit corporation registered by the IRS under Internal Revenue Code 501c3. All gifts and donations are tax deductible as allowable by law.