mark your calendars!

Orphan Relief and Rescue Dinner Fundraiser
Join us for a night of fantastic food, fellowship and fundraising -- all for Liberia's precious orphans!

Host: Elena Pellizzaris

Price: $12.00 per ticket
When: Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Where: Hope of the Nations
134 N. 5th Street Reading, PA
Email: elena@orphanreliefandrescue.org


Please remember that tickets MUST be purchased in advance (email
me for details.) And THANK YOU to Saul Coronado for volunteering
to put on this event! I hope to see you all there!

i hope to see you there!

If you can make it, I'd love to see you at New Covenant Church of God (formerly Ephrata Church of God) in Ephrata, PA, this Saturday evening. Pastor Ted Stricker has agreed to have me come speak about Orphan Relief and Rescue and the amazing work being done in Liberia.
The address is 111 E. Chestnut Street, and the service starts at 6:30 pm. I sure hope to see you there; a familiar face or two is always helpful!
(Also, if you're interested in hosting an event or having me come speak, please get in touch with me and let me know. I'd love to be able to share with you!)

new email address.

After a few days and some help from the technologically savvy, I've finally got my ORR email account set up!

elena@orphanreliefandrescue.org

Yay! =)

wanna help?

As some of you know, Saul Coronado (a man from my church) has volunteered to prepare a dinner for a fundraising event. (More to come on that later ... but be sure to mark your calendars for September 13th!)

Right now, I'm looking for people who would like to volunteer help sell tickets. If you think you'd be able to help me out, please get in touch with me & let me know how many tickets you'll be needing. And THANK YOU in advance!

unexpected blessing!

As I pulled into the parking lot at work this morning, I was greeted by two of the girls in my class at the summer camp. Each was holding a large, bright gift bag and wearing a large, bright smile.
"What's this?" I asked.
"It's for you!" they replied.
Peering in, I saw that the bags were filled (and I mean filled) with things like shampoo, toothpaste, pens, hair elastics, deodorant - all in bulk.
"It's for when you go back to Africa," the older one explained.
My heart skipped a beat. What a wonderful, unexpected blessing!

I want to take the time to thank that family for their love and generosity. The "little" things -- like a bottle of shampoo or tube of toothpaste -- go such a long way. Your giving has blessed me incredibly.
So THANK YOU!

Q & A

Someone asked me the other day what I miss most about Liberia.
My answers are below.
:)

merci! gracias! THANK YOU.

Last night was the benefit concert at Hope of the Nations. Only one word can describe it: INCREDIBLE. How beautiful it was to be able to share my story and the story of what God is doing in Liberia, in the lives of those precious children that live there. I am immeasurably blessed to have had that opportunity.

Thank you so very much to all of you who came out & showed your love and support. And thankyouthankyouTHANKYOU to everyone who helped put this whole thing together! I've said it a million times, but it's true - there's no way I can do any of this without you. Thank you, Jewels, for birthing this event - love you times a million! Thank you to those who decorated (Mary, you're awesome!) Thank you to everyone who baked all the yummy desserts (and thank you, Cordie, for taking care of planning that!) Thank you, Callowhill Cafe, for donating the coffee. Thank you, Al & Donny, for doing the sound and A/V. Thank you, Bala and Laly, for being my creative geniuses. :) And thank you, Gustavo and Twila, for being not only my pastors but my dear, precious friends. Thank you for supporting and encouraging me. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for caring about the things that make my heart cry.

And finally, thank you so incredibly much to everyone who gave. The offering last night totaled over $1,500! (And that's not even counting any proceeds from Jewels' merchandise or donations from my monthly sponsors.) God is so amazingly faithful! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that last night was just the beginning of something special in my life, in the life of my church (just like you said, Twila!) and in the lives of all of you who have joined me on this journey.

Much, much love to each and every one of you.
xo