Recycle Life Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

My co-workers and I had already heard good things about Recicla Vida (Recycle Life), an ongoing project that other Family members conduct to aid families living at the Bongaba lixão ("really big garbage dump") in Magé, Rio de Janeiro, so when we were invited to help with their Christmas program there, we jumped at the chance.On the appointed day, we met up with about twenty other full- and part-time Family members.

Alexandré, one of the project's founders and its current director, gave us a recap: About 280 families (over 1,000 people) live off this dump-- rummaging through the garbage for recyclables like plastic, glass, aluminum cans, or paper that they can sell, and putting anything that might be edible into a communal stew or soup. Before Recycle Life, this was all these people had to eat, but for the past year each family has received a monthly "box of basics" nonperishable foods (--in this case, a 30-kg box that includes powdered milk, flour, oil, beans, rice, sugar, and canned vegetables).

Monterrey, Mexico

On the behalf of our Conéctate team, we would like to thank you very much for your donation of 10,000 Conéctate magazines, which have been a big blessing to our work. Conéctate is an Asociacion Civil (a non-profi t) in Mexico, dedicated to spreading God’s truth via publications. One of our ministries is to provide missionaries all over Mexico and Central America with good quality, affordable, motivational and inspirational material which they can use for their local projects, ministries and outreach. With your generous donation, we have been able to give the magazines to 25 centers all over Mexico and Central America. The message contained in those magazines has thus been distributed all over this part of the world. It is indeed, and continues to be a great blessing.

The Michigan Cancer Institute

In one of the top, most prestigious cancer research and treatment facilities in the country you will find some of the most broken people, in need of love and a comfort that cannot be found in the medicines of modern science.

Weathering the storm of a long term illness, being wracked with pain on a daily basis, braving the rigors of treatments, hospitalization, and chemotherapy, and not knowing how much longer one has to live, to say good-bye to loved ones – these are difficult challenges. Seeing such heartache and suffering has given us a great love and compassion to bring a touch of Jesus’ love and comfort to each one we meet. Each adult and child that we have ministered to through our music, performances and personal encouragement has left a special place in our hearts that we will cherish forever. We sing in the wards and to people individually on a monthly basis. We have received a very warm reception amongst the staff, who so tirelessly dedicate themselves to their work. People are moved to tears as they learn that they too, can have “Peace in the Midst of the Storm”.