Playgrounds Of Peace

One Goal for 2012: "I'm Going back to Kkkkkkkkk.. Kathmandu!"

2011-11-22T05:53:00.000-08:00

Kids Around the World are planning a playground build trip to Nepal and since I've been there twice, it would make sense for me to go with them and "show them the ropes" of navigating around Nepal. With their connections and playground project partners in Nepal, maybe....just maybe we can get OUR playground equipment out of the Customs warehouse near the airport (if it is still there after 2 years....it was as of last year). Also, I want to stay at HOPE Home and try and figure out a way to provide some on-going help and support.

The best thing you all can do is to promote this blog and get others involved in our work.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mr. Playground

My New Best Friend...Michael McMeel

2011-11-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

Michael McMeel is the Founder and President of Inner City Slickers. He has been working with inner city and at-risk young people for over 19 years. He is the "real deal" in my book. A true gentleman and compassionate individual who's word is his bond.

www.innercityslickers-us.org

2011-11-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Inner City Slickers is an on going "Old West" program that was inspired by the film City Slickers. We chose this program because the "Old West" symbolizes Strength, Preservance and Hard Work.

This program builds self-esteem, self-confidence, character, and breaks down the social prejudices that are so prevalent in our culture today.

Our slickers learn what it's like to be a cowboy- Kindness, Dependability, Keeping your Word, Responsibility - an ethical and moral code that will stay with them throughout their lives. They learn how to rope, groom, feed, and sit a horse.

Our kids learn what it's like to Trust & Respect the horses, themselves and each other.

The Inner City Slickers program is one of the only means we have seen that can virtually erase the color barrier between teens. With the Magic of horses and our expert volunteers, our kids are transformed. They change right in front of your eyes.

They forget about color and concentrate on what's in front of them -- a magnificent animal. Our kids face this challenge with Courage and Optimism. Once getting through it and our continued contact with these kids, they have more of a chance to become Responsible citizens.

Inner City Slickers is going nationwide. We are creating partnerships with existing ranches that have a similar vision as we do. In doing this, our expansion will increase at a faster pace and we will be able to reach more trouble kids.

Pine Ridge, Nepal Update & Partnership with ICS

2011-11-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings POP Supporters. I had a wonderful weekend in St. Louis with the Inner City Slicker organization and the St. Louis core group. After participating in this 2 day event, it confirms my thoughts that "kids are the same and want the samethings worldwide." At the begininning of each day, I saw the same looks of on the faces of the children from inner city St. Louis as I have seen on the faces of children in Poland and Nepal. By the end of the day, no one wanted to go home. Children got to be kids again for a whole day and learn core life values such as trust, committment, respect, teamwork and "surrender" (yielding to help others and be helped yourself). Wow, what a wonderful group of "like-minded" adult leaders and mentors or "Wranglers." Photos later.

As for the Pine Ridge project it looks like we are changing locations for the playground. Founder and President of "Inner City Slickers" Michael McMeel got me in touch with a lady at the Pine Ridge Reservation who is a friend of the Principal at the elementary school at Wounded Knee, SD. It seems that the need for a playground is greater at this location and may be actually easier to coordinate since it part of a public school district. Stay tuned.

As for Nepal, the trip with Kid's Around the World is on. Whether we can get our playground equipment out of Customs storage (where it has been since 2009) is another question, but we continue to hope and pray for a good resolution to this situation.

Playground Celebration - Square Dancing in Poland 2011

2011-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

POP - "Poster Child" for KaBOOM's End of the Year Giving

2011-10-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

Got an email yesturday from KaBOOM (a playground advocacy and community build organization) asking me to be part of 50 people they want to highlight in order to inspire people to give to KaBOOM as "a part of the year end giving." This is great publicity for Playgrounds Of Peace and our work in Poland and Nepal.

Help Me Promote this Blog

2011-10-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends of Playgrounds Of Peace. I was wondering if you could do me a huge favor? Would you please promote this blog to others who might be interested in supporting our efforts around the world? With Pine Ridge and the Nepal build trips on the horizon, I could use your help in promoting our work and this blog. Any suggestions for promoting this blog to the world would be great!

Update for 2012 Projects

2011-10-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like I will be going back to Nepal in the spring with Kids Around the World this time. Hoping they can help POP get our playground equipment out of the Customs warehouse facility. Our equipment has been held by the Nepali government since 2009 and is still in a warehouse near the airport in Kathmandu as of October 2010. If I can get another team from LSCC together we will continue our work at the HOPE for Nepal Children's Home. If not, I will go to the home myself.

Another project is in the works for 2010 involving building a playground at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, SD. POP hopes to work in concert with KATW, the Inner City Slickers organization as well as the Open Range Native American Outreach, Pine Ridge Gospel Fellowship and former NBA player Mr. Joe C. Merriweather. Not are we only building a playground but we hope to build a sense of "community" understanding and hope.

Check out the current "Before" picture of the playground at Pine Ridge and what we hope to install next year along with a baskeball court.

Update from Mr. Playground

2011-08-24T07:52:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it's been awhile since my last post. Well, a lot has happened and at the same time nothing has happened with POP. I have wanted to go to Cambodia for about a year now and Kids Around the World (KATW) was overseeing a playground build with another organization called Awareness Cambodia. I said "here's my chance" since the fall Nepal trip fell through and I had nothing on the horizon in regards to mission trips. It seemed I like was set on going then an opportunity to go to a conference to network with other successful business owners in my company who are humanitarian minded came up. In the long term this may be the best move in that my desire is to be totally self funded for my personal expenses and more or less full time in the next 3 years. So, no foreign trips with KATW this fall. They are looking at going to Nepal in the spring so that might be a possible trip.

The Future of POP

2011-07-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's been a long time since my last post. It has been a busy summer so far. No fall trips are being planned at this point. Waiting on direction from the Lord as to the future of POP and HOPE for Nepal. Working on getting Mamata here to go to school but the money is a huge hurdle. I'd like to work with Kids Around the World on future playground projects but nothing is happened in that regard. It looks like we'll do a project at Pine Ridge Reservation. More later. Mr. Playground.

Last Day in Poland and Maybe the Most Important

2011-05-08T22:51:00.000-07:00

Today I am meeting with our lawyer to help another couple to adopt a child. Still no exact time for our meeting. This afternoon I am going to the Dom Dziecka to visit with the girl, then meet with the Director of the facility. On July 1, this facility will close and the remaining children moved to a smaller facility in a nearby town. This creates an unexpect problem in that the 11+ pieces of equipment that POP teams have installed over the past 6 years needs to go to the new facility IMMEDIATELY! What I have heard so far is that one of the staff members wants to remove the equipment from the current site and move the pieces to the new site using the labor of the older boys in the Dom Dziecka. Coming from a playground safety background (CPSI) I am not happy with this idea. Hopefully, I can work out a way to safely remove the equipment with the least amount of damage and lost parts or hardware, then design a new playground at the new Dom Dziecka. Again, it isn't as easy as just pulling the stuff out of the ground and transplanting to a new site with a little concrete. Stay tuned.

