Back to the Future at Shepherd Hood Ministries

There are rock stars in Kenya and some of the stars are like the ones we look at above our heads at night and wonder how they got there. One of those supernovas is Pastor Simon Muvengei.  Or as we call him; “The Miracle in Mwingi”. I first met Simon by God’s invitation in August of 2011. […]

PUSHING UP the KINGDOM

When it comes to sheer will, and confidence on achieving goals, no one can argue that Miranda Stacy Burcham has what it takes. Miranda was accomplishing miracles long before her connection to Orchid, but adding our vision to her heart was a match made in heaven. Miranda has been serving the forgotten for a long […]

New Youth Center Planned at Shepherd Hood Ministries

  It is still a dream but now there are Angels in the architecture for this Youth Center in Mwingi Kenya. Pastor Simon Muvengei and Orchid are committed to get the funding necessary to build a facility like the one pictured and deliver a much needed brick and mortar sanctuary for the youth of this […]

Transparent and En”lightening” News from Path of the Heart Peru; June 2014

At Orchid it’s about being transparent and enlightened That’s why we work so hard to bring you updates from the field as often as we can. Our mission in Peru; Path of the Heart, sent us this grant report and these photo’s to let our advocates know their investments are finding their way to the […]

The Gift that keeps on giving….

One of my favorite movies is called Christmas Vacation, starring Chevy Chase.   In this holiday hit, a very dysfuncational family attempts to host the “perfect” Christmas, only to have all of the plans fall part and mayhem almost ruin this joyous celebration.  Near the end of the movie, the main character, Clark Griswold is […]

Giving Tuesday

  If you are an American you certainly are aware of “Black Friday” and perhaps now “Cyber Monday”. Both of these days focus around one thing in particular….spending money on material purchases.  The masses will literally line up for hours before store openings on the Friday after Thanksgiving, while online companies offer massive discounts to […]

A Thankful Heart

I am an American who loves to celebrate holidays.  It was not until I moved to France until I realized how much I appreciate a few specific celebrations. Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that officially is not celebrated as a day off here in France.  In fact, on November 28 while Americans back in […]

Putting the Pieces Back Together Again

  I am a new parent with two young boys.  They are just now enjoying books and nursery rhymes and the other day I read to them the classic “Humpty Dumpty”.  For those of you unfamiliar with the children’s poem, it reads as follows: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great […]

Got Equity?

You are probably thinking, “I would sure like more equity!” Throughout the years I have been advised by family and friends to make investments to help establish my personal equity.  Unfortunatey (or fortunatly depending on your perspective) my wife and I have not been able to own a home. It has always been our goal […]

A ray of hope

Over the past two weeks my family and I have been in New Hampshire at a lake cottage that my grandfather helped build over 60 years ago. This place holds many memories of my childhood and I feel fortunate that I can now bring my two boys to the same place I spent my summers. […]