Hello, Hello !!!  What a Beautiful Day !! The last time Johnny and I, deb, were at a table at church for the Summer of HOPE WALK was very encouraging but there was not enough time to talk to everyone.  We will be there again this coming Sunday, too.  

The HOPE Walk is June 13th. 

You can either write a check to send us OR you can pledge an amount and pay 

when ever it works best in the next 2 weeks, but they really need it now to buy 

the plane tickets.

We are raising support for the HOPE WALK, 

and looking for people to sponsor us in raising the funds 

to bring the 7 or 8 children from the Philippines over here. 

We are also looking for individuals & families 

who want to walk or RUN on June 13th, 

and also find sponsors from where they work or that live in their neighborhood. Anyone can join us, either on our team or by forming a team of your own.

We are also looking for one or 2 more families that want to use their 

hospitality skills by housing the Escort that must travel over here with them 

from the Philippines, or help her with transportation. There will be a sign up 

sheet for this opportunity.

This summer, July 13 - Aug 9, we will be hosting 2 siblings from the Philippines.

Juliet (11) and her brother, Jaymark (9) through the Summer of HOPE Program

& Sacred Portion Children's Outreach. Getting more exciting each day. I think

this is a truly unique program, as well as full of the Heart of GOD.

We are excited as the time grows closer. Last night, we met a young man

aged 15 that was just brought home here through adoption and he knew 

the 2 we are hosting !! He knew Juliet and Jaymark, and was able to 

show us pictures of his birthday party and Juliet & Jaymark were in 

several of them !! We also got to see pictures of the orphanages 

they are coming from. Nice places !

Johnny has been working on stories and commercials for the Hope Walk. It is getting exciting. We have dressers, a backpack of paper and drawing things (like water paints, pencils and markers), toys, games and an offer to let us borrow legos and some clothes. We got a bunk bed, a doll house, big plastic horses, cars & a road rug, and need one more single mattress. It is coming together really nice.

A BIG THANK YOU to all that have offered to help in various ways. It is all so meaningful to us.

Here is an excellent video about the program, that was put on at Journey Church, if you didn't get to see it already:

The video:

http://www.journeyweb.net/downloads/Summer_of_Hope_Journey_Church_Bozeman_Montana_1.18.2009.mov

This was a beautiful adoption, but I can only hope I can figure out how to get it on here for you , If I can't I will ask someone smarter than me, and you'll have to check back later to see it !

Remember to check this video out (you'll have to save & paste for now)

about adopted families in our area.  Looks like a family just came back 

from the Philippines with 2 girls they have adopted this past year

Look at this :  Video about Summer of HOPE:

http://www.journeyweb.net/downloads/Summer_of_Hope_Journey_Church_Bozeman_Montana_1.18.2009.mov

The rocks watching over the hiker-outers, which I didn't even see coming in (you can't really see them from the other direction.) (P.S. It was a wonderful night, Brutus showed us how easy it is for him to get into some drink coolers,and turn over rocks only a fork lift can pick up; during the music, two artist's each painted a Grizzly Bear to be auctioned off after the concert. They were fast and very awesome.)

I'll be back ! Gotta keep going, though, as there is some good music, dinner, and we'll run into our Yellowstone guide, Eric, from last year's wolf expedition, a great reunion. But I don't know this, yet ! I am just looking forward to a date with Johnny and he even got off work early for tonight. Very unusual, but very welcoming.

The rocks watching over the hiker-outers, which I didn't even see coming in (you can't really see them from the other direction.) (P.S. It was a wonderful night, Brutus showed us how easy it is for him to get into some drink coolers,and turn over rocks only a fork lift can pick up; during the music, two artist's each painted a Grizzly Bear to be auctioned off after the concert. They were fast and very awesome.)

