together we stand: December 2012

a few words

"Too often religion is imagined and lived purely as a spiritual activity, sometimes as a mental exercise in belief and explanation. In Mother Theresa's life and words we find religion's soul, in the sense that her faith is inseperable from her compassion and her compassion is never disconnected from her behaviour." - Thomas Moore
"Perfect prayer does not consist of many words, but in the fervour of the desire which raises the heart to Jesus...it is the breath of life to our soul" - Mother Theresa on prayer in her book: No Greater Love
"True religion is to care for orphans and widows in their distress" - James 1:27
Stir up one another to do good works: "Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life" - 1 Timothy 6:18

Merry Christmas!

So another year has passed…we can’t believe how fast it has gone and how much we have experienced and changed over the last 11 months. It truly has been an incredible year and God has been faithful to us in so many ways. We have learned more about what it really means to be compassionate and to serve even when it is the last thing you feel like doing. He taught us how to be more patient and love unconditionally. He has blessed us with encouragement from our family both in Africa and in Canada. We feel like the luckiest people…to be completely surrounded by love and support no matter where we are in the world. We can’t thank you all enough. Without you, we would never have been able to live and serve in Africa…and now with us returning for another season, we again have a need that we are hoping you can meet.

Just as before, we are returning as full-time volunteers for the year 2013 and thus need to be able to support ourselves completely during our time in Africa. It is only through the generosity of friends and family who have chosen to invest in us, that we are able to invest in others which will have a long-term sustainable impact in the poorest communities. Whether you choose to support us through a one-time donation or on a monthly basis, it is through your ongoing, committed financial help that we are able to continue to serve in the capacity that we truly feel called to.
There are 2 options that you can choose from if you would like to contribute financially (both a tax deductible – by the way, did you know that you can get 20-40% of you donation back at tax time depending on the size of your donation? nice huh?)

1. You can visit our SECURE giving page at http://www.canadahelps.org/gp/14876 where you can donate via credit card or bank withdrawal OR

2. You can email alicia at alicia@handsatwork.org and I will send you a donor form (for both once off and monthly support donations) which can be filled out and faxed to 403-254-8893 or mailed to the address on the bottom of the donation form.

Thanks again for you incredible generosity! We love you.

Love, Tyler and Alicia