Laura's Letter, Christmas 2013

Partnership & Teamwork
We're better together

I had the opportunity recently to travel to a lakeside town in Rwanda with the school leadership of Kigali Christian School for their first ever leadership retreat. At the retreat were the Director of Social Programs for Rwanda YFC, Sponsorship Coordinator, School Principal, School Office Manager, Nursery, Primary, & Secondary School Managers, Teacher Team Leaders, the Deputy National Director, and myself. What an amazing group of leaders to be a part of! Each one with a different role, gifting, and job description, but all working towards a common goal - providing high quality education to children from all backgrounds, underpinned with the love of God.
 
This group of people has been instrumental in transforming the lives of over 700 Rwandan children for the last 7 years at Kigali Christian School, but this was the first time they’d come together like this to strategize and dream. As we spoke, we realized how much had been accomplished throughout the partnership and teamwork of those present, but it was also apparent how much more effective the team was going to be now that they were intentionally combining their gifts through the planning that was being done. We all left thankful for the past and excited for the future.
 
As I reflect on the wider work that we do together with Rwanda YFC through The Elevation Project, this picture of teamwork also fits. Together, we’ve supported almost 150 children from underprivileged families receive a quality education; over 35 women have had their lives transformed, gaining hope, dignity, and income-generating skills; and over 70 young leaders, both Canadian and Rwanda, have had the opportunity to explore God’s heart for His world as they work and serve together during our Elevation Experience trips. What a team to be a part of! And YOU are a part of this wonderful team, too!
 
It’s our teamwork, GVYU, RYFC, and you, that has accomplished this. None of us could have done any of this alone because we really are better together!

Want to Join the Team?

As we approach the end of 2013, there are many more opportunities for you to be a part of this wonderful team. In 2014, we want to increase the number of sponsored students to 160+; there are exciting changes and developments in the women’s program that will address a real need here in Rwanda (think vocational training for young people unable to complete their formal education); it’s an Elevation Experience trip year, which means that 12 Canadian youth are going to have their lives impacted by rubbing shoulders and working with some amazing Rwandan young leaders; and there is much, much more that’s in the works... seriously - there’s some really great stuff brewing here at Rwanda YFC that we might be able to be a part of... I just can’t say anything yet, but soon. ;-)
 
To do all of this, we need to expand our team with year-end givers, monthly supporters, and sponsors.

Would you consider becoming a part of this team
that is doing so much more together than we could alone?

Many of you who are reading this are already a part of the team and none of what we do is possible without your partnership. Would you consider suggesting The EP to someone else for their year-end giving?
 
If you are interested in making a donation - either a special year-end gift, a monthly contribution, or through sponsorship - click here to give online or here to download a giving form to mail to Youth Unlimited, 115-12975 84th Ave, Surrey BC  V3W 1B3.

Have a wonderful Christmas and we look forward to having you on the team!

Prayer Points

• Pray for The EP’s year-end fundraising goals - this is an important time for our budget!
• That the momentum of the School Leadership Retreat would continue.
• Pray for the Elevation Experience 2014 Team that will be selected in January to travel to Rwanda in July.
• Pray for sponsors for each of the newly admitted students to the Sponsorship Program.

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

_________________________________________________________

And they will call Him Emmanuel - God is with us. 
~ Matthew 1:23b

Laura's Letter, Fall 2013 Update

Blessed Ones
From the Blog, June 2013

“Walking from home to my office today I ran into Delphine, who greeted me by name, with a big smile, hug, and Kinyarwanda blessings. Delphine is one of the women that I met on my very first visit to Rwanda in 2008. She is part of the first group of HIV/AIDS-affected women that Rwanda YFC has supported to rediscover hope, dignity, and skills to support their families. Through The Elevation Project, I’ve been privileged to get to know some of these amazing women, as well.
 
I remember the first time I met Delphine. She was quiet, downcast and barely moved or showed any expression as she shared about her life. She’s the same age as me, but her story is so different from mine.
 
As a teenager, she was raped as she was walking to work. She had the courage to report it, but instead of the rapist being punished, Delphine was forced to live with him as his wife. She took care of his children from a previous relationship, managed the house, and eventually bore him more children. Through this relationship, she also contracted HIV. As I heard more and more of the horrific details, it was very obvious why she seemed so hopeless.
 
And yet in the years since, through the support of the other women in the group and with the involvement of Rwanda YFC, Delphine has rediscovered her God-given beauty. She laughs, smiles, dances, and is hopeful. She even expresses hope for her husband - the same man who raped her, forced her to serve him, and infected her with HIV. She reports that she is able to pray for him now, and that as she’s prayed for him she’s witnessed his heart softening. In the midst of a completely unjust situation, that is Grace.
 
I am honoured and extremely humbled to have been a small part of Delphine’s story through The Elevation Project partnership with Rwanda YFC. The group of women that Delphine is a part of is called the Blessed Ones, but truly, those of us who are able to get to know these ladies are blessed, as well.”
 
