Thank you!
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, and amazing donors, will serve as a catalyst for people reaching their dreams of sustainable, fulfilling, comfortable lives. And that we each always interact with others in a way – like Del did with me 12 years ago – that lets them know that they are valued and have something to contribute to the world.
We gathered at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, which is also part of SIA’s history! This was where Marsha Johnson, our Administrative Coordinator for SIA’s first 12 years, first met Del Anderson. She was impressed with his joy, and the prayer he put into his work.
Rhoda Teimuge, SIA partner from Kenya, told stories of two successful students who have graduated from Samro School. Rhoda is director of the school. Samro focuses on encouraging, empowering, and loving each student to help them succeed. (Stories to come in a future blog post!)
A timeline of SIA’s history crossed the hall of the meeting hall. I read through 20 years of SIA Board meeting minutes and was humbled by all that we’ve accomplished and the amazing people who have led and contributed to SIA! (Click on the picture for a larger version.)
Samuel Teimuge, of Kenya, and Rob Hanford, son of Lucile Anderson, chatting. In the early days of SIA, Samuel and Rob wrote to each other about improving Kenyan agriculture with compost and worms.
“If you hear My voice and obey Me, I will use this very small organism called SPIRIT IN ACTION as leaven, as a mustard seed, as Light.” ~ From “God Calling…” by Del Anderson
The ripple effect of SIA represented on pretty metal water bottles!
