Wellspring International

New Blog

2010-10-27T12:20:00.001-05:00

The Wellspring Blog has moved. Click here to see the new blog.

Wellspring--Delhi, India

2010-05-03T14:17:00.006-05:00

by Sarah SnodgrassGreetings from Delhi, India! The day has been an eventful one...full of rickshaws, delicious food, and wonderful conversations with amazing people.Around 10 o’clock, Thomas Skaria, who is on the staff of RZIM India met us and we took the hour and a half drive to East Delhi. There, we had the opportunity to spend many hours at The Leprosy Mission, a place

Fresh Manna - The Opening of a Dream!

2010-03-19T08:55:00.002-05:00

March has been a very fruitful and encouraging month as Naomi had the opportunity to travel to South Africa for the grand opening of Fresh Manna, the restaurant concept created by Noleen Glasgow, the recipient of one of Wellspring’s first individual grants. Noleen is the perfect example of why Wellspring exists. She is a woman who found herself in the midst of some very

Zamar Academy Christmas Dinner

2010-01-20T11:32:00.002-05:00

by Naomi ZachariasFor Christmas, Wellspring hosted a Christmas dinner for the children of Zamar Academy in Chennai, India. This is a Christian school that serves underprivileged children from the slum areas of Chennai. 137 students and their families attended the event. Each student was given a school bag with a pencil set and toy inside.Click here to see the video of their celebration...the

From South Africa to Disneyland

2009-11-11T14:20:00.003-05:00

by Naomi ZachariasWe have often spoken of Noleen and her story of courage and strength. She successfully changed the course of her life when she received a scholarship from Wellspring. Graduating at the top of her class from culinary school, Noleen has since been a chef at a four star hotel in Cape Town.She and her son, Jomei, traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, in October to share her story with

Fair Trade Month

2009-10-05T09:25:00.002-05:00

Fall is here. And October is now about more than costumes and candy. October is Fair Trade Month.Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that seeks to engage small producers in developing countries in the global retail market. The movement serves many purposes: as an advocate for the local producer, to promote environmentally responsible standards in the production

Slice of Infinity: "You Have Done It Unto Me"

2009-09-24T08:43:00.003-05:00

Some food for thought. Check out this Slice of Infinity by RZIM apologist Margaret Manning:http://ls.egen.net/MessageView.aspx?sid=167786636&cid=167772742&textonly=0

ABC Nightline Link

2009-09-21T07:36:00.001-05:00

Attached is a link to a portion of the transcript for the ABC Nightline program on sexual exploitation that aired last week:Tracking Suspected American Pedophiles in Cambodiahttp://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/inside-investigation-alleged-sex-predators-cambodia/Story?id=8579591&page=4How to help end sexual exploitationhttp://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/end-sexual-exploitation-cambodia/story?id=

Nightline on ABC

2009-09-16T12:49:00.001-05:00

ABC’s Nightline will feature a story on sex trafficking in Cambodia that is expected to air on September 16th, 2009, with two follow-up pieces for the evening news in the days thereafter. One of the follow-up stories will feature a girl called 'Bella' from the NEWSONG CENTRE which is run by one of the organizations we work with, AIM4ASIA in Cambodia. Nightline usually airs late in the evening so

Gulu, Uganda

2009-08-07T13:11:00.000-05:00

by Emily SernakerAfter a brief intermission, I am continuing my travels with Wellspring International; moving from the crowded streets of Mumbai, India, to dirt road villages of Gulu, Uganda. Having seen so much in two months, I sometimes wonder what will stay with me about my summer of mangos and malaria pills. My summer of ‘if it feels like something is crawling on you, that's because it is.’

