Category: USA Office
May 15, 2012 by Katie
Last week I had the privilege of sharing at Living Springs Church in Garden Grove. This church was extremely special for me to share at, as it was the “birth place” of Empowering Lives International. ELI’s founder, Don Rogers, served at this church when God called him to start the organization, and Living Springs continues to remain a strong supporter of ELI’s work in Africa.
Being with junior high and high school students is always encouraging, and we had an incredible time of discovering together what it means to be a “light” in a dark world. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus calls us the “light of the world”. Will we be a passive light, much like a nightlight, that just sits on the wall and shines dimly only for the comfort of ourselves? Or will we go out as a light-saber that actively brings light to dark places and courageously contends for the sake of Christ? (more…)
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April 30, 2012 by Katie
It is a well-known fact that ELI could not operate as effectively or as vibrantly without the help, care and love of our amazing volunteers! Over the years we have had the most incredible people step in at crucial times and fill a special place at ELI. From mailing letters, to cutting sponsorship packets, to data entry, to video making, our volunteers have blessed us immensely.
This Sunday we held a special lunch to celebrate our volunteers. (more…)
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February 2, 2012 by dianahom
We love it when people catch God’s heart for caring for orphans and vulnerable children. It’s even more exciting when they incorporate that love in something as sacred as a wedding. In October 2011, Steve and Jenni were married and instead of purchasing wedding favors for each guest, they donated the money they would have spent to ELI’s Kipkaren Children’s Home. They incorporated some of the children in our home into the labeling of their table seating. It was such a creative idea and a huge gift to the orphans in our Home!
Ronny's profile is displayed on the table
(more…)
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January 30, 2012 by Katie
Hillside pre-schoolers giving their offering.
As the Community Engagement Coordinator for ELI, I have the privilege of encouraging others to play a part of God’s Kingdom work around the world. It is so beautiful to see the body of Christ at work, sharing each other’s burdens, and working to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This past Fall I was able to share the story of a child at our ELI school in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the preschoolers at Hillside Community Church in Rancho Cucamonga.
With pictures and stories, the kids and I journeyed through a day-in-the-life of Aganze Babike, as he walked to the ELI school, ate his lunch, played during PE, did his chores at home, and helped take care of his siblings. The Hillside kids learned that Aganze, like many children in the slum community in Bukavu, DR Congo, often suffer from malnutrition, as their parents have a hard time providing consistent food. A majority of them receive their only meal of the day at the ELI school. According to our ELI DR Congo director, it costs five cents for each meal we serve to the kids. I encouraged these precious preschool children to know that even though they live far away from Africa, they can still make a genuine difference in the lives of children in DR Congo! I passed out cups, and invited them to collect change to support their friends like Aganze. Three months later, I was blown away to find that the preschool children at Hillside raised almost $1,000! Wow!
(more…)
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January 6, 2012 by Don
Our Communications Director, Micah Albert in the Kerio Valley in Kenya, terribly missing the target with a traditional bow and arrow. (Photo: Don Rogers)
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November 23, 2011 by Micah
Check your mailbox this week for our newest edition of Cultivate Magazine – it’s hot off the press. It’s full of great stories, images, writing, and great ways for you to get involved this holiday season and help those that ELI serves in Africa. Click here to see the magazine.
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November 22, 2011 by Katie
Advent begins this Sunday, November 27th and we want to help you prepare to focus your heart on the coming of Christ! Here is what you need to know:
1) Register: Register you and your family for Love in Action on our website at www.empoweringlives.org/action. By registering, our staff will be able to send you updates and innovative materials to use along the journey.
2) Download the Advent Devotions: Every day, create special time with your family and friends to walk through the Biblical narrative of the Christmas story. Each day includes a passage of scripture, devotion, discussion questions, and an opportunity to meet and pray for an ELI staff member or child. Click here to find the Advent Devotions.
3) Check out the website www.empoweringlives.org/action to equip yourself with some amazing resources to enhance the journey:
- Ideas for Families with Kids
- Info Packet for Families and Individuals
- Menu Ideas
- Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
4) Share your experiences on ELI’s facebook Event Page called Love in Action- The Advent Experience: To join the event, go to the Empowering Lives International facebook fan page (not Friends of Empowering Lives group). On the left-hand side column click the calendar icon that says Events. You will see the event called Love in Action- The Advent Experience. Click “join” and you will be able to dialogue with other participants and share what the Lord is teaching you.
We look forward to journeying with you in this adventure. May God be honored in our sacrifice, and may lives be empowered. For more information or if you have questions, please email Katie Cook at katiecook@empoweringlives.org.
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November 11, 2011 by Holly
Steve Reech, Empowering Lives’ Director of South Sudan, recently visited the Ukweli Training Center in Ilula, Kenya. While touring the demonstration garden, he was introduced to a new vegetable now being grown in Kenya called chaya, a green leafy vegetable that grows from a tree-like stem. Referred to as “tree spinach”, it is believed that it originated in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Chaya grows well in extremely dry areas, offering twice the protein as spinach and ten times as much Vitamin C as an orange. Steve grew more enthusiastic as he continued to learn about this new vegetable, thinking of ways this plant could be used back in his country. He said, “These chaya plants are so good, because in our area we have no vegetables. People eat fish and meat once a year or once every two years. A typical meal is millet and water. I am so glad to have these vegetables, because they can help make our bodies strong. There are many malnourished children in my area, so the community will benefit greatly from this vegetable. We will start by planting the chaya on the school grounds and in the community. When community members eat it, they will take some home to grow and feed their families, and their children will gain vital nutrients from it.” Steve left the Ukweli Center with a smile on his face and an arm full of chaya stems. Please pray for Steve as he begins this new journey of planting chaya in South Sudan.
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October 5, 2011 by Micah
Diana Hom, our Child Sponsorship Coordinator, walks through the Keredi slum in Bukavu, DR Congo. Diana is helping you, as a sponsor, connect to the children you support! (photo: Micah Albert)
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September 28, 2011 by Katie
We are currently seeking highly-organized, relational, and self-motivated candidates to fill the position of Short-Term Ministry Coordinator to help coordinate and develop our Alumni program, internships, and short-term missions teams. You will have the opportunity to help carry the word of what ELI is doing in Africa to communities throughout California and beyond. The position is a part time job at 24 hours a week.
Job Application deadline: Monday October 24th
CLICK HERE to learn more and tell your friends!
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