Need Some Encouragement?

If you need to feel great about yourself today - your vision, your potential, and your abilities - have I got something cool for you! Cut and paste this link, but change my name to your name: http://tom.davis.youaremighty.com/

Remember to place a period (.) between your first and last name. You're going to love this!!!

The Story of Publishing

For those of you who have hung in there with me and believed in this book project, here's the conclusion. The publisher has offered a 3-book contract, with options on 3 more books. Here's what the contract looks like: I will release a non-fiction book (Title yet to be determined) on Africa, the HIV/AIDS crisis and orphans. This will be followed by a fiction novel based on an orphan living in Swaziland or Rwanda that describes her life, watching her mother die of AIDS, having to sell her body for a loaf of bread, trying to survive at 9 and being the head of her household and taking care of her 3 brothers and sisters, with an incredible twist of hope and redemption. Then, there will be 2 other novels with orphans as the central characters based in China and Russia. If you're interested in more details of the plot, please email me and I will send you the proposal. I would also love to hear about your ideas as the plot moves forward. Here are the due dates and the release schedule:

Book one (nonfiction) Due Date: January 1, 2007; Release Date: September, 2007

Book two (Fiction: Africa) Due Date: June 1, 2007; Release Date: May, 2008

Book three (Fiction: Russia) Due Date: December 1, 2007; Release Date: September, 2008

Thanks for all your support on this. I couldn't do it without you!!!

Sad News from Russia

SAD NEWS FROM VLADIMIR REGION, RUSSIA "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." Psalm 27:10 Dear Friends, This morning we received tragic news from Russia. One of our graduates from the Vladimir region was killed in a car accident on October 26th.

As we mourn Vasya's death, we are reminded of the power and example of Mother Teresa 's life. She understood the value of a human being, created in the image of God. She knew they had intrinsic worth and value simply because they were His - even if the entire world considered them rubbish. We believe this is true about every orphan's life. Many times, we are the only ones who love them, remember them, and weep for them.

Please join us in remembering Vasya, and thanking the God who made him a unique and special creation. We are among the few who will celebrate Vasya's life. Please take a moment to read about this young man, and offer a simple prayer on behalf of orphans everywhere. Vasya Selyunin was a graduate of Kameshkovo orphanage. He left the orphanage in 2004 to study at tech school #21 in Sadovy. In September 2005, he joined tech school #23 in Suzdal. At the orphanage, he enjoyed weekly Bible studies with a discipler, and at both tech schools he was a frequest participant of the Mentorship classes held by Korvan Funk and Yulia Frolova. He enjoyed the summer camps run by American volunteers, was a good student, and a trustworthy friend. The staff of Tech #23 spoke favorably of him.

Last Thursday night, Vasya went to the highway to flag down a car to go see his girlfriend. Visibility was very poor, and one of the cars passing by knocked him down and severely injured his leg and head. Vasya was taken to the hospital but the doctors could not do anything to save his life. He died that night at the hospital. We all grieve this terrible loss and ask you to pray for Vasya's friends, mentors, relatives and our Russian staff who were close with him. It is a sorrowful and painful time for all of them. We believe God has received Vasya, and in Heaven he has found the love, the Father, and the eternal home that he didn't have here on earth. Thank you for your compassion, prayers, and involvement in the lives of orphans in Russia! Children's HopeChest Staff