It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Greetings to you our dear friends and family!  It is hard to believe that it is Christmas again!  Where does the time go?  We hope this post finds you well and that the true meaning of Christmas will be celebrated in full!

We come to you to give you an update and to consider giving a year end gift towards the projects that we have going on in Nigeria.

We will start off with Late Jude's family...as a recap for those of you just jumping into our story...this is Barnabas' brother who passed away four years ago due to inadequate healthcare.  The initial cause was a tooth infection.  He has left behind his wife, Chinyere, and four children.  Through your past giving we have been able to help these children to go to school and to have their basic medical and nutritional needs met.  Thank you!!!!

As most of you know who have followed this blog last year, you would know all about Rose.  Rose passed about 10 months ago.  She suffered from a tumor in her spine.  We raised the funds to help her get surgery but her heart was too weak to sustain any more trauma.  Rose leaves behind her two boys and her husband.  As of now, Barnabas' mother is caring for the boys and making sure that they are being cared for.  The father is working on finding steady work and doing his best.  We have been doing our best to also help provide for the needs of these boys.

We would like to set up a system much like Compassion International where you can sponsor a child.  If you can give monthly towards one child that would be amazing but one time gifts are fine as well.  If you sponsor a child then we will mail you a picture and you can correspond through letter writing with your child.  It would be really amazing!


1.  Name: Chinazom Miriam Chukwuemeka Nwanehiudu
Date of Birth: 21st January, 2004
Position: First child and daughter
Level of Education: Presently in primary six
Religion: Christianity
Nationality: Nigeria, West Africa
Hobbies:Reading and helping in the kitchen
Shoe Size: 36/37 (US size 6)

NB: She is having a good Christian upbringing and education in a school in Lagos, Nigeria. Helping to sponsor her education, feeding, housing and health care will go a long way to help her to be prepared for her future and to be well cared for.  She is currently not living at home with the rest of her siblings as the burden is too great for Chinyere.  Her brother is currently helping her with Chinazom.




2.      Name: Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Nwanehiudu
Date of Birth: 3rd October, 2005
Position: First son and second child
Level of Education: Presently in primary three
Religion: Christianity
Nationality: Nigeria, West Africa
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
Shoe Size: 34/35 (US 3 - 3 1/2)

NB: Having a good Christian upbringing in his hometown in Eastern Nigeria where he is also attending a Christian school. Ike is the eldest boy in the family and is the "man of the house."  Helping to care for his needs will help him to be focused on his future and to not worry about his Momma.

3.      Name: Odinakachi Benedicta Chukwuemeka Nwanehiudu
Date of Birth: 27th June 2007
Position: 3rd child and second daughter
Level of Education: Primary two
Religion: Christianity
Nationality: Nigeria, West Africa
Hobbies: Reading and singing
Shoe size: 33/34 (US 2 1/2-3)

Odinakachi is about the same age as our Nnenna.  The dress that she is wearing was donated by one of you.  She is a sweet and loving girl. She loves to sing just like our Nnenna too!

4.      Name: Chimeremeze Mac-Donald Chukwuemeka Nwanehiudu
Date of Birth: 27th July, 2009
Position: 4th child and second son
Level of Education: Nursery three
Religion: Christianity
Nationality: Nigeria, West Africa
Hobbies: Reading and playing football (soccer)
Shoe size: 31/32 (US 13 - 13 1/2)

How cute is he? This little guy really never got the chance to spend time with his father.  He is in need of a lot of support as the need for that father figure will be needed in his nurturing.

NB: These four children above are having difficult upbringing because their father, Mr Jude Agwuocha, died young on 29th November, 2010 and left them to the care of their mother.





THE BIODATA OF LATE MRS ROSEMARY OGOKE’S KIDS

1.      Name: Chidubem Ogoke
Date of Birth: 27th September, 2002
Position: First son and child
Religion: Christianity
Level of Education: Primary six
Nationality: Nigeria, West Africa
Playing football and helping in the kitchen
Shoe Size: 39/40 (US 8.5 - 9)













2.      Name: Victor Chijindu Ogoke
Date of Birth: 27th Feb; 2005
School: Central school Eziama
Religion: Christianity
Level of Education: Primary four
Nationality: Nigeria, West Africa
Hobbies: Reading and playing football (soccer)
Shoe size: 41/42 (9.5-10)

NB: These two kids above are attending Christian and government schools respectively. They are growing up in a good Christian environment but they are having difficult time growing up since the death of their mother in March of 2014. Your contribution to their sponsorship will add a lot of value to their life as human beings and to help nurture them spiritually as well.  These boys are living without a mother.  They are in great need of clothing and quality education.  They have suffered a great deal and need our love and support.