More Photos from the Build in Poland

2011-05-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Check out these photos of Police, neighbors, City Officals, Baptist Church members, Rotarians and the KATW team all working together on a common cause so the children can have a nice place to play!

Glogow, Poland Playground Building 2011

2011-05-03T07:58:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of work day #1 and #2. Note: We didn't work Sunday and today (May 3) is a national holiday in Poland (Constitution Day).

Greetings from Glogow, Poland!

2011-05-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is my 10th trip to Poland and my 6th playground building project. This time I am on a team organized and lead by Kids Around the World (KATW). KATW is working with the local government, law enforcement, the Baptist Church and Rotary Clubs International to build a playground in a complex of "block housing." The "reconditioned" playground equipment as well as tools and supplies was brought over by shipping container. KATW is an absolutely wonderful organization! They are doing what I have envisioned Playgrounds Of Peace to be like. The hospitality of the Baptist Churcha and the many partcipants in this projects is fantastic!

HOPE Home Children on New Swings

2010-11-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

Interviews and More Photos from Nepal 2010

2010-11-05T05:34:00.000-07:00

This week I got a call from my friends at KaBOOM. They said that Voice of America which has over 135 million listeners worldwide wanted to interview me. Wow! What an opportunity to share the message of Playgrounds Of Peace with the world! Not 10 minutes later, I get a call from Michelle Bateman, wife of SendOutCards Founder & CEO - Kody Bateman. Michelle had heard about POP and wanted to hear my story. It looks like we'll have an opportunity to promote our work at HOPE Home and beyond.

More Photos

2010-10-14T07:18:00.001-07:00

Nepal 2010 - A Successful Trip...so far

2010-10-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Nepal!

The team had a successful visit to HOPE for Nepal Children's Home. The children are enjoying their new swings and will spin on the spinners by Saturday. The concrete is drying, but slowly. Everyone is well. More later, but I wanted to post some of the latest photos. See you all when we get back.

A Whirlwind is Coming to Nepal!

2010-10-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of a spinner we are installing at HOPE Home. We are actually installing 2 spinners and replacing the hardware and seats of the swing set.

POP Update

2010-10-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, for you few followers of the Playgrounds Of Peace blog, here is an update. I am leading a team of 5 other volunteers to Nepal this month to work at the HOPE for Nepal Children's Home. Although money this year has been tight, I believe we have enough last minute donations to complete objectives. Thanks to SendOutCards and the POP-STARS team and my few but loyal supporters, my trip expenses are paid for. Our objectives this time include: 1. playground - install 2 spinners and repair/replace the swings, 2. outfit the Home with a complete set of tools to increase their production of water purifications systems and at the same time give valuable vocational training to the older children, 3. develop on-going support for each child living at the home. Currently, there are 21 children at the home due to the fact that the Young Adult Home closed and 5 young people are now at the Godawari location.

We have an excellent team including: a professional photographer, an artist, an advocate for orphans and her son, a Registered Play Therapist and of course me....Mr. Playground.

I hope to keep those who subscribe to this blog updated along with photos of our trip to Nepal. After our mission is completed at Godawari, we plan to take a brief trek into the mountains. One more thing off the "bucket list."

Back to Kkkkkkkkathmandu!

2010-07-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

Playgrounds Of Peace will be returning to Nepal and Hope Home October 8th to October 18th, 2010. More details later.

Deal Bug - New On-Going Fund-Raiser!

2010-07-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce DealBug.com a new supporter of Playgrounds of Peace. DealBug offers opportunity and hope for communities to save money within their households while supporting schools, charities, and other non-profit organizations. DealBug's unique approach allows consumers to purchase commonly used products and services from their community merchants at discounts typically not seen in stores and when the consumer checks out they can select a school, charity or non-profit to receive a donation from DealBug.com.

To receive daily alerts about the awesome deals on DealBug, please sign up at www.DealBug.com and see what the buzz is all about. Plus, you can follow DealBug on Facebook (Click Here) to get the latest news and updates.

On behalf of Playgrounds of Peace, please spread the word about DealBug with your Facebook friends (Click Here), family and business associates and help us raise the money we need to support our educational & vocational training and building a playground for the orphanage at Hope Home of Nepal.

The daily DealBug deals will launch on August 2nd, 2010. If you own a business and would like to get featured on DealBug.com, please send an email to admin@dealbug.com or call 913-660-7342.

Catch the bug…You Shop, You Save, We Give!

Photos from Poland - Aushwitz & Kracow

2010-06-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

At the end of our mission trip, our "de-briefing" time was spent on the road and in Kracow. On the way, we tour the Aushwitz concentration camp museum. Not was a word was said by anyone in the van from the town where the camp is located to the city of Kracow. It was an unforgetable experience. Krakow was wonderful! We toured Wavel Castle and did some shopping.

Do You Have Room for One More?

2010-06-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

During our trip to Poland, I participated in a meeting at 5N Baptist Church and a group of people interested in help the children of Dom Dziecka "Droga," by considering being a part of a pilot Foster Parenting program. I also, met with the Principal of King David School about educating these kids as well as potential playground projects involving city governments and officials. Funding opportunities through the EU are available in Poland now and good projects have a chance of being funded. Here is one of the children that is on my heart. She needs a forever home.

POP & FRUA Project in Poland - A Success!!!

2010-06-16T04:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to FRUA and those who supported our team financially and through prayer, our build project was a great success! Here are some photos from the build site.

POP Poland Team Arrives Safely

2010-06-05T01:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Our team arrived safely on Friday afternoon, 4 June. We are going to be in Poznan until Monday when we will travel to the Dom Dziecka. The playground equipment will be delivered "sometime Monday morning," so we need to be there early to prepare the site. The email from KOMPAN's representative in Poland is a little confusing. They may be bringing a crew to help with the installation, but I am not sure. Regardless, we have got to have the concrete ready to go on Monday. Our team will be joined by a couple of Fulbright Scholars sent to us by FRUA. Also, our friend Shelley Adler, a missionary with AVANT, will be joining us for the build. I welcome the extra help and translators.

More later.

Mr. Playground

Updated Update of the Update

2010-05-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

Poland
The equipment will be delivered to the site on May 28th. Flooding in Southeast Poland may cancel our plans to visit the Aushwitz memorial and Krakow. The team is ready, the money has been raised.

Nepal
Still in the process of drafting yet another letter for the benefit of the Nepalese government. Hopefully, we can get the letter to the proper authorities to release the equipment before there is any more turmoil in Nepal.

