Thanks to my Writers' Group

Thanks to the Broad Horizons writers' group that's been with me every step of the way--from writing the first chapter to now publishing and marketing the Faith Alive book. Honestly, they have been my lifeline by walking me through first drafts, characterization, dialogue, flow, correct comma usage, strong verbs, and multiple rewrites. The best thing that they've offered me, though, is encouragement. 

This morning we celebrated that more than 770 books have already been sold (and that's before the publisher's official release date next month). I'm getting ready for my fifth speaking engagement later this week and would love to schedule a time to speak in person or via Skype with groups of any size.If you are part of a group that wants to hear how the powerful stories at Faith Alive can encourage your own life stories, please contact me via my author website (http://erikanossokoff.tateauthor.com). Come to think of it, my talented writers' group gave me some editing suggestions for that site, so I'd better get to work. 

(Not pictured are Marie Burghard and former Broad Horizons members Heidi Windmiller and Joe McKeon. Broad Horizons--part of Northern Colorado Writers--you're awesome!)

Faith Alive Book: Be Among First to Buy One…

…or as my husband would say, why stop at just one? 100% of the profit from book sales benefits the Faith Alive hospital in Jos, Nigeria.

Paperback copies of the book are en route to my house so that I can start selling them this Sunday. In the next few months, the books will be available in paperback and e-book format at the Tate Publishing website, Barnes and Noble.com, and Amazon.com, but right now they’re only available in the United States through me. Be one of the first people to read the book.

Faith Alive: Storiesof Hope and Healing from an African Doctor and His Hospital gives you a behind-the-scenes look at our inspiring Dr. Chris Isichei who rose from extreme poverty to start Faith Alive. As one Nigerian brother told me yesterday, “This is going to be our second Bible!” That might seem a bit much, but I do pray that reading these powerful, dramatic stories will ignite your faith to come alive in new and exciting ways.

I’ll sell books at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado this Sunday and next from 9:30-10:00 am. Paperbacks sell for $15 and I’ll take pre-orders for $11 e-books. I’ll also sell beautiful, African-fabric “cup cozies” made by some ladies at the Faith Alive sewing school. The cozies are great to keep in your purse or car to use at coffee shops. People who buy a cozy from me this month will receive a free specialty drink at the church’s coffee cart. Xaris, the coffee cart, is also offering all of their profit this month to the hospital.

Thanks to First Presbyterian Church for your long-term support of both Faith Alive and me as the church’s “Champion” to the hospital. Your partnership is making a major difference in and through Dr. Chris and the hospital to touch thousands of lives. 

Faith Alive Trip Presentation this Sunday

Find out about the 15 lb. baby, why that little girl held Austin Nossokoff's hand, what the Austins learned about cervical cancer prevention, why a cow was in the children's park,and whose graveside I visited.

Join the Austins (Nossokoff and Pierce) and me this Sunday, February 17 for our trip presentation: "What's Next?" We'll be in room 204 from 10 - 11 am and repeat the presentation from 11 am - noon.

We'll talk about ways that our congregation (and others) can help the Faith Alive hospital in Jos, Nigeria. Projects can include renovating the former brothel, children's recreation center, village school, or church; offering special programs for Kiddies Club and/or school students; ministering to commercial sex workers; or training staff and other professionals.

I hope to see you there! Also, be one of the first people to buy copies of the book, Faith Alive: Stories of Hope and Healing from an African Doctor and His Hospital. Cost is $15 and 100% of the profit from book sales benefits the hospital. Watch my next blog post for more details.

Africa Day at Webber Middle School

What little girl doesn't want to be like her big sister? Not me. I adored my senior sister, Charlotte, who grew up to become a music teacher (among other wonderful things). Yesterday I got my chance to be like her, although my teaching didn't include leading six-year-olds in a chorus of "Ten Galloping Ponies."

I taught to about 100 amazing seventh graders about the Faith Alive hospital in Jos, Nigeria. Their school hosted "Africa Day" as part of their interdisciplinary study on all-things African. Based on the video we watched about the hospital, my main points were:

1.  HIV/AIDS in Africa comes with a host of other problems
2.  The solutions need to be holistic
3.  You can make a difference (in Africa or elsewhere) because there are so many ways to use your unique talents to help

I don't know how much they'll remember about those three points, but I'm pretty sure that they've already told at least someone else about the 15 lb baby or the donated cow that was in 150 pieces on Faith Alive's basketball court in the recreation center.

Thanks to Diane Fromme for connecting me with Webber Middle School and her daughter Amy who watched with rapt attention. Amy's in the yellow shirt (photo above). You might also notice that I'm eating a sandwich in the background while watching the video; at least my husband didn't snap me while my mouth was open!