2021 October Results | Mountain to Climb

2021 October Results

By Scott Nordstrom

I wanted to post an update regarding our 2021 October Results.  Depending on how you look at this, there is good and not-so-good news to share, but one thing is for certain -God is moving on the behalf of his children.

First the good news.  We continue with our record setting pace with the number of children served.  Through October this year we have served almost double the number of children served in the same time-period in 2020.  This equates to an average of 1,317 additional children served each month, January through October.

While there have been some challenges in the field, we have been able to reduce our costs of aid delivery based on our field partners throughout the world.  We have worked with fifteen different U.S. and International partners in 2021. In addition, the World Food Program has begun delivering food to one of our three village schools in South Sudan.  We have also added to the foundational pieces of a fourth initiative, the Great Commandment Workshop, to be launched in India & Kenya in 2022. God is moving and we are running forward to keep up with all that He wants to use us to accomplish in the Kingdom.

It has been a blessing to work with our partners to improve the lives of so many precious children this past year.  It has been encouragement to hear from so many of these children as they receive the aid that so many of you provide.

"I'm very grateful for getting this scholarship because I know it's not easy to get one and I know there are many kids out there who also deserve a scholarship but didn’t receive one.  I really feel fortunate and like I have to prove myself to everyone that I don't take this for granted and make them proud," shares Dylan Otieno who attends Fortune Learners Centre on a GO! Scholarship in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Supporting widows and orphans is impressive work and the scriptures usually include together as we are encouraged to serve them.  How can you get any closer to the heart of God?” -GO! Partner

“One of the things I enjoy about living at the House of Faith, is that I have my own pillow and a bed.  I also enjoy singing worship songs and playing instruments as we praise with the other children who live here,” shares a child who lives at the House of Faith Orphanage in Zambia.

“Thank you for helping us in South Sudan. Your unconditional support is life saving and it’s being greatly acknowledged here at our school. I and other beneficiaries have no words to express our feelings in response to your impact in our lives,” shares Yak Yak who is part of our Nutrition Initiative in Luethwek Village, South Sudan.

It is easier for me to see the move of God within our various initiatives and partnerships as I work daily within the ministry, and I struggle to communicate the magnitude of what is happening on the behalf of these children. There are so many that we serve, and in so many places, it is difficult to give them the recognition that they deserve.  Thank you to all who have joined us in this effort to serve the orphaned child.

And for the not-so-good news. The quickest way to illustrate the downside of what has transpired in the ministry this year is that our funding as not kept pace with the incremental aid that we have provided.  Please consider the following financial results for 2021 through October:

Nangombe Primary School in Sinazongwe, Zambia, where 35 children attend on GO! Scholarships.

Our financial challenges have been compounded with the delay in our release of our Un-Gala | Feeding 5,000 presentation that was originally scheduled to premiere on September 30th.  The anticipation is building as we prepare to air this program in its entirety in the next two weeks (an announcement in this regard is imminent), but we have much ground to make-up to step-off in the New Year on sound financial footing.

First home being built at House of Faith Orphanage in Silembe, Zambia.

As was our pace in August with an increase in funding by 36% over 2020, we attempted to maintain this growth in funding, but we fell behind by $49,200 in September and October.  Furthermore, a larger increase is needed to cover the growing field expenses. 

Today, there are growing opportunities to serve children in need, situations where innovation is being brought to bear, and more and more children needing to hear the Gospel.  There is an opportunity to provide cows and calves to orphans and widows in Pakistan, an orphanage in South Sudan that can provide a loving home to more than 30 orphaned children if opened, and other village schools in South Sudan in the need of food.

Regrettably, these needs will go unmet in 2022 without a dramatic increase in available funds for this ministry.  I would ask you to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift today (I just did).  You can do so at this website in the top right corner by clicking ‘Donate’.  A few clicks and you will be done…

We will continue to press forward in our efforts regardless of the level of funding that we are blessed with, however, with each passing month we are closer to considering what initiative and what partnerships to terminate.  In the end, this means that less children will be served.

Children in South Sudan receiving meals.

Some of our recent challenges have definitely been momentum killers, but our God’s capacity is infinite and He’s not slowing down based on any errors or set-backs we might experience. God is still at work! We serve a miracle working God that loves His children!

Please contact me directly at the Global Orphan Relief office with any questions and I look forward to journeying together into 2022 wherever that may lead us.  To God be the glory!

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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005.  We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.     

Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005.  Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 160 volunteers on 25 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005.  Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love. 

You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children or you may give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.  

Movement of FAITH   |   Voice of HOPE   |   Act of LOVE

Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.