Tom Davis' Blog

Fields Part Two

I don't know if it was something I said in my last post, but Fields of the Fatherless shot to the top of the Amazon charts today and was the #1 book in the Ministry section ahead of books by Joel Osteen and Andy Stanley. So, it's sold out again. Hopefully this results in many individuals, churches and business getting involved in the lives of the fatherless and making a difference. Thanks everyone and happy All Saints Day!

Product Details: Fields of the Fatherless

Hardcover: 146 pages

• Publisher: Global Publishing Services (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971410011
• ISBN-13: 978-0971410015
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: based on 8 reviews. (Write a review.)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,639 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Fields of the Fatherless

Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive of the book, Fields of the Fatherless. It sells out regularly on Amazon, but you can always order from me or from the Fields of the Fatherless website. There are quantity discounts available by the way! I am re-writing the book and it will be released in the spring of 2008. Lost of new material will be added including a chapter on adoption and a study guide.

Angel and Russ Weir, two new friends just did an interview segment with me. Below are the videos. You can also go to her website about adoption here and participate in her book club on Fields of the Fatherless. Here's a portion from the site and the videos:

THAT'S RIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! Last weekend Russ and I went to a conference where Tom Davis- Author of "Fields of The Fatherless" and "Red Letters" was speaking. He was so gracious and even did a four part interview with us so that I could post it on my blog for our book club and share it with our church. We were so inspired by what this amazing organization is doing.

Red Letter Review from China

Some friends of mine in China managed to get a copy of Red Letters and reviewed it. Dan and Sara are great people of faith and have moved their whole family to be involved in some incredible things. Here's the review:

"In the summer of 2006, we had the privilege of sitting down with author and Children’s Hope Chest director Tom Davis to share our call to China - and to hear more of his heart for the millions of orphans in our world. After reading Tom’s latest book, “Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds”, I am struck again at his insight and passion. No hidden agenda here: this blog entry is a flat-out appeal to our readers to get this book.

“Red Letters” is unique in many ways. Tom uses a combination of personal stories, statistics and scripture to powerfully develop his theme, but even more importantly, Tom devotes the final chapters of the book to next steps - if you read “Red Letters”, you will be moved. At times, you will feel angry, despondent, frustrated and helpless. Thankfully, we are not left in that place. Idea after idea, organization after organization are detailed for the reader in the final chapters." Read the entire review here.

To find out what this awesome family is doing in China, check out their blog here.

Report from Russia - Zoya and Misha

Thanks again to everyone who helped Zoya and Misha. We have raised $2,120 to take care of their medical needs. You guys are awesome! Read the original post here. This is an update from Olga:

"Zoya's condition is stable, yet very hard: heavy pains, fever and low hemoglobin (red blood cells). Olga has been able to arrange for admitting Zoya to a hospital in Vladimir next week for the purpose of surgery.  Misha is having bad headaches, his condition is satisfactory.  On Oct 24 his records are being taken to the Regional Trauma and Orthopedic Center where he'll undergo the surgery on is forearm.  The preliminary cost of the surgery has been estimated to be 25 thousand rubles (about $1000).  We still don't know how much Zoya;s surgery will cost.

Lakinsk staff has been able to collect 15 thousand rubles and the boys who earlier graduated from the
Lakinsk Family Center for boys have taken a big part in that.  We're very glad to see that we've been able to teach them compassion, love and gratitude to their caregivers.

We thank you all for your prayers, for your care for lives of our staff, and we all believe that Misha and Zoya will be soon again among us thanks to your help and support and that of our colleagues and children.

With deep graditude,

Olga Petrusenko.
May God help you in doing good

Burma Struggles to Breathe

Thanks to my partner in crime, Seth Barnes, President of AIM for this post. This is a follow-up to a post I did on Burma you can read by clicking here.

One of our World Racer's, Stephanie Fisk, wrote about ethnic cleansing in Burma.
Myanmar (previously Burma) has been under attack since the seventies - by their own government. And it's not getting any better. Imagine the Mexico/USA frontier; move it to Asia and place it between Myanmar and Thailand. Compared to Myanmar, Thailand appears to be a wealthy country. Just like Mexicans, people from Myanmar are seeking a "better life"; the difference - they are seeking refuge from persecution.

