An opportunity to help Ordinary Women Inc.

Hi friends of Ordinary Women, Inc.

 

OWI is now participating in Ralphs grocery store Community Contribution Program.  This means that if you will register your Ralphs Rewards card, a small percentage of the amount of your shopping order will be donated to OWI each time you shop at Ralphs and swipe your card (or give them the phone number linked to your card).  There is no cost to you and this does not interfere with your personal award points.

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PROCEDURE TO REGISTER YOUR RALPHS REWARDS CARD ON LINE

 

1) Go to:  www.ralphs.com website

 

2) Hit the red SERVICES tab at the top of the page

 

3) Hit Community Contribution option

 

4) To link your rewards card with Ordinary Women, Inc.:

        Under Participant, Hit the ENROLL button

 

5) Sign in or create an account if you don't have one by clicking on:

        Get Started, Sign up Today in the Create an Account section and follow the step-by-step instructions

 

6) After you create your online account, then link your account with Ordinary Women, Inc. by editing your

    Community Contribution Information . 

 

7) "Find your organization":

    Enter 93234 or Ordinary Women, Inc. then hit SEARCH

 

8) Ordinary Women, Inc. will come up as an option - select it and hit SAVE CHANGES

 

9) That's it!  If you go to My Account and select Community Rewards you should see Ordinary Women, Inc.

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After you link your card to OWI, your purchases will begin counting for OWI within 72 hours.  You will know your Ralphs card is registered successfully because within 7-10 business days you will see on the bottom of your receipt the following blurb:  "At your request, Ralphs is donating to Ordinary Women, Inc."

 

This does not interfere with your individual rewards points. 

 

Do you have a Ralphs Rewards Card but don't remember the number? - call (800) 660-9003.

 

Please read the FAQs for a better understanding of the program and more information on how to register your card on line.

 

If you need any help registering your card please contact Ralphs at 1-800-443-4438

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

 

Thank you so much for your support, we really appreciate it!  The proceeds will benefit the children in the Orphan Program.

 

ORDINARY WOMEN, INC.

Judy McCoy

 

 

If you would like your name taken off the OWI contact list, please hit REPLY and put REMOVE in the subject line.

OWI Kenya Update, September, 2011

Hello Family and Friends of Ordinary Women, Inc., (OWI)

It has been about a month since my return from Kenya.  I can't believe it, time has gone by so quickly.  We had another great trip to Kenya this year, and I want to share the highlights with you.  Each year I go, the trip is very different.  It is exciting to see what is going to happen every year.

This year, our team of 22 people consisted of nurses, doctors, social workers, therapists, educators, housewives, entrepreneurs, a high school student, and retirees.  We were such a diverse team coming together in unity for the people in Kiminini and the surrounding areas.  Each person that goes, pays his or her own way and/or raises the support needed for the trip.  In these difficult financial times, I know it took a lot of faith just to get to Kenya, even before the trip started.

The medical team partnered with medical staff from Kenya and went to two different slums neighboring Kiminini.  They worked tirelessly for two days, offering a free medical clinic to anyone who walked in.  They saw some extreme cases and saved some lives!  It was exciting hearing from them each day they returned to the house in the evenings.  I think in those two days they saw around 3000 people!  The second day I heard they finally took their lunch around 5pm.  We had a very dedicated team of medical volunteers this year.

While the medical team worked in the slums, I took a social worker and therapist from our team to meet with our Kenyan social workers and Ordinary Women, Inc Kenyan members.  Our US team members told me they loved the enthusiasm of our Kenyan social workers, and their desire to learn more to continue to help our orphans.  We provided trainings for the social workers, and the second day, we discussed some of our orphans who may have learning disabilities.  There is no testing in the Kenyan schools for learning disabilities.  How they handle this issue in Kenya is by the "stick" (this is what I'm told). 

On our team this year were two educators from the US who have their PhD's and their specialties in learning disabilities.  They met with us the second day to educate the social workers on learning disabilities, assist them in the process of talking to the Kenyan teachers about our orphans who may have learning disabilities and to talk about options for our orphans.  I went away from this trip with hope for these identified orphans and a plan to assist them.

