This Christmas season, ERDO is partnering with Sauti Moja in Kenya. Sauti Moja is a Canadian charity which works to improve the lives of indigenous people in Africa, living in difficult conditions. Sauti Moja has come alongside over 160 women, providing them with livestock, advice and training in veterinary care.

The program targets the most vulnerable; widows, abandoned women, single mothers and those living with HIV-AIDS.  The program is “pay it forward” in principle and requires that women pass on the first offspring of their animal to another woman in their community.

The gift of a donkey, camel or goat changes the lives of these women in such a profound way. Having these animals means they can provide for their children, and more importantly, provide hope.

Sauti Moja and ERDO have partnered and decided on a goal to reach 1, 000 women through the program by the year 2016.

This Christmas, would you consider giving a friend or family member a gift that extends beyond the Christmas tree, and has the power to transform lives?

• A camel costs $675

• A goat coats $220

• A donkey costs $60

You can donate a camel, goat or donkey by clicking here.

Marg attended the Fifth Biennial General Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Africa, which convened October 1-5, 2012. The theme of the meeting was “Taking the Cities of Africa for the Lord.” Listeners heard about what God is doing in the mega cities of Africa—Nairobi, Kampala, Uganda, Monrovia, Liberia, Zambia, South Africa and the Congo. In these cities, thanks to the dedication of PAOC global workers and their supporters in both finance and prayer, widows and orphans are being cared for by local churches, media is being used to influence these nations, churches and assemblies are committed to training leaders with a passion for God and their people. One of the biggest challenges in Africa has been the rising influence of Islam. This is where some of the larger city churches are able to bring influence to bear in their countries. God is good.

An example of the power of generosity in Africa surrounds Pastor Raha and her church in Bukavu, DRC. Three years ago, the church was still under construction and they were just beginning ministries to the vulnerable, suffering people of war-torn Eastern Congo. Today, they have coordinated a large feeding program, which feeds thousands of people. Pastor Raha and her church didn’t stop here. They also developed a micro-enterprise to give people a way to provide financially for their families. This program not only feeds people by giving them fish, but by teaching them how to fish providing sustainability to a very desperate country.

“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are those who take refuge in him.”

How good it is to know that when we have a need, or when we have troubles, we are not alone—when we call out to the Lord, He delivers us … literally encamps around us. And what an honour it is to be partners with God in helping others who are troubled … reaching out to those who have a need that we can help to meet. Trust that you will see the goodness of God in your difficulty, as you call on Him, and take refuge in Him. And allow Him to use you to show others His goodness—and His ability to make a difference in a tough situation.

Why?

Because Sri Lanka is a place of 20 million people and only 1% are Evangelical Christians

And

Because tens of thousands of children are displaced from their homes due to civil unrest and natural disasters

Their fellowship currently has no full time children’s ministry but the Lord has given them the desire to start brand new ministry in Sri Lanka to reach the poor children in this nation. Their plan is to launch Child Care Plus (CCP); a child sponsorship program whose success depends on the generosity of financial supporters giving every day. The program will allow sponsored children to not only have their felt needs met, but will also allow them to learn English, a technical skill or trade, and receive counseling!

Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country but is filled with so much poverty. This new ministry titled Destiny Sri Lanka will allow these children to become self-sufficient, and provide them with an opportunity to break outside of the cycle of poverty.

Would you please pray for the Silva family? Together we can make a difference in many needy children’s lives in the nation of Sri Lanka and bring glory to Jesus Christ!

If you would like to donate financially to this ministry; click here.

What are we buying? What is buying us?

Have you ever asked yourself the question “what is your price?”

Many times we do things for others only when we expect something in return.

Sometimes we find ourselves saying, “If you do this for me, then, I will do that for you.”

Have you ever thought about what we acquire and how it gets our attention? Where do we spend our time, efforts and resources?

 As a family, we are often asked why we do what we do. Why would we go to Romania?

It is simple. We go because we are called to go.

Why do we choose to do one thing, but not another? What gets our attention?

Take a look in the Bible at how many times Jesus is moved by compassion.  He takes pleasure in serving, ministering, and healing those with whom He comes in contact.

What will we give up for the sake of the Great Commission?

Our Lord and Savior has charged us with a task: to show compassion. Men, women, and children find love, acceptance and peace by the power of compassion.

To learn more about the Desrosiers and their work in Romania, click here.

Not only can we please God by giving cheerfully, but others will be encouraged by the faith and hope that our positive attitude reflects.

How can we work on developing this attitude? Start with prayer and then consider Ralph Emerson’s advice: “Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap an attitude; sow an attitude, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

Ref: Commitment Ministries – p. 75

Why? Because her passion for helping others has become contagious. She began her organization, Sew on Fire 12 years ago, from her dining room table with just 12 sewing machines and a handful of volunteers.  Since that time, the organization has affected 200,000 people in 32 Canadian communities and people living in 92 countries.

Wendy was inspired to start Sew on Fire after hearing Ron Garrison of Missions Partners International speak at her church. After hearing about the great need in Russian orphanages she decided to clothe 100 babies by sewing tote bags and filling them with baby items.

Wendy’s living room was quickly filled with volunteers, dedicated to completing 100 tote bags. God had other plans.  Today Wendy and her team of volunteers work out of a large warehouse completing 20,000 backpacks and layettes alone.

Sew on Fire heavily relies on the generosity of others to keep the ministry alive. For example:

• Volunteers generously donate their time- between 800-1,300 hours combined, each month to Sew on Fire
• The generosity of financial supporters allows the ministry to continue. Wendy says she never asks for donations- she lets God talk to people’s hearts about that, and He has.
• The generosity of businesses who will donate both financially, or by donating supplies.

Today, the organization is in need of volunteers willing to sew. They can sew either from their homes, or the sewing room at the warehouse. Wendy would also like to connect with companies who have leftover t-shirts, hats or other promotional materials. She would love to receive a company’s end of line, to re-route them into the kingdom of God.

If you, or someone you know would like to donate, or learn more about Sew on Fire please click here, or contact Wendy at whagar@cogeco.ca

Every person—from those whom the world calls the greatest, to those who may be seen as the least—has value beyond measure. In spite of the billions that have lived and died over the centuries, each of our lives—and all our moments and days—matter to the Lord. You have talent and purpose that can only reach its maximum impact in the world as it’s given to Him to use for His honour and glory.

The same is true for your resources—as they pass through your hands, God desires to bless you even as you are mindful of giving priority to His work in our churches, communities and around the world.

May He help us to be faithful with the talents and resources He has given us, so we can experience the joy of His promise:

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (NLT, ©2007).

God has continued to supply VOH Malawi’s needs before Connie and David even have to ask for His provision. For example, in September 2012 some of the children being cared for at VOH needed new bath towels. After checking the storage area, they realized they didn’t have any left. They towels in Malawi are very expensive, and usually are of poor quality. After exhausting all of their other options, Connie and David planned to buy more on the following Monday. On Monday morning they returned to VOH, only to be informed by their senior house other; Beatrice that someone had dropped off a very generous donation on Sunday afternoon. After looking in their donation area, Connie and David found 37 large bath towels!

VOH Malawi rejoices in the faithfulness of God and the generosity of their supporters. Without these supporters, Connie and David would not be able to care for these children, and provide them hope for the future.

To learn more about VOH Malawi and their work with both orphans and widows in the community, click here.