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witch doctor…

I never imagined in my life I would be a part of of a real estate deal competing against a witch doctor.

I know the real estate market has been hot over the past couple of years with multiple competing offers as the norm, but a witch doctor?

Why the Urgency? The ramifications of us not securing this land will have dire consequences for the kids at the orphan care center and the community as a whole.

Witchcraft, church persecution, and demonic spells and attacks on the kids, the schools and businesses of the community.

I am leaving for Uganda in eight days, Lord willing. We are trying to raise $120,000 to secure these two parcels of land to be the light of Jesus in this community. In just the past few days, we have raised just over $20,545 towards our need.

Click Here to Give Now 

 

I know there is major spiritual warfare going on as we are trying to build a Christ centered high school and medical clinic where kids will learn and people will be treated and healed by and through the power of Jesus. 

We have been working on a plan to buy land adjacent to the orphan care center where we are serving to build a high school and medical center. The two parcels of land we are wanting to buy for these efforts are in jeopardy of being bought by others.

Our ultimate goal is to purchase the four parcels in red next to the existing campus in blue which will cost $250,000. Right now we have turned our focus on parcels 1 & 2 for the school and clinic which we will need $120,000.

Actually, Parcel number one, where we are planning to build the high school, came up for foreclosure recently and a land investor bought one acre right in the middle of all our building plans. Thankfully, he is willing to sell it to us, but at a marked up price.

But we have just found out there is a witch doctor trying to buy the other acre in parcel number one, less than fifty yards from the nursery school and as you can see is in close proximity to the entire orphan care center.

The yellow square is where the guy bought the acre and directly below the yellow square, highlighted in white, is where they are wanting to build the witch doctor shrine.

The other parcel, where we are planning to build the medical center is currently being pursued for purchase by a Muslim cleric to build a Muslim high school, also highlighted in white.

Do you think these two parcels of land that are being pursued for these purposes by accident? I don’t think so.

For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Would you prayerfully consider giving towards this urgent need. This investment is so much more than just land, it really will be the difference of whether this land will be used for light or darkness. 

Thank you for your consideration!

Click Here to Give Now 

Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills 

Overwhelmed…

I don’t often feel overwhelmed, but this last month has tested my limits.

In late June, our family was in South Dakota doing an estate sale and preparing the home of my mother and father in law for sale. To watch their transition from an amazing lake home to an assisted living home has been emotional, to say the least.

So many memories flood our minds as we have spent almost all of our major holidays and summer months at the lake. In the midst of the memories, the reality of watching my in-laws go from the healthy, energetic water skiing grandparents, to the need for more care in their daily lives has been hard. Nothing prepares you for this difficult transition.

As we headed back home to Oklahoma, just days later we would send our daughter Katelyn off to Florida for a big youth convention and mission experience for over a week. The very next day, we were headed to Oklahoma City in preparation for our daughter Hope’s, open heart surgery. Reagan held down the fort watching our new dog, Buck.

I don’t wish this experience on any parent. There is nothing like entrusting your child to the Lord as you send them off to have a major heart surgery. Since Hope has had 8 heart procedures, three of them open heart surgeries, the process becomes more familiar, but it never gets easier.

In the midst of these major family events, I was also trying to manage and help in the continued growth of our new business, Mission Roofing, and our ministry work with Faces With Names International. And did I mention we are trying to raise $250,000 to purchase land in Uganda to build a medical outreach hospital, a high school and additional farm land to grow food and gardens. No pressure!

As God has brought us through our time with Susan’s parents, still ongoing, but God is good! Our daughter Katelyn had amazing experience on her mission trip and Hope has had successful heart surgery and is recovering well, I know God is in control.

With each act of God’s faithfulness, my focus once again turns to our partnership in Uganda and the work we are striving for there to care for orphans and vulnerable children and families.

The family events of this past month have not been the only events bringing  overwhelming feelings into my life.

We have been working on a campaign we are calling, Embrace the Vision, to purchase six parcels of land around the current orphan care campus to build a medical outreach hospital, a high school, a soccer field for the high school, additional farmland and gardens to feed the children, and a new kitchen and eating area for children and staff.

