Hey Everyone,
You know, there’s a phrase that summarizes the very heartbeat of our mission: One Team, Many Hands. This past Saturday showcased exactly what that phrase means in the most beautiful, dramatic way—a powerful story of local abundance fueling immediate global urgency. This story beautifully embodies our 3…2…1 Impact framework: three points to ponder, two quotes to share, and one story of profound impact.
1 Story of Impact
Our focus for the year can be summed up in one powerful phrase: One Team, Many Hands. This past Saturday showcased exactly what that means in the most beautiful way—a story of local abundance fueling immediate global urgency.
Each year, our four thrift stores (our Generosity Engines) hold a Christmas Open House to kick off the giving season. Our Iowa-based teams were determined to make this year the best ever, rolling out mountains of gifts, trees, and clothing. Their action and dedication were undeniable: by the end of the day, the registers rang up over 2,000 transactions, selling more than 21,000 items for just under $72,000—the largest one-day sales in the organization’s history! The Generosity Engine was running at full throttle.
At that exact same moment, Christi, one of our missionaries in Haiti, was demonstrating the urgent need these resources provide. Her day was a direct display of Love in Action in the midst of profound hardship, highlighting the sheer necessity of the fuel we raise:
- Installing a concrete floor for a family of nine living in a home smaller than 500 square feet.
- Visiting three young moms living under tarps to provide encouragement and essentials.
- Checking on a 3-month-old baby taken to a medical clinic for vital care.
- The day culminated in a visit with a physically disabled woman facing incredible, compounded grief: she had recently buried her oldest daughter and that week, her sister. Christi’s presence offered comfort in that deep, dark place.
One team provides the fuel and resources to another team doing the hard, holy work of transformation on the ground. The astonishing sales and hard work of the thrift store staff and volunteers became a massive wave of encouragement for our Haitian missionary, confirming that she has a team of thousands standing behind her.
This is the living definition of One Team, Many Hands: The Generosity Engine connects the joy of Iowa to the urgent hope in Haiti, proving that every single person, regardless of location, is a necessary piece of the miracle.
3 Points to Ponder
- Efforts are linked. Where are you working today that acts as a vital fuel for someone else’s frontline mission? Every job, every family role, and every contribution you make create a resource that sustains someone else’s battle.
- Small acts can change the course of a life. 21,000 items sold made an immediate, measurable impact. Where can you start small today for a larger impact tomorrow? Don’t wait for the grand breakthrough; the cumulative power of small, sustained action is what generates God-ordained growth.
- Connection creates community. While Christi was physically pouring out, she was filled with encouragement by all those working at the thrift store. Who is the frontline leader you need to encourage this week? And who are those you need to thank for fueling your work?
2 Quotes to Share
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
The greatest reward of being One Team is the work God does through us when we unify our effort—the Givers and the Doers.
Where does the fuel of generosity begin in your life, and what urgent hope is it flowing toward today?
Feel free to reply and share—I read every response.
Live with impact,
Tim
