What in the world is “Giving Tuesday”?

Well, ideally, it is meant to be an annual day of giving to a charity of your choice. So, whether you give frequently or just when the mood strikes, it is an annual reminder for you to help support the charities that you care the most about, identify the most with, or just wish to help out. (That, by the way, would be us.)

Truthfully, it was probably dreamed up by the same shady characters that invent every other “special day” as a way to get your money. Whether it is Valentines Day, Grandparents Day, or National Pirates Day (arghhh), the idea is to get you to spend. But this day is a bit different. It doesn’t require you to go to the mall, cook a special meal, or buy a decorative card. Instead, it is merely the writing of a check or the clicking of an internet link that allows you to say, “Hi guys. I had a few extra dollars and wanted to share them with you because I believe in what you do.”

So then, my question is not, what is Giving Tuesday, but rather, can we have one every week? (Just kidding.)

For those of you who would like to participate this year with a special offering, I want to let you know that whatever we receive will be applied to our Pastor’s Farm Projects in India. There are thirty-one pastors and their families that will benefit from this project.

In October I wrote you a short note about this. So here’s a reminder: Many of our pastors farm small family plots so they can survive. Typically they have to borrow money for seeds, and if the harvest is hindered by drought or disease, the collateral they put up for the seed is lost. Sometimes, they even have to send their children away to the lender to pay for their debt. For this reason, many lose a part or all of their small farm each year as they struggle to pay back the principle while having no hope of paying the exorbitant interest that can be 30-40% MONTHLY.

We thought this year it would be a wonderful thing to gift them with the seeds they need so that they can enjoy the full benefit of their labor and. We want them to have food for their families and food to sell to purchase the items they cannot grow like clothes, soap, oil for their lanterns, and education for their kids. Our goal was to raise $24,000, but we have only received 51% of that to date, leaving a balance of $11,799. 

So, simply put, what you give to us, we will give to them. Please click the link below if you wish to help. It’s Giving Tuesday – what else do you have to do today?

You can give online below​, or mail in a check and designate it to "India Farming Project".

​You all know by now about our farms in Myanmar. They are up and running a bit now; still, the civil war in that country continues. Pastor Vel wrote the other day to give me an update and shared a story that was a blessing. I thought it would be to you as well, so here it is.
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Yesterday, our deacon and I brought our church's widow and her three grandchildren to our new farmland and built a temporary hut for them to stay.  They have been living on the side of the road in our area, on municipal property, and they were forced to leave the place by the military on Tuesday.  So, the widow came to me and asked for help and said that she wanted to live in our new land.  So we brought them and built for them a temporary shelter.

Join Missionary Ernest Livingston as our Season 2 adventure continues. In Episode 2 we find him four months after being washed ashore as a lonely cast away. Will he survive his deadly jungle enemies? How is he staying sane, not giving up, and learning how to love one another in utter isolation? ​

Reading time < 2minutes
 
Dear Michael,
 
First, an update on Amina; thank you to those who gave and fulfilled this need! The funds are on their way and we will update you on her once they have been able to complete the surgery.
 
Second, thank you again so much for coming to rescue our brothers and sisters who had to flee Afghanistan. By God's grace, we relocated seven entire families and the brother's widow, who was crucified. Their baby will now be born in their new country. Altogether, we rescued about one thousand people as their families are quite large. If you stop and think about it – that is incredible. And better yet, the house churches in their new land feel they can take care of the seven families while settling in and finding employment. I'll let you know if they need our help.
 
Their current situation.
 
The sixty-four families left behind are all being resettled in a region close enough to maintain contact with each other and attend the services at the various house churches. To do this, we had to transport more than six hundred souls, rent homes for them, then purchase clothing and housewares so they could start again. Of course, they are all unemployed now, but they are alive and relatively safe. We will continue to provide them with food, medical care, etc., for at least the next three months until they adjust and find new jobs. Doing this for six hundred plus people will require a considerable sum of money.
 
We need an estimated $22,986 to meet their needs. That comes to an average of about $12.77 per person -- per month. The price is so low because they will be receiving help from sister house-churches all over the region who give despite their suffering.
 
Would you please pray continuously for their security and needs? And if you have spare funds, please consider helping us take care of them. 
 
Imagine how they must feel as new Christians. They cruelly lost two brothers, one by crucifixion and the other by dragging behind a truck and beheading. They then had to say goodbye to seven families who fled for their lives, whom they may never see again in this life. These families have lost their jobs and fled, leaving their worldly goods behind and moving to a new place to start again. What a blessing your gift will be for the entire body of Believers. When our churches in neighboring lands hear of your generosity, they will be encouraged and strengthened. They will see that not only will their new-found Lord never leave nor forsake them, but their family of Believers in America will not either. Thank you so much for your kind heart and willing spirit. You truly make my burden lighter and bring glory to the Name above all names. 
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Jon