Quick Update

Hello Friends!  Christmas is quickly around the corner.  Hard to believe.  I have been baking up a storm and have been enjoying the many cold snowy days which give me permission to stay nice and snuggled in our home and teach my girls how to make cookies and wrap presents.  With all of this going on we do not want to lose sight of where our heart is.  Many of you have been following the journey of Restoring Rose.  We started with someone who was very sick and was progressively becoming more and more paralyzed.  Then we, through your support, where able to connect with a doctor in Nigeria who could help guide us to what was wrong.  Through your generous giving we were then able to get her an MRI which then uncovered exactly what Rose had been suffering with for the last 8 or so years, a tumor in her spine.  Next we started to look towards surgery and what it would take for her to get that done.  We were then overwhelmed with the amount of money that needed to be raised, $10,000.  Many of you offered suggestions and prayer and all of that was very instrumental in helping us to move in the right direction.  We have been able to partner with a Non Profit, Jacobs Well Foundation, in helping to help Restore Rose and recieved tax deductable donations.  God has truly been so faithful.  We have recieved many pledges and are hopeful that we will reach and exceed this goal.  The plan as of now is to proceed with surgery in early January.  We wanted it to be in December before Christmas but we believe the Lord has His perfect timing so hopefully early January it will be.  We need you to keep us and Rose in your prayers.  Pray that she can hang in there a few more weeks.  Pray that we financially reach our goal and are also able to reach the other existing goals set in place for the fundraising that we do anually for my sister in law and her children whose father, my husbands brother, left this earth a little too early.  We have now taken on these precious children as if they were our own and will do all that we can to help provide for their basic and spiritual needs.  For now this is what is happening and we want to thank you for your love and support.  Please do not stop praying!  Prayers is what we need the most right now!

All our love,
Barnabas and Amanda

Year End Tax Deductable Giving!

An Opportunity for a REAL GIFT GIVING OPPORTUNITY

We fortunately have been able to partner up with a nonprofit organization, Jacob’s Well Foundation.   Through this organization we are able to receive your financial gifts that 100% benefit our projects while also benefiting you with a tax deduction.

Some projects that are on the table which are also outlined on the blog with several updates are:

Restoring Rose: Of most URGENT NEED! Restoring Rose is our most urgent project which involves my sister Rose who is suffering from a tumor in her spine which has left her to progressively become paralyzed. She has been given less than a year to live if left untreated.  Our prayer is to raise $8500 in addition to the $2500 that we have already raised to help fund her surgery and recovery.   This situation is critical and is in need of your urgent attention and prayer.

Chinyere and Children of Late Jude: Chinyere was left behind 2 years ago by her beloved husband Jude. He is also my husbands brother who was very instrumental to us and the family in taking care of family matters.  He has left behind 4 young children.  My husband and I have vowed to take care of them and to make sure they have the essentials needed in life. Your giving goes towards their Educational, Medical, and Nutritional Needs.  Many of you have pledge to give yearly towards this project.  At the start of the year tuition for the children will be due.  Your giving will help us to stay on track with this. Amount Needed: $5200

Barnabas Well Project: Maintenance.  Last year we were able to restore the well and to get it working but unfortunately the tank that holds the water has gone bad and is in need of replacement. This was a result of the tank sitting dry for so long in the African heat.  We have tried patching the holes but the tank is still cracking and leaking water.   Amount needed: $2000

Any and all donations will go towards these projects. (you can specify a project if you desire)

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

3.      Online Giving is available on our blog at www.agwuochafamily.blogspot.com Click on the Donate button.  You will need to have a PayPal account or set one up to be able to use this option.  Once you are signed in with PayPal, you will have the option to leave us a note to designate your donation towards one of these benevolent causes.

Jacob’s Well Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to provide support for the families of terminally ill or recently deceased providers.  The organization was begun in 2006 in response to the needs of a family of eight children who were losing their father to malignant melanoma.  Since then JWF has continued to provide support for this family as well as a number of other deserving and needy families.  Our administrative needs and expenses are met by volunteers allowing us to send one hundred percent of donations to the supported families.  As a 501(c)(3) organization we provide year end donation receipts for tax purposes.