Mumbai, India June 2009

2009-07-24T08:35:00.001-05:00

Part 5by Emily SernakerMTV Cribs should do a special on Gandhi's house. I'm serious, instead of watching how Tommy Lee got a Starbucks built in his kitchen, we could be looking at Gandhi's spinning wheel and learning about how this delicate man would spin and spin for all of India. It would be great, we could look at Gandhi's jail bowl and read his correspondences with Tolstoy and Churchill;

Mumbai, India June 2009

2009-07-22T08:28:00.001-05:00

Part 4by Emily SernakerI think that if you were to ask, India would tell you I'm getting the hang of things. I say go on India, lean on your walking stick, wash your clothes in the river, pierce your nose, burn your trash. Honk your horn before you turn the corner, let them know you are coming. India, I see you gliding down the road with all that spiky firewood, silver jugs of water up on your

Mumbai, India June 2009

2009-07-20T09:06:00.000-05:00

Part 3by Emily SernakerI asked some of the women at the rehab center what the best part of their day was. Without hesitation, they all told me the same thing: the rain. It really is something to see everyone look at the water falling from the sky as if it is direct proof that God has heard and answered each of their prayers. I was excited for the rain too, until I realized that the water

Mumbai, India June 2009

2009-07-17T14:08:00.001-05:00

Part 2by Emily SernakerThis weekend I had the opportunity to visit all of the programs I will be evaluating for Wellspring International in the coming weeks. Medical clinics in the red light district, children’s homes and rehabilitation centers both in the district and an hour outside it, vocational training centers, and a home for children with HIV/AIDS were among the places I visited. In 48

Mumbai, India June 2009

2009-07-15T12:43:00.001-05:00

By Emily SernakerAs I prepared to graduate from the University of Redlands this last year, I was faced with the certain and inevitable question: "What are you going to do with your life?" With a degree in Creative Writing and Social Justice, I answered that in the immediate future, I was interested in going into Humanitarian Aid work and Development. "What is it about all this?" people would

Mumbai, India

2009-07-01T08:38:00.001-05:00

Monday, June 22, 2009by Naomi ZachariasWe wake up early and sip on chai tea while eating an omelet and a few chapatis for breakfast. We meet Ena, the director of the vocational training program for women. She is stylish and chic, and as I shake her hand I comment that I like her earrings. “You like them?” she remarks. “Here, you must have them,” she says as she angles her head to each side to

Mumbai, India

2009-06-29T13:53:00.007-05:00

Sunday, June 21, 2009by Naomi ZachariasAfter just a few hours, it felt like we were in a different part of the country much further away. There were mountains, and winding dirt roads, and an open stretch of blue sky. We started the day by visiting a home for girls. We instantly had friends, who giggled and slipped their hands into ours and began to show us their home. We entered rooms with

Mumbai, India

2009-06-22T13:23:00.002-05:00

Saturday, June 20, 2009by Naomi ZachariasWe arrived in Mumbai at 1:00 am this morning. Our flight was delayed and then our luggage the last to appear on the belt. That's always a nervous moment, when the passengers next to you retrieve their bags and disappear one by one. And then you start to slowly become less hopeful, reprimand yourself for putting faith in the baggage system and checking in

Amsterdam

2009-06-02T12:17:00.003-05:00

Thursday, May 14, 2009by Laurie GrotelueschenThe day started with a cup of strong Dutch coffee and a croissant. After the breakfast of champions we were picked up by Elizabeth from Scarlet Cord and headed to a high school outside of Amsterdam for a prostitution prevention class. Scarlet Cord has been invited to area high schools to conduct a prevention seminar on “lover boys” (pimps) and

Amsterdam

2009-06-02T12:16:00.005-05:00

Wednesday, May 13, 2009by Naomi ZachariasWe arrive in Amsterdam in time to meet the morning sun. Unable to check into our hotel, we stop in the lobby for a few minutes to check email as we have been out of contact with home since leaving. After checking in and reassuring all we were alive and well, we wander around outside, a little tired, ready for a shower, and in clothes we are ready to retire

Cape Town

2009-06-02T12:14:00.005-05:00

Tuesday, May 12, 2009by Naomi ZachariasWe woke up to our last day in Cape Town. Laurie took on another hike in the early morning hours and I tried to catch up on a few hours of sleep after my third night of wide-eyed, jet-lag-induced insomnia. When she returned we ate a hurried breakfast and then began a short day in Cape Town before heading to the airport for our evening flight.We went to see a

