August, 2013
We are excited to present the annual Social Justice/Compassion Project to you in a new format. The enclosed DVD contains two options:
• A two minute trailer – perfect for use in a church service;
• A ten minute version of the DVD – for use at fundraisers or special events to promote the project.
And as always, the DVD also contains versions in French, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Also new this year is the opportunity to give on line. Go to National Women’s Ministries website: www.allwomensministries.ca for more details.
Tarahumara: A Forgotten People is a compelling story of a Mexican pastor who, over 17 years ago was called by God to minister to an isolated group of Tarahumara Indians, located in a remote region of the Copper Canyon, Mexico. Relying on resources provided by his local Alliance church in Juarez, Pastor Thomas has for years faithfully visited the people of the Canyon, initially bringing essential supplies such as food, blankets and clothing, and ultimately bringing the love of Christ to a hurting people.
When our ministry team visited the canyon in February, it became immediately apparent that the challenges facing the Tarahumara are significant and daunting. 50% of the children die before the age of ten. In addition to a lack of food and water, there are horrific social issues – substance abuse, physical violence, incest and sexual abuse. In many ways, the hunger problem seemed easier to address than the abuses directed toward women and girls.
Tarahumara Ministries has patiently and obediently spent years working with the Tarahumara people, building trust, building relationships, and demonstrating God’s unconditional love. Because of this faithful service, they are in the last few years, now seeing doors opened and opportunities created to discuss matters of faith. Through biblical teaching both men and women are coming to understand what it means to have a relationship with a loving God and to know that He values each person. It is through these changed hearts and new perspectives that God is doing remarkable work in changing attitudes and actions. There is still a long way to go – but the Spirit is continually moving the people, especially the men, toward greater understanding and a desire to change their behavior.
Women’s Ministries is seeking to raise $150,000 to build a clinic and women’s shelter in the Copper Canyon. The facility will be used by Tarahumara Ministries to meet the critical health and physical needs of the Tarahumara people. The clinic will provide basic medical care as well as emergency, TB and child birth assistance. The shelter will be a place of refuge and counselling for women in desperate situations. Both will provide another avenue for Tarahumara Ministries to reach the people with the love of Christ.
The enclosed DVD is a tool for you to use in raising funds for the project. The DVD is available on the National Women’s Ministries website: www.allwomensministries.ca by clicking on “International
Project”. The website also contains additional promotional materials that may be downloaded for your use.
Donations to “Tarahumara: A Forgotten People” can be made online or submitted to your church or women’s ministry treasurer, and then sent to your district women’s treasurer or district office. Clearly mark the donation “Tarahumara: A Forgotten People – National Women’s Ministry Project”. PLEASE DO NOT SEND MONIES FOR THIS PROJECT TO THE NATIONAL MINISTRY CENTRE DIRECTLY. All monies must go through your district representative. Should you misplace this letter, instructions for directing donations and district office addresses can be found on the DVD under the heading “Where to Send Funds”. If you have any questions regarding the project please contact your district women’s ministry director or other district representative. A directory of the NWM team and their district teams are also available on the website. In Christ, Laura Delfs, International Project Coordinator Edmonton, Alberta *If due to unforeseen circumstances the funds cannot be dispersed in accordance with the project goals, funds will be re-‐designated to another approved project. Please note that 80% of project funds go directly to the field while the remaining 20% is used for DVD production and administration of National Women’s Ministries.
District Treasurers List
Canadian Pacific Western Canadian
Evelyn Harrod John Siebring 2221 Harrow Gate 330-‐30 Springbourough Blvd. SW Victoria, BC Calgary, Alberta V9B 0B9 T3H 0N9
Canadian Midwest Central Canadian
Linda Hynne District Office 2950 Arens Rd 155 Panin Road Regina, SK Burlington, Ontario S4V 1N8 L7P 5A6 Eastern Canadian St. Lawrence
Margaret Van St Lawrence District Office 911 – 509 Beecroft Ave. 4824 Chemin de la Côte-‐Des-‐Neiges Toronto, Ontario Montréal, QC M2N 0A3 H3V 1G4