FULFILL YOUR PURPOSE. EMPOWER THE POOR.
Jan. 2023
THANKS TO YOU, WE ARE CELEBRATING MANY LIFE-ENHANCING MILESTONES
Together, we are helping people mired in poverty work their way to better health, opportunity and sustainability. Celebrate these milestones with us!
WE DID IT. MATCHING FUNDS ACHIEVED!

Your generous support of our year-end Power of Relationships appeal allowed ER to qualify for 100% of the $125,000 in matching funds pledged by donors. Through you, the ER Fund has been bolstered as we begin 2023.

Let's pray for big things to happen!
50+ KIDS START THEIR ER JOURNEY

We have exciting news. I Believe In Kids Education (iBiKE) is now part of Extreme Response! We joined forces to bring education reinforcement to vulnerable communities in Metro Manila. iBiKE will add depth and creativity to our existing education reinforcement programs. Stay tuned. We'll be sharing much more about this dyanmic mobile ministry in the months ahead.
PHOTO CONTEST BOOSTS KIDS' CONFIDENCE

Our second photography contest was a big hit at the Fish Hoek Dream Center. The kids submitted their best pics, which were incredible. Pictured here are the top three contestants - Aria* (first place), Nyasha* (second), and Alicia* (third), along with Nick Carnill, who is teaching the kids photography. Thank you for voting for your favorites and being part of these kids' journeys. Your participation inspires them! Click below to see all the photos. *Names changed for privacy.
CHRISTMAS JOY REACHES 7,000+

What's our motivation? Why spend months planning, collecting supplies, and traveling overseas to celebrate Christmas? Because... "God so loved the world, he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Your support helped 16 people journey to South Africa and Quito. Along with our Filipino staff in Manila, we hosted/co-hosted 35 Christmas events. Nearly 4,000 at-risk people attended these outreaches.

Another 3,350 people benefitted from gifts, crafts, candy, games, funds and/or food through our partners. Even better, attendees heard the Christmas story presented with love and compassion.

Dawn Carnill, Director of Christmas Outreach, added these highlights:
*Thousands of smiles, hugs and laughs were exchanged.
*In-person parties took place in Manila for the first time since 2019.
*Six team members experienced cross-cultural ministry for the first time.

Interested in bringing Christmas to kids in 2023? Email us at Christmas@extremeresponse.org.
KRISTIN AND MERCEDES ENJOY DELAYED CONNECTION

For three years, Kristin Legato prayed for a woman she had not met. Mercedes, who is part of the Quito recycling community, made an ornament and put her name on it. Kristin bought it during a short-term mission trip in 2019.

Fast forward to September 2022. With COVID restrictions eased, Kristin and a team from Woodside Bible Church returned to Ecuador.

That's when a special moment occurred. Kristin was looking at handmade goods for sale when someone said Mercedes' name. Kristin realized it was the same "Mercedes" she had been praying for and shared her story. Both women were deeply touched by their special connection.

Inspiring moments like this happen during mission trips. Click below to learn how you can volunteer.
LIVELIHOOD: EIGHT MORE WOMEN GRADUATE THIS MONTH
Our seventh Golden Hands Livelihood advanced sewing class ends Jan. 27. Eight women have been training for eight months.

Pray for them as they put the final touches on their graduation gowns and begin selling their sewing products and services in their communities.
VOLUNTEERS INSPIRE SOUTH AFRICANS

Volunteers returned to South Africa after a long pandemic-induced hiatus.

Whether they were cooking with the kids at the Fish Hoek Dream Center, training pastors in Beaufort West, or hosting Christmas parties all around the Western Cape, these volunteers were the hands and feet of Jesus to the vulnerable people we serve.

Five short-term volunteers and five short-term teams served in Africa last year. They brought so much energy, excitement and encouragement to our staff and the people in our programs. Join us by visiting South Africa in 2023!
HERO CORNER: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
The last Tuesday in November is recognized globally as Giving Tuesday. In late November, we encouraged you to consider helping your favorite charities.

For ER, we set a goal of receiving 50 donations of any size. We're pleased share that more than 50 of you responded!

Your support matters. Through your generosity, we'll help more families extricate themselves from poverty. Thank you!
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