|
EACH DAY...
|
|
|
MISSION STATEMENT
OUR PURPOSE:
To be vessels of Jesus Christ in His calling to "bring good news to the poor...to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners...to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn...to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord, to glorify Him..." Isaiah 61:1-3
OUR VISION:
We believe that positive, lasting change to the human condition is realized only through significant relational exchange on all levels: with God, with one another, and in a community. Our vision is to help facilitate this exchange, and thereby empower individuals, families, and communities to live in the personal dignity for which they were created, spiritually, mentally, physically, socially, and economically.
OUR PHILOSOPHY:
In this age of internet technology, relative ease of travel, and global economics, we are encountering a world without borders, where everyone is our neighbor. To mandate to "love our neighbor as ourselves" now demands that our identity as children of God supersedes our national identity, creating an atmosphere where healthy exchange is not hindered by our obvious cultural differences. Whether we are from America, Europe, or from Africa or Asia, we all share in the same human need--to experience a fulfilling life through relational exchange, involving sacrificial giving and receiving. We in the West need the spiritual and cultural strengths of Africa as desperately as Africa needs the diverse resources of the West.
“Our desire is that there may be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.”
Consequently:
OUR STRATEGY:
- To facilitate this exchange by discovering and mobilizing the diverse talents and resources God has provided within a community, and to help establish relationships of exchange between communities in the global setting.
- Partnerships at all levels built on equality, justice, mutual understanding and unity of purpose, in an atmosphere and structure of mutual accountability and Christ-like service.
- To reach, through support and partnership with existing indigenous projects, the vulnerable children of this world; to give them opportunity to be lovingly nurtured and equipped as tomorrow's godly leaders. This will be done through education, feeding programs, health care, foster care, and community and structural development in the context of the gospel.
- To help young men and women overcome the obstacles to a healthy and purposeful life, to help provide the appropriate education, and to empower single parents and widows through training and micro business opportunities.
- Field decisions as to distribution of donated resources will be driven by relevant and actual need over bureaucracy and overseas management. Therefore, we will always place high priority on representative parties spending time on the ground.
OUR VALUES:
- Person over project
- Relationship over task
- Integrity over convenience
- Accountability and regular reporting to donors
- Material aid must complement internal change that reflects in a higher quality of life in the whole community. Therefore, we seek measurable and sustainable improvements while promoting justice and equal economic opportunity rather than mere handouts. This entails providing aid in a manner that does not reinforce dependence on the West, yet because it is based on relationship, there must be a willingness to commit to long-term involvement. The balance is found in humble and persistent communication and applied wisdom to each unique circumstance and relationship.
|
|
|
|
|