Also, we got to go with these two educators to meet their orphans (that they sponsor in our program) for the first time in the orphans' homes.  They got to meet not only their orphans, but the orphans' guardians and families as well.  There was not a dry eye in those houses.  We all cried with joy in these meetings.  Then, we went with the social worker from the US, and her daughter who is a junior in high school in the US, to meet the orphan they sponsor at his boarding high school where he lives.  The high school has about 120 boys that live there.  They were all on the soccer field watching some of them play when we got to the school.  They stopped the game while Paul, the orphan walked from the field to meet his sponsor, Margarita and daughter Jada for the first time.  Again, another very moving and tear filled union of big hugs between Paul and his sponsors.  Each month, these sponsors, just like you, send their sponsorship to support their orphans, and they trust we are doing what we say we do with the money.  And when a sponsor gets to meet their orphan in person that they are sponsoring, it is a very emotional and joyous time!  This was a great afternoon together!

Each year, the ladies in Kiminini ask for a women's conference.  This year, they asked for a conference on how to handle stress in their daily lives.  Some of the nurses and doctors on our team shared some ways to lower stress, and then a lady from our US team who grew up in Kenya shared a message on handling stress in life.  The Kenyan women shared how they were blessed from the day, and I know I was blessed and encouraged by sharing this time with these strong Kenyan women.

The next day, we had the medical clinics for the yearly checkups for our orphans in our Orphan Program and for their guardians and their families.  This was one of the highlights of my trip.  All of our orphans are healthy!  This is the first year that none of our orphans had to go to the hospital.  There were a few who were ill but just needed (and were treated with) antibiotics.  They all look very healthy.  And, the guardians look healthier and younger than I've seen in previous years!  The guardians continue to tell me what a positive difference this Orphan Program has made in their lives, and I saw it in them physically this year.  It was amazing to see with my own eyes!  I praise God for this!

We also got to visit the OWI Cyber Cafe that opened in January, 2011 as a sustainability project for the Orphan Program.  It is up and running with a great staff there to teach internet classes and to assist people in surfing the internet.  All three times I visited the Cafe, it was full of people using the computers.  It is getting to the point where it is self-sustaining, and our hope is that soon it will begin to bring revenue to the Orphan Program.

We ended our time in Kiminini with going to church with our Kenyan partners and friends on Sunday.  In the afternoon, I was invited to an area church to speak in a surrounding village where we drilled one of our deep wells.  They had the official opening ceremony of the well (even though they have been using it since it was drilled) while I was there and gave me a drink of the fresh water.  It tasted so good!  It was a privilege for me to spend the afternoon with the people of Big Tree and to see what a difference in that little community the well has made. 

After seeing the majority of the team off to the US, Marjaana, Debbie, and I (three of the Ordinary Women, Inc. board members) stayed in Kenya to visit other programs that are a step or two ahead of us, so we could catch more of the vision for the direction ahead of us.  It was such a wonderful trip, and we got so much more accomplished than we could have ever imagined!

And this is all thanks to you, because again, without you, our sponsors, none of our programs in Kenya would be possible.  No fresh water wells would be dug, no medical teams would be able to go (the medicines and medical supplies used in the medical clinics are all donated), and we would have no Orphan Program.  So, thank you!

If you are interested in supporting one of the orphans in our Orphan Program for just $35 a month, please go to our website at www.ordinarywomen.org where you can choose your orphan from the profiles.  Or you can write to us at:

                                                          Ordinary Women, Inc.
                                                   26861 Trabuco Road, Suite E#146
                                                         Mission Viejo, Ca. 92691
 
Joining Hands for Global Change,
Darla Morfin
Ordinary Women, Inc.
Executive Director-OWI Orphan Program

If you are no longer interested in receiving emails from OWI, please put "Unsubscribe" in the subject line and reply to this email.  Thank you.

TBN taping - September 29, 2011

Hi friends of Ordinary Women, Inc.

 

Would you like to learn more about good health and how to take care of your body?  The next TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) taping is Thursday, September 29^th, and the guests will be talking about taking care of your health.  Come and join us as part of the live audience.  This is an enjoyable way to spend an evening and TBN will make a donation to OWI on your behalf – there is no cost to you! 

 

The proceeds benefit the children in the OWI Orphan Program in Kenya, specifically school uniforms and food.

 

    Thursday, September 29^th – Taking Care of Your Health

            Hosts:      Matt & Laurie Crouch

            Guests:  Dr. Scott Hannon (Chiropractor), Dr. Thomas Barnes, Dr. Jordan Rubin (Nutrition),

                        Dr. Richard Boener (Dentist)

*****Here are some answers to questions you might have*****

 

Yes, I want to come – what do I need to do?