As I stated before, the estimated purchase price for these 12 plus acres is $250,000. Our plan has been to raise the entire amount so our Ugandan partners could negotiate the lowest price on the different parcels of land, since there are multiple owners.

Right in the middle of our family events, I was informed by our ministry partner, Pastor Daniel, the parcel of land that is immediately adjacent to the current campus, and where the high school is slated to be built, was being foreclosed.

This initially seemed like a positive for us, but before we knew it, a land investor purchased one acre right in the middle of the land we are planning to develop. The semi good news is, the land investor is willing to sell us this acre, but of course, for much more than he purchased the acre.

As if that was not enough, the parcel of land we are planning to build the medical outreach hospital on is being pursued by a Muslim Cleric to build a Muslim high school.

So how does 5 of the 12 acres we want become such a hot commodity right in the middle of a crazy season in our lives, in a country with almost 60 million total acres in its territory, and where most people make less than $300 a month in salary?

Welcome to the spiritual battlefield of caring for orphans and vulnerable children and families in the name of Jesus. Are you beginning to understand why I have been feeling a little overwhelmed?

So our strategy has changed. Our desire is to still purchase all 12 acres for $250,000. But for now, it is essential for us to secure the two parcels of land immediately adjacent to the campus. We are estimating this could take up to $120,000 to purchase these two parcels which equal just over five acres.

The blue outline is the current existing campus. Parcel 1 is for the High School. Parcel 2 is for the Medical Outreach Hospital. Parcel 3 for the new kitchen and eating facilities. Parcel 4 is for the soccer field and gardens.

So why is this important and why should you feel compelled to give?

  • When vulnerable children and vulnerable mothers and their unborn babies die needlessly from lack of food and treatable diseases, we have to act.

  • When these same orphans and vulnerable children do not have a school to attend beyond the eight grade, we have to act.

  • When the government rescues vulnerable girls and entrusts them to your care, we must act. 

This is real life sounds of freedom stuff where we are keeping God’s children from being sold. But we can’t accomplish any of this if we don’t have the land to build the buildings and grow the food.

This is going to sound crazy, but Lord willing, I am leaving for Uganda on August 10th. I am praying for a crazy faith miracle that we can raise this $120,000 by the time I leave.

Our new company, Mission Roofing, has given the first $5000 towards the land purchase. Will you join us in making this crazy idea a reality?

Let me break this down to see how this can happen:

120 people getting 10 of their friends or family, including themselves to give $100 each. 120 x $1000 = $120,000

1200 people each giving $100. 1200 X $100 = $120,000.

And we are never opposed if you want to give a large donation to get us there quicker or can only make a small donation. We can watch God increase like loaves and fishes as we all chip in.

Will you be a part of this crazy God story?

I have never been a part of something that has gone viral, but would you share this to see what happens?

$120,000 in two weeks, only by Crazy Faith, God and You!

Click below to give:

https://faceswithnames.reachapp.co/campaigns/embrace-the-vision-land-acquisition

Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills – President

Faces With Names International

Now, more than ever…RIP King John

Farewell, King John Chrysostom Wayabire

One of the early questions I asked God, in this process of relaunching Faces With Names was, “Do you really need me to care for orphans and widows in Uganda?” The very quick response I felt in my spirit was, No. I just need you to be obedient.

I am finding this journey I am on with God, and my role with FWNI, is truly about obedience, trust, surrender, faith, and the list goes on. 

As I have shared with you, in one of the lowest seasons of my life, God sent a king to remind me that the King of kings had not forgotten about me. 

I think the reason we had such an immediate connection was, our hearts shared the same burden for the care of orphans and widows. 

This unique relationship has lead us to laying the foundation to serve over 1500 orphans and 1200 widows in Uganda, and countless number of orphans and widows even beyond Uganda.

Now, more than ever, we are committed to carrying on the legacy King John showed throughout his life as a pastor, a bishop, and as a king.

Early Sunday morning, I received a very unwanted message from Queen Sarah, that King John, had passed away from complications from Covid-19.

Although my heart is heavy, and I mourn the loss of someone who has become a good friend,I rejoice in the fact, he is with Jesus. And without question, heard the words, well done, my good and faithful servant.

