Today we launch The Boxes of Love Africa! For CLA Missions, this is our largest fundraiser for the year. The Boxes of Love have a rich history at CLA. The project will bring Christmas joy and gratitude to children in 10 villages within 5 countries of Africa. Last year we surrendered the tradition of building the boxes for each child. It was difficult. Many enjoyed filling the boxes with love and care. Kids would get involved; many times it was a family affair. However, the cost of shipping, the inability to grow the program beyond Zambia and the arrival of “dollar store” type outlets all made it clear we needed to shift the valuable program. Villages of Hope joined us as equal partners in fundraising, and CLA raised over $40,000 for the project. Meeting up with Serge and Nancy Bersaglio (the VOH directors) after Christmas confirmed the many benefits of adjusting the program. Each village was empowered to run their own program. The money we used for shipping (about $20,000) was now poured directly into the gift bags. The excitement of receiving the Box of Love in Zambia now spread to Zimbabwe, Burundi, Malawi, and Tanzania. This month our goal is to sponsor 1,600 boxes at $25 a box. Can you help us? If you would sponsor a couple of boxes and encourage others to do the same we will be able to meet our objectives. I anticipate great results. Thank you in advance.
Sunday night Sara and I are heading to the PAOC Southeast Asia Global Workers retreat in Thailand. We were invited by the Regional Director to come in order to both speak and to encourage the global workers. CLA has purchased a book called The Rest of God – Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath for each of the global workers. Pray with us that we’ll be able to minister to these important missionaries with wisdom, compassion, and anointing. We go as your hands extended. They work so hard and have made such sacrifices. We go as servants to “wash feet” and minister to their souls. There will be about 130 global workers there, many we are familiar with like Zach & Megan Wylie, Peter & Cavelle Dove, Darcy & Leanne McAlister and Derek & Irislee Koch. It’s a quick trip, we will be home on Thanksgiving Monday. Your financial support of CLA missions allows this kind of missionary care.
Have you downloaded the Church Center app from your phone’s app store yet? This is a great way to sign up for classes or to give online. For Boxes of Love, simply give your sponsorship, at the fund drop-down menu choose Boxes of Love Africa, confirm the amount and the card you are using and touch the Give Now button. Voila, it’s that simple. God bless you as you contribute to this important initiative. Every dollar counts.