Kids Around the World
I had a great visit with Jim and his staff at KATW. We agreed to take it one step at a time as to how we can work together. This is a wonderful group of people and I am looking forward to working with on future projects. Praying about going to Haiti this summer or fall as well as India.

Update of the Update

2010-05-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

Poland
We are now in contact with KOMPAN in Poland and it looks like we are going to get our equipment order delivered in time. Just about 2 1/2 weeks out now.

Nepal
I am in the process of sending yet another letter to Nepal to hopefully straighten out the differences in the invoice amounts. With the nationwide strikes over for now, maybe our contacts can get the equipment released. If so, then we'll start planning a return trip in the fall to install the equipment.

Kids Around the World
I'm meeting with the President of KATW and his staff to see how we can work together on future projects. I'm really excited about this opportunity!

Poland Project - Equipment Photos

2010-05-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Although this not exactly what we wanted to originally do on this trip, the lack of funds and now time have made us change course a little. We had hoped to put the final touches on playground at Dom Dziecke "Droga" by replacing the old wooden composite play structure with a new, contemporary, age-appropriate structure but that is not possible now. We are going with the "Ready, Set, Play" list of equipment from KOMPAN which are products that are ready to ship on a relatively short notice. Well, we certainly have "short notice." It has been almost two weeks since we got the grant check from FRUA and I have yet to hear from the KOMPAN representative in Poland. The President of US Operations, Tom Grover, yesturday sent an email to the home office in Denmark to see if we can get any help from them. I have no choice now but to develop a "Plan B" and explore alternative equipment from other producers. Please pray that this all works out and that we are good stewards of the money "grant" and raised on our behalf. Note: we are attempting to order 2 bays of swings for a total of 4 belt swings. This will replace some of the old swings that have metal bars instead of swing chains. The Blazer will replace the old set of teeter-totters. We've asked KOMPAN for any free stuff they can offer. Their current sales promotion is for an extra rocker or spinner piece of equipment. Not sure we'll get anything, but it doesn't hurt to try.

PENNYS FOR PLAYGROUNDS

2010-05-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

Summit Pointe Elementary School where my Ania attends, is raising money for our Poland playground project. The class that raises the most money will get an extra recess! How exciting that the children of Ania's school are getting involved. Kids seem to "get it" when presented the need for a playground for children who have none. Thank you SPE students and staff!

POP May 6 - UPDATE

2010-05-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

POLAND
The trip is on. Airline tickets have been purchased. Grant check from FRUA has been received. In the process of ordering equipment. There is a possibility that we won't get the equipment from KOMPAN to the site in time. Looking at some alternatives.

NEPAL
Our contacts in Nepal requested yet another set of documents. This time, changing the name of the organization that is actually donating the equipment (i.e. from Big Toys to LSCC and POP). Also, the original invoice was about $30 USD below the most recent invoice we sent in the amount of $7,500 USD. The Nepalese government is actually concerned about $30 USD, can you believe it?! Unbelievable! Of course alot of this could have been avoided if communications and a clear understanding of what was needed between POP and Hope Home would have been better over the past 6 months. The social and political situation in Nepal is getting worse and the entire Country is basically shutdown due to strikes by the Maoists who are demanding the current government leaders step down. Our little playground equipment problem is very small in light of the turmoil going on in Nepal. Even our contacts now admit we need to get the US State Department and Embassy involved again.

KIDS AROUND THE WORLD
Talked to Jim at KATW about me traveling to their headquarters to meet with the rest of the KATW team. I'd like to particpate in one of their upcoming build trips.

POP April Update

2010-04-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

Poland.
Waiting for grant check from FRUA. No word on matching grant from KOMPAN. The price of airline tickets has gone up for our team.

Nepal.
Things are still stalled in Nepal. Even with the modified documents that the various ministry office required, nothing is happening with our playground equipment. Even Uttam is now a little frustrated about the situation. He was even open to having the US State Department get involved again.

Kids Around the World.
No word from KATW. I think Jim and his crew are in Haiti right now so I probably won't talk to him about working together until at least May. I sure would like to on a build with them and learn about their use of "flannelgraphs" to share the Gospel.

Cambodia.
I still sense a calling to go to Cambodia to build a playground but no response from Safe Haven Village or the sponsoring organization as well as Hope for the Nations.

POP News

2010-03-26T05:21:00.000-07:00

It seems like all I do lately is wait for playground equipment. I thought I had all the paperwork submitted that was necessary to process our grant check from FRUA but our friend Adele stilled what is called an "EIN#." I thought that the documents from LSCC had that on them but I guess not. Anyway, Mike at LSCC came through again and got the number for us. We need to order equipment right away! Hopefully KOMPAN will consider matching the grant. This would be huge! A great way to finish our work at Dom Dziecka "Droga."

I spoke at a networking luncheon yesturday and someone offered to donate a high quality (white cedar) playground set worth about $4,000. I've got a couple of ideas for it.

POP Promotions

2010-03-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Playgrounds Of Peace continues to get some attention from the community. On March 1st, I spoke at my daughter's school for their "Diversity Fair." I was so well received that the school is planning a fund-raiser for current and future POP projects. I showed the Hope for Nepal Video and had a booth with photos from both our Poland and Nepal projects. Lisa Smith, wife of Nepal Team member Duane Smith, informed that this years' VBS (Vacation Bible School) at Lee's Summit Community Church (summer 2010) will include an emphasis on missions and a fund-raiser for POP. What a blessing!

Please pray for me and the future of POP. We are at a crossroads. POP either becomes it's own non-profit organization or merge with another group. Thank you for your continued support. 11 weeks until the Poland trip!

Hope for Nepal Video

2010-03-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Updates from Nepal & Poland

2010-03-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

During the past couple of weeks Uttam contacted me via Skype and asked for another equipment donation letter and invoice from BigToys, Inc. and POP. The "new" letter and the invoice listed the official name of the children's home which is "Hope for the Nations, Nepal - Hope for Nepal Children's Home." Still no word as to when the equipment will be released so it can be picked up and delivered to the site. It appears now that the first opportunity to take another team over to Nepal to install the equipment would be October of 2010.

In the meantime, POP is going to Poland in June. My friend Adele with FRUA requested a couple of documents from POP and the Church. The Church was super fast in getting the documents ready and emailed for me! Adele is going to put a cover letter on the documents and submit the package to the FRUA Board and/or Treasurer for the grant check to be issued. I spoke with Joel Roddell of PG Playgrounds (KOMPAN Rep. for this area) and he made some suggestions as to what equipment to put in at the Dom Dziecka. Also, the King David School in Poznan looks like it is going to stay at it's current location. This more "permanent" arrangement gives us another opportunity to add to the their playground. Therefore, since the "Cowboy Bible Camp" and horse clinic is not going to happen this trip, working at King David School gives us another ministry opportunity.