Our Mission & Vision at Faces With Names International remains the same:

Our Mission: To help orphans and widows move beyond a life of survival, and thrive, to fulfill their God given purpose.

Our Vision: To allow you, the opportunity to care for orphans and widows in their distress.

Now, more than ever, it is vital we take up the banner King John has carried, to serve the orphans and widows under his care, in Uganda.

None of this comes as a surprise to God. I am thankful we are positioned to carry on this important calling we find in James 1:27, and invite you to join us.

I believe God has put in place for us to also care for King John’s wife and children, who now find themselves as orphans without a father, and a widow without a husband.

Now, more than ever, we need your help! We cannot fulfill this calling without people like you, who believe in what we are doing, and are willing to partner with us financially.

We continue our “Know My Name,” monthly donor campaign in honor and memory of King John. Will you join us, in helping to continue his legacy?

Click Here to Partner With Us

​Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills, President
Faces With Names International

Know My Name…

A motorcycle ride, just before midnight, in Kathmandu, Nepal, changed the course of my life. 

As I climbed on the back of the motorcycle with one of our ministry partners, I wanted to see with my own eyes, the orphans on the streets of Kathmandu. My life would never be the same when I looked into their eyes and learned their names.

We did not even make it a quarter of a mile before we encountered our first group of children. Each boy was sitting inside of a small box and the rest of the cardboard was being used to fuel the fire.

One young boy answered the questions being asked of him. His name was Robin, and he was 12 years old. He told us he had been on the streets on his own, since the age of 2. I was still trying to process the fact that this 12 year old boy was out on the streets close to midnight, when I heard he had been on his own since the age of 2.

Center, on the curb – Robin (12 years old)

This experience brought to life a quote I had heard from David Platte, which says:

“We learned orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” 

On this night, everything did change for me. I was confronted with the faces, the names, & the stories of orphans on the streets, and I was not alright with it all.

And this is how, Faces With Names, came into existence. 

My heart and desire has always been to make the orphan real to people, to you. Not just a statistic, not just someone else’s problem or responsibility.

Last week, I tried to be as open, honest and vulnerable as I could with you as I shared about this renewed calling I heard from God while driving a forklift at Walmart.

As I write this email, I come with the same vulnerability and humility, asking you to join us on our journey in laying the foundation of serving orphans and widows in Uganda and beyond.

Our monthly partners will be the life blood of all we will be able to accomplish, with God’s help, through Faces With Names International.

We have put together a simple chart for you to consider where you might join us:

May I share a moment of brutal honesty? I hope you answered yes, because here it goes. There is an element of my pride and ego that hates having to rely on others to do what God has called me to do. 

But as God has chiseled away my pride and ego in preparation for what we are doing, I believe wholeheartedly, I have the privilege to invite you to join us in raising up a new generation of leaders, who once held the stigma of being called orphans and widows, to now fulfilling their God given purpose.

Our vision statement comes straight from the verse, James 1:27, which is the Biblical mandate to care for orphans and widows.

Our vision: To give you the opportunity to care for orphans and widows in their distress.

I truly believe that everyone who partners with us in prayer and giving is truly living out the Biblical mandate to care for orphans and widows in their distress.

Will you be 1 of the 176 monthly partners who allow us to fulfill our mission and vision through Faces With Names International?

Our goal this first week is to see 25 new monthly donors, at any level, join our team and partner with us. 

If you have considered partnering with us, or been on the fence, would you jump into the deep end with us as we rely on God to provide all we need.

I don’t take for granted what it means for you to give of your resources. I give my full fledge promise, we will be good stewards of every dollar entrusted to us!


To join our monthly partner team, click the link below:
I want to become a monthly partner with FWNI


Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills, President
Faces With Names International

What I learned working at Walmart…

My ego was shot, and my confidence crushed. I distinctly remember the words I told my wife and kids after being hired at Walmart.

“Do not tell anyone I am working at Walmart!” 

After experiencing one of the most difficult years of my life in 2019, 2020 seemed like it was off to a great start. I had been contacted by an organization who works with orphans in Uganda, to consider a position as their Child Sponsorship Director.

