Giving back is always part of Denny's focus and his desire is to invest in his local community making himself always available to give what he can to serve God in that community or anywhere God sends him.

According to Denny, it is good that there are so many Christian organizations available to provide care and serve in areas of blight, war and abject poverty, but it is important that we don't overlook the needs in our own neibborhoods and provide for the needs the neighbors that are close to us.

Combining those concepts, he uses the the opportunity as he serves in a number of venues by bringing to the forefront the various organizations such as nursing homes, benefits and fundraisers. While he occasionally receives compensation for expenses, more often he receives no money for these events. It is his sincere hope that by drawing focus to them, others will join in and support them through time, funds or any other means.

Below is a short list of a few things he has done....
• Deepwood Center in Mentor
• Gateway Nursing Home
• Fine Arts Association Fundraisers
• Guest appearances on Christian radio
• Hosted his own Christian radio show
• Worship Leader for prayer meetings
• World Vision Adoption [read more about the World Vision experience]
• Life Teen
• Christian Seminars
• Christian Fundraisers
• Memorial Concerts
• Benefits for fallen war heros
• Tributes
• Volunteer at various Churches for different activities
• Christian Open Mic (encourage new talent)

The invitation is extended to all to find somehow, some way that you can give back not only as a sign of gratitude, but also to let the world know you care...

Sildy Yaneth Perez Pena

As Denny was speaking with a local Pastor as a guest on his radio show at The WORD (contract has since not been renewed by Denny), the subject came up about a book that was popular at the time. The focus of the book was about the the lack in much of the world with regard to water (also, it's quality), as well as other basic needs such as food, clothing and education. While Denny was aware of problem, reading about these stark facts gave him an overwhelming feeling when he saw how big the problem actually is.

The book illustrated that the problem is actually too big for us in this nation of plenty to ignore the rest of the world. Denny was reminded of a very similar message from the late Pope John Paul II, which he repeated many times.

As it went on, it was stated that even the attempts of World Vision to get donations, they discovered that the only way they got any response was for them to tell one story at a time about a child dying from aids or malnutrition. The author stressed that EVERYONE can do something, each in his or her own way.

Denny tucked all this away in the back of his mind.

A few months later, while he and his special friend, Brenda, were visiting a long time friend and his wife who own a local bed and breakfast. The wife told Denny and Brenda about their involvement with World Vision, and that they had adopted four children through the organization for just $35.00 each, monthly. The money goes far in providing for the basics. She reported that since they adopted so many children trhoug World Vision, they asked her to help find other sponsors.

It was then that Denny and Brenda knew they had been called and adopted a young girl, Sildy Yaneth Perez Pena, born January 22, 2008. Her story is best told by World Vision:

Sildy Yaneth lives with her parents and has no brothers or sisters. Her parents struggle to provide for her family. Her father is an agriculture worker.

Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the families needs. Sildy is growing up in a poor community in the Latin American country of Guatemala. Homes may be made of clay bricks with tin sheets or bamboo cane with straw roofs depending what what is available. The family survives on corn beans, eggs, milk - whatever home grown food is available because while the climate in this region is moderate, the terrain is rocky.

Sildy is not in school at this time. She likes to play with dolls. She helps at home by being good. She's in satisfactory health.

Your sponsorhip commitment will help provide children like Sildy (and her community) with greater access to nutritious food improved healthcare and hygiene. Your support will also provide educational opportunity for the children's parents who would be given training to help them enhance their family's standard of living. Finally, through this gift, these precious children and their families will have the joy of knowing God's grace and love

Denny invited plus have the wife of his friend to speak to the prayer group in Twinsburg about the adoption process. As a result, the Twinsburg group adopted a child (as a group) and three other individuals within the group adopted a child on their own. Denny told his sister, and he heard later that his nephew and his wife were going to contact World Vision.

While Denny and Brenda heard from God through the book "The Hole in Your Gospel" by Richard Stearns about how to give back, know that He doesn't call everyone in the same way, but He does call everyone in some way. This book may be it for you, or perhaps there is someone out there who you will hear from in the very near future. Perhaps this story is your call... Whatever your circumstance, whatever your lifestyle, God wants us all to give back of what we receive. No matter how small it might seem to us, it's a big deal to Him.

Keep your eyes and ears open; you never know how and when He will tap you on the shoulder...