I am preparing a presentation for the Administration of King David School, interested persons from 5N Baptist Church and various missionaries on "adopting" a concept like the Hope for Nepal model for a children's home, but make it more applicable to Poland. Using called, committed and trained Christian Foster Parents and funneling these homes into a central center of activity like Pawel's horse ranch to develop family, community, love and support, etc. would be the general idea. Providing a good education through King David School would also be an important part of the plan. We'll see what happens. Regardless, the Poles must step up and take ownership.

Poland Trip is On - for now....

2010-03-10T08:26:00.001-08:00

Playgrounds Of Peace will be going to Poland for another playground build in June. This is assuming we get the grant from FRUA for the equipment. More details to follow.

The Future of POP?

2009-12-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

After returning from Nepal, I searched on line for others out there that were "like-minded" as Playgrounds Of Peace. I met Jim Rosene of "Kids Around the World" on line and followed up with a phone call. It was an amazing conversation! Kids Around the World (KATW) has a project in Nepal (possibly with Women's Foundation of Nepal) and another project in POLAND!!! Both are happening in 2010. I believe this is more than a coincidence. I am constantly amazing how the Lord puts me in contact with extraordinary people in business and those involved in building playgrounds and relationships with a Gospel component. Anyway, I'm going to St. Louis on December 21st to meet with Jim Rosene in person to see what the Lord may have in store for our two organizations. Please pray.

Update on Playground Equipment

2009-12-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

I talked with Uttam via Skype and email and it appears that our case has now be elevated to the Nepali Government Cabinet level. This is in my estimation partly due to the fact that the value of the playground equipment supplied to us by BigToys, Inc. The equipment is valued at $7,500 USD which is over a half a million Nepali Rupees! Anyway, Uttam and I drafted a letter for Tim at BigToys to sign and notarized. The original will be sent via Fed Ex to Brother Nepal who will give it to another brother who will deliver it to the Nepali government. Hopefully, the equipment will be released and delivered to Hope Home by Christmas! I'm not "holding my breath" on this development, but it looks real promising.

POP Supporters & Friends - Nepal Trip Presentation Sunday, November 15th

2009-11-13T10:19:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends and Supporters of Playgrounds Of Peace,
You are invited to attend our team's formal de-briefing and presentation on our recent trip to Nepal. Also, we will be discussing the future of POP, upcoming trips and prospective playground & relationship building trips.

The event will be held on Sunday afternoon from 2 PM to 4 PM at the East Auditorium of Lee's Summit Community Church.

I hope to see you there.

Thanks,

Mr. Playground

Nepal - Please let our Playground Equipment Go!

2009-11-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

POP for Poland 2010

2009-11-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of the Dom Dziecka playground where we will complete the final phase of the playground build we started in 2006. The main composite structure needs to be replaced along with the old swings and the damaged play house (installed in 2006 by our team). With the grant from FRUA (Friends of Russian & Ukrarian Adoptions) we should be able to get the job done....with a little fund raising.

No Word This Week from Nepal on Playground Equipment

2009-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

I talked to Uttam and his brother (Kishor) and "Brother" Nepal are still trying to working things out through the Nepali government and the help of local people supposedly with some influence. Even with doing everything right....there is still the potential problem with corruption and bribery. Our folks in Nepal have declined further help from the US Embassy for now. They have appealed the case to their Prime Minister's office but with all the political stuff going on in that Country, it will be a small miracle if our little situation is addressed. Keep praying for a miracle...so that the children can play!

POP a Separate 501c3 Organization?

2009-11-11T07:27:00.000-08:00

Dear POP Friends & Supporters:
It appears with the recent financial reorganization at Lees Summit Community Church (LSCC), we are being encouraged to form our own separate non-profit organization and not use the church as a clearinghouse for donations and trip expense payments. Some "extension ministries" of the church have already done this or are looking into it. LSCC is still willing to coordinate the finances for Short Term Missions Trips, but at a 3% surcharge administrative cost. I'm okay with that assuming service for team leaders will improve. My question is.....is this for ALL short term missions trips sanctioned or approved by the church or for just more organized efforts like the East Asia Project, trips to the Russian orphanage and Playgrounds Of Peace? Regardless, they (church leadership) needs to post guidelines and steps for facilitating a missions trip and teach potential team leaders how to navigate through the process. Also, POP has been under the "Orphan Care" umbrella for area of ministry. Will this change? We'll see.

Therefore, POP will pursue getting a 501c3 status. We will form a Board of Directors, and probably modify our organizational name to reflect our non-profit status. I'm not sure how it's all going to shake out but I think it will be a good thing for POP. Hopefully, we'll be able to secure the help of many businesses, humanitarian groups and well as the faith-based community to "give the gift of playground to children around the world."

A special thanks goes to SendOutCards for the gift of blankets for the children of Hope for Nepal Children's Home. Blankets were number one on their list of needs this year. Thank you Kody, Leann, Eric and the whole SOC crew in Salt Lake City aw well as the other Distributors who "sent" card to the children of the home.

On to Poland....or back to Nepal!

Mr. Playground

Our Next Project: Poland Playground Build & Cowboy Bible Camp

2009-11-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the site for the Cowboy Bible Camp where children from the 5N Baptist Church, the neighborhood and from Dom Dziecka "Droga" (children's home) will learn about horsemanship and the loving grace of Jesus Christ. Our Cowboy's and Cowgirl's from America will demonstrate Biblical truths as they work with 7 horses on the "ranch" located outside of Poznan' Poland using natural methods of horse train as promoted by various clinicians in the USA. The "ranch" has stalls, a barn, dry lots, a round pen and several pastures along with a farm house. The house is occupied by a Polish family who work with children at the 5N Baptist Church. This POP for Poland trip is tentatively scheduled for June of 2010.

Still NO Equipment. "Released by the Government"...doesn't necessarily mean "Released by the Government."

2009-11-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

The old saying holds true in our situation...."once I figured out the answers, they change all the questions." This continues to be a very frustrating experience. I will post various recent correspondance later, because honestly it is too complicated and painful to try to explain it.

Note the photo above. The site is ready for the playground equipment. The children are waiting patiently. Please pray that the "adults" have compassion and release the equipment so the children can play.

On our Way Home

2009-10-18T18:01:00.000-07:00

Our team spent the night at the home of missionary to Sinagpore Tom Estad and his family. They treated us to a nice seafood dinner out. We are now about to board for LAX. Looking forward to getting home. The faces of the children and remembering the view of the mountains from Nargarkot will always be on my mind. Goodbye Nepal at least for now.