Gratefully Yours,

The Agwuocha’s

Amanda's Sweets Holiday Dessert Menu

Amanda’s Sweets 

Holiday Menu

Cheesecakes: $35

  Cherry                 Brownie Chocolate Chip                 Christmas Strawberry Swirl

Cakes: $40  

• My Famous Almond Raspberry Hoho Cake  (can be made gluten free $10+)   
• My Famous Reece’s Peanut Butter Cake (Can be made gluten free $10+)

• Cupcake Wreath: Chocolate, Vanilla, Red Velvet, FunFetti

Cupcakes:  $24 per dozen  Flavors: coconut cream, raspberry, chocolate peanut butter, hoho,  pumpkin pie, red velvet, carrot or most any flavor you want.

Tiramisu: $45

Breads:

Cranberry Eggnog Loaf: $15                

 Nut Roll: $18

Bar Cookies:

Christmas Tree Brownies : $12 per dozen       

 Red Velvet Peppermint Brownies: $15 per dozen

 

             

 

 Peppermint Crumble Bars: $12 per dozen

Chocolates:  These make great  gifts!  They can be packaged in decorative containers with holiday ribbon upon request.

Gourmet Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods: 8 per decorative container $15

 

                                                                           

Chocolate Peppermint  Bark: $ 12 per decorative package

 

Cookie Trays Cookie tray includes several varieties of your most favorite holiday cookies!

Small — 9" tray (3 dozen cookies, serves 18-24 people): $30

Medium — 12" tray (6 dozen cookies, serves 30-45 people): $50

Large — 16" tray (9 dozen cookies, serves 50-75 people): $70 

        

To place an order please email, facebook message or text me.

amandaagwuocha@gmail.com

412.312.0341

All payments can be made by cash or check made out to Amanda Agwuocha

Orders must be picked up at my house at 

(address provided through order confirmation)

If you need delivery an additional fee of $10 will be charged

Happy Holidays!!!

As always a portion of proceeds goes to benefit our yearly projects in Africa more info on our blog at www.agwuochafamily.blogger.com

Restoring Rose Time is Drawing Near

                                                                                                                                November 30, 2013

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you today, one for a status update on Chinyere, my late brother Jude's wife, and another for a new development of need. This is pretty urgent and requires your prayers and thought and listening to God even if you are unable to give.

We want to thank you all who have remained committed to helping assist the children that were just left behind in the passing of my brother. Your contribution and help has helped them to stay in school. It has helped provide them food, clothing and medical assistance.

Last year we spent 5,200 USD towards the above mentioned need categories. As the end of year approaches, we want to thank you for your ongoing giving and encourage you to continue to fulfill your pledges towards this project.

Urgent Need for Rose:

Many of you have been following the recent updates on Rose. There are three types of expected miracles for Rose: 1 is finally diagnosing her condition, 2 is raising the needed money to treat the condition, and 3 success in the procedure needed for her restoration.

After over 8 yrs of her suffering, we have finally realized what Rose has been suffering from. She has a tumor in her spine between c5 and c7. She needs a surgery as soon as possible. We are thankful for Dr. Camazine, an American doctor, who two months ago finally diagnosed Rose after almost 10 years of back and forth from the local clinic. The sad story on Rose is that her condition has deteriorated. We have to take advantage of the time we have to help restore Rose. She’s pretty much paralyzed and can neither use any of hands. Nor can she walk. The pictures below will tell the whole story. The tumor is in a very delicate place (the spine), yes, but the worst of the situation is the late diagnoses due to lack of normal medical care and in-experienced doctors.

During the time of this picture, the tumor was gradually growing inside Rose’s body. She was not walking normal. They said she had a stroke, but that was not the case.

Psalm 119:153 “Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law”

When I look at my sister, I wonder how many people die in Nigeria because of conditions that would otherwise be simple in other countries. The truth is there are thousands of such cases. Had it not happen so close to me, I would not know.  As you know I have already lost a brother (Jude Agwuocha) due to an abscessed tooth. Could the Lord be trying to use my family to raise the awareness of this sad and unnecessary suffering? I would like to know. Meanwhile, I have no enemies. But if I did, I would not wish this kind of suffering on my worst enemy. This is nothing short of hell in its mild form.

As I said earlier, Rose needs 3 different stages of miracles to realize her restoration in a very short period of time.