Cape Town

2009-05-21T11:52:00.014-05:00

Monday, May 11, 2009by Naomi ZachariasWe seemed to be the only ones staying at the small Guest House, so we picked a small table outside and consumed a full breakfast to energize for the long day ahead. Pippa, the Co-Director of Home from Home, picked us up minutes later and we were on our way.Home from Home was started in 2005 and provides permanent foster care for children orphaned and

Blogging Again

2009-05-14T11:42:00.001-05:00

The Wellspring blog is now back online. Check back for updates on Naomi's current trip to Cape Town and Amsterdam.

Cape Town, South Africa

2009-05-14T11:29:00.006-05:00

Sunday, May 10, 2009by Naomi ZachariasWe arrived in Cape Town late Saturday night and woke up early Sunday morning to hike Table Mountain. The weather was perfect, the sky a remarkable shade of blue, and I really think this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It has breathtaking mountains and blue and turquoise water beaches. Standing at the very top of the mountain with the warm

Kuala Lumpur

2007-06-11T13:50:00.000-05:00

I left Penang while it was still dark and night had not quite given way to morning. Arriving in KL, I was picked up by two of Hama's cousins. I think perhaps this initial meeting was the one that was most difficult, as we could sort of read in each other's eyes the awareness of all that had transpired since our last meeting. We asked the polite questions inquiring about family and pets and jobs,

Penang

2007-06-11T13:31:00.000-05:00

I boarded a plane for Penang, barely making my connection, and at that only because the plane actually waited to get me on board. I slumped into the seat to take a breath, and readied myself for the trip ahead. I was on my way to visit two women Wellspring has had the privilege of sponsoring. Each in challenging circumstances, they have become friends to me and spending time with them and hearing

Jakarta

2007-06-11T13:09:00.000-05:00

Veronica and I landed in Jakarta close to midnight, and as we tiredly said goodnight, we also confirmed details for our speaking engagement the next morning. It was career day at a local school, and together Veronica and I gave a 30 minute presentation on humanitarian work. We spoke to two classes of 14 year old students, and I gained a new sympathy for teachers as dozens of pairs of eyes looked

Aceh-Part 2

2007-06-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

Our time in Aceh was full, which is why I decided to spare you from reading it all in one post. As we approached the building that houses several Wellspring projects, I was excited at the prospect of all I'd find. We first walked into our computer lab. We currently have 150 students enrolled in our computer course, each working on a computer purchased by Wellspring. With a curriculum from a

Aceh, Part 1

2007-06-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

On the day we were to leave for Aceh, I was scheduled to be picked up at 4:30 in morning. I even surprised myself to be waiting outside a whole 5 minutes early. This is one of the benefits of international travel; before my body adjusts to a new time zone, I'm early to everything for about two days. I had just arrived in Jakarta the day before—after over 30 hours of travel—so I was tired, but

Jakarta

2007-05-29T08:26:00.000-05:00

I am, as the song goes, “on the road again…” I left Atlanta this afternoon, and am now sitting in the Los Angeles airport waiting for my next flight to take me Singapore, where I will then take the last leg of this outbound journey to Jakarta. I will be spending two weeks in Asia, first heading to Aceh to visit and check in on our ongoing tsunami project with

Turkey

2007-05-18T13:03:00.000-05:00

We landed in Istanbul just before dawn, and watched the sunrise on our decent into the city. We were met by Senem, an RZIM friend in Istanbul. Our afternoon was spent taking in a bit of the city. We had lunch at a café on the water and then enjoyed a short cruise through Marmara Sea, an inland sea that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea. Floating down the Bosphorus Straight, on

Lebanon

2007-05-17T08:46:00.000-05:00

Arriving in Lebanon, we were greeted by friends very special to us, Sami and Joy Dagher. We stayed in their home, so as well as accomplishing work on behalf of Wellspring, we were able to spend some time talking and catching up with the Dagher’s and various friends in Beirut. On Saturday morning, we first went to eat breakfast with Denise, Hida, and Jad Dagher. After unexpectedly losing

