Robin's Nest
Children's Home
 

And a note from Michelle in Jamaica-

“Jamaica itself is the same but the things God is doing around us are so above and beyond all I could ask or think.  I am being called on by the children’s service department now to advise and help on some issues and cases that are difficult.  I have been dealing with some things that are very unbelievable. 

Please pray for children all around the world.  As the times become more and more stressful, satan rears his ugly head to attack everyone because his days are getting shorter.  The old and young seem to get the full brunt.  Thank God that “He Who is in us is greater than he that is in the world.”  Our only hope for the future is Jesus Christ.”

From Scott Lacher, Robin’s Nest U.S. Board Member

   Recently, I spoke with a friend in Kansas City who runs benefit auctions for Athletes in Action.  He is in the process of putting together an auction to start a non-profit foundation and is willing to dedicate a section of his auction for the Robin’s Nest building fund.  All we have to do is supply the items for auction.   
    Wouldn’t we all like to contribute so God’s children can be brought up in a safe, clean healthy environment and learn the wonders of our Lord and Savior?  Yes.  Do we all have an extra 10% hanging around to donate?  Well, not all of us.  But what about that autographed baseball on the shelf or the wildlife print stored in the closet?  Here is our opportunity to turn sports, movie or political memorabilia, art prints, paintings, or antiques into baby formula, diapers and other necessities.   Do you happen to know any pro athletes, politicians, celebrities, actors, or collectors?  Will you please contact them and ask for an item to be auctioned for the children of Robins Nest?
    The auction will be held in mid to late October.  We will have to act quickly in order to get our description listed in the auction brochure which will go to print in just a couple weeks.  Please email me and I will fill you in on shipping and delivery dates and the other particulars for this event:
scottsmemorabilia@yahoo.com. 

BOARD PRESIDENT GAYLE DIGGINS HONORED

Robin’s Nest U.S. Board President Gayle Diggins will be receiving an award from the OSDJ (Organization for Strategic Development in Jamaica) at their annual banquet held in October. 

Gayle is being recognized for her efforts to improve the health, education, and overall well-being of Jamaica’s children. Gayle has been a member of JMO (Jamaica-Minnesota Organization) for six years.  For the last five years, she has served on their scholarship committee to fund school scholarships for needy children. To date, she has visited over 15 primary schools and has personally sponsored 2 boys in high school. 

Gayle has also been a member of the Robin's Nest board of directors for 5 years and has been the president since December. She is currently at Robin's Nest helping to organize the new home and school.

Trip Report

Trip Report by Mark Stutelberg (Robin’s Nest Board of Directors)

I recently returned from a one week trip to the Nest with three others. We had the privilege to really focus on the home and the children. It was a great time yet I know that I have never worked as hard for one solid week as I did then. The time helped me to realize what really happens there. A few days before we arrived a baby was welcomed by Michelle. She celebrated her one week birthday and was loved, fed and nurtured by our team, the staff and Michelle. I wondered what would have happened otherwise.   A family was visiting the Nest and arrived just ahead of us. They met a little girl just 8 months old weighing 10 pounds. She was also living at the Nest but had a heart defect that required surgery to repair. They were able to meet with the mother, the Jamaican courts, and a New York heart surgeon and were allowed to take this little girl home to get that little heart fixed! Three days after we arrived at the Nest, Michelle was called by a Social Worker and was asked to go to another home to pick up three children from a very bad situation. The details of the situation we do not know. They left quickly and 5 hours later brought back two little girls and a boy, brothers and sisters who had clearly been traumatized. One of these children had been beaten and mistreated over a long period of time. They are now SAFE, LOVED, FED and are learning how to play with other children. 

REMEMBERING JAKE

Editor’s note: Courtney and Brett were among Jake Anderson’s best friends. He was to be best man at their wedding this past July, but he passed away in June after a battle with cancer. 

   Some of our fondest memories of our good friend Jake are from our experiences with him on the mission trips that we were all a part of through Woodbury United Methodist Church.  We had the amazing opportunity to be a part of trips with Jake to Haiti, Oaks Indian Reservation in Oklahoma, and finally, Robin’s Nest Children’s Home in Jamaica.  Because of Jake’s enormous energy he was an instant hit with all of the children on each of these trips.  He was always ready and eager to play games, especially if they involved running around and creating new games on the spot. God had given him the gift of being a joy to those around him. He loved spending time with children in need of love, and his joy and energy were blessings to all who came in contact with him.  We both saw the quiet spiritual and personal growth that these mission experiences cultivated in Jake, especially through his interactions with the children of Robin’s Nest.  Indeed, the legacy that Jake has left with all those who cared about him so much is his love for children.  This love continues to live on even now in our hearts, but also through his family who wanted to contribute in some way to the children that so impacted Jake.  Through a memorial they set up, over $4,000 has been raised to send to the Robin’s Nest. We know that Jake would love nothing more than to be able to have his memory continue to spread joy to these children.  What an amazing testimony of God’s love for all the children of the world and a legacy of one who had the Father’s heart for them.  ~Cortney and Brett Heerwald

Note from Michelle about Jake:  “He had a heart for God and our children.  I look forward to spending eternity with him.  Heaven gained a new citizen that day.” 

We are very grateful to all who gave so generously to the Nest in memory of Jake.  Thank you!

Robin's Nest Trip Director

Robin's Nest currently has an immediate need for a trip director. The responsibilities for this volunteer position include working with potential visitors to the Nest as a resource to coordinate trip dates, air travel, accommodations, and possible projects to undertake while visiting. Hours vary widely depending on the needs and experience of the group and/or individuals traveling to Jamaica. The trip director should have access to the internet and live in or near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to k.killian@att.net.

FEEL FREE TO USE OUR Gifting Form WHEN GIVING!

Vision statement:

To raise the standard and quality of childcare across the island of Jamaica; to improve the ratio of adults to children in childcare settings; to abolish the mindset that physically, mentally, and otherwise challenged children are second-class citizens.

Mission statement:

We pray that Robin's Nest will provide a nurturing, loving, safe, Christ-centered atmosphere in which all children will grow at their own speed --physically, mentally, and spiritually -- so they may develop their own individual gifts, talents and abilities and become the person who God intended.

If you would like more information on Robin's Nest or would like to send a donation (all money is wired directly to Jamaica via our bank here) please contact Kris Killian at the Robin's Nest U.S. office: 
P.O. #122, Lake Elmo, MN 55042-0122    k.killian@att.net

(Robin's Nest is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law)