My natural thought was, I had just recently met a king from Uganda and had the privilege of having him stay with our family, and this is how God must be leading me to work in Uganda.

When I wasn’t selected for the position, it felt like what was a good start to 2020, was now an unwanted continuation of 2019.

A couple months later, the Executive Director of the Uganda ministry I had interviewed with, gave my name to another organization looking for an Executive Director for their work with orphans in another African country.

And then came Covid! 

My meeting with this organization took place just a couple weeks before the lockdown started for Covid. I was at the end stages of the house renovation I was on and out of money to pay myself.

And thats when I saw Walmart was hiring on the spot at our nearby distribution center. Do you remember the empty shelves at Walmart?

Halfway through the second day on my new job, just after lunch, I was standing with my coworkers to clock back in, when one of the ladies asked, is it true that you’re a pastor?To this day, I still dont know how they became aware I was a pastor.

But it became very evident to me, very quickly why God had me in my new role, driving a forklift.

As I was still struggling with my ego, I came across a video about a guy who was dying from Covid in a hospital in Ireland. As this guy shares his story about the “Cleaner” coming into his room, what we would call a “Janitor,” I was crushed and in tears.

The “Cleaner” was the only other person besides the doctors and nurses allowed into the Covid rooms. This “Cleaner” had returned to Ireland from serving as a missionary in Nigeria for fourteen years. As the “Cleaner” asked and was given permission to pray for this guy, he started getting better that night.

I couldnt help but think and put myself in the “Cleaner’s” shoes and wonder if he was asking the same thing I was asking God. For all these years God, I have faithfully served You, and now the only job I can get is as a “Cleaner,” or working at Walmart? 

Here is the link to the actual video I watched, if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Pp98cK4YIoM

After I was done feeling sorry for myself and set my ego aside, I realized God had me right where He wanted me and around the people He wanted me to know. And so I went from, don’t tell anyone I work at Walmart, to God has given me this amazing opportunity to work at Walmart.

The first lesson I learned was: God never wastes an opportunity to put me right where I need to be and use me as He wants, when my perspective is right.

Once I had asked God to forgive me for my pride and ego and simply surrendered and stated, God use me however you want to use me, wherever you want to use me, everything changed.

A couple months later, as I was driving the forklift on one of our many fourteen hour days, I felt the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart about partnering with a king to serve over 1500 orphans and 1200 widows in Uganda.

As crazy as the idea felt to me, I was wondering how I was going to convince my wife, this is what I was hearing from God.

As I prayed and grappled with this idea myself, the question I asked God was, “Do you really need me to care for orphans and widows in Uganda?” The very quick response I felt in my spirit was, No. I just need you to be obedient. 

And so it took me driving a forklift at a job I was originally, completely embarrassed to have, to speak to me about caring for orphans and widows in Uganda and beyond.

The second lesson I learned was: Sometimes God has to allow me to reach my lowest point, before speaking to me about my greatest possibilities.

The third lesson I learned was:I have a whole new perspective and appreciation for the hardworking people and supply chain processes which allow all of us to go by food whenever we want. It really is amazing!

This was a long but important story for me to chronicle on our journey of relaunching Faces With Names, now Faces With Names International.

As we continue to lay the foundation of serving over 1500 orphans and 1200 widows in Uganda, I want to personally invite you on this journey of obedience with us.

I humbly ask you to join us as we strive to fulfill our mission & vision:

To help orphans and widows move beyond a life of survival, and thrive, to fulfill their God given purpose.

To allow you, the opportunity to care for orphans and widows in their distress.

Next week, we will begin a monthly donor campaign which will allow you to join us in making our mission and vision a reality. There is no monthly donation that is too small or too large. We will be providing more information on how you can get involved.

If you are ready to join with us now as a monthly partner, click the button below.


Click here to become a monthly partner with Faces With Names Intl.


Thank you in advance for joining us on our journey and making a difference in the lives of orphans and widows!

Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills, President
Faces With Names International

The top 5 things I learned from my 98 year old grandma…

One week ago today, I had the privilige to lead the celebration of life service for my grandma. It was definitley a bittersweet experience. As we celebrated the birth of Jesus yesterday, I couldnt help but reflect on my grandma’s amazing life.

