Spirit in Action was founded in 1996, when founder Del Anderson was 90 years old, which means that next year will be our 25th Anniversary! When the Spirit in Action Board met on Zoom last weekend, we took time share our history and tell the stories of SIA's early days. Letter Ministry Marsha Johnson volunteered with Del for years before SIA was an official organization and she was the first Administrator, from 1996-2007. Marsha told the story of Del's ministry which inspired

Today we share some of Del's wisdom to encourage you. Some are facing need on the front lines. All are facing uncertainty.

Today’s post is wisdom from Barbara Deal, which she wrote and shared at a retreat in 2017. (Note from Tanya: I have had to postpone my trip to Kenya due to the precautions around COVID-19. This message from Barbara about trusting and letting go seems particularly relevant today.) I’m realizing that nearly everything I’m sharing with you is another way of talking about trusting God.  In order to become truly one-pointed, and put the Yearning for the Kingdom of God first in our

From Del’s Writings, June 2005, Age 98 We accept each challenge, each change, and seek guidance and respond in coming forth with an answer. Day by day there is growth, change, fresh manna.  Yesterday’s manna is not good enough for today. My focus is coming forth as this new person each day. On this pilgrimage from sense to soul, from self to Christ, from outer to inner, is an ever-changing, growing, fresh manna daily.  Meditation is our blessed tool, our instrument. Meditatio

This post is adapted and excerpted from my recent sermon at First United Methodist Church of Point Richmond in California. You’ve heard that Chinese proverb that says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We tend to use the quote as a way to encourage people to focus on the first step rather than the whole huge length of the journey ahead of them. Just take this step and then this step, and then another step. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you

Prayers means to me the practice of being aware of God, consciously choosing to commune and respond to God, and act as directed by God. Responding to the Activity of God requires that I give God my attention, and recognize that as I live out my life in unity with God, this divine activity can be brought forth through me. My intent is to disciple myself in the practice of the awareness of God’s All-Presence and All-Power. Though my efforts are often faltering, I keep on keepin

Never in the history of humankind has there been such an opportunity for us to cooperate with God in re-shaping the history of humankind. We are learning that God’s Presence, Power and Wisdom are available to us NOW.  Let us claim it and live it! Spirit in Action is a world-wide network of God’s people with caring, sharing concern for each other and a purpose, goal and plan which is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit bringing forth Peace, Joy, Health, and Abundance to all crea

By Del Anderson, August 15, 2000, Age 94 “The kingdom of God is within you.” Focus upon it, recognize it, assimilate and experience it; that we may have a conscious realization of our unity and oneness with God and the All Presence and Allness of the God consciousness and actuality. We need to remind ourselves, don’t be satisfied with half a life, focus on a life of wholeness and beauty the totality and fulfillment of God’s purpose and good for us. Life is a growth process, n

Del used to say that in times of uncertainty, or of challenge, or when he wasn’t sure what the right choice among many might be, that he would pray, “Father*, I’m trusting.” And by pray, I mean focus one-pointedly in it, so that you embody the intention, you become the prayer, which is another way of talking about praying without ceasing. FATHER, I’M TRUSTING Simplest prayer in the world. And perhaps the most powerful. Not, “I’m trusting about tomorrow.” Not. “I trust You i

Let us not be tempted to think of SIA’s partners and Small Business Fund members as weak or helpless. In the West, we hear many stories of how desperate situations are in some African countries. Del Anderson, SIA Founder, never believed that hopelessness was the whole story. Meeting people face-to-face, shaking their hands, and hearing theirs amazing stories of struggle and success, I felt and connected with that power – that Divine spark – in each one of them. One of the ins

Spirit in Action’s Founder, Del Anderson, was 90 years old when he formed SIA. He lived with a clear mind and loving heart until the age of 102! Reverse the Trend! Grow Younger 1. Keep before you the simple truth that you were given life by the Creative Spirit we call God. Your brain – your entire body – was formed and is being sustained by this Creative Spirit. 2. Present with you all the time, the Creative Spirit keeps your heart beating and does the countless things for yo

1. Five new small businesses sponsored in Malawi! Last week, five new entrepreneurs attended a day-long workshop with Small Business Fund local coordinator Canaan Gondwe to plan their new business ventures. Over the course of the day they formed Business Plans and described the roles each family member would play in the business. Help me in welcoming: Uncle Gly Stationery and Computer Cafe (Read more about rural electrification in Manyamula Village) Elias Grocery Investment E

Last week, twelve Girl Scouts (ages 10-12) took the first step toward making new friends. The girls from Santa Barbara, CA wrote letters to their new pen pals: students at Samro School in Eldoret, Kenya. They sent the letters and now they wait to hear back from their new friends! The idea for the cross-cultural sharing came from one of the girls. Last spring, her 6th grade class had the opportunity to Skype with students in Rwanda. This sparked an interest to continue this in

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8 Today is #givingtuesday in the U.S. After a bustle of purchases and shops, it is a day to do as the early Christians were called to do and reflect on the good, praiseworthy, pleasing, and commendable things going on around

The new Spirit in Action newsletter is hot off the presses! You can view a PDF version here and the hard copies were in the mail last week! In this newsletter we feature: Megabridge Foundation in Kenya is a new grant partner. Their pig pens are already looking great! “Community members and men whose families will benefit from the program volunteered their time and talent to complete the construction project. The eight sows and two boars are settled in the new shelter.” Cuttin

A letter from Del Anderson: Dear friend, I can only look at my own journey to see how sure I was that my way was The Way. I look back with sorrow at my Christian beliefs that helped me to say, “Jesus is Lord,” but did little to allow Jesus to live my life. I feel very grateful and humble as I remember the days of ecstasy, my first experiencing, feeling, and knowing my Lord as my living Savior. Yet the experience was tinged and eventually dimmed by my belief that it was my res

Thank you to all who attended our 20th Anniversary party on Saturday! It was a wonderful gathering with both people who have been part of Spirit in Action from the beginning and new members of the SIA community! My dream is that in our next 20 years we approach our work recognizing the power, knowledge, and vision that already exists in the people we serve. My dream is that Spirit in Action, with our wide international network, dedicated Board members, passionate volunteers,

We are so often told what we ought to do, but so seldom told how. As athletes of the Spirit, we are the ones that need to train and condition ourselves in preparation for growing into Christ’s likeness. In cultivating the stillness of mind, in communing with God, we may emulate the activity of the sower in the parable – preparing the ground – as we practice and cultivate the habit of living in the present, “being present where we are.” By focusing our attention on the ordinar

From the journal of SIA Founder, Del Anderson, Fall 2005. Even at 99 years old he was still learning, growing, and exploring. I certainly wouldn’t have desired to break my hip, but now six months later, I’m certain that I’ve learned a lot that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. I think it’s a little easier now to understand that “I of myself can do nothing.” I couldn’t take the next breath without the Spirit there to keep me going. This experience has pointed me in the direct

Merry Christmas to all SIA friends, partners, and supporters all around the world! May this be a time of rediscovering hope and joy, and recommitting to peace and justice. I share this writing from Del Anderson to remind you of that power that is within each of you. ————————– “The Kingdom of God is within you.” This is the Good News Jesus Christ brought us. This is what we must affirm and claim for ourselves ~ over and over again. Otherwise, Jesus came in vain for us. Jesus i