Graduate Project: Ministering in a Refugee CampFebruary 2020, Written by SIFAT Co-founder Sarah CorsonBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Cor. 1:3-5 Bullen, SIFAT’s only graduate from South Sudan, recently sent a letter to SIFAT that began with this Bible verse. He knows from the core of his being what affliction means, and just as real to him is the God of all comfort. His people have been exploited and enslaved for centuries by the Arab Northern Sudanese fighting for ivory, slaves and later, oil, against the African Southern Sudanese. Finally, South Sudan gained its freedom and joined the United Nations as the world’s 193rd nation in 2011. But in less than a year, terrible atrocities were started again, and the population in this war-torn, impoverished nation is suffering enslavement, savage acts of torture and destruction of life and property.  Bullen, a SIFAT graduate from South Sudan, is ministering in a refugee camp in Uganda. With help from SIFAT supporters, he has built a church that has a garden around it. Merry Christmas from SIFAT!“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 At this time of year, we want to THANK YOU for helping SIFAT share the love of Christ to so many people around the world. We sing the song “Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year”, but without people like you that have supported SIFAT in 2019 (and for the last 40 years) with your time, talents and treasures, there would be hundreds of people around the world that look at December 25 as just another day of struggling to survive.
#GivingTuesday2019 is Dec. 3!#GivingTuesday is coming soon! Please save the date for Dec. 3 to participate in this global holiday that celebrates generosity and kindness by giving to SIFAT. Just as Black Friday and Cyber Monday kick off the holiday buying season, #GivingTuesday starts the giving season, reminding us what this time of year is truly about! Isn’t it exciting to be part of something greater than ourselves when we join together to give back! #GivingTuesday is a wonderful time to embrace the spirit of giving! This year, our matching fund is $60,000 – double your donation! The “rules” for #GivingTuesday are the same as previous years. When you make a donation at any time on December 3, your contribution will double because of the matching fund set up by a generous group of SIFAT donors—up to the first $60,000 that we raise! Save the Date – 40th Anniversary Celebration
We are planning an exciting event to commemorate 40 years of Sharing God’s Love in Practical Ways and want you to be part of it! Mark your calendars to join our staff on September 21, 2019, on the Galilee Campus of SIFAT for a meal, tours of campus, demonstrations of appropriate technology and a special program to remember 40 years of ministry, to update our current projects and program, and to hear the vision for our future. Watch your email, our social media and website for more details to come. Dress casually and plan to spend time outside enjoying Mad Indian Creek and our grounds here at the international headquarters. The event is free, but reservations are needed by Sept. 1. Call the SIFAT office at 256.396.2015 or e-mail info@sifat.org with your name, contact number or email and the number of people attending.
Other events prior to Our 40th Fiesta: Sept. 17, 6 p.m. at Wedowee FUMC – International Graduate Projects Sept. 20, 6 p.m. at Wedowee FUMC – Book Signing 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.
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