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.

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If you want to financially support The Elevation Project,

PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

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