Lisa Landis – This Thursday I travel to Kenya to report on the community of Alendu with Rafiki Africa.  Rafiki Africa works together with African communities to provide practical resources, training, real and lasting hope, dignity, encouragement, spiritual growth and guidance.  It’s been two years since I visited Africa.  My last trip was with Eastern Mennonite Missions in April of 2010.  Before I travel on Thursday, I wanted to update you on the Guinea-Bissau school project in Western Africa.  Here is a quick video of the progress:

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The walls are up and the roof is on the school building in Catel, Guinea-Bissau, that WJTL listeners so generously contributed to in 2010-2011. EMM worker Beryl Forester said all the funds that were raised have been used – about $11,000.

Beryl estimates that another $5,000 would cover the cost of plastering both the inside and the outside of the school, pouring the concrete floors, putting in windows and doors, and painting the building. Of course, furnishings like desks and benches would also be helpful; making or purchasing them would likely cost an additional $3,000. This building will have four classrooms, each accommodating 30 students, 120 per session. There are two sessions per day.

There’s still a lot to be done! Catel has one of the worst educational situations in the region. Most of the teachers do not receive a salary so classes are quite irregular and the instructional level is insufficient. Sadly, many of the students who go through the program still can’t read or write when they finish.

But there’s also reason to hope! A man who is a native of Catel will soon complete his teacher’s certificate and Beryl reports that he has a dream to return to Catel to help create an effective school environment here.

Another new project in Guinea-Bissau

Another exciting possibility for the village is the prospect of getting a cashew processing project up and running. EMM is raising funds through a special Faithfunder campaign to run a pilot project. This would mean villagers could process their cashews in the country rather than shipping them to India for processing, which is what they do now. Processing the nuts locally, and establishing trade relationships directly with buyers, means the communities that grow the cashews also get the jobs and retain more of the profits. The community could see long-term economic development.

You can be part of this project, too. You can even get tasty cashew nuts in exchange for supporting it! But it’s only running until October 12. Go to www.emm.org/cashew and find out:

• Why is EMM processing cashews in Guinea-Bissau?
• What is Faithfunder?
• How can people help?

5       FUN FREE FAMILY THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

5. Steven Courtney concert on Sun. Aug. 12th at 5PM at Elizabethtown Grace Brethren Church in Elizabethtown. 717-367-1281  stevencourtney.com

4. Community Day, sponsored by Community United Methodist Church, will be held on Saturday, August 11 in the Saginaw Picnic Grove. The picnic grove is located at the intersection of Long Road and Saginaw Road, Mt. Wolf. The activities will begin at 11:00 am. Phredd concert beginning at 1:00 pm. Food and drinks will be available, featuring Community’s famous chicken corn soup. Everyone is welcome! 717-266-1308

3. Rawlinsville Camp Meeting will be hosting Jessie Rothacker and Forgotten Friends on Saturday, August 11. Jessie’s show, which includes snakes, turtles, and all kinds of reptiles, as well as fun audience interaction, will start at 1 pm. (717) 284-2746 or check out www.rawlinsvillecamp.com Brett Rush will be playing at the Rawlinsville Camp Meeting on Sunday, August 12.

2. Ralley At Rosedale at Rosedale Camp Grove in Laureldale on Sat. Aug. 11th from 6-10PM. Speaker Joe Duerr and woship leaders Eric Schneiderhan of West Lawn UMC , Ashlin Hollinger and Jason Frey of Life Church Lancaster come together for one night of incredible worship and speaking. Free Admission, Food will be available. 610-301-9835

1. Second Friday in Lititz – Every Second Friday of each month, 5-9 p.m., local residents and visitors alike are invited to head to downtown Lititz, PA, a cool, safe and comfortable place for family and friends to get together-all ages welcome. Enjoy dinner downtown then take a relaxing stroll down the streets of our historic village – take your time! 717-626-6332  lititzpa.com/secondfriday_join.php

5. Travis Wetzel on Sat. July 14th from 7-8:45PM at Mt. Gretna Campmeeting in Mt. Gretna at part of their 2012 Heritage Festival. Free admission. An offering will be taken. ben@benwiley.com

4. Celebrity animal expert, Harrison Forbes, will offer safe travel tips to local pets and their human families on July 14 from 11AM-4PM at Freedom Toyota in Harrisburg. The popular film and broadcast trainer will demonstrate pet vehicle safety tips and hand out signed copies of his best-seller Dog Talk The festival, co-sponsored by The Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, will feature a variety of exhibits and activities. Admission is free. 717-652-3660

3. October Baby this weekend, Saturday & Sunday at 7:00 PM at Life streams Productions in Ronks. It is s free event, a freewill offering will be taken. (717) 687-4263

2 Second Saturday Art Reception to benefit Children’s Home of York at the Office Furniture Outlet Saturday Art Reception. The event takes place July 14, 5-9 pm. It is free and open to the public. Second Saturday features food, beverages, live music from Greg Stuller, plus the work of eight local and regional artists.

717-848-2900 or http://www.offfurn.com/

1. Kids Cookie Break broadcasting live at the Strasburg Farmers Market at 145 Precision Ave. in Strasburg on Sat. July 14th from 9AM-Noon.

Strasburg Farmers Market every Saturday from 8AM-1PM and Tuesday from 4-7PM until Oct. 13th.

http://www.strasburgfarmmarket.com

strasburgfarmmarketinfo@gmail.com or 717-687-8494

Lisa Landis takes the Kids Cookie Break on a field trip to the Lancaster Science Factory!

Lt. Clark Bearinger takes Lisa Landis and the Kids Cookie Break on a tour of the Lancaster City Police Department and gives us a crash course on what it takes to be a detective!

Lisa Landis takes the Kids Cookie Break on a field trip to Square One Coffee in downtown Lancaster to talk with Josh about roasting great coffee!

WJTL’s Lisa Landis visits the Liz Hess Gallery in downtown Lancaster to speak with the artist about her new series of art that mixes painting with poetry.

Kids Cookie Break host Lisa Landis seeks out the art of making the perfect cookie in this goofy KCB short video.

Lisa takes the Kids Cookie Break on a field trip to Square One Coffee in downtown Lancaster. Not only does she get to witness a friendly impromptu latte art competition among the baristas, she jumps in and sees how she fares against the pros!

Enjoy the music of Grandma Landis playing “What a Day That Will Be” on the harmonica as Lisa Landis and the Kids Cookie Break stops by Landis Homes