As I wrote down some thoughts I will be implmenting into my own life, I thought I would honor my grandma and share the wisdom 98 years of life brings.

Counting down the top 5 things I learned from my 98 year old grandma:

5. Good hair is important

Most people don’t have pictures of the person who cuts their hair in their memorial video, but my grandma did. My grandma always looked so classy and most people couldn’t believe she was 98. There is something about self care that keeps you young, and no hair out of place that keeps you looking good.

4. Don’t be left out, when there is fun happening

It was common to hear my grandma say, “If you are doing anything fun, come and get me, or don’t leave me out of the fun.” What I learned from her was, fun is presence. It wasn’t that she could always do everything we were doing, although that was very rare, but she enjoyed being around her family and friends who were living life to the fullest. And the reality is, her presence made things more fun.

3. Die young, as late as possible

My grandma and her good friend Lowell were still dancing 2 or 3 times a week before Covid. Along with dancing, they were still going to the races on Friday nights and Wii Bowling was a regular part of their schedule. The only thing that sounded old to me was them playing cribbage, ha ha. Being young for my grandma was a state of mind, and I think she is the youngest 98 year old I have ever known.

Not many grandsons can say, I was at the races with my 98 year old Grandma

2. Choose Joy: Tomorrow will be better than today

​Despite the amazing life my grandma lived, it was not without pain and sorrow. She buried a son who was 25, a granddaughter who was 18, the wife of her grandson in her 20’s, her daughter and son in law amongst many other siblings and family members. Despite all the loss and troubled times, she always chose joy. As my Aunt Raine shared with me, regardless of how bad any given day was, my grandma would always say, tomorrow is going to be better. If anyone could have thrown in the towel, my grandma certainly had enough to warrant it, but instead, she chose joy. ​

1. No one ever cared for me like Jesus

​​I always knew my grandma had faith in Jesus, but I didn’t know the depth of her faith until I read over her instructions and choices of songs and scriptures for her memorial service, which she had already planned. There was a clear common denominator in what kept her young, choosing joy and loving people the way she did, it was Jesus. In all the good and bad, it was clear her faith and the assurance that no one cared for her like Jesus, was the driving force. And she made it clear, she wanted everyone to know the love, grace and forgiveness found in Jesus.

This past month has gone nothing like I imagined. Having to postpone my trip to Uganda, Covid going through our family, the loss of my grandma and a beloved great uncle on the same day, and then the loss of another one of my aunt’s was certainly not what I expected or wanted.

So I am immediatley getting to implement what I have learned from my grandma, choosing joy in the midst of loss and setback. With the attitude of joy we look forward to what God has called us to do. In loving memory of my Grandma, Kathleen Boland.


Donate to our Year End Giving


Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills, President
Faces With Names International

I Hate #GivingTuesday…

Come on. You know you have thought it. Or did I just not wait long enough for your inbox and social media to fill up with requests?

I know our mothers told us not to use the word hate, but have you seen all these requests?

So how did a day set aside for giving to so many worthwhile charities become so annoying and overwhelming?

Well, too look on the positive side, there are so many amazing organizations doing so much good in the world, and we all need the help of others to do what we are called to accomplish.

On this #GivingTuesday, I was scheduled to be in Uganda, hoping to be sending you pictures and videos about our new partnership there. As you know, because of the political unrest in Uganda, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone the trip.

Since making this decision less than a week ago, my mom has tested positive for Covid, my grandma and a beloved great uncle passed away on the same day, and we are having issues with our giving page on our websIte during the most important giving time of the year. Not at all what I had hoped or expected.

But just like this entire journey of relaunching Faces With Names, my trust and hope are on the goodness and faithfulness of God. I heard a quote last night that was encouraging to me. It said, “God can make it rain where there are no clouds.”

In this process leading up to today, this age old question came to my mind: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a sound. So I ask, if an orphan cries in Uganda, and no one is there to hear them, can you still hear their cry?

So this #GivingTuesday, no pictures, no videos, just our imagination of the sound of their cry for help.