You know those times when your ignorance shines so brightly that it blinds you to the truth even when you are looking it in the eyes. Yes, I know that Myanmar is very poor and a closed country to the Gospel; but I had no idea the extent of persecution taking place within its borders. Just like the Jews during WWII (ethnic cleansing) and Christians in southern Sudan (religious persecution), the Karen people are being persecuted because they are Karen…and many happen to be Christian. Their very own government is trying to wipe out the "inferior" race and attempting to suffocate the Christian church.

Imagine 50,000 refugees trying to live a "normal" life inside the confinements of a camp. Yes, the walls are meant to protect, but from the perspective of many living inside - they are seen as a prison sentence. It is rare to leave these confinements - years spent inside "your community."

The day after we visited Myanmar, we were able to visit one of the refugee camps on the Thailand border. The camp has been established for around 17 years. People continue to come daily, and the camp has expanded now to three different zones to accommodate the influx of people. While inside the camp, the government only allowed us to visit the school.

I imagine that this camp initially started off as a temporary solution to an immediate need, but over the years has evolved into a living, breathing community. At least on the surface level people appear content: women washing clothes in the stream, kids playing by the water, students learning.

Yes, the Burmese (Myanmar people) are grateful for this place of refuge, but above all, their eyes are set on returning home. They want to grow up on their own land, farm their own land - feel like they belong. They are tired of receiving UN food rations; they are ready to "go fishing for themselves."

Acute brain drain is another issue that, because of my American perspective, I totally overlooked. Replacement of Burmese refugees to the UK or America is draining Myanmar of the very individuals needed to restore their country. I guess we (America) like to accept those that show potential and will not be a drain to our economy - thus we eagerly receive those with an education and those that can make a life for themselves in America. But what happens to those in dire need: the widows, the handicapped, the orphaned? They remain in the refugee camp. I know that we are only trying to help, but a very real concern for many Burmese is that we are draining them of the very people that could turn their lives and country back around for the positive.

"We just need to go to the root of the problem and stop it there," exclaimed Wado, a 31 year-old Burmese man who has been living in the camp for 15 years. "Go to the government. If we can somehow remove or change those in leadership positions, I believe everything else will talk care of itself. We will be able to go back home, and I will be able to see my family again."

He believes in God. But the tone of his voice insinuates that time, frustrations and life have left him with more cries for help "unanswered" than "answered."

Where is Jesus?

Where can we find Jesus? For me, it was on a cold "spring" night in Russia in the eyes of a little boy. In this video post, I explore some of the themes of the first chapter of Red Letters.

A Writing Update

I thought you might like to see a recent picture of Emily and kiddos. Hudson didn't make it on this trip, he stayed back with Brett and Nicole. Look, Hayden's almost as tall as his mom!

A couple of other things: I've been posting to my new blog called, An Author's Blog that has some great resource information for those of you who are aspiring writers! My new book with Thomas Nelson called, Confessions of a Good Christian Guy, releases on December 10th. You can pre-order it now and receive ant extra 5% discount. Currently, I'm working at part one of a three part fiction series. The title of that book is Scared. More info on my writing experiences on This Post.

Great news! Red Letters is doing very well and is already in its second printing. I so appreciate all your publicity and support of the book. Many of you have asked what you can do to help. This is important: drive your friends, neighbors, and strangers to the bookstores to purchase the book. What makes a differences is how many books are sold through the stores. Remember for a limited time, just by buying the book you're feeding an orphan for a month!

South Africa Losing AIDS Battle

You're going to see more and more of these kinds of reports. Countries that have ignored the AIDS crisis cannot 'make up lost time' and gain the advantage on this disease. South Africa has major problems: HIV/AIDS infection and death rates are outpacing treatment, infant mortality rate is rising (95 deaths per thousand births - almost 10%), infection rate in some areas has climbed to 50%, by the year 2015 there will be over 5 million AIDS orphans in this country. Again, multiple millions will die and many more will be infected in the years to come. This crisis will drastically affect our generation. What will you do? Start doing something by joining 5 for 50 at www.5for50.com today! Read the rest of the article from BBC HERE.

Misha and Zoya Update from Russia

More details on Zoya and Misha are below. Please consider making a gift toward their medical expenses by clicking here. Please note "Lakinsk Medical Fund" in  the notes. Thank you, Tom.