Miracle #1

What you are looking at is the tumor that is taking over a huge portion of Rose’s spinal cord. It has been 8 years in the making, and must be a benign type. Even the doctors say that if we had caught this about two years ago, that Rose will be walking today.

Miracle# 2

The reason I said that life in Nigeria for the most part is the closest any one can get to a “mild hell” is that this situation could have been resolved, but it is almost impossible when healthcare is set at a huge price that only the rich can reach, like it is in everything else. In fact, there is no place for the poor in the Nigerian healthcare system. To add salt to the injury, if you are sick and uneducated, you might as well prepare to meet your Savior.

The cost to do the surgery is about $10,000 USD. That is true. I have spoken to the doctors myself, and they won’t even begin the surgery unless we have 75% of that cost. Will we realize this second miracle in enough time? The doctors also said to me that if we do not do the surgery between 6 months and 1 year, she will most likely die.

Miracle# 3

Successful surgery procedure: The fear that technology is still in its most remote state in Nigeria worries me, but given the time and other constraints, we have no other choice but to have this surgery in Nigeria. However, we need your most fervent prayer during the surgery. I believe miracles still happen and will in her case by God’s grace.  The verse that gives me confidence in this is Phil 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” Rose needs your prayers. Please pray for God’s grace and wisdom on the doctors and for God himself to do the surgery through the doctors.

What the $10,000 covers:

It will cover the operation, physical therapy and hospital stay at the hospital. Two months ago we started to do a fundraiser after Dr. Camazine diagnosed Rose with a tumor. The fundraiser focused  on the MRI diagnosis. It was estimated at $2,000, but we managed get the MRI done for the price of $1,000. We raised $2,500 through Paypal and Facebook from our friends. At this point, we have $1,500 left from the last MRI fund raiser. With this $1,500, we have $8,500 to go. Can you help Rose?

Matt 5:16: ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth”

How to realize the second miracle: Jacobs Well Foundation, a nonprofit which has partnered with us, is the available vehicle.

   
We have partnered with Jacobs Well Foundation to raise these funds for a tax-deductible contribution for restoring Rose. Please help us realize the second miracle by sending your tax deductible contribution to Jacob’s Well Foundation.

You can make a tax deductable donation in these ways:

By Check:

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.      Online Donation

Available on our Blog:  www.agwuochafamily.blogspot.com click on Donate Button on the right side of the screen.  You will need to have a Paypal account or set one up easily to be able to donate online. 

Jacob’s Well Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to provide support for the families of terminally ill or recently deceased providers.  The organization was begun in 2006 in response to the needs of a family of eight children who were losing their father to malignant melanoma.  Since then JWF has continued to provide support for this family as well as a number of other deserving and needy families.  Our administrative needs and expenses are met by volunteers allowing us to send one hundred percent of donations to the supported families.  As a 501(c)(3) organization we provide year end donation receipts for tax purposes.

Gratefully Yours,

The Agwuocha’s 

Chinyere and Children Sept. 2013 Update

Update from Chinyere 

Hi! Amanda,

     Compliments! How is your family? I hope they are doing fine. My regards  to them and your friends. I fell so delighted to send this few words of mine to you. You and your friends Jacob’s Well Foundation has been doing a great work in late Jude Agwuocha’s family. My greetings to you all.

     Now for my children they are on vocation now.  Chinazom Mirian Nwanehiudu is my first child and my first daughter. She is 9 years old. She will be in primary (5) five by the next academic session.

     Ikechukwu Emmanuel  Nwanehiudu  is my second child and my first son. He is 7 years old. He will be in primary (2) two by the next academic session.

   Thirdly, Odinakachi Benedicta Nwanehiudu is my third child and my  second daughter. She is (6) six years old. She will be in Primary (1) One by the next academic session.

   Chimeremeze Mac-Donald is my last child and my second son. He is (4) four years old. He will be in nursery (3) three by the next academic session. They are all doing well in their studies. I’m praying to God Almighty to continue to shower His Wisdom on them.

     The next academic session will start by September 9^th 2013.

Finally, I thank God Almighty for the job I’m managing for now. I must thank you and your friends for your great support to this family. I am overwhelmed. May the good Lord who started this work in continue to shower His blessings to you all. Thanks May all remain blessed.