So if you are annoyed by #GivingTuesday, or even borderline hate it, we invite you to give on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday instead. And if you are a rebel, we dare you to give today, on #GivingTuesday.

Will you join with Faces With Names International to care for these precious orphans in Uganda? Here is our temporary link to give:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=B8RHECDT25VFY

Cheering You On In Christ,

Eric Mills

We’re getting the band back together…Faces With Names is Back!

I have never actually been been in a band, but I have always wanted to say that line. And this seems like the most appropriate time as we are officially relaunching, Faces With Names. To say the last year and a half has been one of the craziest and most humbling times of my life, would be an understatement. I will share more details about my journey in the future. It all changed with an unexpected call from a king as I was out mowing my yard. Here is what I wrote about after the king came to visit our family:

During this past year, I have asked on more than one occasion, God have you forgotten about me. There have been times during this year where doors were opening in very specific ways, and then in a moment, they were slammed shut. At the beginning of last week, I received an unexpected phone call that lead to a week I will never forget. A king from Uganda, who I met earlier this year, called me and asked if he could come and visit. First lesson, when the King calls, don’t turn him away. As my family and I had the opportunity to receive the king, I was privileged to spend a week with one of the most amazing men I have ever met. He first and foremost has a pastor’s heart and serves as the Bishop of over 300 churches in Uganda and surrounding countries. But he is also a king and rules over 105 clans and 4 million people in his kingdom. His testimony could come straight out of the Bible of how God called, saved, healed, ordained and appointed a young orphan boy to become a pastor and king. In his care are 1586 orphans and 1200 widows in his kingdom. But he also shares the Gospel with kings, prime ministers and presidents. With all these enormous responsibilities, I don’t think I have ever met a more humble man. He was gracious enough to go and talk to my wife’s 1st grade class, at my son’s school, eat with our family and also with some dear friends who were visiting, hold my 1 year old nephew, amongst many other meetings. Nobody was unimportant to him. I share all of this with you not to take notice of me for spending time with a king, but to give all glory, honor and praise to God. God sent a king to a lonely, uncertain servant to remind him that the King of Kings has not forgotten about him. Second lesson and encouragement. If you are going through a season where you are asking like I have, “God have you forgotten about me?” Don’t give up! God has not forgotten you. My song of ascent, I will praise you on the mountain and in the valleys all the same.

Over six months had passed since the king’s visit, and very unexpectedly the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart about working with the king. As I first shared this news with my wife Susan, she was open and supportive of moving forward to see what would happen. I then began to reach out to a list of people, God very specifically told me to talk with and the same support and encouragement continued. I then came across a ministry who was already supporting and working with the king, caring for the orphans and widows. My first thought was, well, somebody is already doing what I felt we were supposed to pursue, so that probably is the end of this story.

Nevertheless, I reached out to Chris Macklin with Revival Africa, who first met King John in 2006 and started Revival Africa in 2008 to help support the orphans and widows in King John’s care. When I shared the story with Chris of how God had been stirring my heart to possibly work with King John, it lead to a conversation that lasted 2 1/2 hours. You have to know, this is the first time Chris and I had ever met or spoken to each other. Two weeks later, our wives joined us to continue the conversation and get to hear each others stories. That video call lasted 4 hours. I don’t say this about many people I meet, but Chris very clearly was a kindred spirit and a great encouragement to me on so many levels. What you need to know about Chris is, he is a Residential Architect. After meeting King John in 2006, before he was a king, Chris and his wife Janice felt lead to start Revival Africa. Out of obedience, they have personally supported and given to the orphans and widows under King John’s care since 2006.

As our conversations continued, Chris and Janice were supportive of Faces With Names moving forward to help in the work of caring for these precious kids and widows. As we discussed the path forward, I began to work once again on obtaining our 501c3 for FWN. One of the hurdles we faced over a year and half ago and what in some ways lead to us having to stop our work with Faces With Names was an issue we had with the IRS, mistakenly classifying us as a 501c4. A 501c4 is designated as a political action group, and one in which donors do not receive a tax deduction. As I sought council on what to do with this situation, most told us to start over from the beginning to get our 501c3, because getting someone on the phone from the IRS is just next to impossible, and getting them to admit their mistake seemed definitely impossible. With the season of Covid, many were informing me it could be 12 – 18 months to get our 501c3.