Many of you have asked the status of Misha and Zoya, the orphanage staff worker in Russia, who were injured. Here is the e-mail from our staff in Russia, and thanks again for your continued prayers:

"Both Misha and Zoya remain in intensive care unit, both in heavy condition. Olga showed their Xrays today at some progressive orthopedic center and was told that they can take Misha in only next week after the brain swelling is reduced. Misha's injuries are contusion of brain, heart and lungs and fractures of collar bone and forearm and Zoya's are dislocation and fractures of pelvic bones, burns and concussion.

"As to Zoya, the orthopaedic center refused to take her in based on her X-rays as they don;t think they can provide her with treatment she needs. There also is a problem transporting her. She has burn injury of her back of second degree (pretty bad). So Olga is looking for ways to get her over to a Moscow clinic and again any treatment will be for pay. Zoya will need at least two surgeries to help with 4 fractures of pelvic bones. One piece of a bone has been detached and is "wandering" inside the pelvis. At first the doctors believed that she will never walk again but now they;re saying that with proper and timely treatment she may be already on crutches in a few months. At this point in addition to prayers, money for medication is needed in the amount of 30 thousand rubles."

Children's HopeChest has started a special fund to raise money for Zoya and Misha's expenses. There's already been almost $1,000 in gifts given by their co-workers at the orphanage. Right now our staff members are trying to do what they can to raise money as well. We suspect their care will be expensive and long term. I would ask you to consider giving to this fund by going to this link and making a gift. Please be sure to put "Lakinsk Medical Fund" in the notes section.

Zoya is one of our Family Center houseparents at Lakinsk. A Children’s HopeChest Family Center is a home where a small group of teenagers (five to eight boys or girls) are placed in a family environment. Living with responsible Christian adults who play the role of mother and father, the family center environment provides a good family model for young people with abusive backgrounds. During a resident's stay at the center, professional counseling is provided according to the time necessary for the child to acquire independent living skills. As a houseparent, Zoya is “mom” to the boys in her Family Center. Please pray for them as they go through this ordeal and struggle with the reality of Zoya’s condition. She is in worse shape that Misha. Zoya is a long-time caregiver and staff member—someone who is truly loved and truly loves the children she serves. Please continue to pray for her and give toward her medical care as you can.

Thanks—from me and the whole staff at CHC.

Relevant Magazine Front Page Review

Thanks to my friend, Jeff Goins, (who rocks by the way!) Relevant Magazine has posted a front page review of Red Letters and another book by some guy named Bill Clinton. Click here to read the review.

Canada's Bureaucratic Injustice

I didn't get to enter Canada. Why? A DUI charge on my record from almost 20 years ago, plus another interesting incident when I was 19. If you're really interested, you can find all my dirty laundry in my new book, Confessions of a Good Christian Guy, available for pre-order and releasing from Thomas Nelson December 10th. (Hate to promote it that way, but there you go!) From 20 years ago, you've got to be kidding me!? Needless to say, I'm very disappointed. I was just speaking in Canada this past May. This hit me out of the blue, no warning, nothing. I'll have more to say about this later, but be forewarned: If you have any run-ins with the law from your past, DUI, failure to appear in court, etc., you will be refused entry into Canada. I cannot believe that our government is releasing the records of private United States citizens to a foreign country. Especially when many of these records are non-violent in nature. What's our world coming to? The BIg Brother of George Orwell's book, 1984, is alive and well. To all my Canadian friends: Thanks for you support of me personally. Your words and friendship mean the world. By the way, our God forgives mistakes. He doesn't hold them over your head and provides grace for the sinner. That's me, that's you. Who cares what governments do, we exist for a greater and higher purpose!

Why did I start Red Letters with an Apology?

Watch this first in a series of video blogs about Red Letters. In this first episode, I answer some important questions about why I chose to start the book with an "apology" and some interesting interview questions.

URGENT: News from Canada

I'm guest blogging for Tom who is right now sitting in the Vancouver airport. I wish I had better news to report. He was scheduled to keynote the Unite in Worship conference this weekend--but he was not permitted to enter the country and is now being sent back to Denver in about 30 minutes.

Tom and his wife, Emily, were in line at the passport control desk, noticing that many people were being turned away. Apparently several other passengers on their flight had some issues as well. When they got to the front of the line, they were also told they could not enter Canada and were "deported" bck to the United States. Tom is exhausting every contact he has trying to get this decision reversed.

Tom was scheduled to teach two workshops and give the keynote address. We're all stunned at this turn of events, and earnestly praying that God would intervene. Apparently there are some new restrictions on Americans traveling to Canada that apply to Tom. He now has to fill out more paperwork here in the U.S. to get clearance to travel to Canada.