Visiting Nargarkot Today -Heading for Home Tomorrow

2009-10-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

Dear POP Supporters & Friends,
After a relatively productive "relationship building" trip to the Hope for Nepal Children's Home, we returned to Kathmandu on Friday morning. We checked back into our hotel and met our new friend and guide, Ram, who is the driver and "logistics man" for Leeza from Womens Foundation of Nepal and Playgrounds NOW Nepal!. Ram rented a van and driver for us and took us to the large Stupa and we had dinner on the roof overlooking this buddist shrine. Best meal I've had in Nepal considering I was sick a couple of days. Bryce has the same thing but is up and running today in time for our trek to the "high mountains." Viewing the mountains from Nargarkot at sun rise or sunset is world famous. I believe it is on the list of 100 things you should do in your life time.

We went to the WFN cooporative and bought scrafs. The money will truly help the women and children of Nepal. Then we went to a hindu temple and it was very strange. WE are done visiting temples this trip! This morning we are all shopping. At 12 noon we are going to the mountains with our guide Ram.

Needless to say....but I will say it again....we accomplished the relationship portion of the mission of POP but still have work yet to do. The playground continues to sit in storage near the airport and neither us, nor the US Government or friends of the Orphanage staff can make those in control of releasing it to let us have the equipment. We continue to pray and I believe it will have, just now while we are here.

Thanks to all our POP friends and supporters for your financial gifts and prayers. I am looking forward to coming home.

ON to Poland in 2010

Time is Running Out

2009-10-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

I am writing this on Thursday morning in Nepal. Even with the help of Karla at Pilot, involvement from the US Department of State and our local efforts, the playground equipment for Hope for Nepal Children's Home still sit in a warehouse near the KTM airport in Kathmandu. Expo Express Services, a sub-contractor of Aramex, the international partner of Pilot Frieght Services continues to hold our cargo for ransom. Of course they won't tell us Americans or Pilot this but they DID try to demand a bribe of $15,000 USD, plus change the Orphanage officials money for a worthless document.

The trip still has been well worth it! The relationships we have built with the Orphanage staff and the children has been fantastic. Had we waited until all the paperwork and dealing with the government been completed BEFORE arriving in Nepal, I honestly believe we would still be in Lee's Summit. We have two of the four documents needed to get the equipment released to the home through normal channels which are the Invoice and the packing list. Now, the Orphanage staff must run the gauntlet of governmental red tape (like Eastern Europe) to get the equipment to the playground site. I am confident at this point that the equipment will be released and transported to the site, but most likely not while we are here.

We did get the loose-fill, safety surfacing (sand) containment border completed on Wednesday with much needed help from the older boys here at the orphanage. This IS essential part of the mission of Playgrounds Of Peace. Our men working side-by-side with Nepal youth. It's just like working in the back yard with your "POP." You could tell from the looks on their faces that they were proud of THEIR accomplishments and the confirmation our men gave them was water to soul and self-esteem.

Last night our hosts and the children treated us to a concert and performance of traditional Nepali dances. They love to sing, praise the Lord and dance. We should be so happy ourselves! This is a beautiful place with beautiful people!

Our two teachers have been given the opportunity to teach the home-schoolers (younger children) all week. Our Registered Child Psy. & Play Therapist has had a wonderful time working individually with the children and teaching the home parents about child development issues. Duane, our builder, has had a ball building the bamboo containment area for the playground. Bill "Papa Bill" Helbling, has had a blast just showing the love of Christ to and praying for the children. There there is me.....Mr. Playground. I was sick for the past day and a half but doing better today. I am just taking it all in and making notes. I am finding out even more that kids are the same every where. Play behaviors are the same the world over! I got a real kick out of the little ones playing under the old slide and bringing me an array of "food and beverages." It is just confirmation in my mind that God has given me the mission of "bringing the gift of play to children around the world." It all starts with a playground...although in this case the playground will come later. I AM MR. PLAYGROUND.

Even More Photos of Hope for Nepal

2009-10-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

More Photos from Nepal

2009-10-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Update from Nepal

2009-10-13T19:49:00.001-07:00

After a very long series of airline flight, we finally arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal. We spent the first night at the Hotel Excelsior in the Thamal area of the city. It is full of narrow streets, shops, people and uncontrolled traffic. We were all glad to leave the city and head for the rural area of the valley where the Hope for Nepal Children's Home is located. We were great with song, flowers and hugs from all the children. This moment made the hard journey and fund-raising all worth it!

The major problem has been we have not been able to get the playground equipment. It is being somewhat held "hostage: by the sub-contractor of the international partner of our shipping company and "red tape" of the government. Not knowing what else to do, we decided to clear and prepare the ground for the new playground. Like in Poland, we needed to use what was readily available in terms of materials and tools. We cleared the land by using small hand tool type hoes. Now we are using bamboo to build a retaining wall and safety surfacing (loose-fill) containment area.
Karla, who works for our shipping company, is doing her best to have the equipment release in time for us to build the playground. She has contacted the US Department of State and has tried to make sense of the confusing process of getting donated equipment to the home.

This is an absolutely beautiful place and the orphanage is better than we expected. The Orphanage staff and kids have been great to work with. They are wonderful hosts.

Please pray for our team's health and for us getting the playground equipment.
Thanks again for everyone's support.

Letter from David Richardson - Moldova Orphanage

2009-09-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

Moldova time; Thursday 9/24/09 7:45am - US. Central time; Wednesday 9/23/09 11:45pm

Here are some of the kids that are in my group, their are also a few babies that are only 1-2 months old. The last 2 pictures are the girls that I volunteer with, live in the same flat with and Vica loves there with us. The girl in my cowboy hat is Ruth, she is 18. The girl on the swing is Jessica, she is 19. We all have a lot of fun playing with the children and outside the orphanage. Both of the girls are from England, they met online while planning their trips to Moldova. They emailed each other for 7 months before meeting for the first time here at the airport in Chisinau, they get along smashingly well for never having met before and the are so funny.

Well I need to get ready to go, I am going to visit a boarding school and sit in on a lecture that Vica is giving today.

in Christ,
David

Purchase a SOCBox Today to Support POP

2009-09-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

www.sendoutcards.com/67545

New Fund-raiser Opportunity Through SendOutCards...the "SOCBox"

2009-09-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Greetings POP Supporters and SOC:

If anyone has been looking at SendOutCards yet felt they could not afford the $398 to get involved. There is a new option now that was just announced at the convention in Salt Lake City called the SOCBox .....

We will be able to market a Party Plan Package as a product it will be a $50 commissionable
sale. We will be able to expand our market through those who want to build SOC through a Party Plan model (Note: Nothing is changing with out current MLM Comp plan). As a SOC Affiliate you will be able to enroll people who want to market SOC through the home party model.

