September: SIFAT Doctor in your House Helps in EcuadorClick here to learn more about SIFAT Doctor in your House program. Editor’s Note: Each month, we mail an article with our contribution statements to the previous month’s donors. Click here to download a PDF version. Written by Peggy Walker, International Team Coordinator There are times when our SIFAT mission teams must switch from development to relief. The current pandemic, more than ever before, is that time. International travel was halted; teams were forced to postpone trips. We were all told we would be safer at home. The reality of this condition made us all feel more vulnerable than ever before. Along with this reality, the need to serve was ever present, but the question was how? SIFAT found a way in Ecuador with our SIFAT Doctor in your House program.  Because of the support of our SIFAT Doctor in your House program, a youth in the Aida Leon church receives rice for his family from Pastor Wilson in Quito, Ecuador. Ecuador: SIFAT Doctor in Your HouseDownload a PDF version to print and/or share. Dear friend of SIFAT, As I sit at my computer to write with so many thoughts about all we are missing this year, I see the faces of the children in our projects in Ecuador. I can almost feel their hugs and hear their laughter. Many of you would be preparing for your long awaited trip to serve alongside these people we have come to think of as family. Some of you have gone to Ecuador with SIFAT many times, letting this mission trip replace your relaxing summer vacations. For others, this would have been your first opportunity to serve in this beautiful country. For all who were planning to go and those who were supporting your efforts, I know you are wondering how are they living through these difficult times, and thinking what can we do now? From e-mails with our staff and pastors with whom we serve, I want to share the reality of their situation and also give you a way we can still make a difference and provide hope. I understand people are suffering here at home, and many do not know how they will rebuild their lives. But most of us have food to eat, and we can go to the hospital, even if we do not have insurance. We have stimulus checks, food banks and churches eager to help those in need. In Aida Leon, Villaflora and other poor areas in which we serve in Ecuador, they do not. Pastor Wilson and Anita and Pastor Rafael wrote that the families in their churches have no jobs, no food and certainly no medical care. These poor families depend upon sporadic work during the best of times, and many must take buses across town each day to find that work.  SIFAT’s director in Ecuador, Dr. Roberto Contreras reports of desperate conditions in Ecuador. The churches in our projects are trying to provide much needed food to the children and their families with whom we have served alongside for years. #GivingTuesdayNow is May 5(Click here to see the e-mail version of this post.)
SIFAT needs your support more than ever. Tomorrow, through #GivingTuesdayNow, your donations can help SIFAT continue our ministry to those in need throughout the world during this COVID-19 pandemic. #GivingTuesdayNow is an additional day of global giving and unity, when our supporters can show their generosity in a number of ways. Two generous donors have pledged $25,000 in matching funds to double your gift. Please join them in helping SIFAT during this crucial time — no gift is too small.  In Liberia, SIFAT graduates John and Martha Partor provided food for 250 families living in a slum community. Because of a partnership with SIFAT and FUMC Clanton, the 5-15 people living in each home will eat this week. Ecuador: New Regulations = New Concrete EquipmentIn 2018, the Aida Leon project will break ground in Ecuador! However, new building codes and government regulations will not allow us to mix concrete by hand, as teams have done for the last 17 years in the traditional building style of Quito. SIFAT Ecuador’s engineer, Edwin Contreras, told us that inspectors were enforcing these new rules and even requiring some buildings to be torn down because of a lack of compliance. While it is the improving codes that are requiring the new equipment, we know many of our team members are excited about how much easier preparing concrete to pour columns will be!  Because of new building codes, SIFAT Ecuador must buy a concrete mixer and vibrator before the first mission team to Aida Leon arrives in February. Kick Off the Giving Season with #GivingTuesday 2017#GivingTuesday is Nov. 28!
For the fifth consecutive year, SIFAT is participating in #GivingTuesday. It’s the perfect time to take a break from the hustle of holiday shopping and embrace the spirit of giving! A group of dedicated SIFAT donors set up a matching fund of $35,000 to double your gift! The “rules” for #GivingTuesday are the same as last year. When you make an online donation at any time on November 28, your contribution will double because of the generosity of our SIFAT donors — up to the first $35,000 that we raise! How to participate:
Last year, SIFAT supporters raised a total of $78,482.50 on #GivingTuesday. Help us reach our goal of $100,000 this year! Thank you for your faithful support to SIFAT and for doubling your impact by making a generous gift on Nov. 28. Please share this information with your friends and family to encourage them to give to SIFAT on #GivingTuesday! Grace and peace, *The Advance is an official program of The United Methodist Church for voluntary, designated, second-mile giving. Each Advance project has been vetted and approved by Global Ministries and Advance staff.
|
|