            Reply to this email or directly to Judy at judykmccoy@cox.net to put your name on the list to reserve seats for you and your family/friends.  Feel free to forward this email to your small groups and friends. 

 

How much will this cost me?

            There is no cost to you, this is a freebie!  TBN will pay OWI a $20 stipend for each person in our group. 

 

Where am I supposed to go?

          Trinity Broadcasting Studio, 3150 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA  92711 

            The studio is on the second floor of the ornate white building near South Coast Plaza.

            There is ample free parking through the white gates in front of the building.

 

What time should I arrive?

          We need to be seated in the studio by 5:00. 

            The seating in the studio is limited and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.  

            Late-comers will be seated in the overflow room.

 

What if I cannot arrive until after 5:00?

            If you will let Judy know you are definitely coming but will be late, she can save you a seat in the studio.  Our telephones must be silent in the studio but you can text Judy at (949) 233-5340.

If you arrive after the studio door is closed, knock softly on the door - a TBN staff member is posted at the door to let you in, just say you are with Ordinary Women.

 

What time does the actual taping begin?

            The actual taping is from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM

 

Can I cut out early?

            Ordinary Women, Inc. will receive from TBN a $20 stipend for each person that stays until the end for a group picture, so we ask that you please stay for the picture.

 

Can I invite my family, friends and small groups?

            Absolutely!  We encourage this - but let Judy know their names as we must provide TBN with a list so they know how many seats in the studio to save for our group.  We must turn in the list by September 22nd.

 

What If I do not have my name on the TBN list and decide to come at the last minute?

            You are welcome to come to the taping even though your name is not on the list.  

            If you arrive by 5:00 you will be seated with the group in the studio.

 

Who do I contact to add or remove names from the TBN list or to ask questions?

            Feel free to contact Judy McCoy at judykmccoy@cox.net or call Judy at (949) 233-5340.

            We really appreciate your support!  Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

If you would like to be taken off the OWI contact list, please reply to this email with REMOVE as the subject line.

Team goes home

The team left a few
days ago except for Darla, Marjaana and I. There were some
organisations here that our friends in Buena Park wanted us to visit.
Steven and Rosemary Mbogo have a home for orphans in Ngong and we had
the opportunity to see their program. We also visited David and
Esther's school outside of the city of Nakuru, about halfway between
Naiobi and Kitale. What a blessing both these programs are to the
children of these areas. Alice, the president of OWI Africa met us at
the latter school and was able to stay with us for two nights. The
first night we met with our friends Greg and Deb Snell in Navasha.
They have been building a home for guests coming to Kenya for the last
few years and it is 99% finished. We were invited to dinner and then
stayed over at a friends cottage. She took us on a tour of the city
the next day and we talked all about her hopes and plans for the
future. Thanks Deb and Greg for your hospitality! After Darla left on
Sunday, Marjaana and I stayed on to wait for another team of three to
arrive . This team is under Marjaana's private tour company; The
Traveling Twiga. We will be returning to Kitale with the three for an
introduction of what OWI does in Kiminini. After four days there, they
will head out for a three day safari resort stay in the Masai Mara.
This is where my trip ends and I fly home. I've enjoyed my time in
Kenya but miss my family and friends very much. In the meantime we are
currently in Mombasa on the east coast of Kenya with our friends from
the US. Mumbi, her mom, Jeri and Lavin, her 9 year old son. We
traveled by overnight bus on Sunday to Mumbasa to see the sights and
get some much needed rest. The weather is warm and breezy with a bit
of humidity. The team left a few days ago except for Darla, Marjaana
and I. There were some organisations here that our friends in Buena
Park wanted us to visit. Steven and Rosemary Mbogo have a home for
orphans in Ngong and we had the opportunity to see their program. We
also visited David and Esther's school outside of the city of Nakuru,
about halfway between Naiobi and Kitale. What a blessing both these
programs are to the children of these areas. Alice, the president of
OWI Africa met us at the latter school and was able to stay with us
for two nights. The first night we met with our friends Greg and Deb
Snell in Navasha. They have been building a home for guests coming to
Kenya for the last few years and it is 99% finished. We were invited
to dinner and then stayed over at a friends cottage. She took us on a
tour of the city the next day and we talked all about her hopes and
plans for the future. Thanks Deb and Greg for your hospitality! After
Darla left on Sunday, Marjaana and I stayed on to wait for another
team of three to arrive . This team is under Marjaana's private tour
company; The Traveling Twiga. We will be returning to Kitale with the
three for an introduction of what OWI does in Kiminini. After four
days there, they will head out for a three day safari resort stay in
the Masai Mara. This is where my trip ends and I fly home. I've
enjoyed my time in Kenya but miss my family and friends very much. In
the meantime we are currently in Mombasa on the east coast of Kenya
with our friends from the US. Mumbi, her mom, Jeri and Lavin, her 9
year old son. We traveled by overnight bus on Sunday to Mumbasa to see
the sights and get some much needed rest. The weather is warm and
breezy with a bit of humidiThe team left a few days ago except for
Darla, Marjaana and I. There were some organisations here that our
friends in Buena Park wanted us to visit. Steven and Rosemary Mbogo
have a home for orphans in Ngong and we had the opportunity to see
their program. We also visited David and Esther's school outside of
the city of Nakuru, about halfway between Naiobi and Kitale. What a
blessing both these programs are to the children of these areas.
Alice, the president of OWI Africa met us at the latter school and was
able to stay with us for two nights. The first night we met with our
friends Greg and Deb Snell in Navasha. They have been building a home
for guests coming to Kenya for the last few years and it is 99%
finished. We were invited to dinner and then stayed over at a friends
cottage. She took us on a tour of the city the next day and we talked
all about her hopes and plans for the future. Thanks Deb and Greg for
your hospitality! After Darla left on Sunday, Marjaana and I stayed on
to wait for another team of three to arrive . This team is under
Marjaana's private tour company; The Traveling Twiga. We will be
returning to Kitale with the three for an introduction of what OWI
does in Kiminini. After four days there, they will head out for a
three day safari resort stay in the Masai Mara. This is where my trip
ends and I fly home. I've enjoyed my time in Kenya but miss my family
and friends very much. In the meantime we are currently in Mombasa on
the east coast of Kenya with our friends from the US. Mumbi, her mom,
Jeri and Lavin, her 9 year old son. We traveled by overnight bus on
Sunday to Mumbasa to see the sights and get some much needed rest. The
weather is warm and breezy with a bit of humidity. ty.