Please pray for Tom and send this to anyone who would intercede on his behalf. This was a key part of Children's HopeChest's plans to open a Canadian office, and recruit more churches into our orphan care sponsorship program.

We often quote James 1:27 in our work. Right now, we're thinking of another verse from James 1:"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature, and complete, not lacking anything."

Tom is anything but joyful right now. He's caught in a bureacratic mess of red tape that is preventing him from the opportunity to advocate for orphans in Canada. Please pray for a miracle. The process he needs to go through to enter Canada is supposed to take 3-4 months--maybe longer.

Thank you for standing with Tom in prayer. I or Tom will post an update when one is available.

Sincerely,

Matthew Monberg

COO, Children's HopeChest

Two E-mails, One Prayer

This morning, I received two e-mails from Russia. The first spoke of horrible news: a car crash where two fantastic caregivers were seriously injured and in the hospital. The second, ironically (or perhaps not), was a video of a short prayer from a recent Wheaton College chapel. This summer, we had a team of Wheaton students working with HopeChest in Kostroma, Russia.

Please, read the note below, watch the prayer, and take five minutes to pray for Misha and Zoya today.

Today we received a horrible news from Olga, Director of Lakinsk orphanage:  Misha, their wood teacher and Zoya, the crafts teacher and one of our foster parents, got in a very bad car accident yesterday in Lakinsk.  Some other large car was speeding and hit them from behind which pushed them into the upcoming trafic and a large truck hit them in a head-on collission.  They are both in emergency unit right now and Zoya will need extensive surgery. That's all I know at this point and we'll keep you updated.  Please pray for Misha's and Zoya's lives and quick recovery.   Please let everyone know, including Lakinsk sponsors.  We may need to help them with medical care. 

Lakinsk is a place that has become a light and a hope for orphans. Over the past ten years, we've helped the orphanage get all the children into foster care homes and group homes we call "Family Centers." Now, instead of being a residential facility--it is a place where the children gather for special crafts and activities. What has been accomplished in Vladimir is truly remarkable, and it is visited by orphan care experts and government officials from across Russia and Eastern Europe.

Unite Conference - Vancouver

I'm headed out in the morning to speak The Unite Conference in Canada. I'm really excited about seeing some good friends I've made there this past spring. Emily is going with me for two days and we're staying the night with Brian and Joyce Doerksen who are wonderful, incredible people. You may remember Brian from his songs like, "Come, Now is the Time for Worship" and "Light the Fire." I'll be doing a book signing and pastors dessert Thursday night, then speaking 2x Friday and 2x Saturday. I'm really excited about doing a workshop on how to be published and I'm posting the message in increments on my blog called, An Author's Blog. I want to encourage people to write and get their words in print so they can changed their world. It's easier than you think! Also, Saints Coffee  just came out with a new blend called Pumpkin Spice. I just drank some tonight and it was like drinking liquid fall. Last month 5,580 meals were provided to orphans in Africa because you purchased your coffee their instead of making Howard Shultz even more rich. I'll also get to spend some time with Mike Todd and David duChemin - can't wait to be with those guys. Please remember to pray for me this weekend in the middle of lost of busyness!

Want to be in my next book?

What is your story?

 

Each year, Children's HopeChest sends close to 1,000 volunteers to minister to orphans around the world. And after every trip, I am always amazed at the creative ways that God uses each of us to bring his love to orphans. Well, today I have a special request and a unique opportunity.

 

In 2002, I wrote my story in Fields of the Fatherless. Since that time, it's sold over 60,000 copies, and is now ready for a new-and-improved re-release in the Spring of 2008. My publisher has asked for some fresh content...that's where you come in.

 

I want to put your story in the new edition of Fields of the Fatherless. When we serve orphans and the poor, God works through us in powerfully unique ways. In my own life, I felt as if God was loving children through my very hands. Many people tell me, "Tom, I think the kids blessed me more than I blessed them."

 

I want to hear your story.

 

I'd like you to write up your story. When did you first become involved in orphan ministry? What impact did it have on your life? How did God use you? What did it feel like? How has it changed you? What is your most significant experience in orphan ministry?

 

Don't have a story? Tell someone else's! Have you caught someone in a "deliberate act of being Jesus" to our dying world? I'd like to hear about that too!

