DEVELOPING TIMES: Merry Christmas

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.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”- Luke 2:11-14 NIV

I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

But, I also would like to remind you that while we enjoy this season, there are so many people who are really hurting these days.

You don't need to look very far. Right in our neighborhoods there are people who are really hurting. Then if you look in your state, the urban areas, and the small towns, sins ugly head rears everywhere. And then we have world wide issues, persecution,hunger,war...this list could go on....

Yesterday as I was in Walmart, I couldn't help to think about the abundance we are surrounded with. One of the things that always turns my stomach, especially after returning from a developing country, is the rows and aisles of 'stuff'.

I saw people who had carts full of 'stuff' that will be given as a 'gift' and only to be forgotten in days, if not hours of receiving.

What did you get for Christmas last year?

There's only one gift that will last forever. That happened over two thousand years ago. And it came in a manger, in the form of a savior, Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that all people would acknowledge the real meaning of Christmas. That is what motivates our work. Yes we care about the social issues, but ultimately it is that each person would acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and savior that motivates us.

That's what Christmas is all about for me.

Merry Christmas!