March Madness Begins!

Well March Madness has begun throughout the country. Each March brings many of us the thrill of the NCAA basketball tournament. It draws us in because of its unpredictability and the thrill of the so-called underdog going deep into the tournament. For years March Madness in both the high school and college levels drew a lot of my attention. One of the most thrilling times I have ever experienced was seeing our local high school (Bureau Valley) make its push to be state champions. While the team came up short of its desired state championship the ride was a fun one. This year there will be many other people experiencing March Madness as their brackets come out on top.

For us here at Another Child we too are experiencing March Madness. This is the time of year when two of our big community development projects are getting ready to kick-off. First we have the organization of our SPEAK LIFE mission trips. These 4 mission trips take place in June and July in Romania. This year it looks like ACF will be sending upwards of 60 people to Romania to reach, teach, and transform lives as we build relationships with some beautiful children and their families. While the trips won't happen for another 3 months their is lots of planning going on behind the scenes. Fundatia Buckner does a great job of identifying the needs that ACF mission teams can fill. You see ACF and Fundatia Buckner do missions differently than some other groups. It is, and will always be, ACF's mission to compliment the ministry going on in Romania on a daily basis rather than trying to serve others with what we want to do. So ACF's mission trips participants go over to compliment the good work already being done by Fundatia Buckner by serving with an open mind and heart. ACF also strives to educate the mission trip participant on why things are as they are in Romania and what can we do to advocate for those in need.

The second project ACF is preparing for is the Project Respond humanitarian aid drives going on throughout the spring and summer. Last year, with the help of 30 churches and businesses, ACF collected over 9000 items that we distributed to the orphans and at-risk children in Romania. This year it is ACF's goal to get 60 churches and businesses involved. This year ACF will be collecting new pairs of shoes for children 3 to 14 as well as jeans and blankets. If you would like to help the Project Respond drive feel free to call our Mission's office at (815) 303-1725 to get involved.

So, as March Madness takes hold please pray for Another Child Foundation as we work diligently to provide life-changing ways for people to get involved in making a difference. You can also pray for my bracket which has Arizona, Michigan, Michigan State, and Syracuse in the Final Four with Michigan State cutting down the nets.

by Tim Oloffson- Executive Director (Another Child Foundation)