This Thanksgiving

Thankful for You! Now, More Than Ever.

A Message from Rick Fleck, ICC’s President

Thanksgiving is an appropriate time each year to do just what the great Christian

hymn tells us to do – “Count Your Blessings!” And as I consider the bountiful

blessings that God has provided to this ministry, my thoughts turn to YOU and

the many ways YOU have blessed the children this year!

As I count blessings, I’m grateful for...

• Your Prayers. You have lifted up this ministry to the Father of the fatherless. You have prayed for the children, the caregivers, the administrators and for the financial resources needed.

• Your Correspondence. You have sent cards and letters to a specific child that has lifted his or her spirit. Your calls and letters to the ICC office have encouraged us to carry on.

• Your Generosity. You continue to support this ministry with your generous gifts. You ensure that the children receive the nurturing care they need. You help this ministry thrive, even in tough times.

• Your Commitment. You have not abandoned the children even in the face of increasing chaos in the world. You continue to travel with us on this ministry journey. Thank you for blessing the children in so many powerful ways!

Now, more than ever, children like Sofia need you!

Sofia is 10 years old and is representative of many of the children who come to us. When she was only two years old, her mother died of cancer. Since her father is in jail, other family member took her in. Recently, problems arose with her care, and government authorities stepped in and brought her to the El Oasis Children’s Village in Mexico. This Thanksgiving, Sofia is a part of the ICC family.

She has a place at the ICC table. Yet, now more than ever Sofia and hundreds of children like her need your continued support. These are trying times. Inflation and economic hardships are affecting our ability to provide for the children. And here, at the end of the year, your continued generosity is needed. While you have this letter in your hand, won’t you please send in a gift to help provide for the care of children like Sofia?

(Photo: This Thanksgiving, children like Sofia are blessed to be a part of the ICC family thanks to your support.)

This Thanksgiving, as we count our blessings, we think of you. Thank you for all

you do for the children! May God bless you!

Disaster In The Desert

The other day someone mentioned how grateful they were that our donors were “constants” in the lives of our ICC kids. That short comment about “constants” brought to mind memories of a day that I will never forget.

I was 17 years old and feeling quite pleased with all that was happening in my life. I had graduated from high school, had a girlfriend and a summer job, and now I was driving in my first car out to the Colorado River to go water-skiing with friends.

Suddenly, as my speed was creeping higher, I heard a loud knocking noise coming from my engine compartment. Pulling into a service station the mechanic confirmed my worst fears. The noise was from a loose connecting rod, and the engine was “blown.”

Heartbroken, I called my dad, who immediately cancelled all his patient appointments for the day and drove out into the desert to rescue me It wasn’t the first time that he had rescued me, and certainly it wasn’t the last. Indeed, through the years of my ups and downs of life, my dad was always a “constant.” He was always present, and always ready to help at a moment’s notice.

So, I want to recognize that as my dad was always a “constant” for me, you, by your thoughts and prayers, by your generous gifts of love, have been “constants” for your ICC kids.

Truly, the impact of what you have done in the past, and of what you are doing now, will never be fully known this side of heaven. During this season of gratitude, I want to thank you for making such a dramatic difference in so many lives!

The Joy of Two Lives Joined Together

Thank you for making celebrations like this possible!

The support YOU provide for the children is transformational. Yes, the transformation may take months and even years. The growth and development of a child takes time. But consistent, nurturing care, fuelled by the support you provide through your gifts, has a positive and telling impact over time. Moses, one of the older boys in India is yet another example of this.

Several years ago, when Moses was very young, his mother left home and was never heard from again. His father was not able to provide the care that Moses and his siblings needed and eventually they were brought to ICC’s Sweet Home Children’s Village in India Moses thrived in his new home environment. Again, it was support from ICC family members like you that transformed him from a little child into a fine young man.

(Photo: Moses not long after he arrived at Sweet Home Children’s Village.)

Upon completion of high school, Moses enrolled at Spicer Adventist University. With the assistance of his ICC family, he eventually completed his degree in Theology. For the past few years, he has been serving as a pastor. However, something was missing in Moses’ life.

Not long ago, Moses met a young woman named Khayiwon. She had also earned a degree in Theology from Spicer and was working as a missionary. Neither of them knew of each other until the hand of Providence brought them together on a Zoom meeting for pastors. As the saying goes, “one thing led to another” and their interest and love sprouted, blossomed, and flourished until the couple decided they would get married.

The official engagement ceremony took place on September 9 at a small church near Khayiwon’s home, which is in a distant state. Because Khayiwon’s father had passed away, her older brother initiated the program and introduced the bride-to-be’s family and their relationships. Then, Moses introduced himself and the Sweet Home family and friends that were able to attend. He shared how he was blessed to be raised at such a lovely place as Sweet Home and to have so many brothers and sisters. Khayiwon also shared her gratitude for the love that her family had shown her. The ceremony also included a pastoral message

presented by the conference secretary. According to Udai, ICC’s business manager who attended the event, “It was like a thanksgiving prayer meeting where all the family and relatives gathered.

Moses and Khayiwon’s wedding took place on September 29 at the university church next to the Sweet Home campus where Moses had grown up. You can tell how much the homes that You have provided mean to the children when they eagerly return to celebrate such events!

(Photo: Khayiwon and Moses during their wedding ceremony.)

The wedding was lovely and many who attended shared their thanks to ICC and Sweet Home for the care that is given to many children. They recognized what a wonderful opportunity is being given to children like Moses to be a part of the ICC Sweet Home family. Udai says that he often receives phone calls from many people who inquire if there is a boy or a girl who is ready for marriage from Sweet Home. They would like to have them in their family and even go so far as to say they don’t want any dowry. Udai, himself one of ICC’s grown children from Sweet Home, recognizes that this is because of God’s grace through ICC and the wonderful things being taught to the children.

(Photo: Udai and Kaliani Valluri give a traditional pre-wedding blessing to Moses and Khayiwon.)

When the couple was ready to leave, Khayiwon had tears in her eyes. Not only had she fallen in love with Moses, but she had also fallen in love with Sweet Home! She promised that, when she gets some time off, she wants to return to Sweet Home and teach songs to the children and share the work of God there. Following is an excerpt from a message of thanksgiving that Moses wanted to share with the ICC family —

Dear Mom, Dad, & ICC family,

Greetings in the name of our provider Jehovah Jireh. I praise God from whom all blessings flow. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart dear ICC family for your continued love, support and prayers towards me. By God’s grace, from my childhood until this day, what I am today is because of ICC, the nurturing of Mom, Mrs. Lilly Kaligithi, and Sweet Home family, guidance from ICC, and support from sponsors through ICC...My wife, Khayiwon, and I heartfully express our gratitude for everything. Continue to pray for our ministry. May God continue to bless ICC and the Sweet Home family.

Thanksgiving Appeal - Matching Funds Available!

Stories like Moses’ are only possible through the generous support of caring, individuals like you. Please consider giving an extra special gift here at the end of the year in support of the children. In the next Newsletter, we’ll be sharing with you how your extra gift can be doubled as part of a special Christmas Matching Fund. If you’d like to take advantage of that and double the impact of your support, mark your extra gift “Christmas Matching Challenge.”

This Thanksgiving, we continue to be thankful for what you do for the children. God bless you!