The information above has been provided by Father Charles Chibuike Agwuocha and Chinyere Agwuocha who are the main people who we count on to help us see that these children are taken care of.
Because of your sponsorship these children will have new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Thank you for your concern and prayers.

Start Sponsoring one of these Children Today!

Your tax-deductible contribution of just $40 a month or a one time gift of $480 connects one of these children living in poverty with a loving, church-based support system. 

Your support provides:

• Food and Clean Water
• Medical Care
• Educational Opportunities
• Important life-skills training

Most important of all, your sponsored child will hear about Jesus Christ and be encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God.

We will continue to update as children are sponsored.  If you are only able to give a smaller amount, that is ok!  We will put together total amounts so that each child is sponsored.  

The total sponsored amount needed is $2880.

To make a tax deductible donation please click on the paypal link labeled Donate.  This link is connected to our partnering organization..Jacobs Well Foundation.  When making your donation please mark in your note the child that you want to sponsor.  If you need to ask any questions or further let us know that you have sent sponsorship you can email us at amanda@jacobswellfoundation.org

The Trip Part 2

Well it has been some time since the return of my husband and daughter from their trip to Nigeria.  Life lately has been at full speed and has hardly provided me a chance to update you on the rest of the trip.  Barnabas and Amara took a domestic flight to the village.  They made it safely which is huge since the track record for aviation safety is not so great in Nigeria.  Amara got to meet her cousins, aunts, uncles and most importantly her grandmother.  This reunion was bittersweet as the hugs from Amara brought joy, but the ones from Barnabas brought the tears.  Amara brought much joy to everyone as she loudly sang with her cousins teaching them all the "Frozen" songs. She played and played and played.  She ate the native food more often than the food I packed for her in the suitcase.  She fit right in.  Barnabas had the opportunity to bond with his family, to follow up on his late brother Jude's children and wife (Chinyere), to work on updating some maintenance on the water well system, to pass out all of the donations that you all gave, and to support the family during this time of loss.  God was faithful.  He allowed the family to have that sweet time together to grieve, love, and heal from so much heartache as they have lost two family members in the last few years.  As their time together wrapped up, Barnabas made sure to bring Amara home looking a little more African.  She definitely got a tan but her hair was too cute for words.  She was a real trooper and traveled like a pro.

As a mommy, I read the Nigerian news every night while they were away.  The news was very daunting. Gods hand of protection surely was upon my family.  Nigeria is currently suffering from major terrorists attacks which heated up just about the same time as this trip.  We made some decisions as to which city to fly into and which mode of transportation they would take from the city to the village.  We considered one option that would have placed Barnabas and Amara directly in the path of the first major event which was a suicide bomber at a bus station in Abuja.  This blast killed over 70 people.  I thank God for his intervention from putting my family near that situation.  Our hearts ache for the girls who have been kidnapped and for the families that are suffering.  When we spent a year living in Nigeria we lived in the northern region and have friends who have been directly impacted by this terror.  We ask you to pray for the safety of the people of Nigeria and that God would protect our family there.  The future is uncertain but we are committed to loving the people and doing all that we are called to do.  I am so thankful my husband and daughter made it home safe and sound and am so thankful that God did great things.  Enjoy a few pictures below.  I will do a separate post on the funeral.

Barnabas and his Mama enjoying a good laugh

Amara and Grandma taking selfies :)

Barnabas' Uncle...he was excited to get a pic!

Family and friends came to greet the family as they paid their respects for Rose

This is where Amara slept.  

Amara and her cousins while in church

Barnabas' Mom, Aunt, Sister, and Uncle

Cousins

Look at Olanna's eyes...so happy to see her daddy

They made it!!

sisters reunited

What a team!