Hard to turn away. It is SO GOOD to be here. But we got something special (or at least different ) tonight, its called Grizzly De Mayo" and Brutus the grizzly Bear will be there. He is a bear raised with Casey Anderson, who goes around to educate & teach about camping in GRIZZLY Bear Country.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(http://www.bozemanevents.net/index.php/ID/598c197f1ef465ebc72e001c2285bb43/fuseaction/events.detail.htm)

Tuesday 05/05/2009

Special Events :: Community Event Grizzly de Mayo Film/Music Event 5:00 PM     Emerson Cultural Center Description: Grizzly de Mayo Film/Music Event    Tuesday, May 5th 5pm    Lawn, Crawford Theater, Ballroom   Naturalist Casey Anderson and Brutus the Bear- an 800-pound brown bear- will shed light upon the fate of Yellowstone’s endangered ‘Island’ population of grizzly bears. 5 pm: Wildlife and environmental groups set up on the lawn to educate and inform our community. There will be food and drink, live local music by Archers Mob and LIVE appearance by Brutus! 7pm: Theatrical premier of ‘Expedition Grizzly’, a National Geographic Channel Special. The film presents the unique story of one man who has dedicated himself to wildlife preservation. The film features an original score by Craig Minowa of Cloud Cult. The film will be followed by an all ages show with Cloud Cult. Tickets $20 in advance at Cactus and Borders or $25 at the door. This event is brought to you by Grizzly Creek Films  www.grizzlycreekfilms.com and Compound Productions www.myspace.com/comlbproductions Age Group: All Ages Venue: Emerson Cultural Center

When I got back to the trail and turned around, 

this was the view below me. That frozen river 

is glad to be running again !

Here is a close up of the same view, the mountains !! I'm going farther on this trail next time !!

The sun came out even more. I went almost 3 miles back, over 5 miles total. And it got hot, but shoot, look at what time it is --- I have to turn back soon I got a date with Johnny tonight.

But, oh, how beautiful !  

Seeing a spring flower made my day !! It was okay now to have the dirt under my fingernails from the climb up.

Couldn't get enough, I took alot of pictures of this one flower & found a few more later, too.

After sitting down for a rest, and to wipe the sweat off the brow (as the sun was out, so it was very hot at the moment) it was time to take more pictures, trying different settings. This one didn't work very well.

BUT there it is the flower I saw first !! I am about 2 miles in on the hike. I thought it was teasing me at first, because I couldn't find it --- but then it appeared

After a while I started thinking that I wanted to see my first flower. And way up on a cliff, I did. Oh, the site I musta been, climbing up to it. On the way to the yellow flower I saw first, was this white flower, so it got photographed first.

Despite the fact that there were clouds, rain and storms all over the valley, I came anyway, and the sun was with me almost the whole way, enough to get sun burn on the nose & arms, It was worth the view.

I wonder how far I should go. I got a date tonight. Don't want to be late ! Last night we went out to dinner because I didn't know if tonight's show would give us time to eat. So Monday we went to WEEBEE's, (!) and bought Ice Cream cake to have at home. BUT there was a very nice restaurant at The Emerson, so we had a very nice meal again. The went in to see the grizzly movie premiere, which now you can see on the Nat Geo Channel.

This will be a good trail to come back to with the bikes. Can't wait. I learned about this trail when I brought kids from where I worked last summer for a "field trip" hike.

The trail here at Bozeman Creek was wide and snow covered but we, (Mazie and I) had a great walk despite the clouds and predicted storm. As soon as we started, about 18 BIG drops of rain fell out of the sky. We are looking down at the river below.

A little green grass is good to see, too

AH ! Spring in Montana---finally it is arriving. We had a record amount of snow in March, April and even some in May, so it is good just to see the ground !

It is spring here, finally---just wondering: what's it look like where you are ??

 The BIRTHDAY HIKE was just amazing on May 5th.\\ Looked like it would rain all afternoon, but all I got was about 18 drops and alot of sunshine and a red nose. Mazie (the dog) and I went up Bozeman Creek on foot, over the snow for our first spring hike. All I wanted after a while was to see my first spring flower, and finally I did, way up on a cliff. If only you could see how high I had to climb to get pictures !!

I have been looking for something for when Juliet & Jaymark need to be alone (by their choice) like when I am cooking, or when they wake up or whenever, but we do have balls, picture books and sidewalk chalk from preschool classes, and bubbles. And 2 stuffed animals, and a paddle & ball for the yard. Just a few things I can use again in preschool setting, things I found at garage sales while looking for a bed and dressers. I like how it is all coming together. Getting exciting !!