Retail Affiliate Plan
Low cost entry for the Party Plan Model

SOC has made a package called the SOCBox which includes a DVD Presentation
and from that DVD they have a business in a box and account for SOC. Includes
credits to send 10 Greeting cards and access to our card editor Picture Plus.

$25 Wholesale $49 Retail ($100 Bonus if you sell 10 boxes Thats a total of
$340.00 in commissions once) 30 day activation for the 10 boxes.

(This product has been being tested with some of the leaders in SOC with home parties
for several months with a huge success!)

In a nutshell people can come into SOC through the party plan model and those
people who do this will qualify the business builder commissions and bonuses as
the Home Party Model grows.

If you want more information just email me at mwhite.pop@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Mark White
Playgrounds Of Peace
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRUA gives POP $5,000 Grant for POP for Poland 2010

2009-09-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

Mark,
The FRUA Board decided to support your playground build in Poland with $5000. I tried to push for more than this amount, but was unsuccessful. I am hopeful that this can be the beginning of a relationship between FRUA and Playgrounds of Peace. Maybe in subsequent years, if you are building a playground in Eastern Europe or Russia, FRUA will provide an even higher level of support. I will be drafting a formal letter with this amount, but wanted to let you know as soon as possible.

When do you head off to Nepal? How many individuals will be on your volunteer team on this build? I know you are super busy with your preparations for this build.

I am sending you positive energy for your upcoming build in Nepal,
Adele

Note: This letter is from my good friend and POP advocate Adele Raade.

9.11 NEVER, NEVER Forget!

2009-09-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Message from David Richardson - POP for Moldova

2009-09-11T06:21:00.000-07:00

I have borrowed a camera till I can get mine operational.
A few days after I arrived, Vica and I went through some of the stuff that I bought in Chicago, we organized and separated it to take to a couple of different orphanages. In some of the pictures you will see where we took some of it to "Save the Children" orphanage for the kids.

We also went to a boarding school outside of town the next day, I took pictures of where they slept, ate, played and of the kids. The best picture and story is of a little boy named Mihai, he had a degenerative eye problem and about a year ago they said if he does not have surgery soon he will go totally blind. Vica raised the money to have this procedure done, he is blind in one eye and can only see partially out of the other, but at least he has some vision. You can see them in the last two pictures, you will see a grateful little boy and a bond between him and Vica that goes beyond words.

I am looking forward to the rest of the week. I keep all these children in my thoughts and prayers, I get closer to the children everyday and it becomes a little bit harder to walk away each day. One little boy that I take outside each day ( his name is Mishka ) he has discovered he can walk backwards, so when we first go outside, we walk backwards everywhere. I will get a picture of him soon and show you.

It is late and I need to get to bed, it is 10:00pm my time and 2:00pm your time, but next time I will tell you about and get pictures of Maxium. He looks to be about a 3 or 4 month old baby, anyway, I will tell you about him next time.

in Christ,
David

Quote of the Day for Play

2009-09-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing." - Unknown

Playground Equipment from BigToys

2009-09-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we're going to build the playground where a corn patch and small hen house currently resides. As long as the they can grow food else where on the property, I'm fine with THEIR selection of a site of the new playground. The piece selected won't fit anywhere else. Please pray that the ground will be prepared as much as possible before our team arrives and that we can get enough sand and border containment material (wood timbers, bricks, rock, etc.) to keep the sand inside the safe use zone. Of course we need concrete and hand tools as well. Thanks again to Tim Madeley, President of BigToys for his help with this project and the generous donation of equipment!

Playground Site Selection - Equipment Shipment is Pending

2009-09-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hope Children's Home - GODWARI

2009-08-31T06:51:00.000-07:00

David Richardson - POP for Moldova (Chicago Romania Festival - Prior to Missions Trip to Moldova)

2009-08-31T06:46:00.000-07:00

Our "Home Away from Home" (at least for part of the trip) in Kathmandu

2009-08-19T12:21:00.001-07:00

HOTEL EXCELSIOR

All Seven Team Members are Going!

2009-08-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

Through some miraculous events last week, all seven team members for from Lee's Summit Community Church are going to Nepal in October! The flights have been booked and tickets purchased. Thanks to all our contributors and prayer support people.

More Photos from the Build Site

2009-08-17T08:40:00.001-07:00

The last set of photos were actually of the current basketball court. The current playground (which we didn't know they had) is located next to the basketball court, across a small wall. The playground consists of swings (1 bay, 2 seats), a see-saw and a slide. Surfacing is gravel and dirt. The size of this playground and current configuration may prevent us from installing the BigToy play structure in this area. Also, there is a utility pole located inside the playground. The alternative as explored for us by Leezsa of WFN is currently a corn field and chicken coop. Here are the photos of the old playground and possible new site for the BigToys equipment.

Photos from Build Site

2009-08-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

The above photos were taken by another American currently in Nepal and working with the Womens Federation of Nepal. I met Leeza through KaBOOM. She is coordinating efforts to build playgrounds in Nepal as well. Thank you Leeza!

First Message Directly from Orphanage Director - Brother Nepal

2009-08-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

HI Mark,
Hi how are you there and we all are fine here and hope the same thing there.I knew something from the morning chat and i am happy.I am very very happy to chat you.I am brother nepal repergenting from hope children home nepal.We have 18 kids.I told that you are comming nepal and the kids are very happy and they are also praying for your safe journey.I knew about your team and i will be comming at airport.You will stay with us and we will be the same family and spend one week with children.If any question mail me and i will give the answer of your question.God bless,nepal

KaBOOM! - Playgrounds Of Peace Nepal

2009-08-13T06:33:00.001-07:00

KaBOOM! - Playgrounds Of Peace Nepal

Posted using ShareThis

HOPE FOR NEPAL CHILDRENS HOME

2009-07-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Serving on top of the world

2009-07-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

Serving on top of the world
LSCC member and team to build a playground
for orphans in Nepal.
JULY 2009

By Pam Wilbur

For Mark White, the top of the world seemed like a good place to build.

After making multiple trips to Poland to build playgrounds at an orphanage, Mark was up for a new challenge: working in remote Nepal, the home of Mt. Everest.

Mark, an LSCC member and safety manager for the Lee’s Summit School District, wants to bring health and opportunity to children who live without safe play areas. But it’s more than fun and games. Scientific studies show that children with age appropriate, creative play opportunities grow up to be more healthy, balanced adults.

In addition, building playgrounds is an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ.

“The last two playground builds in Poland were a prelude to preparing to go to different countries in different parts of the world,” he said.

As further evidence that he is in it for the long haul, Mark is forming a ministry called Playgrounds of Peace (POP). Unofficially, it stands for the concept of a father or grandfather, a “pop” – a loving father figure so desperately needed by orphans. Perhaps even more important, it also stands for the Prince of Peace, who is the force behind all of these efforts.

