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Helping Without Hurting
"Your churches from the West are destroying our churches and causing division with our pastors!" These sober words from Reverend Heng Cheng (President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia) 16 years ago still haunt me, but have helped us develop our strategy in Cambodia which strives to help more than hurt. I will unpack this story in the next edition of Global News in addition to some Helping Without Hurting principles. The theme of the Love and Justice Course this month has been love and justice in the life and teachings of Jesus. We learned that Jesus promoted reconciliation and human flourishing with those living in brokenness by teaching, healing, and bringing the Kingdom of God wherever He went. Based on kingdom principles, we also learned about poverty alleviation with a helping without hurting approach. “Poverty is the result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meanings.” – Bryant Myers, Walking with the Poor The goal of poverty alleviation is not to make the materially poor all over the world into middle-to-upper-class North Americans. Nor is the goal to make sure that the materially poor have enough money. Rather, the goal is to restore people to a full expression of humanness, to being what God created us all to be, people who glorify God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation. Recognizing that missions trips and outreach programs can cause harm, Tenth works hard to listen and stand with communities that have invited us as outsiders to walk alongside them as insiders. To learn more about helping without hurting, check out - When Helping Hurts, Toxic Charity, Subversive Mission, and Walking with the Poor. For more infomation visit:
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Taste of MexicoA Global Dinner Experience ... while raising funds for Mexico Mexico has such a rich culture. Come experience a simple taste of Mexican food while you learn about Rancho El Camino in La Paz, Mexico, and hear from a Tenth team that will be going there in mid-February. Not only will you come away encouraged by what is happening in Mexico, but you will also have an opportunity to support the project in prayer and financially (should you feel so inspired). For more infomation visit:
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Welcoming Ana VelazquezTenth Global Coordinator I am happy to let you know that Ana Velazquez started this week on the Tenth Global staff team. You may know Ana from her creative role with Just Bags over the past couple of years. Ana is stepping into a newly created role at Tenth Global that includes developing our local and global partners for Just Bags, creating local Just Bag communities, and helping facilitate Justice Journeys and Global events. She will also be working with me to develop global activities and plans for sites and ministries. Ana and her family moved to Canada from Nicaragua 5 years ago with their 4 children. Last year, Ana completed her Master of Arts In Leadership, Theology & Society (MALTS) at Regent College with her capstone project focusing on redemptive social enterprises that primarily uplift marginalized women. Ana and her husband Roger are key leaders in our Cambodia and Mexico Justice Journeys. They also have been active in serving in Refugee Support Ministry at Tenth and have Afghans living in their home. Fun fact – if you drive out of the parking lot at Tenth Westside, you could crash into their house if you don’t turn. You can reach Ana at ana@tenth.ca. Please join me in welcoming Ana to our staff team! Patrick Global Missions Pastor For more infomation visit:
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Woven Tapestry & Tears of Joy
This post was contributed by Ana Velazquez, Tenth Global Coordinator. Life is a tapestry woven with moments that transform us, leaving a long-lasting mark on our hearts. In the journey of life, we encounter pain and brokenness, but amidst the challenges, the Holy Spirit fills us with joy and gratitude. Our justice journey to Cambodia has been a testament of resilience, where tears of pain have given way to tears of joy. Through meaningful partnerships, we have immersed ourselves in the lives of our Cambodian brothers and sisters. Walking alongside them, we have witnessed the beauty that arises from the ashes of brokenness. In the midst of despair, we discovered a beacon of hope and love that transcends boundaries. As we journey through Cambodia, we attest to the inside beauty of people's lives. Their inside and outside worlds reveal a profound sense of love and community that touches our hearts. Gratitude, joy, love, fellowship, and strength are some of the attributes that can describe our Cambodian friends. As made unto his likeness, we are marveled at the full expression of their gifts, talents, and abilities. It has been a privilege to share in their laughter and to experience the blossoming of their potential. In this land, with its storied past, we have learned that true joy lies in embracing the uniqueness of each person we encounter and loving them well. As we continue to journey in Cambodia with justice, let us carry forward the lessons learned, cherishing the tears of joy that have bloomed amidst the tapestry of life. As a way to continue supporting our Cambodian partners, we've crafted lovingly curated gifts for you for February. Share them with your loved ones, letting them know this contribution “tells the good news” making the way for a flourishing society. A special Valentines Day Just Bag will be available February 1. You can purchase all season Just Bags here. Stay connected through the stories that celebrate Cambodia's beauty. Thanks for being a part of this journey. Ana Velazquez For more infomation visit:
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Cambodia Catch-up and PraySunday, February 11 , 2024 at 7:30pm on Zoom Come be part of a Cambodia update and prayer time on Zoom, hosted by Makara - our Tenth Liason. For more infomation visit:
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Upcoming Global Events
Saturday, February 3, 5:30–7:30pm: Taste of Mexico Sunday, February 11, 7:30pm: Cambodia Catch-Up and Pray February 13,-22, 2024: Spiritual Formation + Business Focus Justice Journey to Mexico Saturday, February 24, 9.15am-3pm: Love Without Borders - Welcoming Refugee Claimants Orientation with Journey Home Friday, March 1, 8am-5pm: Business As Mission Vancouver Conference 2024 October 18 - November 3: Business is Mission Focus Justice Journey to Mexico tbc November 5 - 17: Spiritual Formation Focus Justice Journey to Mexico tbc Community events with friends and refugee newcomers: If you would like to participate in our regular events, email refugeesupport@tenth.ca for an invitation. For more infomation visit:
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PSThank you for your generous year end support! We had a strong month of giving in December, so on behalf of our global partners and global team, I would like to express our gratitude and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please continue to pray for our global partnerships and give to Global Fund Volunteer opportunities - shoot out an email to patrick@tenth.ca if you are interested in being part of a Justice Journey or our global team. Patrick Elaschuk, Global Missions Pastor For more infomation visit: https://www.tenth.ca/news/spending-ourselves-for-others--525
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Get involved with God's global mission at Tenth
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