Getting ready for Summer

Johnny has finished the putting up the tile in the bathroom earlier this week, and the bath & bedroom are clean and can be used again !! The wall had fallen out above the shower this winter. Now, let's hope we can keep the progress on the fence going and get it done ! We were going to do the other bathroom the same way, but yesterday we decided we like the tile so much, we will do one of the other walls in the same bathroom. Make that mess again !

Introducing Juliet & Jaymark:

Jaymark: Jaymark is 8 years old.  His date of birth is 5- 

24-2000.  He has resided in a small, well-run  

orphanage south of Manila with his sister, since 

July 29, 2004.   Jaymark and his sister were 

taken in by relatives to remove them from an 

unsafe and traumatic situation at home.  They 

were then surrendered to authorities by their 

grandmother as neither she nor their relatives 

had the means to care for them.        

 

Jaymark is a generally healthy and active boy.  

Upon first entering the center, he was 

aggressive and nervous. However, with the help 

of counseling, Jaymark has made progress in all 

areas and has become loving and self-confident.  

He is well-liked and has many friends at school.  

He actively participates in activities, and 

follows instructions very well.  Jaymark needs structure and clearly stated 

expectations and is a hard worker once he gets started and understands what is 

expected.  He has a very loving relationship with his older sister and longs for a 

family for both of them. Jaymark’s favorite color is blue.  He enjoys running, 

climbing and playing ball outside with his friends.  He also likes to play chess.  

 

Jaymark presently attends second grade at a nearby public school. He is a “C” 

student, but has the ability to do better and reach his full potential. His teachers 

describe Jaymark as a very intelligent child who performs well when given 

attention and structure.  It is fully expected that Jaymark will continue to make 

excellent progress in all areas of development given consistent and formal 

educational opportunities and a nurturing environment.  Jaymark’s early traumatic 

experiences suggest that he would also be a candidate for future counseling.         

AND   Juliet:

Juliet is 10 years old.  Her date of birth is 3-1- 

1998.  She has resided in a small, well-run 

orphanage south of Manila with her brother since 

July 29, 2004.   Juliet and her brother were taken in 

by relatives to remove them from an unsafe and 

traumatic situation at home.  They were then 

surrendered to authorities by their grandmother as 

neither she nor their relatives had the means to care 

for them.        

 

Juliet is generally healthy with only experiencing 

an occasional cold.  She has a good appetite and is 

not choosy about what she eats. She is obedient, 

responsible, and organized, completing tasks 

assigned to her.  Julie has made great progress in 

the home.  She has become more relaxed and has an improved self-esteem. She is 

undergoing counseling, which has benefited her immensely in dealing with the 

hardships and trauma she experienced prior to coming to the orphanage. Juliet is a 

pleasant, sensitive child who has a very caring relationship with her brother.    She 

has also developed positive relationships with the other children and loves playing 

with her friends. She enjoys a variety of activities.   Juliet’s favorite color is red.  

She likes reading fairy tales and doing crafts.  Juliet wants to be a teacher when she 

grows up.  

 

Juliet presently attends fourth grade at a nearby public school. She has received 

honors in previous grades and ranks fourth in her class. Her teachers describe her 

as an above average student. It is fully expected that Juliet will continue to make 

excellent progress in all areas of development given consistent and formal 

educational opportunities and a nurturing environment.  She will most likely 

require some ongoing counseling to help her continue to deal with the trauma she 

has experienced in her young life.         

 

An alternative plan must now be made for Juliet and her brother’s future by finding 

an adoptive family to love and raise them.   

Look at this :  Video about Summer of HOPE:

http://www.journeyweb.net/downloads/Summer_of_Hope_Journey_Church_Bozeman_Montana_1.18.2009.mov

Summer News: We are hosting 2 kids from the Philippines !

 05/03/09      

Exactly 5 years ago, I had the greastest priviledge of reaching out to the children in the jungles 

of Peru when I went down to La Merced to do Children’s Camps with our church.  Some day, I 

would love to go back, since we sponsor a child there. Yet, what has come up this year is a different 

way  to help a child from a different jungle:area. We have been given a chance to host 2 children 

from Orphanages of the Philippines  in our home with the HOPE of introducing them to families 

in the Bozeman area that may be able to adopt them.  Juliet will be 11 when she arrives, and her brother, 

Jaymark, will be 9. If you know my heart for Indigeous people, you know I wish they were here already. 