The Trip Part 1

Hey all, just a quick update to let you all know that Barnabas and Amara did in fact go home to see "Grandma."  I have been a little hush hush about location and specifics just for security reasons.  I want to make sure my loved ones return safely to me so I will keep specifics to myself and to private conversations.  But I did want you all to know that Amara is doing great!  She has had an obsession with Grandma for the last few months and has wanted to meet her.  With all of the heartache the family has been through we sensed that taking her would bring a little sunshine to their hearts.  Amara has never traveled on an airplane or even seen Grandma other than through pictures on my facebook.  We were so curious how she was going to adjust to the different culture and climate but Barnabas reports that Amara is doing amazingly well.  We had a few setbacks with her such as the bumpy taxi rides that she has had to endure which ended in a not so nice way of "the BIGGEST throw up ever!!!" according to Barnabas.  She was probably carsick and hot. She also had to take some malaria meds and that also did not agree with her tummy which ended in another episode of throwing up.  We decided to let her enjoy her time there so for now she is unmedicated.  She has lots of bug spray on which will hopefully prevent her from getting any bug bites. They got to spend some time in the city before heading to the village.  There Amara got acquainted with her Auntie and her cousins.  They had birthday cake for one of her cousins birthdays.  Barnabas said if I open a bakery there I would be a millionaire because the cakes there do no justice. Hmm food for thought lol!  After a few days they took a risky domestic flight to the village.  I didn't really sleep much that night as I was tracking their every move.  They arrived safely and are enjoying their time with the family.  Barnabas said that Amara truly, really loves Grandma.  She is smitten with love for her.  How special is that?!  God is so gracious to bring that kind of love into a 3 year olds heart.  I love that!  Amara also has wanted to dig right into the culture asking for local fare of FuFu which is what daddy always makes for the kids and they eat together sitting on the floor where daddy hand feeds them (stew with semolina dough balls kinda like cream of wheat in a mashed potato consistency).  You will have to try it sometime.  Did I mention to you that Grandma doesn't speak English?  Yep and that doesn't even phase Amara.  Again so cool!  Well friends continue to keep them in your prayers.  Pray for protection against malaria mosquitoes, pray for health and wellness, pray for Gods presence to be so evident among them that through this sadness His light will shine among them.

Keep checking back for more updates.

From the Homefront!
Amanda

Oh and one more thing...Daddy said that this time with Amara has been so special.  He said, "I'm falling in love with her all over again!"   Yep, brings me to tears!

Ready to go!

Sisters Hugging Goodbye

Daddy taking Nnenna in to school before leaving.  She was Star Student for the week and brought her modeling pictures in to share with the class.

Mommas love!

On the Plane!

Daddy said she couldn't get enough water!

Cousin time in the city!

Birthday Cake

Just hanging out

Auntie is so cool.  She even jump ropes!

All tuckered out!

Nice bathtub in the hotel!  In the village it will be bucket baths!

Hi Everyone!

Whoa!!! KFC!!! First chain food found in country! You bet they bought a bucket of it!

You all are AWESOME!!!!

Wow!  What an amazing day today has been!  Over and over I am reminded of how important it is to be the body of Christ.  Maybe you are reading this and don't know Jesus.  I want to testify that He is Alive!  It is through experiencing His faithfulness and goodness that I know that He loves us and cares for us even in the midst of our sorrows.

Over the past few months we have been sharing openly our story, Rose's story.  We have asked you for help, for prayers, for support, for advice, for encouragement etc... You all have been utterly amazing!  It is one of the hardest things to do to be on the side of "asking."  It is much more fun to be the "giver!" God has shown us through this experience that this is not about us.  It is not about my feelings, not about my pride, not about my image, not about me in any way.  After getting over that, my husband and I have put ourselves and Rose's story out there. We opened it up so that you could also be a part of the story... and that.you.are!!!!

I have been overjoyed with tears as so many of you have been doing so much for us and more importantly for the children and families in Nigeria.  I am really capturing a picture of what the body of Christ really is and what it ought to be.  No gift is too small.  Some have been the hands that have given, some have been the feet that have literally taken our passports to the Embassy for visas, or walked the stores to find bookbags, some have been the mouth of encouragement, advise, prayer, some have been the mind of wisdom, some have been the heart of love...each gift that you have given and role that you have played has been exactly what it needed to be!  They are all important so for that we say thank you!!!!

God is working!  Rose's body has been released from the hospital and will be prepared for her funeral.  This is a huge answer to prayer as the hospital had Grace upon Rose and our family and has kindly worked with us to remedy her HUGE hospital bill.  God is Alive!