All of these obstacles seemed a bit overwhelming, until Chris offered to allow Faces With Names to take over the 501c3 of Revival Africa, merging the heart of our ministries under the newly established name of, Faces With Names International. And as of Monday, September 14th, and in under three months, our attorney officially sent off the packet to the IRS to formalize this transition and allow us to continue to care for orphans and widows in Uganda and beyond. It all started from the obedience of Chris & Janice, and has been maintained by their faithfulness and generosity through Revival Africa, to now allow us to continue through Faces With Names International.

I look forward to sharing more details with you about how God has worked in my life and through amazing God ordained and directed relationships and circumstances to move forward. I also look forward to sharing opportunities of how you can partner with us and live out the call to care for orphans and widows in their distress.

If you would like to partner with us to build the foundation to serve over 1500 orphans and 1200 widows in Uganda, click the link below to give, or Text: Give, to 918-228-5200.

https://faceswithnames.reachapp.co

Cheering You On In Christ,
Eric Mills

What Could Make Simon Cowell Cry?

Simon Cowell is best known for his blunt and often controversial statements to contestants over the year’s as a judge on a variety of shows such as, American Idol, The X Factor and Britain’s and America’s Got Talent.

His famous line and the title of his book, “I don’t mean to be rude, but…”, is often followed by harsh and cutting insults to contestants about their abilities, or lack thereof. 

So how is a no-nonsense and harsh personality who is unphased by the crowds opinion, moved to tears?

It all started this past June when a singer and adoptive dad named, Michael Ketterer, stood on the stage to audition for America’s Got Talent. He not only looked very nervous, he admitted he was very nervous.

Watch Ketterer Family Story

As Simon Cowell began to address Ketterer, he asked, what is the ambition or dream for you being here?

Ketterer responded,

“My family is the reason why I am here. My wife and my six children. One of the things that happens, especially because my children came out of foster care, when you’re surviving, you can’t dream. That has been one of the most rewarding things is providing them with a home and a safe environment where they are free to dream. I am here because I want to show that if their dad can live out his dreams, there is nothing impossible for them.”

And so with what appeared to be a few prayers under his breath, Ketterer began a moving rendition of the Bee Gees, “To Love Somebody,” where the emotional words of the song rang through to the audience and judges:

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You don’t know what it’s like, baby

You don’t know what it’s like

To love somebody

To love somebody

The way I love you

Watch Ketterer Audition Here

And with what Simon Cowell explained as a real and unexpected performance, he gave Ketterer one of only five golden buttons of the season, pushing him directly through to the live performances.

This golden moment also thrust Micheal and Ivey Ketterer, and their six children into the spotlight of what it means to be an adoptive family. They immediately became a beacon of light in the orphan care world with everyone cheering them on and celebrating their success.

But this spotlight, although important for all of us in the orphan care world who want to bring awareness and advocacy to orphans and vulnerable children, speaks even louder to a world who is amazed at this singer and his wife’s selflessness.

With great anticipation, Ketterer finished out the show of the first live performances and the quarterfinal elimination round. He did not disappoint with another moving performance by James Bay’s, “Us.” A few words from the song:

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Tell me how to be in this world

Tell me how to breathe in and feel no hurt

Tell me how could I believe in something

I believe in us    

As the song concluded and the judges were to speak, Simon Cowell was asking for a pass. But the host, Tyra Banks pressed him and urged him to share, even in his emotions.

On live national television, this perceived, hard-hearted guy shared with tears in his eyes and a crack in his voice. This is what Simon Cowell said,

“As a dad, I can’t imagine doing what you’ve done, and the fact that you’re on this show and you really need this. You’re a really, really special guy,”

I think the most important and fascinating words Cowell then spoke was this. He said to Ketterer, “There’s just something about you.”

Watch Simon Cowell Cry

Any parent understands the challenges and frustrations of parenting. Kids are a lot of work. But there is a vivid reality of what it must be like parenting children from hard places and devastating circumstances.

