For those of you who have been reading my blogs and posts throughout 2024, I know you would agree that it’s been a very hard year. Losing a friend, losing a child, losing two dogs and a cat have all taken their tolls on my emotional health.
But then there was the birth of our first Grandson (Beck), a 3-month sabbatical and Chloe and Asad’s wedding(s). All times of great joy, great food and great family time.
Donor giving has been a challenge this year, largely due to the uncertainty prior to the November election in the US. While we have incredibly generous donors who have helped fund our capital needs, we are still working to raise unrestricted support so that we can continue on mission in 2025. That means more children will be fed, more babies will be saved, more people will be employed and education about all things will continue at our school and to our employees as well.
Ian and I (and our team) have been praying about this for weeks, if not months, and asking the Lord to release the funds that we need (a total of $600,000 in the US, and $50,000 for Education in Canada).
At the outset of our holiday appeal, we had a dear friend commit a $100,000 matching gift, which was quickly matched by partners who gave to our Year End Campaign. We still need to raise around $280,000 to reach our goals.
And this is how God works.
Our Jack Russell was sick and Ian took him to the hospital expecting surgery the next day. Later that evening I was speaking with David (our Executive Director in the US) and we were both shocked and exhilarated to hear that another family offered a $150,000 matching gift to help us get to the finish line by motivating others to give as generously as possible.
The very next morning Jack died.
The highs are high, and the lows are low.
But the Lord is with us through them both. He knew that Miriam was going to die a week before Chloe’s wedding, and would not be there to stand as a bridesmaid. But He also brought Spencer, Jane, Beck and a few friends to Eswatini early, who would carry us through the death and burial of our beloved 13-year-old.
Friends, I am writing to ask you to make a generous year end gift to Heart for Africa today, which will be matched up to $150,000 – doubling your impact! Will you join Ian and me in supporting this ministry that we love and have committed our lives to? Every dollar counts and I am hoping that EVERY single person reading this blog will contribute a little, or a lot.
Thank you for your words of encouragement throughout the year, your prayers, your love and your financial support. We simply couldn’t do this without you.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Janine & Ian