. Many of the key problems that Peru & Mexico had are also found in the Philippines: Health & sanitation 

issues, lack of job opportunity, inadequate agricultural knowledge, abandoned 

children, delinquency,  street assaults by  youth, and lack of leadership, children 

living on the streets when their families can  no longer feed them, or keep them 

safe., and later, no good idea of family.

  For the summer, many activities are being planned for them around the valley 

show them a great summer vacation of fun events that our children look forward 

to each summer, like swimming, waterfalls, camping & campfires, short hikes, 

boating and many other youth activites children here in the Gallatin Valley look 

forward to each summer,including working in a garden and cooking with them, 

as wellas having a family love them unconditionally. They really deserve this.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

A bit about Philippines: 

 It is considered a Latin Country because it 

was conquered by Spain in 1571, who ruled  

for 350 years. It is alot like Mexico & Peru. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

This JUNE, “Champions of HOPE” in Bozeman & Hamilton Montana will be raising 

money to help the children in Orphanages fly over from the Philippines and find 

permanent homes---by participating in the 2009 Hope Walk  sponsored by The 

Sacred Portion Children’s Outreach. Johnny and I have made the commitment to 

walk, and are writing to ask for your support.

  

We are walking with a group of people who have adopted through this program, 

or support this program to raise money & public awareness for the millions of children around the world who are 

growing up in orphanages without families. Research proves that children need families to grow & thrive. 

Through the Summer of HOPE Program, older orphaned & abandoned children have the opportunity to 

experience family life & meet people who may end up adopting, mentoring, or staying connected to them.

Our team will walk  on June 13 here in Bozeman, with the goal of raising at least $7,000. We’ll be counting on you to 

help us reach that goal with whatever your budget allows. Over the 6 summers that this program has been run in Boise , 

Bozeman & Billings, 66 children have been adopted & 16 more are in the process.  The first child has just arrived for this 

year, having been here last summer !!  They are excited to be joining their new forever families. If they don’t find 

families by the time they turn 17, they are returned back to the street at the Orphanages.  That hurts my heart.

 

We wanted you to know about this exciting opportunity, because we are so excited to be able share God’s Love with the unreached children 

in the poorer areas of our World right here in our home, which may seem like a luxury resort to the children (for it has running water and 

good meals.) Johnny and I believe you might like to know about this opportunity, or be a part of it in some way.  A neighbor has set us up with 

a blog (http://mtsherers.blogspot.com/ ) and a cousin got us started on Facebook, so we can keep in touch with you through the 

summer with pictures and notesof the children, the  experiences & activities we participate in over the summer. 

 Johnny will be able to participate in this way and schedule his work and vacation around this unique opportunity.  Yeh, yeh !! 

  Because you have been such a support in our life, we believe that you may like to be a 

part of this opportunity also:  Please check below, and return this to us through our mailing address: 

___________  Through committing your daily thoughts & prayers towards Juliet & Jaymark, 

as well as our hosting them for the month, 

$__________   Here’s my pledge to support the Hope Walk and bring orphaned children here 

from the Philippines. Even a small amount will help make a difference. 

$____________   Extra money will help transport them to summer activites, or allow them to join a 

gymnastics or an art group for the summer.  I  know that in the past some of our close family& friends 

have sent a check directly to us; we’ll set it aside to use to provide for Juliet &  Jaymark if they want to 

join a group, or need clothes & other needs. It is not tax deductible, though. 

 Make the checks out for the HOPE WALK to: Summer of HOPE.  

Send them to us at our home address  by  May  28.    

             Deb & Johnny Sherer 

198 Woodman Drive   

        Belgrade, MT   59714 

~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~ 

Feel free to call or e-mail us if you 

have any questions at all, because I 

know I couldn’t tell you all I wanted 

about this real special opportunity. 

 ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ 

   We appreciate your support 

Thanks So Much !! 

With Love,  deb &  Johnny 

Sherer