 

You can pick any story--just keep it to around 1,000 words and send it to me at redletters@hopechest.org. I need to receive your article by October 31, 2007 in order to be considered for publication in Fields of the Fatherless. I'll notify you if you've been selected for publication.

 

And to get more submissions--post this on your own blog or e-mail it to anyone you know that is involved in orphan ministry, or ministry to the poor--adoptive parents, families who serve at homeless shelters, your pastor, family, and friends. We all have a story--will you share yours with me?

 

I'm looking forward to hearing back from you soon. Remember--1,000 words, your orphan ministry experience, by October 31, 2007.

Last day to register for the FREE TRIP contest

Today is the LAST DAY to register to win a free missions trip with Children's HopeChest through the EMI/HearItFirst.com promotion.

They've already had TRIPLE the normal response for people signing up to win this trip. It's an all-expenses-paid missions trip for two. The winners will travel with me to Swaziland, visiting the carepoints, ministering to the orphans, encouraging the widows, and supporting the local church pastors and missionaries who make this possible on a daily basis.

Want to sign up? Hit this link today!

Send it on to all your friends...today is the last day of the contest!

An Author's Blog

For all of you interested in being published: A book, an article, a short story, or a poem. I've started a new blog on the writing life called, An Author's Blog. Here, I hope to speak transparently about the ins and outs of publishing and how to be published. Please bookmark this site and keep me informed of great resources and tools that have helped you in your journey. I'm a big believer in this fact, if you want to be published you can be published if you do just a few of the right things. Click here to check it out. 

Buying Red Letters Feeds Orphans

After I submitted the final manuscript of Red Letters to my publisher, we were able to work out a deal where a portion of the book sales are invested in feeding orphans. In fact, there's a sticker on the front of the book that says: Buy this book & feed an orphan for a month.

How can we do this?

Through one of our ministry partners, Children's HopeChest has been given several containers of 243,000 meals each. Every meal in the container is prepackaged, dehydrated food--mostly fortified rice and beans. What we have to do is ship the food to Swaziland, get it through customs, and distribute the food to the ten carepoints where we are working. These carepoints serve a combined 800 children in rural Swaziland.

Once received, the "go-gos" who  run the carepoint food programs will cook and serve meals to the children on a daily basis. Right now, each carepoint has the capability of serving two meals per day to the kids.

The cost of each of these packages of food is extremely cheap--pennies in fact. When you add it all up, the sale of each copy of Red Letters provides us with enough funds to provide one month's worth of meals. This is possible because the meals are donated, and we are only paying for the shipment of the container into Swaziland.

Right now, we have raised enough funds to send the first two containers of food to Swaziland! This was made possible through generous donations to the 5 for 50 campaign that I talk about in chapter 10. As donations from the book sales begin coming in, they will help us fund the shipping of even more food and meals to the kids.

In the next few months, we are adding six more carepoints in Swaziland--another 500 children living without parents.

I want to again thank my publisher, David C. Cook, for partnering with me and Children's HopeChest in this endeavor. Without their cooperation, this would not be possible.

AIDS and Poverty Video

This video premiered at the Awakening Fest back in September, and now it's part of the Red Letters book tour this fall.

K2 - The Church

In the picture on my blog, I'm wearing a hat from K2 The Church from Salt Lake City. Back in August, I had the privilege of speaking at their weekend services. Here's the video of my Red Letters message. Hope you enjoy it!

Trade Movie Trailer

There is a new movie coming out this fall called Trade, and it explores the world of sex trafficking. I watched this powerful trailer today, and wanted to share it with you.

Like me, you might think that sex trafficking happens only in far off places. Trade exposes how much of this dark world is driven by forces inside the United States.

Join International Bloggers Day for Burma

Join International Bloggers Day for Burma now! Thanks to Mike Todd for writing a great article on this and waking us up to this crisis.

Extreme Poverty in Myanmar

We have to declare a war on Poverty. "Stupid poverty" as Bono calls it. I couldn't agree more. 25% of Myanmar's children don't live to the age of 5. 132,000 children there under 5 die every year because of preventable diseases. Ridiculous. There's a group of people out there who will be champions and eliminate this kind of 'stupid poverty.' Where are you? Our generation is the one who will help to eradicate senseless death in these places. As my friend  Gary Black who's living in Africa says, Who has the key to Myanmar, to Swaziland, to India, Russia, Uganda, Mozambique? I know you're out there, put it in the lock, and set a nation free. Read the whole article here.