Join OWI for August 18th TBN taping

Hi friends of Ordinary Women, Inc.

 

We hope you are enjoying your summer!  We wanted to let you know that the next TBN (Trinity Broadcasting

Network) taping is Thursday, August 18^th.  Come and join us in the live audience of the studio taping.  This is an

enjoyable way to spend an evening and TBN will make a donation to OWI on your behalf – there is no cost to you.

 

The money donated will be used to purchase food for the children in the Ordinary Women, Inc. Orphan Program.  So

Mark your calendars and come on out – we would love to see you!

 

                                                              *****SCHEDULE*****

 Thursday, August 18th

            Host:     Paul Crouch, Jr.

           Guests: Pastor Raul Ries, Bob Hamer (former FBI), Chaplain Bob Barnett (fire Dept.),Tammy Trent

 Thursday, September 29^th – Taking Care of Your Health

            Host:      Matt & Laurie Crouch

            Guests:  Dr. Scott Hannon (Chiropractor), Dr. Thomas Barnes, Dr. Jordan Rubin (Nutrition),

                        Dr. Richard Boener (Dentist)

 

                                      *****Here are some answers to questions you might have*****

 

Yes, I want to come – what do I need to do?

            Reply to Judy at judykmccoy@cox.net to put your name on the list to reserve seats for you and your

             family/friends.  Feel free to forward this email to your small groups and friends. 

 

How much will this cost me?

            There is no cost to you, this is a freebie!  TBN will pay OWI a $20 stipend for each person in our group. 

 

Where am I supposed to go?

            Trinity Broadcasting Studio, 3150 Bear Street, Costa Mesa, CA  92711 

            The studio is on the second floor of the ornate white building near South Coast Plaza.

            There is ample free parking through the white gates in front of the building.

 

What time should I arrive?

            We must be seated in the studio by 5:00 at the latest.

            The seating in the studio is limited and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

            Late-comers will be seated in the overflow room.

 

What if I cannot arrive until after 5:00?

            Its okay, come when you can.  If you let Judy know you are definitely coming but will be late, she can save you

           a seat in the studio.

 

What time does the actual taping begin?

            The actual taping is from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM

 

Can I cut out early?