I’m heading back to Rwanda in less than a month, and I wanted to re-write this story that was published on The Elevation Project blog (elevationproject.tumblr.com) so that you will understand why I’m so excited to be going back. This has been a life-altering program for these women and it’s grown in ways that no one anticipated. Because of this, Rwanda YFC has invited me in to their strategic planning for 2014. So, not only will I have the opportunity to have more chance “run-ins” with Delphine and the other Blessed Ones, but I’m also going to be spending a significant portion of my time really delving into the depths of Rwanda YFC’s work with women - working to make it more effective and sustainable so that we can continue to see women like Delphine find hope, community, and love.

Opportunities

At The Elevation Project, we just finished working through all our plans and budgeting for the 2013-14 year. We are excited for all of the things we have planned this year, including the exciting opportunity I mentioned above regarding the women’s program.
We’ve also been looking at new funding models to support The Elevation Project and we need your help!

The Elevation Project is looking for 10 Silver Donors ($20/mo)
& 10 Gold Donors ($50 - $100/mo)

Would you consider becoming either a Silver or Gold Donor?

Many of you who are reading this already support my work with The Elevation Project. Without you, The Elevation Project wouldn’t be possible and I’m sincerely grateful for your support. Would you consider suggesting The EP to someone else?

Monthly giving is convenient, easy to set up, and it makes planning for the future easier for all of us at The Elevation Project and Youth Unlimited.

If you are interested in making a donation - either one-time or monthly - click here to give online or here to download a giving form to mail to Youth Unlimited, 115-12975 84th Ave, Surrey BC  V3W 1B3.

With your help, we are looking forward to hearing more stories of hope, just like Delphine’s!

Thanks for all you do to make my work and the work of The Elevation Project possible!

Prayer Points

• Liz, The EP Intern, arrived safe in Rwanda! Continue to pray for her as she serves.
• I raised $8300 of my $10 000 Challenge - thanks for your support!
• Pray for my time in Rwanda, October 4 - December 17.
• Praise with us at the continued healing of Marina Mugarura, the National Director of RYFC’s wife)

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

_________________________________________________________

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. 
~ Mother Teresa

Laura's Letter, Summer 2013

To Rwanda and Back Again!
I left for Rwanda in a flurry on May 1st and returned back to Canada on June 17th. Every trip is so different, and yet there are a few common themes that thread their way through all of them. Here’s a bit of a run-down!

Fulfilling Work

I don’t take for granted the fact that I get to be a part of some really amazing things in my day-to-day work while I’m in Rwanda. Things like delivering letters from Canadian sponsors to students in Rwanda and collecting letters to bring back with me; meeting with the wonderful ladies that are learning much more than just sewing skills in the sewing school; or connecting with other organizations or individuals who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. My work in Rwanda is incredibly fulfilling.

 Adventures (& Laughter)  
Whether it’s an accidental detour to the Ugandan border (twice...) on the way to other destinations (that are not in Uganda), or being regaled with tales about the cobras that had taken up residence on the property, life in Rwanda is an adventure (with a lot of laughs!) in a way that it is not in Canada.

Friends
I am blessed with some amazing friends & colleagues in Rwanda and they truly are one of the biggest highlights of my time there.

The EP Internship: A Blast from the Past!
In about 2006/07, while doing youth work in Langley, I met a spunky teenager named Liz Chan. After getting off to a bit of a rocky start - her spunky-ness kind of got the best of her on her first night as a student volunteer! - she and I developed a wonderful relationship as we began to meet periodically for informal mentoring. She applied to be on our first youth trip to Rwanda in 2008, but was devastated to find out she was just a bit too young. When our second trip came around, there was no question about her involvement and she travelled with us to Rwanda in 2010.
Since then, she has remained connected to both myself and The EP’s work in Rwanda while studying at Simon Fraser University. Earlier this year, when she began exploring the possibility of interning with The EP in Rwanda, not only was I excited to have the extra help, I felt extremely blessed that the help would come from a former youth that I’ve tracked with for over 6 years now! As well, the staff member here in Vancouver who will be helping me provide Liz with accountability and support is one of the original Lifeteams students that I co-supervised during her youth work practicum in Langley at the Art: After School program in 2006/07. I feel proud to have been a small part of these wonderful ladies’ lives, and I look forward to continuing this part of the journey with them.

 Funding Update
 I’m still hoping to raise an additional $10 000 by the end of August in order to see some of the plans we’ve been hatching at The EP come true. To date, I’ve raised approximately $5300 combined for The EP (general project support) and money that goes directly to support my work with the program! We are more than halfway there!
 

**I'd love it if you'd consider giving $25, $50, or $100 a month to support my work with The Elevation Project**

Monthly giving is convenient, easy to set up, and it makes planning for the future easier for all of us at The Elevation Project and Youth Unlimited. If you are interested in making a donation, click here to visit Youth Unlimited's online donation page, or click here to download a donation form.

