Looking for the perfect, meaningful gift this Christmas? I give you some reasons to consider donating to Spirit in Action this season.
1. Give a meaningful gift! In his annual Gifts that Say You Care article, New York Times columnist Nicolas Kristof said, “Give Grandma a bit of credit! These holidays, would she rather receive a silly reindeer sweater or help a schoolchild acquire glasses to see the blackboard clearly for the first time?” This Christmas, instead of another lotion set, how about honoring your loved ones (especially those with everything they already need) with a gift to Spirit in Action to help someone like Linly Nkhata start a business and buy a cow? Watch a video of Linly sharing her success story.
2. A little goes a long way! The enormous impact of our Small Business Fund, which gives a $150 grant and business training to entrepreneurs in Africa, is another reason to give to SIA. That $150 can start a business is one heck of a deal, as we would say here in Minnesota! Consider, this amount that isn’t enough to even cover rent for one month in the US is enough to get a family business off the ground in DR Congo. Read about SIA’s success in DR Congo.
3. Join your friends! 88 individuals, groups, and foundations have already contributed to make Spirit in Action’s work happen this year! These people are passionate about our work. One of our donors wrote to me: “Being led to continue what Del started in my prayer life years ago has been fulfilled by your faithfulness! I’ve enclosed a check to join the Celebration of being at one with the rest the joy-filled followers…Happy fifteenth birthday!”
4. You gift will be shared! You gift to the Small Business Fund doesn’t just help the family who receives a grant. Each new business group is called to share compassionately with another family in need in their community. Through our Sharing the Gift program Winkly Mahowe (Malawi, pictured right) received the gift a pig from a neighbor. Since then he has been able to build his family a new home, feed his widowed mother, and give a piglet to another family! This way, the blessings of God are spread throughout the whole community.
5. Build Relationships! Christmas is all about visiting friends and family and sharing joy together. Spirit in Action is also all about relationships. Del Anderson started SIA because he was drawn to help people in developing countries and encourage them through sending letters, seeds, self-help information, and also praying with them. Fifteen years later, relationships remain central to our work. Once we build these connections with our international partners and coordinators we are drawn through compassion to help them develop sustainable livelihoods, send children to school, and eat better food.
This season is about giving and the joy of sharing! We hope you will join Spirit in Action in giving the gift of empowerment this Christmas. Remember, just $150 is enough for a family to start a new business and any amount helps us continue our compassionate service to those who need it most.
You can make a tax-deductible contribution online here or send a check to the address below. And don’t forget to designate your donation to honor or remember someone special!
Spirit in Action
PO Box 3384
Santa Cruz CA 95063