            Ordinary Women, Inc. will receive from TBN a $20 stipend for each person that stays until the end for a

            group picture, so we ask that you please stay for the picture.

 

Can I invite my family, friends and small groups?

            Absolutely!  We encourage this - but let us know their names as we must provide TBN with a list so they

           know how many seats in the studio to save for our group.  We must turn in the list by August 11^th.

 

What If I do not have my name on the TBN list and decide to come at the last minute?

            It is no problem.  You are welcome to come to the taping even though your name is not on the list.  

            If you arrive by 5:00 you will be seated with the group in the studio.

 

Who do I contact to add or remove names from the TBN list or to ask questions?

            Feel free to contact Judy McCoy at judykmccoy@cox.net or call Judy at (949) 233-5340.

            We really appreciate your support!

 

If you would like to be taken off the OWI contact list, please reply to this email with REMOVE as the subject line.

Orphan Day

Since the day we arrived till this day the weather has been good with just a small amount of rain each day but then the night after the medical clinics (which was a blessing) it poured most of the night On Friday it rained in the late afternoon right after the women left for home from the conference lots of them came from far away and this downpour was not the kind that you would keep walking in The pastors wife had to take refuge in the generator room just a few feet away from the office where we all were until the rain stopped With the Orphan Day coming up on Saturday we were praying for a clear day If it rained at all the kids wouldn't be able to play with the new balls and jump ropes we had purchased for them Saturday was start off early as there was to be a medical check up for each orphan before their crafts and party One of our biggest challenges is not having enough hands to finish things on time but with over 20 volunteers we thought we would be organized but nothing goes as planned in Kenya this time our van did not arrive at the time we had set that morning But despite the late start we rushed to get set up the kids were waiting for us and we were able to finish in time for the party Unfortunately it started to rain mid morning and the kids had to be moved inside the church for coloring projects and some crafts The kids didn't seem to mind The party started with the kids singing and reciting poems It's amazing how they can memorize a very long poem! Now came the time to sing happy birthday to them and cut the cake Every orphan got a new backpack along with some personal items school supplies and candy They were so excited to receive these things....they don't just get a new pencil or a bar of soap when they run out They have to wait until there is enough shillings from the sale of some vegetables in the garden or go gather firewood to sell at the market and then only after the daily needs are met is a pencil purchased So when we come with these gifts they are so happy thank you to all sponsors that helped to make it possible for these extra items to be purchased The day ended with an appreciation dinner held by OWI and GHP, an org that we are a part of and who helped support the medical clinics with money for medicine and people to do the work A long but satisfying day!

Sent from my iPhone

Women's conference

First stop this morning was to the OWI Global Cyber Cafe This was started in Jan of this year to help the Orphan Program begin to take care of itself As any new business it is working out the bugs but doing well The cafe has 8 computers 2 printers and soon a scanner Very impressive and promising as it is the only one in the Kiminini Market just across from the OWI base at the church Next stop was the church where the women of the surrounding communities had already arrived drinking tea and having bread and butter sandwiches In Kenya there is always refreshment and a bit of socializing before work When the music started it was like a call to come and many more women filled the church dancing and singing in worship The topic of the seminar was stress an issue in any country for women dealing with family work and life in general Our drs in the group gave helpful ways to reduce stress thru deep breathing which made most laugh but they tried it and agreed that it helped The next dr talked about how to identify tension in the body and how to relax those areas Our dr from Uganda spoke about how you took care of yourself could affect your stress levels along with caring for your body with the proper nutrition Last but not least was the segment on massage This was very interesting to all and almost everyone got to experience how this truly worked by taking turns giving massage to their neighbors For the next portion of the program the guardians of the OP came on stage to welcome us back with song and dancing Kenyans love to dance and sing as you can tell by how many times it is in the programs they put on A testimony from a friend from the US church in Buena Park ended the speakers then the singers gave one last 15 min finish song and dance We don't have to worry about gaining weight here we are always asked to join them up front and they never get tired!! A meal was prepared for the women that attended the conference and they started for home All of a sudden the clouds blew in thunder and lighting started to flash and clap then rain that sounded like it would knock the building down, not that the Kenyans looked worried I thought about the poor women walking home and wondering if they were close enough to some kind of cover to get out of the rain until it stopped Finally we sent the team home and OWI US had a meeting with OWI Kenya It was a long but satisfying day

Sent from my iPhone