Mmmm Pies

Did you know that a $100 donation towards our Thanksgiving Project: Restoring Rose qualified you for a free pie from Amanda's Sweets?  This very pie below is going to one of those recipients.  It blesses me to bake for a purpose.  We are still in need of a miracle for Rose.  Please consider making a donation.  Our online goal was 2k but now with the surgery at hand we are in need of about 6k more.  Ah ya...we need a miracle. Please consider giving today!  https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/2dJnc/ab/42BeK1

Like many of you, I am sure your home is smelling sweet with the wonderful baked goods that come with the holiday season.  If not, come on over!  My house has a 24/7 sweet smell of baked goods because this kitchen is nearly never closed!  I don't mind.  Last night I clocked about 4 hrs of sleep.  It just comes with the holiday baking season.  I wanted to share something with you that I don't really ever do. I want to share my pumpkin pie recipe.  Now for those of you out there that are always telling me that your crusts don't turn out pretty, don't stress... I've got a few secrets up my sleeve.

Pumpkin Pie is really a pretty easy pie to make.

Ingredients:
1/8 tsp. cloves
3/4 cup of sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 eggs
1 15 oz can of 100% pumpkin (sometimes I use my own pumpkin puree from my very own pumpkins)
1 can of evaporated milk
One pie crust (store bought or homemade)

Baking Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

Mix dry ingredients together in a small bowl.  Set aside
Beat in your mixer the 2 eggs then add the pumpkin. Gradually add your dry ingredients. Slowly mix in your evaporated milk and mix on low or stir until fully incorporated.

Pour into your pie shell.

Here are a few tricks I have to making your pie crusts look pretty:
 Make a double batch of pie crust so that you have plenty of dough to work with.  I hate it when my crust is uneven all around and looks lopsided.  Now one thing I love and I believe it was before Martha Stewart came up with the fabulous idea because I've been doing it long before I heard her chime in about it, is to use festive cookie cutters to cut out pie dough to  line around the edge of my pie.  This way you don't have to worry about how your crust looks because the cookie cutter shapes cover it anyway and it always looks so pretty.

To apply the shapes to the crust use a basting brush and one egg white.  Whisk the egg whites for a few seconds with a fork and then brush your pie crust with the egg whites and then again on your shapes and gently press the shapes onto the edge of your crust.

Bake at 425 for 15 minutes and then reduce temperature to 350 and bake for 40-50 minutes or until it looks cooked.  I know this by shaking my pan a little bit and it doesn't look like liquid still in the center.  Some recipes will tell you to place a knife in the center and if it comes out clean then it is done...but to me that ruins the whole look so I don't follow that one step. Cool for a few hours and then refrigerate until ready to eat.  And of course don't forget the Whipped Cream!

Voila!  You've got Pumpkin Pie!

Happy Baking!

MRI Images and the Gift of a Rose

Dear Friends,

Some progress is being made.  We have a few images of the MRI. We are hoping to get more but the internet is slow there so it takes a long time to load the images.  I have 5 now 11 of the 86 images.  We also have a few friends of ours who are willing to send these images on to neurosurgeons and will give us a second opinion.  I don't really have any experience in reading these images but maybe you or someone you know may.

My husband and I have decided that we will be praying for Rose and for her neck and since we can't physically touch her while praying we will touch the pictures.  Will you join us?  We need people to be praying for Rose and for her Doctors and for God's provision.  Please pray!

Time is moving fast and we are faced with the need for surgery to happen soon.  We need to raise more funds.  We have been able to pay for her MRI and consultation as well as her transportation to and from the hospital which is a 4 hr. journey.  In order to get the surgery going we need to raise more.  Please consider giving towards this cause.  We need around $7000-$8000 more than what we already have.

A great friend of mine has decided to give a gift of a Rose for Christmas to all of their children's teachers in honor of a donation that they have given towards Rose.  What a blessing that is and such a great idea.  Maybe you can consider something like this as well?  We need creativity to be able to raise what is needed.  If you are able to give towards this please go to https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/2dJnc or email me at amandaagwuocha@gmail.com or facebook me and we can make other arrangements.

Thank you so much for your love and support!

The Agwuocha Family