Loss of a son, horrors of trafficking

Today, 02/23/12, Tiggy would have turned three. We miss him dearly. Although his death was sudden, shocking and tragic for us; there are horrors occurring everyday to children not much older than Tiggy would have been.

Sometimes tricked, sold, or stolen into being trafficked; children are brutally forced to submit and care for the "needs" of up to 40 clients a day. Facing drug abuse, starvation, and disease when they are finally 'used up' they're simply thrown out the door.

Tiggy's House is our effort to raise $50,000 to build one home as part of the Tiny Hands International Dream Center, in memory of our son. Help us combat this despicable industry and save the lives of these precious children.

Are you willing to help? Please consider donating today.




Mattias Ryker Hanley
02/23/09 - 12/12/10

 

To Donate:

Donate via Tiny Hands International. Simply select "Tiggy's House" from the "Choose a charity" menu found on their website.

Send checks to:

Tiny Hands International
P.O. Box 67195
Lincoln, NE 68506

Please mention "Tiggy's House" with your donation so your gift is designated accordingly.

Thank you.

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On our way!

We're on our way to Texas for a week of fellowshipping with people who have been praying for our family and supporting us through emails and facebook messages. I am so looking forward to meeting them!

Please pray for our journey and we'll be updating through the week!

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The Children's Homes of Tiny Hands International (with video)

Being adopted, I John, understand the importance of people willing to open their homes to displaced children. Tiny Hands International is a ministry who's focus is specifically to help the children society often overlooks:

Tiny Hands International has been called to the orphaned or abandoned of South Asia. James 1:27 reads, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” We take great pleasure in serving forgotten and unloved children by placing them in loving, Christian families and giving them every opportunity to not only survive, but to thrive in their local communities.

The idea for Tiggy's House was born out of the loss of our son Mattias but it goes much deeper than that. From my own foster care/adoption story, to working in a group home this ministry touches our lives in many ways. We honestly believe that 'every child deserves to be loved' not only because of our own experiences, but because we all have stories to tell.

Please support Tiggy's House and help serve some of the most impoverished children in the world.




To Donate:

Donate via Tiny Hands International. Simply select "Tiggy's House" from the "Choose a charity" menu found on their website.

Send checks to:

Tiny Hands International
P.O. Box 67195
Lincoln, NE 68506

Please mention "Tiggy's House" with your donation so your gift is designated accordingly.

Thank you.

Read More

Tiggy's House Road Trip . . . We'd like to meet you!

Now that we have a house sitter lined up, I am excited to announce that we are planning a little road trip at the end of February! We'll be on the road from February 20 to February 27 and heading south to San Antonio. Mattias birthday is on the 23rd and we wanted to do something special to mark the day. We have already made arrangements to meet up with a couple of families that have been an encouragement to us and have a couple of dessert parties planned for the fellowship and as a fundraiser for Tiggy's House. And it seemed like such a fun idea, we decided to see if anyone else would like to join in!

 If you live anywhere between Lincoln, Nebraska and San Antonio, Texas and would be interested in organizing a brunch/soup/chocolate/braiding/game night/whatever-sounds-good-to-you party, send me an email (dhanleyATtiggyshouseDOTcom) and we'll see if we can work out a schedule and visit with as many people as we can.

What is involved?

1. Decide what you wouldl like to do (brunch, soup, chocolate, braiding, games or whatever).
2. Invite your friends over for a time of fellowship.
3. Ask them to bring a dish and a suggested donation. (My mom did $10 at the one she did and it was quite successful, but you know what would be most appropriate in your circle of friends!)
4. We'll come over and enjoy the time of fellowship together and hopefully raise a little money for Tiggy's House at the same time!

Don't feel like you have to raise hundreds of dollars to make it worth stopping at your house. We're making the trip anyway and we really would like to meet some of the wonderful people who have been so incredibly supportive to us over the last year. Anything we are able to raise in addition to that is just like icing on the cake!

We can just chat if you like, or we have a bit of a piece put together on grief to help people know a little what it is like and how they can help friends and acquintances going through difficult times. Of course we'll talk a little about Tiggy's House. And if there is anything else we might be competent to talk about, just ask!

If you would like to host a braiding party, let me know. I would love to bring my marudai and enough Kumihimo disks for everyone. I would have to charge $10 per person for that rather than leaving it strictly to donation, but everyone will be able to make a bracelet to take home with them and keep their Kumihimo disk to make as many as they would like at home. I would also love to give a lesson to your homeschool group! (I would also need an approximate count as soon as possible to be sure I can order enough in.)

