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.
Shop with SIFAT for the Holidays!As you start shopping this holiday season, please remember SIFAT! We have several ways you can help SIFAT during this holiday season of giving while checking names off of your holiday list. Visit the SIFAT Village Store online
Find unique gifts for your friends in family at the SIFAT Village Store. From books by SIFAT co-founders Ken and Sarah Corson and SIFAT t-shirts to Christmas angels and jewelry, the SIFAT Village Store lets your purchase impact others throughout the world. Proceeds from each purchase benefit SIFAT and those with whom we serve. Our online selection is limited, but if there are items you have seen in the store, email villagestore@sifat.org. If you are local and would like to come shop, call Marie or Peggy at 256.396.2015 to schedule a time.
 The SIFAT Village Store promotes family businesses and cooperatives. Proceeds from sales directly benefit SIFAT! Raise money for SIFAT when you shop online.
Did you know thousands of retailers will donate a percentage of your purchase to SIFAT? Use one of the services below and choose SIFAT as your charity. You will be redirected to your favorite store’s site to shop as usual. When you check out, the retailer sends a percentage to SIFAT, but you are not charged extra! Often special coupons codes are also available for your use on GoodSearch and iGive.
 Because of SIFAT supporters, Dr. Rebeca not only graduated high school, but furthered her education to become a dentist! She has joined Dr. Ruth Noemi to serve the Bolivian people in Quesimpuco and the surrounding communities as they implement a public health initiative. Nontraditional Christmas Presents
In lieu of a traditional Christmas present, why not give your friends and family gifts that impact others throughout the world?
 During 2016, SIFAT has held training both here in the Alabama and internationally to train community leaders how to meet their basic humans needs and look for available assets that can benefit those with whom they are working.
Online Shopping Benefits SIFATAre you looking for online deals this holiday shopping season? If so, did you know many online retailers donate a percentage of each purchase to nonprofits, such as SIFAT? They do – and often have coupons, too! It gets easier with apps and coupons. From your favorite clothing merchants to office supply stores, you can help raise money for SIFAT! Choose one of the options below (free registration may be required) and designate SIFAT as your charity/nonprofit. Then, pick what store you want to visit from thousands of options. You will be redirected to the store’s website. Then, make your purchases and checkout from the merchant, as usual. Check out these options below: Our staff uses these options when ordering office supplies and other materials we need. Earlier this month, we received checks for almost $150 because of individuals and our staff adding an extra click to their shopping experiences. Help us spread the word on how you can shop with purpose! Double Your Money#GivingTuesday 2015
Matching funds can double your financial gift to SIFAT when you make an online donation on December 1! Don’t get caught up in the holiday giving season, rushing from store to store, or site to site, to find the best sales to get everyone on your list the perfect present! FOR ONE DAY ONLY, on December 1, 2015, as part of UMC #GivingTuesday, gifts made to the SIFAT general fund through Advance #982812 will be matched*. On this day, 200 percent of your gift directly supports our SIFAT ministry. On December 1 beginning at 12 a.m. CST, you can donate to the SIFAT General Fund on our Advance #982812 page. We encourage you to donate early because of the limited availability of matching funds! Our staff will gladly send you an early reminder or help you in any way we can in making your donation. Email Marie (lanierm@sifat.org) with any questions or with information on how you would like to be contacted for your reminder – phone, e-mail or text! Here is the website to use to donate. Simply click the large, red GIVE NOW button on the right side of the page. http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects/Projects/982812 Thank you so much for your faithful support to SIFAT and for doubling your impact by making a generous gift on December 1. Grace and peace, Tom Corson *Global Ministries will allocate the “matching funds” dollar for dollar up to the first $1,000,000 in gifts to all Advance projects combined received online on December 1, 2015, between 12:00 a.m. CST and 11:59 p.m. A maximum of $2,500 per individual gift to SIFAT will be dispersed as matching funds. SIFAT may receive a maximum of $25,000 in matching funds.
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