If you are looking for great organizations to support who are doing incredible things for the Kingdom of God, below are the organizations we recommend. Just click on the name to go to a description of what they do, their website, and Yvon's comments about them.
World Vision
Description: “World Vision International is an Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organization. Wikipedia
Motto: Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness; our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so
Yvon’s comments: Whenever there is a tragedy in the world (and there are so many) I know World Vision already has supplies and people pre-positioned near it and they will be quick to respond. They are respected by governments and able to operate in many difficult areas. When a tragedy occurs, it is great to be able to go on their site and give knowing the money will be wisely used.
They also have child sponsorship programs and you can give to specific areas of interest on an ongoing basis either in the U.S. or world-wide. On an ongoing basis we give to these funds: Disaster Relief (where most needed), Child Protection, Exploited Children, Children and Women in Crisis (rescue and retraining).
At Christmas we create a fund for World Vision and have the children in our life decide what projects to give it to from the catalog of gift options instead of giving them gifts.
Young Life
Their Description: We invite kids to follow Christ, care for them regardless of their response, and change lives in the process.
Yvon’s comments: Years ago I was more actively involved with Young Life people I loved came to know Jesus through it. Later I was a writer and Senior Editor for Young Life HQ in Colorado Springs when the computer revolution took place. Not only did I experience first-hand the changes in technology from typesetting and the on-site print shop to computer communication creation while in that job at Young Life HQ, but I LOVE the organization and the ministry and what it does for kids. Today, more than ever with our post-Christian culture, Young Life has a proven, significant way to reach kids for Jesus.
A21—an anti-human trafficking organization
Their description: “Our mission is to end slavery. We are a nonprofit organization fueled by radical hope that human beings everywhere will be rescued from bondage and completely restored. We are the abolitionists of the 21st century. We work with you to free slaves and disrupt the demand. Human trafficking is destroying lives, but freedom will have the final word.”
Founder: Christine Caine
Yvon’s comments: I can’t let myself imagine the horrors the victims rescued by A21 have experienced, but I can pray God will use my small contribution for great healing in His name.
International Justice Mission
Their description: “International Justice Mission protects the poor from violence by partnering with local authorities to rescue victims, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors and strengthen justice systems.”
Yvon’s comments: An extraordinary group that works through the justice system for long term changes in the societal factors that support human slavery and trafficking.
Two articles from Christianity Today tell you more about it.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/january-february/why-were-losing-war-on-poverty.html
EMIT, formerly AFMIN
Their description: Since its inception in 1993, EMIT has trained more than 125,000 leaders who made significant impact in their communities. Presently EMIT has 35 leadership development projects in 17 African nations: South Africa; Namibia; Zimbabwe; Zambia; Malawi; Mozambique; Madagascar; Angola; Tanzania; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Uganda; Kenya; Republic of Congo; Rwanda, Burundi; Liberia and South Sudan
Yvon’s comments: When it started, I did some of the initial communications for them when I met Chris and Catherine DeWet in Colorado Springs. They do extraordinary work in Africa. Knowing the ministry personally and seeing the website (though beautiful and full of good information) makes me realize the limitations of the best communications. They are so much more and do so much more good than words and pictures can express.
Please share your thoughts, comments, questions!