We have also been working on another project looking for a hearing aid for a 5 year old little girl (my niece).  It was a far fetched request to find one in the matter of days but God did it.  We were able to get in touch with an amazing doctor that was recommended by many of you and He graciously donated one which will be picked up tomorrow morning.  I am so thrilled that for the first time this little girl will have a shot at being able to hear and talk and progress in her life. I am also so excited for my sister in law (the mommy) to be graced with this gift. What a gift. Can you imagine how blessed she is going to be that she will now be able to help her little girl. Amazing, just amazing ! This is HUGE!!!! Thank you!  God is surely Alive!

We have asked for donations of bookbags, clothing, school supplies etc....and in the matter of a few days we have more than enough!  Thank you!!! What a blessing it is going to be to give these to the people back home and see how the small things that we have access to on a daily basis will bless their heart and will be useful and helpful to them in so many ways!  Thank you!  God has provided and is truly Alive!

Just a few of the donations that have been given this past week.

Your monetary gifts have also made so many things possible.  We have seen so many of you take part in investing in what we are a part of.  If we were millionaires we would do it ourselves, but God has decided that it is best to allow others to join us in His work!  We appreciate and value you so much.  No gift is too small.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving.  This is what I call IMPACT giving!  It has eternal rewards! Thank you!  God is soooo Alive!

We hope you join us for this ride and see what else God has in store.  We are His mobilizers being obedient to do all that He has asked us to do.  We cannot do it without the rest of the body!  Thank you so much, we truly love and appreciate EACH and EVERY ONE of YOU!!!!

Late Jude's wife and Children. Your gifts have kept food on their table,clothes on their backs, and an education to give them hope for a future!

If you would like to join us in what we do please subscribe to our blog for updates.  If you would like to give towards any of our causes such as Jude's Children's Education, Maintaining the Water Well, or Helping Rose's Children with Education and basic needs please consider giving a donation that is tax deductible. 100% of it goes to these causes!


1. Checks made payable to: "Jacob's Well Foundation" 
(You can attach a sticky note with the name Agwuocha on it to designate your donation) 
Mail checks to:  

Jacob's Well Foundation                         
177 Hausman Road                            
Lenhartsville, PA 19534     

2. Wire Money Transfer 
To wire money into the Jacob's Well account; Account Number:  8033254249 Routing Number: 031207607 Account Holder: Jacob's Well Foundation Bank Name: PNC NA Bank Address: 431 County Road 513, Califon, NJ 07830 

3. Click on the donate button at the top of our blog to give directly through paypal to Jacobs Well Foundation.  The account is set up for just our causes so your donations will go directly towards what we do.

Easter Dessert Menu !!!

Here is my line of Easter/ Spring Delights.  Many of you have been posting pictures of festive cakes on my Facebook page.  The images of these cakes are not all my own but are of the images of cakes that you have asked me to make.  I wanted to show you the line of cakes that I am willing to make for you this Easter  I can also do some of them Gluten Free for an additional charge. I can also do cupcakes or other festive desserts if you have a picture of something that you want to pass my way. I may be adding a few more items to the menu so keep checking back.  Your Easter order will help support our fundraising efforts as a portion of anything anyone ever buys from me ALWAYS goes towards our projects.  This my friends is Baking with a Mission :)  All cakes can be tailored to your specific request of vanilla, chocolate, marble or any other flavor you want.

Please email or private Facebook your orders.  amandaagwuocha@gmail.com   Blessings!!!!

$40

$35

$40 

$25

$40

This is Love

Over the past few weeks many of you have been pouring out your love and support to our family during our time of loss.  We want to thank each and every one of you for your cards in the mail, your texts with words of prayer and encouragement, your offers of a meal, your sweet hugs, and your donations towards Rose and towards helping my husband travel to go be with his family.  

This is Love!

Gods love for us is greater than what we can always understand.  Many times when we go through the valley it is hard to see and feel Gods love.  It is easy to doubt His existence and question why...why God?  Especially when it seems that life often deals crappy cards over and over again.  For those of you who are in the valley, we understand.  It is important in our faith journey to be able to grieve, to question, to feel but we have learned that Gods love is what sees us through, it is what sustains us and is what we know to never fail.  We choose to hold onto Him through this valley and to glorify Him in and through it.

This is Love!

As my husband prepares to travel to be with his family he desires to be close to his mom.  She has suffered great loss of two of her children in the past 5 years and her husband in the last 15 years.  As a mother I cannot even conceive the pain she feels.  My worst nightmare and one that some of you have had to endure would be the loss of your child.  When Barnabas calls home he asks for his mother.  She will tell Barnabas to call her often just so she knows he is near.  She longs for her children.  She longs for him to be near.