Thanks for all you do to make my work and the work of The Elevation Project possible!

Prayer Points

• For a continued good time of rejuvenating and strategizing over the summer
• That I could meet my fund raising goal of $10 000 and gain a few more monthly donors
• For Liz, who will be serving with us September-December
• Praise with us at the continued healing of Marina Mugarura, the National Director of RYFC’s wife)

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr - we'll be posting, tweeting and blogging while we are in Rwanda!

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, April Update

So many exciting things to tell you about!

Elevater Music:  We're busy planning an event - Elevater Music - for April 28th and we're super excited about it! It's going to be a fun night of eclectic live music in support of our work with Rwanda YFC. We've had a great time collaborating with some awesome partners on this, including our friends at Calabash Bistro, and many great local musicians. We'd love to have you come and join us! There's more information on our Facebook Event Page, and if you live in the Vancouver area and want to check it out, tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets.

Invitation to Elevation:  We (Christa, The EP Program Assistant, and myself) are so happy to be travelling with a faithful partner in our work with The Elevation Project at the beginning of May. The three of us will jump on a plane headed to Rwanda on May 1st - yes, just 3 days after our spectacular event - to visit our Rwandan colleagues and friends, and give our Canadian partner an opportunity to see what she's been a part of. We're looking forward to this being the first of many Invitation to Elevation trips for some of our wonderful key partners. I'll be staying on in Rwanda until June 15th, and I'm super excited to be able to plot, plan, and dream for the future with my Rwandan colleagues. 

Funding Update: Last, but not least, I mentioned in my last letter the $10 000 challenge I'd set for myself. We've got big plans at The Elevation Project, and I need your help to make them a reality. I'm hoping to raise an additional $10 000 by the end of August in order to see some of the plans we've been hatching at The EP come true. We want to expand our work with youth, both here and in Rwanda. The EP really is a team effort, and that team is comprised of staff and volunteers in Canada and Rwanda, Canadian and Rwanda youth and young people, and generous supporters, like yourself.
**As a special incentive, if you've never given before, Youth Unlimited will match donations from new donors up to $500 until the end of May!**

If you are interested in making a donation, click here to visit Youth Unlimited's online donation page, or click here to download a donation form.

Prayer Points

• For our fundraising event, Elevater Music, on April 28th
• For our time in Rwanda, beginning May 1
• For the $10 000 Challenge
• For our intern who will be serving with us from September-December (more info in the next update!)

 Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr - we'll be posting, tweeting and blogging while we are in Rwanda!

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Laura's Letter, Winter 2013

A new year, a new adventure...

This work is an adventure, and a new year brings a whole new set of opportunities!
For the last year, outside of my work with The Elevation Project, I’ve been working on a temporary contract for 12 hours of my week doing grant writing for various programs at Youth Unlimited (YU). This contract is coming to an end in the next few months, and this opens up all sorts of opportunities for me to explore in my work with The Elevation Project!
 
I’m really excited about these new avenues. Things such as greater involvement and collaboration with other Christian relief and development organizations across Canada. I’m also looking forward to working with my fellow staff members as they mentor teens in poverty and justice issues. Lastly, there will be more opportunities to share my experience with other youth and organizations across Canada.
 
It’s a great time of expansion and I look forward to seeing how The Elevation Project can continue to impact the lives of youth across Canada.


The $10 000 Challenge!
I’ve set a goal for myself over the next few months - to raise $10 000! This money will go towards the costs associated with my time in Rwanda this year, time that is fundamentally important for the health and direction of The Elevation Project. It will also go a long way towards covering some of the costs associated with my changing role at YU! Like everything we do at YU, none of it is possible without the partnership of those who believe in our work. It’s an exciting time for me and I’d love to have you join me in this new adventure.

Would you help me raise $10 000 before August? It’s a big goal, but together we can make it happen :)

How will we do it? Well, there are lots of options!

First, if you are the praying type, please join me in praying. This is a large amount of money, and a major transition for me - I’m going to need all the prayer I can get!

Second, you could make a special donation. Either fill in the form provided here or visit youthunlimited.com/donate.

Third, you could join The Elevation Project’s Volunteer Challenge - a program we are launching that gives volunteers the opportunity to join in our exciting work by gathering a team, setting a goal, and working together to achieve it. After that, we’d love to celebrate with you!

I’ll keep you up to date with my progress, and hopefully by August, we’ll all have something to celebrate!

** If you are interested in helping out with 
The $10 000 Challenge, please 
click here for a giving form, or here to give online. **

Prayer Points

• Please continue to pray for a Canadian team member and a Rwandan colleague who both have close family members fighting cancer.
• Pray for The EP's Volunteer Challenge, which is kicking off this month.
• For our fundraising event that we are planning for April.
• For our trip to Rwanda that is planned for May.
• And for continued direction as we move into an exciting season with The EP.

_________________________________________________________

If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.