The next adventure begins in October, where Mark and a team of church and community members will serve the Hope for Nepal Children’s Home in Katmandu by building a playground.

Initially, Mark resisted the trip. In the last few years, Nepal has been ridden with often violent strife between Communists and rival groups. Yet he found that God kept moving things in the trip’s favor, such as offers of donated equipment.

In Poland, the teams served the orphans of government institutions. But the orphanage in Nepal is private and run by Christians. It doesn’t call itself an orphanage, but a “children’s home” and has the goal of helping kids become self-sustaining adults with life and vocational skills. Mark hopes to export some of these ideas as he comes in contact with other orphanages.

Several teachers, a musician, and a couple of people, who, in Mark’s words, “really know what they are doing,” will be on the team. Through his relationship with manufacturer BigToys, of Olympia, Wash., Mark was able secure all of the playground equipment for the project. But even with that generous gift, funds are still needed for tools, travel, shipping the playground equipment ($2,300) and operational expenses.

Funds can be donated through Lee’s Summit Community Church and designated for “Playground Project.” In addition, Mark and the team request your prayers as they seek to demonstrate the love of Christ in Nepal. To learn more contact Mark or check out his blog.

Pam Wilbur is a member of Lee's Summit Community Church.

Welcome David Richardson to the POP Team!

2009-07-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

Our friend and new Send Out Cards associate David Richardson is going to the Country of Moldova which is between Romania and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. David is going to work with an orphanage and explore future ministry opportunities.

Here is a map of Moldova and some photos of the orphan children of that impoverished nation that desperately need to know the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

POP for Nepal Team Meeting, Tuesday, July 14, 2009

2009-07-13T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Nepal team will me at the East Auditorium at LSCC at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be one hour. Eric Clemmons of SOC will give another FUNd-raising presentation at 7:00 PM. Please bring $5.00 for pizza.

Our New POP Hero!

2009-07-06T05:36:00.000-07:00

POP for Nepal team member Bryce Anderson and I were sitting in a local coffee shop talking about the 100 gift account walk through give away for the month of July when in walks a gentleman who owners a local executive car dealership. We explained briefly what we were doing and how we hoped to raise enough money to get the playground equipment shipped to Nepal for our build trip in October. Before we finished with our explanation of our mission, he said "stop by my office and I'll write you a check for $1,000. to help with the shipping. My jaw dropped to the floor and for the first time in my adult life, I was speechless! Praise God for His provision!

Urgent Request: 100 people, 1 card = $1000 for Nepal

2009-07-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

As a new distributer of Send Out Cards, I have been given the challenge to give away 100 gift accounts during the month of July. If I make my goal, the company will award me $1000.

THIS $1000 WILL GO DIRECTLY TO PAY MY EXPENSES FOR MY MISSION TO NEPAL IN OCTOBER. The organization I lead called Playgrounds of Peace (POP) will build a playground and relationships at Hope for Nepal Orphanage located in the Katmandu valley.

It will only take 10 minutes on your computer and will cost you nothing.

Go to this website:

www.sendoutcards.com/67545

Click on "send a free card." Send a card to anyone you'd like.

Can you please help me?

Thank you for your time!

Mark

Cost to Ship Playground Equipment to Nepal - URGENT NEED

2009-06-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Well, we have the numbers now from BigToys. Our investment in the equipment to get it to Hope for Nepal children's home is:

$3,323.05

The equipment will be picked up by the freight service from the BigToys factory in Washington State, then flown to the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. A company that partners with the freight company in Nepal at the airport will receive the equipment. Our contacts at the children's home will make arrangements to pick up the equipment and transport it to the home.

Please pray, we have NO money! We need someone to step up and underwrite the cost of getting the equipment to Nepal. I don't want a huge donation from BigToys to be wasted!

"Mr. Playground' (in Nepali)

2009-06-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

"Shree Khelmaidan"

(Mr. Playground - in Nepali)

Many of you already know that I am known as "Mr. Playground" in the USA. Some of you know me as "Pan Plac Zabaw" in Poland. Soon I hope to earn the title of "Shree Khelmaidan" in Nepal.

Support Needed for POP - How you can help!

2009-06-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, all you who view this blog. First of all please subscribe so I can see who's out there monitoring what is happening at POP. Thank you, Bryce!

Second, we are now getting towards "crunch time" for our Nepal trip. Therefore, please checkout my SOC website and send 3 cards as my guest. When you enroll into one of the packages for the service, a portion goes directly to my POP expenses. Any excess goes for shipping of the playground equipment.

Here is the website address:

http://www.blogger.com/www.sendoutcards.com/67545

New Equipment Proposal - POP for Nepal 2009

2009-06-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

Our good friend, Tim Madeley - President of BigToys, and I discussed the specific equipment for the Hope for Nepal Children's Home. The structure selected looks to be a "win-win" for all parties. Beside ease of shipment and installation, it will be great for the children! Not only is it age-appropriate, it will provide opportunities for social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Thank you Tim for recommending and providing such a wonderful piece of playground equipment! Tim and the folks at BigToys certainly have "big hearts." They prove year after year that they care about kids, including those who need opportunities for play the most!

Let's all pray for an affordable shipping cost to Nepal and that our supporters will "step up" and underwrite the cost so we can get the equipment on the boat or plane as soon as possible. We want the equipment to safely arrive long before we do.

Thanks for Attending the June POP Informational Gathering

2009-06-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

We had 18 people attend our POP for Nepal & Poland 2010 team and informational gathering last night. Thanks to all of you who attend. It was a great turn out and we generated some real momentum for POP! Thank you Lord! What a great team HE has assembled to help fulfill our mandate from scripture....James 1:27.

I appreciate my good friends and business associates Eric Clemmons and Rickie & Becky Hensley with SOC who attended and gave an excellent presentation on our ongoing FUNd-raising program. The possibilities for underwriting the costs of current and future POP trips through individuals and businesses enrolling into the SOC system is fantastic! Thank you all who are considering being a customer or business associate! Either way, you are helping to "bring the gift of play to children around the world."

Our next Team meeting will be July 14, 2009. More details later, but please invite friends, potential supporters and team members. It will be at the same place and time.

Share a Great Place to Play!

2009-06-23T07:13:00.001-07:00

Estimated Cost of the Trip to Nepal

2009-06-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, my best guess right now is between $2,935 and $4,030 including: airfare, VISA document, lodging, food and ground transportation.

Tuesday Night - Informational Gathering & Fund-raising Opportunity

2009-06-22T06:04:00.000-07:00

Team Meeting starts at 6 PM.
Presentation on the Nepal trip and Poland 2010 starts at 7 PM.
SendOutCards demonstration - fund-raising for POP.