It is one thing to be the biological parent of children who might have challenging personalities or special needs. But to willingly choose children with those same circumstances when you don’t have to, now that will get people’s attention. And in this situation, even make Simon Cowell cry.

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The selflessness of this father who is singing on America’s Got Talent, to give hope and dreams to his adoptive sons, resonates with a lost world.

James 1:27 tells us, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

So when the world expects religion to look judgmental, self-seeking and self-promoting, God says there is an answer: caring for those who can do nothing for you and can give nothing back to you. Who can argue with religion like this?

Beyond the impact Ketterer has had on Simon Cowell, I read this response on a YouTube conversation board which said,

“I’m not religious myself, but when I see this man, I see the good religion can do. He is the walking embodiment of the best of Christianity – generosity, goodness, kindness.

Truly hoping more people will express their Christianity like this man does with his family, this was just beautiful.”

When the love of the gospel becomes so evident through our care for the most vulnerable, it creates a dynamic where the lost desire to know about a God who will love them in the same way.

As followers of Jesus, as The Church, we have the opportunity to replicate this unselfish, gospel-centered care for the most vulnerable. God, in his infinite wisdom, made no mistake. He took a word the world sees as negative and gave us the opportunity to make it pure and faultless.

So if I may borrow a line from Simon Cowell, “I don’t mean to be rude, but …”, 

It’s time for pastor’s, churches and believers to stop reading James 1:27 as an option. A lost and dying world is watching on whether we are willing to take up our cross daily to care for the most vulnerable.

As a whole, our performance as, The Church, stinks. It would receive the harshest Simon Cowell review and criticism. We can do better Church, and it is so much easier to start with the support of our pastors!

So what could make Simon Cowell cry? The very life of an unselfish dad who is living out a pure and faultless religion, called, The Gospel.

Eric Mills

President – Faces With Names   www.faceswithnames.org

National Pastoral Director for Orphan Sunday & Stand Sunday  www.orphansunday.com

What I’ve Learned from Our Dog Max

I have grown to have a fond appreciation, some might even equate it to Love, for our dog, Max.

Anyone who knows me well, knows how monumental this admission is for me to make. It’s not that I don’t like dogs, they’re just a pain sometimes.

Max as a Puppy

When we were on our adoption journey with Hope, our son Reagan and daughter Katelyn were begging for a dog. I was able to use the excuse that we don’t know if Hope likes dogs, so we need to wait until she comes home to live with us. It was a given when both kids prayed each night before bed, to hear, “Please God, help Hope like dogs.”

The first thing Reagan and Katelyn asked Hope when we arrived back at the airport from China was, “Hope, do you like dogs?” Of course she didn’t understand a word they were saying, but their faithful prayers would ultimately be answered.

Max Knows and Loves His Family

Our family travels a fair amount in our work with Faces With Names. Max starts to get noticeably nervous when he sees the suitcases coming out and being packed. He has stayed with a couple different dog sitters during our travels.

The first one Max stayed at was close to our house; he broke out and made his way back home, and was found sitting at our front door after a couple hours search.

The next dog sitter has worked out great. But after the first visit, Max came home with a few war wounds. He is a little snippy around other dogs. I think there was a Great Dane that ultimately was annoyed by our little ankle biter.

If Our Dog Feels this Level of Trauma, How Much More Do Kids?

I don’t pretend to know how dogs feel or think, but it is visibly noticeable how Max’s demeanor changes when he senses he is not going to be with his family.

What I’ve learned from our dog, Max, is the trauma orphan and vulnerable children must experience when they are separated or removed from their families must be unbearable.

Faces With Names exists so Orphans and Vulnerable Children Will Know the Love of a Family

All is well with Max when he knows he is loved, cared for and with his family. Will you help us make this a reality for orphans and vulnerable children, who right now, at this very moment are feeling the trauma of not knowing there is a family to love and care for them?

Your year-end gift helps us help orphans and vulnerable children know the love of a family. Your online giving must be completed by Midnight on December 31st to get a 2017 tax deductible receipt.

Click Here to Make a Year End Donation Now

Attention: No medical bills will be paid for heart attacks from me admitting I love our dog.

Wishing You a Happy & Blessed 2018,

Eric Mills

www.faceswithnames.org

 

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