If you have any questions or would like to start trying to work out a time and a date for us to stop by, drop me a note here in the comments, on Facebook or via my email: dhanleyATtiggyshouseDOTcom (replace the letters in all caps for the appropriate punctuation.)

And if you live in another part of the country and this sounds like something you'd like to do, let us know! Of course, you don't need us, but if you would like us to visit, we may plan one of these again sometime and head a different direction.

All money raised will be donated to Tiny Hands International toward the construction of Tiggy's House, a children's Home in Nepal to fight poverty and sex-trafficking.

Thank you so much!

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Exciting News

We are at the sixth month mark of our two year effort to build Tiggy's House. It is with gratitude that we are able to announce that $13,211.75 has been raised. Praise God. With 2012 underway we ask that you keep in touch and follow our progress. From our family to yours we so appreciate everyone's kindness; words cannot express.

Please remember to mention "Tiggy's House" when donating so your gift is credited to our efforts.

Donate to Tiggy's House directly via Tiny Hands International. Simply select "Tiggy's House" from the "Choose a charity" menu found on their website.

Send checks to:

Tiny Hands International
P.O. Box 67195
Lincoln, NE 68506

Please mention "Tiggy's House" with your donation so your gift is designated accordingly.

Read More

Big Dreams, the Dream Center Video

The Dream Center project consists of many Big Dreams. The dreams and hopes of those who envisioned the complex. The dreams of those who support the efforts of Tiny Hands International . The dreams of those children rescued from the streets, poverty, human and sex trafficking.

Our dream is to provide one home, Tiggy's House, in memory of our son Mattias because we believe that 'every child deserves to be loved'. It is our joy to let you know that construction has began on the first two of six children's homes, a pavilion and the outer wall at the Dream Center site.

 Help us provide the funding so one day soon, Tiggy's House can also begin construction.

Donate to Tiggy's House directly via Tiny Hands International. Simply select "Tiggy's House" from the "Choose a charity" menu found on their website.

Send checks to:

Tiny Hands International
P.O. Box 67195
Lincoln, NE 68506

Please mention "Tiggy's House" with your donation so your gift is designated accordingly.

Thank you.

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Remembering our son, the first anniversary

Yesterday was the first anniversary of Mattias's passing. We visited the grave-site with Grandpa and Grandma in the morning placing flowers and then releasing a balloon with messages and memories written all over. It was hard for me, John, to leave. I just wanted to stay all day and chat with my boy. When the time came the grandparents headed south on their trip home and we then spent a family day together. If you are interested in following our personal experiences through this journey of grief and our everyday ordinaries please visit Dana's personal blog Roscommon Acres. There you can connect with us in a more personal manner.

I would like to take this moment to thank all of you for your prayers, support and donations. Please be encouraged by our story. Yes our grief will remain with us our entire lives although the raw intensity of those emotions will (already have) began to slowly alleviate. When Tiggy's House is built our prayers and hopes is that the children the home serves will find the same comfort, peace and love that is guiding us through our journey.




To donate to Tiggy's House:

Donate to Tiggy's House directly via Tiny Hands International. Simply select "Tiggy's House" from the "Choose a charity" menu found on their website.

Send checks to:

Tiny Hands International
P.O. Box 67195
Lincoln, NE 68506

Please mention "Tiggy's House" with your donation so your gift is designated for the construction of Tiggy's House.

Read More

Where's the chili?

We've been cooking so where's the chili? Today, December 10th, First Baptist Church, 333 Jackson St, Tecumseh, Nebraska from 1 to 5pm. Need directions? Click on the map and it'll help you get here. Don't miss out!

Chili Feed

Saturday, December 10th,

1 pm to 5 pm

First Baptist Church

333 Jackson Street, Tecumseh, NE

Hosted by:

www.TIGGYSHOUSE.com



Free will offering benefits:

Tiny Hands International

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Let us serve you

Let us serve you a hot bowl of chili this Saturday, December 10th from 1 to 5pm. Our hours will allow you time to warm up after morning chores or grab a bite before you head out for the evenings activities. All donations benefit Tiny Hands International and are a part of our efforts to build Tiggy's House. Hope to see you there.

Chili Feed

Saturday, December 10th,

1 pm to 5 pm

First Baptist Church

333 Jackson Street, Tecumseh, NE

Hosted by:

www.TIGGYSHOUSE.com



Free will offering benefits:

Tiny Hands International

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Scotus Craft and Gift Boutique

Tomorrow December, 4th 2011,  I'll be in Columbus, Nebraska for the Scotus Craft and Gift Boutique. I'll be displaying some traditional Japanese braiding called Kumihimo on the marudai. More importantly I hope to spread the word about Tiggy's House and our efforts to support Tiny Hands International.

