This fall we are launching “Gatherings!” The goal is for Friends of Rhema to invite their close group of friends to a gathering – it can be a wine & cheese tasting party, a coffee and cookies get together or Sunday brunch.

At the end of the event, a group of friends will have had a great time and learned more about The Rhema Project and its mission to end the killing of baby girls in India. Each person will leave with the knowledge that they too can have a direct and meaningful impact.

If you are interested in hosting or attending one of these events, let us know and we will get you on the schedule.

When all that is yours needs to be stored in a small locker and your wardrobe consists of one school dress, one sports outfit (worn on Friday for game day at school) and a tattered blouse and skirt for weekends receiving a new outfit from America one day is like having Christmas and your birthday all wrapped up into one!

This is what is happening this Friday when the girls from Bethel AFC orphanage will open the clothing donated by Matilda Jane. The boxes of clothing arrived early this week but “Christmas morning” needed to be delayed because of midterm exams at school. They know getting a good education is their only hope for a better tomorrow. So, regardless of how excited the girls have been to wear their new Matilda Jane clothing they know they needed to study first.

Unlike most of us in America who quickly forget what we actually got for Christmas or our birthday, these orphan girls will cherish their new “digs.” Most times these girls only get the “left overs” after they are no longer wanted by the original wearer. Not these outfits, Matilda Jane has donated brand new clothing and the first time they will be worn is when the girls of Bethel quickly run back to their room and change into their new outfit. After a brief fashion show with much laughter and smiles, the girls will return to their room and will be neatly hang up their Matilda Jane’s in their small locker and then only worn on special occasions.

Next time you are looking for clothing for your little girl check out Matilda Jane’s website (www.matildajaneclothing.com) because when you buy from them you will be also giving toward an Indian orphan girl at Bethel AFC.

Thanks to Alicia Lewis, customer care extraordinaire for Matilda Jane and TRP board member Denise Walsh for making this Friday so very special for a group of girls in India.

Oct 4, 2011. Today nearly 100 students from Bethel College participated in the launch of our campaign “Shout Out… So She Can Be Heard!” The objective was not only to inform students about female infanticide, feticide and gender discrimination against the Indian girl child but directly connect each student with an orphan girl from Bethel AFC in Danishpet, India.

The campaign is also being launched on several other college campuses as well as with university students in Nagpur, India.

Dr. Ted Bryant and his wife Angela shared their personal experiences about India and how the students could have impact even from 9,000 miles away. Several Bethel College students also spoke on how their trips to India had a profound impact on their world view and a better understanding of the issues in a developing country.

The event allowed students to;

1. Empower A Child – wrote a personal note, created a friendship Indian bracelet and recorded a video message that will be delivered to the girls living at Bethel AFC.

2. Influence A Friend – students jumped online to learn more about the issues and then connected with other students and friends to share what they had learned.

3. Impact A Nation – each student signed a resolution that will be sent to the US State Department with the goal of 5,000 signatures

During the internet cafe experience, two co-ed students used their skills to send a “Shout Out” with a YouTube message.

It was a good day at Bethel College!