Please check out the Opportunity presentation and send 3 cards as my guest:

www.sendoutcards.com/67545

Location: Lee's Summit Community Church
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

"Kathmandu" by Bob Seger............Lyrics

2009-06-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

"I think Im going to katmandu.
Thats really, really where Im going to.
If I ever get out of here,Thats what Im gonna do.
K-k-k-k-k-k katmandu.I think thats really where Im going to.
If I ever get out of here,Im going to katmandu."

POP for Poland 2010: "Cowboy Bible Camp" & Horse Clinic

2009-06-18T12:28:00.001-07:00

Above are some photos of one of the two facilities for the 2010 trip to Poland. Besides a playground building project at the "Dom Dziecka" (children's home), we are planning a Bible camp and horse clinic. We need American cowboys and cowgirls to join us and show God's love through working with horses.

Update from Nepal...........via Australia!

2009-06-18T05:29:00.001-07:00

I talked to our Missionary contact in Nepal who happens to be in Australia at the moment. Again, Skype is wonderful! Anyway, it appears we are still on track for the trip in October. The main concern right now is the shipping and delivery of the playground equipment from BigToys. As far as our safety is concerned, the areas we are going are secure for now. We need to continue to pray.

Here it is.....Our New Logo!

2009-06-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Thank You POP Supporters!

2009-06-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

www.sendoutcards.com/67545

Last night we hosted the unofficial "unveiling" of the new POP logo along with a presentation by my good friend and business associate, Eric Clemmons, an Executive with SendOutCards. Thank you, my closest friends and supporters for attending this special gathering at our home. It was truly a blessing to have you as a key part of the Playgrounds Of Peace team!

For those of you unfamilar with SendOutCards and the wonderful opportunity for individuals and businesses to stay in touch and show appreciate to friends, customers, referrals, etc.; then you need to check it out for yourself! Log onto the the link above and send 3 cards as my guest! You will be amazed how cool this system is and how it can be used. POP is not the only group using SOC for fund-raising. Another SOC Distributor has set it up to raise money for the American Heart Association. Therefore, every time someone sends a card or refers a new user to SOC, the Association receives a nice donation! That is exactly what we want to do with SOC here at POP.

Thanks again for your support.

Please continue to pray for financial support for our team (10 members) and for the shipping cost of the donated equipment from BigToys. The cost of the trip, per team member is about $3,000. We are starting to run out of time, but I am not worried. God is always on time, in HIS timing.

The Bottom Line...........Adoption

2009-06-16T11:20:00.001-07:00

Do you have room for one more?

Join POP to "Defend the Cause of the Weak and Fatherless....."

2009-06-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless, maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82: 3-4

Great Background & Current Information on Nepal from US CIA

2009-06-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/np.html

Dear Team & POP Supporters,
Please keep praying about the political situation in Nepal.
Thanks,
Mark
"Mr. Playground"

HOPE FOR NEPAL Website

2009-06-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the website for the children's home in Nepal where we will be building a playground:
www.hope.org.np

Playground Equipment Example for Nepal Project

2009-06-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of the type of playground composite play structure that we may install in Nepal. Once we get the final details from BigToys, we'll post the playground design along with all the equipment chosen for the project. A big "thank you" to BigToys.

POP for Nepal - Team & Supporter Meeting, June 23rd, 2009

2009-06-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

PLAYGROUNDS OF PEACE
“POP for Nepal”
Playground & Relationship Building
Short Term Missions Trip
To
HOPE for NEPAL Children’s Home
Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
October 9 – 18, 2009

TEAM MEETING
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
Lee’s Summit Community Church
Room 241-242
1440 SW Jefferson St.
Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

PLEASE RSVP (including your guests) to Mark White at: mwhite.pop@gmail.com

Agenda:

6:00 PM Team Business Meeting & Pizza
Note: Team & prospective team members –only.

7:00 PM Supporter Meeting & Presentations
Note: please invite and bring your trip supporters and
those interested in supporting POP for Nepal and
for future projects.

· Fund-raising: Eric Clemmons, SOCTEAMONE
Note: This is a presentation on Send Out Cards, which
POP-Founder Mark White is using to raise support and
show appreciation to supporters. There is an opportunity
with this service for on-going support of POP using their
unique service.

· Unveiling of the Playgrounds Of Peace Logo

· POP Updates:
1. Overall Ministry Objectives
2. Nepal project 2009
3. Poland project 2010
4. http://mrplayground.blogspot.com

"Love Knows No Language"

2009-06-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

"Playgrounds Of Peace"- How Did We Get That Name?

2009-06-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

Some may ask how we came up with the name "Playgrounds Of Peace" or "POP" for short. Well, the inspiration for the name came to me as I watched some of our "senior" playground building volunteers from the USA, who were seen working side by side with some Polish teenage orphans. This observation took place during the August 2006 project at Dom Dziecka "Droga" located in the small village of Goscieszyn, Poland. Neither one understood the language but they were working together. Our older gentlemen volunteers were showing their younger Polish counterpart how to work with tools and how to pain. The thought came to my head...."that's what you do with your "Dad" or "Pop" in the backyard." "You work together on a project or play a game together." I also thought of the Lord Jesus Christ....."POP" can also stand for "Prince of Peace." Playgrounds should be a place of peace. A place where kids can be kids. A place where they can remove themselves from the stress and worries of the world.....including the trauma that many of these orphans have and continue to experience. A place where kids can freely play and grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. A "Playground Of Peace."

US Embassy - Kathmandu Nepal

2009-06-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

http://nepal.usembassy.gov/index.html

Here is the link for the US Embassy in Kathmandu Nepal. It is important to keep up to date on social and political happenings in this Country as we prepare for POP for Nepal 2009.

POP for Nepal 2009 - TEAM MEETING & Fund-raiser

2009-06-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

June 23rd, Tuesday evening, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Lee's Summit Community Church.
More details later.

2009-06-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

Roadmonkey - Adventure Philanthropy

2009-06-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Several months ago, I hosted a webinar for KaBOOM. In my presentation I used the example of an organization called "Roadmonkey" to show how others are "bringing the gift of play to children around the world" like POP. The unique thing I see about "Roadmonkey" is how they combined adventure and humanitarian work. They call this "Adventure Philantropy." How cool is that?!!! I've always been an "adventure junky" myself and this organization combines two of my favorite things......playgrounds and touring the "real" world....in other words traveling "off the beaten path," and building relationships and community through playground building. My new friend Paul von Zielbauer, founder of "Roadmonkey" and I finally connected on the phone today. I'm looking forward to hopefully working together on future playground projects together.

Check out their website:

http://www.roadmonkey.net/

P.S. The "Twenty Years.." quote by Mark Twain (famous Missourian!) is at the top of the Roadmonkey website. It presents a great perspective on life.