Welcome

Mission Statement
Rural Empowerment Initiatives (REI) mission is to collaborate in the reduction of poverty through investment in rural areas and training of local people.

Vision Statement
REI's vision is to treat every created being with dignity, respect and love. We strive to work with those most in need by empowering people to recognize their God given talents, enabling them to make the world a better place and providing them hope for the future.

Our Principles
REI believes that all people are created equal.
REI will develop small to medium businesses (SMEs) as one approach to reach those most in need by creating jobs that build the economy in rural areas.
REI's partner businesses will be led, managed and majority owned by local people.
REI will always seek a triple bottom line of economic, spiritual and social transformation.
REI seeks to build sustainable community-oriented business models.
REI's focus of support is to the economically disadvantaged.
REI will seek attractive market and growth opportunities.
REI will incubate pilot projects with capable management.
REI believes in collaboration. We seek partners whose strengths complement our own in an effort to build well-rounded projects of lasting economic value for the communities in which we work.
REI is inspired by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and is therefore rooted in the Christian faith.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Bumper Sticker

I was working yesterday when I passed this car that had a bumber sticker on it. Maybe you've seen it and maybe you haven't. But, it really has me thinking about it. It was a quote from Ghandi and it read :

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

I don't know about you but that startles me. At times I find that so true. It made me think "do I act like Christ on a daily basis in all I do or say?

Of course not, as a human with a world filled with sin we cannot be perfect like Christ. BUT, do we try?
I can't help at times seem perplexed by the actions of Christians. I ask myself , do these people claim to follow the same Christ I read about in scriptures?
I do not claim to be like Christ, but my actions and words I hope will but the bumper sticker to rest.
How bout you?