This is Love!

Many of you have asked what you can do or how you can help.  As we continue to "Restore Rose" we continue to seek Gods plan and what is next in her story.  The hospital will not release her body until her medical bill is paid.  This has proved to be quite a challenge which we are working through and with currently.  We are hoping the hospital will work with us to help discount her bill.  Please pray for favor and provision.  Barnabas is planning to travel home in the near future. If you are in a position to help we are looking at three projects that are on the table.

1. Raising funds for Rose's medical bill.  

2. Getting Barnabas home and to be able to help with funeral expenses

3. Little gifts or candies for the children.  (I was thinking maybe Easter basket style gifts since Easter is right around the corner)

If you would like to help out financially you can do so by either donating through the donate button which is tax deductible.  Your donations go to Jacobs Well Foundation which is a non profit organization that has been amazing to work with.  They do not take any cut of your donations and give 100% of it towards our projects.  If you prefer not to give online you can mail or wire directly to Jacobs Well. (info at the bottom of this post)

If you are interested in donating for the children you can mail or drop off items to my house.  Please email me at amandaagwuocha@gmail.com for more information.

We covet your prayers most of all and thank you for your support.  

This is Love! 

Barnabas and his Mother

Ma adorning me with her gifts of 3 necklaces

We love her so

This is the first time I had met her.  This is Love!

You can make a donation in these ways: 
1. Checks made payable to: "Jacob's Well Foundation" 
(You can attach a sticky note with the name Agwuocha on it to designate your donation) 
Mail checks to:  
Jacob's Well Foundation                         
177 Hausman Road                            
Lenhartsville, PA 19534     

2. Wire Money Transfer 
To wire money into the Jacob's Well account; Account Number:  8033254249 Routing Number: 031207607 Account Holder: Jacob's Well Foundation Bank Name: PNC NA Bank Address: 431 County Road 513, Califon, NJ 07830 

 

Trying to Make Sense of it All

Beautiful Rose!

So last week we got an update on Rose.  It was basically the same news we had been receiving time after time.  Her breathing and her blood pressure were not regulating.  Each and every day that Rose was in the ICU we were hopeful that she would turn a corner.  Rose had been saying that she was hungry and tired.  We asked the Doctors about her hunger and if they were feeding her.  Apparently her bowels were not functioning properly so they had to take care of that before putting more food into her.  Being here in the States and recently visiting a very close friend of the family in the ICU I know just how fortunate we are to have the health care we have.  People complain and complain and complain about stupid health care here...just be thankful people.  Be thankful for all that you have.  People around the world are seriously suffering without any options.

 It breaks my heart...really breaks my heart to share with you that Rose turned a corner.  Just not the corner we had hoped for.  Rose suffered and fought for her life but is no longer with us today.  My heart breaks and aches and questions so many things.  Just a few years ago we lost my husbands Brother due to an abscessed tooth and now we lose his sister.  This also could have been avoidable had she had access to better health care years ago. The pain that the family has endured these past few years has been unbearable.  Rose leaves behind a husband, who just recently lost his mother whom he has not yet buried, as well as two beautiful boys.  I love those boys as if they were my own and so very badly wish I could just hold them in my arms.

Rose after her surgery with her husband who has been by her
side through her entire stay at the hospital.

We so very much want to thank each and every one of you who have been a part of this journey.  You fought hard with us.  You made it possible with God to do all that we could have possibly done for her.  Thank you!  To have people around us to love and support us and the family means more than you know.  You have made a difference!

Where do we go from here?
Since Rose was in the ICU her medical bills sky rocketed. The original projection came into reality of almost triple the original cost.  Please pray they release her body even if we cannot pay the whole balance.  How can one even fathom being the husband having to deal with all of this.  This family has struggled so much for so many years, if only the hospital could have a little compassion.

Barnabas of course would like to go home to be with his family during this time.  He is in the process of looking into the logistics of that with work.  He really needs to be there to be with his mother who is mourning greatly.

Please friends just keep us all in your prayers.

All our love to you!

Amanda
and the Agwuocha family

This was Rose a few days after surgery

This is Rose last week

* if you would like to make a donation towards any expenses please note the donate button at the top of the page.  all donations will go to Jacobs Well and is tax deductible and will 100% go towards the family.