Formula One Life Hero!

Summers and me with Dave Schmitt- President of the Kiwanis Club in Avalon Park- who invited us to speak at the Kiwanis breakfast at Eastside Bistro on Jan. 7th. So far, Dave has arranged formula drives for us at Timber Creek H.S., Lake Nona H.S., Avalon Middle School and Stone Lakes Elementary and has even sent word out to Kiwanis Clubs across the state in an effort to help us raise enough formula for our upcoming mission to Ethiopia in March. I nominate Dave Schmitt as our first, official Formula One Life HERO!! Thank you, Dave!!

"I Wanna Feed the Hungry Children..."

My friend, Amanda, is in Ethiopia right now leading a "Visiting Orphans" mission team with Britt Nicole on it... I just saw Amanda's post on Facebook that Britt taught the orphans to sing her hit song, "Set the World On Fire." I can only IMAGINE what a sight and sound that was to witness! I can't wait to see and share that video, but until then, here is a great live performance of Britt singing "Set the World on Fire." What awesome inspiration for our own upcoming trip to Ethiopia in March!
"I wanna feed the hungry children... reach across the farthest land... tell the broken there is healing and mercy in the Father's hands..." Britt Nicole, Set the World on Fire

Never forget...

(for widescreen version on YouTube, click play then click on video)

I came across this recently made video from Hannah's Hope, Guatemala, where we stayed on our last misson trip in November... Tears filled my eyes when I saw the familiar faces of our little friends, Alex, Miguel, Efraim, Carlitos... Alex who never stops smiling in spite of being quadriplegic... and Efraim who cannot see, speak or hear but lights up at the slightest touch from a loving hand caressing his face.... One of the caregivers pictured in this video broke down in tears when talking to me about the 'special needs' children... Her heart was so heavy for them and the overwhelming needs they have... I pray these children feel truly touched by the hands of God through those who care for them so lovingly...

The scriptural lyrics of this favorite hymn echo within me...
"I will never forget you, my people... I have carved you on the palm of my hand... I will never forget you, I will not leave you orphaned... I will never forget my own..." (Isaiah 49:15)

Avalon Aglow Fundraiser!

Summers and me at our second official Formula One Life fundraiser for our upcoming mission to Ethiopia! In light of meeting some wonderful people who offered to help in various ways-- including the President of the Kiwanis Club who has offered to do formula drives with us at the local schools!-- I would say it was indeed a successful night! Our heartfelt thanks to the following people- without whom we could not have done it:
Mel Ramos for his invaluable 'base support' on many levels and Jay Stevenson- for the booth set-up! Stephanie Hodson- for donating our wonderful table space on behalf of Avalon Park Group... and a very special thanks to Andrew Lazeration-- for bringing in an untold number of donations from friends and co-workers at the Orange Co. Sheriff's Office... Many thanks to all who gave!!

Formula One Life in Guatemala, Nov. 2009

(click on picture to enlarge)

Andrea, Summers, my mother and I just got back from our wonderful first trip to Guatemala where we delivered over 700 lbs. of baby formula, powdered milk, garden seeds, toys and crafts to the precious infants and children of Hannah's Hope, Casa de Sion, Casa Angelina and Amor del Nino...
(scroll down for more pictures and video from this trip)

FormulaOneLife Flight Attendants Mary Beth Lavin, Andrea Branas, Summers Doonan and Extended Wings Volunteer Claire Lavin visit the orphans of Casa Angelina in Guatemala, November 2009

Orphans of Casa Angelina singing the heartbreaking words of a lullaby (translated):

Streets bathed in moonlight, the cradle of my youth, I come to sing to my beloved, the silvery moon of my youth... moon of my youth, you brought light to me in my nights of sorrow over a dark colored woman who abandoned me...

And We're Off...!

The first Team Formula One Life (including Andrea with 3 suitcases full in NJ!) raised over 500 lbs. of formula for the infant orphans in Guatemala plus hundreds of dollars worth of powdered milk for the older orphans and enough garden seeds to grow groceries for years! Our heartfelt thanks to all those who gave... The babies will be drinking up your blessing very soon... :)