DEVELOPING TIMES: The seasons are changing....

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, October 20, 2007

The seasons are changing....

As of last Thursday, I am officially on staff with the Congo Initiative (CI)!
I am still with United World Mission and for lack of better terms...on loan to CI for a temporary assignment of up to twelve months. My title with CI is Resource Development/ Congo Initiative. I will be building on partnerships that exist,create new partnerships and look for funding through grants and foundations.

My role in Senegal will change to being more of a resource development person than being a partnership coordinator.
We are very excited to be part of the CI staff and continue our efforts in Senegal working with the indigenous ministry there and working on this water project that has grown legs over the last six to eight weeks.
Living Water and International Children's Fund look to join hands in coming up with a sustainable water program in Senegal and we hope in other parts of Africa in years to come.
My friend, Dave Colwin, and I have been praying and envisioning what this could look like...and now seeing some of it come to light is an answer to prayer.
As for the Congo initiative, the video below is a great piece that I stumbled on...and it talks about the rebuilding of Congo. This is exactly what CI is all about.
In the weeks to come , I will break down what CI's vision, mission, and values are. When you read and hear these...remember this video...as it will be a faith based response to the atrocities that have been going on in DR Congo for years.