Syria

2007-05-12T20:53:00.000-05:00

In keeping with our trip so far, Syria was incredibly full—both in schedule and in heart. But our first day in Damascus began with a gift from God. Having exhausted ourselves in Jordan, though the time was rich with old friends and new, we were happy to have a full day to rest. Our contact here had to leave unexpectedly for the day, and so we took the opportunity to sleep. We ventured out of our

Jordan

2007-05-07T22:02:00.000-05:00

Hello again from the road! We have had a very productive few days, and our exhausted minds and bodies are vouching for it. Our final morning in the United Arab Emirates ended with some distinctive Middle Eastern hospitality—and a television interview, too. We had breakfast with an RZIM board member and his family, and shortly thereafter we began filming with the crew from Power Vision, a network

United Arab Emirates

2007-05-04T13:36:00.000-05:00

Our first day went well. Naomi had a meeting with the leaders of the conference. There are 550 women present, with 45 nations represented, and more than 10 speakers. Anne Graham Lotz opened the conference with an evening address on Abraham. She spoke about leaving everything to follow God, outlining Abraham's failure to trust God during the famine and his disastrous journey into Egypt, and

Wellspring Heads to the Middle East

2007-05-02T15:04:00.000-05:00

Wellspring is on the road again! With about a week to unload suitcases from the last trip, Naomi is now packed again and traveling with Margie for two full weeks in the Middle East. Our first stop is in the United Arab Emirates where Naomi is speaking three times at an International Women's Conference.Alison Thomas of the RZIM itinerant team is also speaking at this conference, and we are looking

Atlanta, Georgia

2007-04-24T15:15:00.000-05:00

We are home again (sort of). As we write this, we are actually on our way back to Atlanta after a weekend speaking engagement in Oxford, Mississippi. (We are taking to heart that proverb about allowing “no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.”) After one incredible last day of site visits, we left Africa behind and arrived in Atlanta early Friday morning. Saying goodbye to Jim, we

Cape Town, South Africa

2007-04-17T17:50:00.000-05:00

We arrived safely in Cape Town and have much to report. Our project near Mozambique did not go as planned and regrettably we made the decision to end our time there earlier than intended.Arriving in Cape Town and having an unexpected day off, we decided to do what any shameless tourists in South Africa would do: we went on a safari. We drove two hours outside of Cape Town to a phenomenal

Gulu, Uganda

2007-04-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

Gulu is now behind us. The sounds of crashing waves in Durban, South Africa are a roaring reminder that we are no longer in the land-locked country of Uganda. But Uganda is not far from our minds.For the last 20 years, more than 1.5 million people in northern Uganda have been displaced from their homes due to ongoing violence. The majority of these people are still living in Internally Displaced

Entebbe, Uganda

2007-04-09T19:47:00.000-05:00

Greetings from Uganda! We are finally here after two days of international travel complete with lost luggage, the kicking, screaming, and/or air sick child ever in the seat behind us, and a vast array of airports through which to navigate. Today we flew from Johannesburg, South Africa to Nairobi, Kenya to Entebbe, Uganda- whose airport you may remember as the location of a famous international

Welcome!

2007-04-08T16:56:00.001-05:00

Thank you for visiting Wellspring International’s first blogging experience! Our hope is to capture in these postings the events of Wellspring’s current trip to Africa, to offer its supporters a voice from the field and a glimpse of Wellspring’s current and potential efforts in Africa. Director of Wellspring International, Naomi Zacharias, RZIM staff writer, Jill Carattini, and Jim Manning of

Wellspring's First Post - What is Wellspring?

2007-04-03T17:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Wellspring International's first blog post!The MissionWellspring International was established in February 2004 by Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). A humanitarian arm of the organization, Wellspring International is an extension of the central focus of RZIM, where we live out what we preach and defend. The vision of Wellspring is to identify and fund individuals in