Two years ago, an intentional partnership began between the work of Life In Abundance and the creative master minds of the graphic design company Rule29.  Since the initial collaboration, Rule29’s work for LIA has been nothing short of astounding.  Their dedication and love for LIA has grown stronger over these years through their willingness to offer a multitude of skills and the ample amounts of time and energy they have donated to the cause-it is truly humbling.

Taking ownership to the cause and mission of LIA, Rule29 has been a driving force in the ability to further engage stakeholders by taking them on a visual journey through the work of LIA; adding a level of professionalism and appeal that cannot be matched.  Check out the recent Rule29 blog post to go on a visual tour of the work Rule29 has created for LIA over the past two years!

It wouldn’t be enough however to just hear from us about the remarkable talents of the Rule29 crew.  Hence why we wanted to share and congratulate them on their recent front page feature in GDUSA Magazine where they and MacDonald Photography were recognized for their work in creating LIA’s Urban and Rural Hope book, as well as a separate collaborative effort to create our TOUCH Poster.

Graphic Design USA has been a design magazine for graphic designers and other creative professionals since 1963.  We are pleased to report that Rule29, MacDonald Photography and LIA were given the front page spot for the September 2009 issue of GDUSA!

Rule29 and MacDonald Photography have taken the process of sharing and communicating the stories from the LIA communities, as well as the hope of Africa, to a whole new and artistic level.  Donating their time and energy, we could not be more grateful and humbled by each of the team members’ hard work and dedication.

To purchase your own Urban and Rural Hope book or TOUCH Poster check out our store.  These beautiful pieces are a great gift of empowerment for the approaching holiday season.

(October 18) Louisville, KY was the last stop for the fall benefit dinner series this year. This much anticipated event lived up to the expectations!

Coming into the night, we had already seen a positive response from our previous two dinners in Geneva, IL and Phoenix, AZ.  The goal for the fall benefit dinners was to raise $100,000 in total, which would allow for LIA to be able to support the Merkato community by meeting a funding gap that remained in the street children program already underway.

With generous hearts and prayerful consideration, donations were made that has allowed us to surpass the initial goal; raising over $130,000 from the three dinners combined.  These donations indicate the sincere belief that transformation can and will take place through the LIA programs at work in Africa.

To all those that attended, volunteered, and supported through finances, time and prayer…we would like to sincerely thank you! 

We truly feel blessed and encouraged by your generous support and passion to serve our brothers and sisters in Africa. We are so excited to have added new members to the LIA family through these dinners and cannot wait to share the great progress and success taking place in the Merkato community, as well as the many other communities LIA is serving to empower.

FACT: Most states in the US require children to be enrolled in some form of formal education until the age of 18.

This is a stark difference to the mere 57% of children enrolled in primary education in Africa; with only 1 in 3 students that are projected to complete schooling.

(Photo From LIA/Kenya Children Project in the Mathare Slum, Kenya)

Fact on education found at Food 4 Africa.org.

We had another successful benefit dinner in Phoenix this past weekend. With a total of $40,000 raised in Phoenix, the two dinners thus far have raised a total of $60,000 to serve the  Merkato community in Ethiopia. Our goal is to raise $100,000 through these dinners, and we are well on our way.

With these funds LIA will be able to support the Merkato community by fully funding the street children program that is more than half-way completed in the city. With great needs facing those in the Merkato community, LIA is serving to empower the local church to help create a sustainable livelihood for the families and children of this area.

We ask for you to pray for LIA this weekend as we host the last of our fall benefit dinners - in Louisville, KY.  We have been truly humbled by the generosity of our guests and the heart of those willing to give to the Merkato community.

Also, be on the look out for our documentary, “This Is My Home” which we have been showcasing at our dinners. We’ll be providing all the details shortly so you too can experience what it is like to walk the streets of Merkato; witnessing the need as well as the hope.

Our very own Holly Garrett joined a short-term mission team from one of our partner churches to serve in the Merkato community of Addis Ababa.

Here is a link to the team’s blog (one of the best I have see from a team): MOVED (Africa Edition)

Below is a few brief notes from her recent email:

I have had the privilege of serving in Merkato, Ethiopia the past several days with 14 people from Cedar Ridge Christian Church in Kansas.  Our eyes have been opened to the Merkato community in a deeper way, as we have walked the streets of this market area, said to be the largest open air market in Africa.  We have seen the lame lying on the streets and children begging.  Our hearts have broken.

But we’ve also seen transformation happening and God at work.  Through LIA’s Merkato Street Children Program, we have visited the homes of boys who once called the streets their home.  But thanks to the project and its partnership with a local church, these boys are learning life skills and are experiencing the love of God.  Their life stories now have hope.  The love of God is changing their lives in real and lasting ways.

We’ve served the 150 at risk families.  We have enjoyed fellowship with the local Merkato Church.  What a blessing it has been to be here.  We only have a few more days in Addis, but we pray God will continue to connect our hearts to the Merkato community and to God at work in Africa.  For God calls us to partner in His work.

I hope that you’ll take a few moments to read what is going on in the Merkato! Ironically, we will be showing our documentary for the third time in Louisville, KY this weekend that exposes what life is like in the Merkato district. Stay tuned for many future showings.

FACT: The overall life expectancy in the United States is about age 76 for men and 81 for women.  In Djibouti those numbers drop to about age 41 for men and 45 for women.

Our first benefit dinner was a great success in the beautiful city of Geneva, IL.  Through the generous donations of our guests, $20,000 has been raised to support the Merkato community in Ethiopia - specifically funding our street children programs in this community.

Characterized by vast slums and an impossible job market, LIA is empowering the youth on the street by providing them with a place to live, food to eat, education and training and start up funds for a small business allowing them to create a sustainable livelihood for themselves upon completion of the program.  At the same time, we are working to prevent future generations of street children by identifying and serving female headed households with micro-loans, tutoring for their children, school supplies/fees and much more.

Our next stop is Phoenix, Arizona!  This dinner is expected to host over 200 guests and will be another great opportunity to share with others the work of LIA and the hope for the future in Africa.

Also be sure to watch out for our new documentary, “This is My Home”.  Offering a glimpse into the lives of the Merkato street children, this film is a great way to share the work of LIA with others as well as enlighten friends and family members to the needs of the world.

FACT: There are currently 50,000 children living on the streets in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in Africa.

Similar in total population, Chicago, IL has about 6,000 homeless people that reside there.

There is great need everywhere, with overwhelming numbers to represent it.

(Fact found from The Chicago Alliance.org 2007)

Fall is finally here and for LIA it is kicking off full force!

This summer has been a great time of preparation and planning for these next few weeks.  October is a month that is filled with some very exciting events!

Our Fall Benefit Dinners are making their first stop in Geneva, Illinois on Sunday.  Much anticipation has been building in regards to the series of three dinners that will take place in the weeks ahead.

We expect these dinners to be a great way to highlight some of LIA’s work in Africa, raise support for the partnered communities, and premiere our first ever documentary!

Offering a glimpse into the lives of the street children in Merkato, Ethiopia, this film will be a great way to share both the needs within this community, and also the transformation that is taking place through the care and programs put in place.

Keep checking back as we travel to Phoenix, Arizona and then ultimately end up in Louisville, Kentucky.

We are very excited for the chance to share our vision and hope for Africa, while also gaining support in this creative manner to further empower communities in Africa aiding in the means of wholistic community development.

Thank you for your support!