Scotus Craft and Gift Boutique

Sunday, December 4th

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Scotus Central Catholic High School
1554 18th Avenue

Columbus. Nebraska

  
Note: Admission is $3. Lunch will be available. Santa will visit from 2-3 p.m. Use North, East and West entrances. Do not park in the church parking lot until after 1:30 p.m. due to Mass schedule.

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Strong Kids Craft Fair

Tomorrow I'll be in Papillion, Nebraska for the Strong Kids Craft Fair. I'll be displaying some traditional Japanese braiding called Kumihimo on the marudai. More importantly I hope to spread the word about Tiggy's House and our efforts to support Tiny Hands International. 

 

Strong Kids Craft Fair

Saturday, December 3rd

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sarpy Community YMCA

1111 E 1st Street

Papillion, NE

(Just south of 72nd & Cornhusker)

402-339-9861

  
Note: Start your holiday shopping with a variety of your favorite craft vendors along with well known home businesses. The Sarpy Community YMCA invites you to a Strong Kids Craft Fair. Your $1 admission donation (ages 13 and older) will help support the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign. Concessions will be available.

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Come enjoy our Chili Feed

Chili Feed

Saturday, December 10th,

1 pm to 5 pm

First Baptist Church

333 Jackson Street, Tecumseh, NE

Hosted by:

The Hanley Family
www.TIGGYSHOUSE.com



Free will offering benefits:

Tiny Hands International

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Introducing Tiny Hands International

 The following biography and video is an overview of the founding and subsequent growth of Tiny Hands International. This is the ministry that we are supporting through our charitable efforts.

Tiny Hands officially began in 2004 after John Molineux, the now President of Tiny Hands International, consulted with Bishnu Parajuli, a Nepali Christian leader who runs a children's home in Kathmandu.  Their relationship began in 2002 when John first visited Nepal with 4 other recent graduates of Taylor University to invest in the lives of the children who work and live on the streets of Kathmandu.  It was from this trip that the doors were opened to start Peace Children’s Home in 2004.  Moved by the contrast between the children at Peace Home and the children on the street, Molineux continued to meet with Bishnu regularly to discuss their similar ideas and passion for the children of Nepal.  Those discussions led to the start of a new children's home--Salvation Children’s Home. 

In 2006, Molineux traveled to Bangladesh where he connected with another local Christian leader, Sukhen Biswas, who shared the desire to work among orphaned and abandoned children.  Tiny Hands began partnering with Sukhen in 2007 with the opening of a children’s home in Gopalgunj, Bangladesh.

Late in 2006, Doug Dworak, who had helped establish Peace Children's Home in Nepal in 2004, left his job to join the mission of Tiny Hands in a full-time capacity.  His ability to advocate and raise funds for the ministry proved to be a critical step in furthering the growth of Tiny Hands.

Since that time several additional homes have opened across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.  Visit our Children’s Homes section to learn more about our children's ministries.

In 2007, after learning about the magnitude of the sex-trafficking industry, Tiny Hands began actively working to intercept girls being trafficked across the Nepal/India border.   In 2009 the ministry greatly increased its sex-traffic prevention efforts by traveling the length of the Nepal-India border to locate church partners who shared a passion for this work. Subcommittees formed through such partnerships have grown to establish the cornerstone of our anti-trafficking workforce and volunteer leadership.  Since the spring of 2009 THI has intercepted thousands of women and children.

Please remember that if you donate with the expressed purpose of building Tiggy's House, please mention so when donating so the funds can be credited appropriately. Our sincerest gratitude.

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Falls City Christmas Festival This Weekend

Tomorrow I'll be in Falls City, Nebraska for the Christmas Festival and I'm looking forward to meeting you and displaying some traditional Japanese braiding called Kumihimo on the marudai. Anyone who visited our booth last week knows my husband has difficulty with pronouncing "maRudai".  He knows I love him.

More importantly I hope to spread the word about Tiggy's House and our efforts to support Tiny Hands International. 

Falls City Christmas Festival

Saturday, November 26th

9:00 am - 3:00pm

17th & Barada Streets.

Falls City, Nebraska

Note: Handcrafted items, food vendors, home-based business consultants, concession stand, door prize drawings each half hour. Sign up for a $500.00 shopping spree – drawing December 19th. Admission is $1.00, children 12 and under are admitted free.

Please mention "Tiggy's House" when donating to Tiny Hands International. This ensure that your generosity is credited to our efforts to build one home as part their Dream Center project.

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