March 2008

Dear Friends,

I really want to thank Dustin Sprouse and Richard Smartnick for helping me build a chicken pen to help protect or hens from predators. When I say they helped me I really mean that they did most of the work and I gave him inspiration and encouragement. We were also able to build new nest boxes and a roost. We have some peeps that will be delivered at the end of the month. We are hoping to have enough egg production come fall that we won't have to purchase eggs any longer. If we produce enough we may sell some to the neighbors to help pay for feed and supplies.

The garden has been prepared and plans are being made on what to put out and when. It's tough for a city boy to know exactly what to do but we have been blessed with many neighbors who are giving me advise and telling me what to do. This year the kids are going to get a section of garden to take care of on there own. They will be able to plant what they want and take care of the weeding and tending to produce food for everyone to share.

Some of you have been asking what your VBS kids could do to help us this year. We really don't have a big project like we have in the past two years. But we have some small projects that you may be able to help us out with. We would like to purchase a rear-tine tiller for the garden (est. cost $550.00). We are also in need of a wagon and sprayer to haul behind the mower (est. cost $300.00). The big ticket item is a walk-in cooler (we believe we can pick up a good used one for about $1,000). You many wish to sponsor one of these items.

We also have plenty of things for work groups to do. We have three out-buildings that are in need of painting. We have a trench that needs to be dug for rewiring our front sign. We have some landscaping that is in need of being done. We also have a lot of misc. items that could be done to help us out. Please plan on bringing a crew to work with our kids for an unforgettable missions experience.

We are now collecting Campbell Soup labels and box-tops for education. We are hoping to collect enough to make a get some items for our schooling. You can help us by saving your soup labels and and box-tops. (Click these underlined links for more information).

Thanks again for your support, prayers, and well wishes.

God Bless You,

Loren Harold Lung

houseparent